Qantas Frequent Flyer redemption statistics for the first half of 2013 have revealed favourite destinations (sunny spots in the Pacific, mostly) and must have gadgets (coffee machines and cameras).
Latest figures on the most popular destinations and in-store items redeemed by members has shown an appetite for cookery products and homemaker items, partly attributed to the ongoing popularity of renovation and food-focussed TV programs.
Travel remains the number one redemption preference for members, who are cashing in their points to book flights for themselves as well as family and friends.
Top five Qantas Frequent Flyer redemption international destinations (January – June 2013):
1. Nadi, Fiji
2. Auckland, New Zealand
3. Los Angeles, USA
4. Johannesburg, South Africa
5. Hawaii, USA
The top five Qantas Frequent Flyer redemption domestic bookings are to the capital cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, with redemption bookings to the recently reinstated Gold Coast route also popular.
Qantas Frequent Flyer CEO Lesley Grant said while redemptions through the Qantas Frequent Flyer online store continue to grow, flight redemptions remain the heart of the program.
“Flights remain at the core of what people choose to spend their points on, but as the number of program partners grow we’re finding more and more people choosing non-flight options,” said Ms Grant.
“What these statistics show is how important lifestyle is to our members. Whether it’s a family holiday in Hawaii or a coffee machine for the home, it’s about people treating themselves with things they may not buy otherwise,” she added.
The latest figures for redemptions also showed an overall increase of 7.8 per cent in March 2013 compared with March 2012.
The Qantas Frequent Flyer store has over 3,000 items listed and the most redeemed products reflect modern consumer trends around technology innovations and luxury kitchen accessories.
Top five Qantas frequent flyer store redemption items (January – June 2013):
1. Gift cards including department stores and iTunes gift cards
2. Bose noise cancelling headsets / Apple iPad mini (equal second)
3. Go Pro Digital camera
4. De’Longhi Nespresso Pixie
5. KitchenAid Artisan mixer (Empire Red is the most popular colour among members)
Along with coffee machines, items from the Home and Garden department are increasingly popular, including vacuum cleaners, the new Dyson Hot + Cold fan and fridge/freezers.
Top five non-traditional best sellers:
1. 2013 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix package
2. Qantas flight simulator experience
3. Q Bag tag – two tag pack
4. BH fitness SB2 spin bike
5. Phillips steam station.
Also on the increase are redemptions for Qantas epiQure memberships, UNICEF donations and flight upgrades.
About Qantas Frequent Flyer:
The Qantas Frequent Flyer program was launched in 1987 and today has over 9 million members.
The online Qantas Frequent Flyer Store offers more than 3,000 products.
The program has thousands of ways to earn point and hundreds of partners.
Over 3.6 million Award flights were redeemed by members in FY2012-2013.