Qantas launches frequent flyer scheme for small business

Qantas has publicised a rewards scheme for SMEs so they can earn points as an individual consumer has done in the past, as it steps up its battle against Virgin for the business market.

The scheme, called Aquire, has been branded a “clever marketing move” by Council of Small Business Australia chairman Amanda Lynch, who welcomed the scheme.

Business owners and employees who travel can earn points for their own Qantas Frequent Flyer account, while at the same time earning Aquire points that go into a points pool for their business. The business can then choose how the points are used.

Aquire points will be transferable at a 1:1 ratio with Qantas Frequent Flyer points.

As an example of the value of a point, a one-way flight from Melbourne to Sydney would cost 8000 points on the Qantas Frequent Flyer scheme. Sydney to New York JFK Airport would cost 128,000 points.

Lynch said the COSBOA would like to see the scheme taken to the next level, with double points rewarded when customers purchase goods from small business, as many of the Qantas schemes’ “loyalty partners” that offer double points on purchases are large businesses.

“It’s something that can be looked at and considered,” she said. “I think it’s making it a lot easier, you don’t have to transfer them over to other people. You can actually earn them as a small business. It removes a lot of paperwork,” she said.

Qantas will release further details on the scheme closer to its launch in March 2014.