Qantas points are changing: Here are the best deals for families before prices rise

If you've been holding onto your Qantas Frequent Flyer points, now is the time to use them.

Qantas has announced upcoming changes to its Frequent Flyer program, with points-based pricing for Classic Reward seats set to increase from August. 

This means booking flights with points will soon cost you more.

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The best value deals before prices rise

As an expert travel hacker, I've been searching for the best value flights for families before the price hikes hit, and there are still great deals available.

You can book trips overseas for as little as $225 per person return, with points starting at just 16,000. This is less than most ordinary domestic flights. 

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Whether you're dreaming of Bali, Fiji, Singapore, Queenstown, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Phuket, or Los Angeles, here is how you can turn your points into an affordable family holiday.

Highlights Include:

• Bali (From Darwin): Points: 16K | Taxes: $236 | April/May, June/July
• Queenstown (From Sydney): Points: 28K -32K | Taxes: $274-$286 | April, June/July, Sept/Oct
• Bali (From Melbourne): Points: 36K | Taxes: $225 | April/May, June/July, Sept/Oct
• Phuket (From Perth): Points: 36K | Taxes: $246 | June/July
• Tokyo (From Brisbane): Points: 50K | Taxes: $281 | June/July

Flights available even during school holidays

One of the biggest challenges I hear when discussing frequent flyer points is that booking flights can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack - especially during school holidays.

That's why I set strict criteria to ensure the flights I found were achievable for families. 

Here's what I looked for when hunting down affordable flights:

1. Multiple tickets had to be available – so families actually have a chance to book
2. School holiday availability (or close to it) – so kids aren't missing too much school (if any)
3. Direct or easy routes – because no parent wants endless stopovers with kids 
4. Economy seats – the points required are significantly less

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With the cost of living rising, using your points for flights is still one of the smartest ways to keep family holidays affordable.

The money you save on flights can go toward accommodation and activities.

Pro tips for families booking points flights

If the dates below don't work, try keeping your search flexible and look for entire months at a time.

Don't worry if you don't find flights immediately - Qantas releases new Classic Rewards tickets regularly, so more options could appear. Check back often.

You could also try flying from a different city. I recommend searching on a desktop for the best results.

The best value flights we found this month

Departing from Melbourne:

• Bali: Points: 36K | Taxes: $225 | April/May, June/July, Sept/Oct
• Queenstown: Points 28K-38K | Taxes: $250 - $263 I April, June/July, Sept
• Phuket: Points: 46K | Taxes: $261 | June/July
• Fiji: Points: 36K-38K | Taxes: $279-$300 | April/May, June/July, Sept/Oct
• Singapore: Points: 43K-50K | Taxes: $288-$298 | April/May, June/July
• Hong Kong: Points: 50K |Taxes: $292 | June/July
• Tokyo: Points: 63K | Taxes: $334 | June/July
• Los Angeles: Points: 84K | Taxes: $362-$386 | April/May, July

Departing from Sydney:

• Bali: Points: 36K | Taxes: $248-$269 | April/May, June/July, Sept/Oct
• Queenstown: Points: 28-32K | Taxes: $274-$286 | April, June/July, Sept/Oct
• Tokyo: Points: 63K | Taxes: $281 | June/July
• Phuket: Points: 43K | Taxes: $284 | June/July
• Fiji: Points: 28-34K | Taxes: $303-$323 | June/July, Sept/Oct
• Singapore: Points: 50K-55K | Taxes: $302-$333 | April, June/July, Sept
• Hong Kong: Points: 56K | Taxes: $321 | June/July
• Los Angeles: Points: 84K | Taxes: $385 | April/May, July

Departing from Brisbane:

• Bali: Points: 36K-40K | Taxes: $231-$307 | April/May, June/July, Sept/Oct
• Tokyo: Points: 50K I Taxes: $281 I June/July
• Singapore: Points: 50K | Taxes: $285 | April/May

Departing from Perth:

• Bali: Points: 29K | Taxes: $211 | April/May, June/July
• Phuket: Points: 36K | Taxes: $246 | June/July
• Singapore: Points: 36K-38K | Taxes: $275-$285 | April/May, June/July

Departing from Darwin:

• Bali: Points: 16K | Taxes: $236 | April/May, June/July

Note: prices correct at time of submission

Kirstin Edwards is the travel expert behind My Big Adventure, a series of fun and interactive travel diaries that teach kids about their holiday destination.