Business Travel Loyalty: How to get more from every business trip
Qantas Business Rewards & Virgin Australia Business Flyer: HOW THEY COMPARE
For Australian SMEs, business travel is back in full force. But rising costs mean every trip needs to work harder for your business and travel budget.
Both Qantas and Virgin Australia have sharpened their SME loyalty programs to meet that need. Let’s explore how.
What’s Happening in Business Travel Right Now?
SMEs are leading the recovery
SMEs are increasing travel activity faster than large corporates. And with SMEs representing 98% of Australian businesses and contributing a third of GDP, this segment is critical to airline strategy.
But value-conscious corporates are under increasing pressure, particularly in an inflationary environment. And while price remains important, flexibility and service are proving to be equally influential.
That’s why Australia’s two major airline business rewards programs, Qantas Business Rewards and Virgin Australia’s Business Flyer, are both vying for your business travel budget with evolving product solutions for business travellers, and special offers to join and earn more.
Let’s take a look at how their loyalty programs compare.
Qantas Business Rewards
Designed to give SMEs ‘big business’ benefits
Who it’s for: Qantas Business Rewards is Qantas’ dedicated loyalty program for small to medium sized businesses with an ABN.
Standard joining fee: $89.95 – FREE until 31 March 2026.
Key benefits:
1. Flight discounts
Members unlock tiered discounts on eligible Qantas fares (base fare only, excluding taxes, fees and carrier charges) – see table below for full benefits comparison:
- Level 1: Up to 6% off
- Level 2: Up to 9% off
- Level 3: Up to 10% off
These discounts apply to over 1,300 destinations domestically and across Qantas’ international network, including partner airlines
2. Double rewards structure
When an employee travels and includes their Frequent Flyer number and business ABN:
- The traveller earns Qantas Frequent Flyer points and Status Credits
- The business earns their own separate Qantas Business Rewards points on the same booking
At Level 3, businesses earn up to 40% of the points the traveller earns.
Plus, employees receive 250 bonus Frequent Flyer points per booking where travel is on a QF flight number.
3. Earn beyond flights
Businesses can earn points on everyday spend via 50+ partners, including:
- Fuel (BP Plus)
- Hotels and rental cars
- Credit cards and utilities
In the past year alone, 24 billion Qantas points were earned through Qantas Business Rewards.
4. Lounge and status perks
- 20–30% off Qantas Club memberships at higher tiers
- “Gold Accelerator” at Level 3, allowing a nominated employee to fast-track Gold status
Qantas Business Rewards Loyalty Levels
|
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
|
<15,000 points earned from business travel per year |
15,000 – 79,999 points earned from business travel per year |
80,000+ points earned from business travel per year |
|
Up to 6% off the base fare of selected flights |
Up to 9% off the base fare of selected flights |
Up to 10% off the base fare of selected flights |
|
20 Qantas Points for your business for every 100 points your flyers earn |
30 Qantas Points for your business for every 100 points your flyers earn |
40 Qantas Points for your business for every 100 points your flyers earn |
|
20% off Qantas Club |
30% off Qantas Club |
30% off Qantas Club |
|
|
Up to 3% off Red e-Deals |
Up to 5% off Red e-Deals |
|
|
Up to 5% off Saver fares |
Up to 6% off Saver fares |
|
|
|
Nominate 1 traveller per year to fast track their Frequent Flyer to Gold |
Loyalty program details, terms and conditions apply, visit Qantas Business Rewards for full and current details.
Virgin Australia Business Flyer
The challenger brand for cost-conscious corporates, focused on flexibility, value and recognition.
Who it’s for: VA’s Business Flyer loyalty program is designed specifically for SME businesses with an ABN, and Australian business address, and spend less than $300,000 per year with Virgin Australia on air travel.
Standard joining fee: FREE.
Key Benefits
1. Flight discounts
Members access up to 6% off Virgin Australia airfares (4% off Flex fares, 6% off Business Class fares) and up to 10% off when flying with VA’s international partners.
2. Double rewards structure
Businesses earn Velocity Points on their employees’ travel while travellers earn their individual Velocity Points and Status Credits.
3. Earn points in the air and on the ground
Earn points on VA airfares and VA partners, including international airline partners, hotels, car rental, rideshares, banks and finance, energy and insurance and more.
Virgin Australia Business Flyer Tiers
|
Tier 1 |
Tier 2 |
Tier 3 |
|
$0 – $9,999 annual spend |
$10,000 – $49,999 annual spend |
Over $50,000 annual spend |
|
1 point / $1 earned on eligible flights |
1.5 points / $1 earned on eligible flights |
2 points / $1 earned on eligible flights |
|
Up to 6% on Virgin Australia flights (4% off Flex fares, 6% off Business Class fares) and up to 10% when flying with our international partners |
Up to 6% on Virgin Australia flights (4% off Flex fares, 6% off Business Class fares) and up to 10% when flying with our international partners |
Up to 6% on Virgin Australia flights (4% off Flex fares, 6% off Business Class fares) and up to 10% when flying with our international partners |
|
(2) x Pilot Gold memberships when you spend $2,000 on eligible travelled flights within your first three months of joining |
(1) x complimentary 12-month Velocity Gold membership |
(2) x complimentary 12-month Velocity Gold memberships |
|
Discounted Lounge membership: $379 (usually $450) annually |
Discounted Lounge membership: $379 (usually $450) annually |
Discounted Lounge membership: $379 (usually $450) annually |
| Your choice of:
· 20,000 bonus Velocity Points for your business; or · 5 single-use Virgin Australia Lounge passes |
Your choice of:
· 50,000 bonus Velocity Points for your business; or · 10 single use Virgin Australia Lounge passes; or · 2 Business Class upgrades |
Loyalty program details, terms and conditions apply, visit Virgin Australia Business Flyer for full and current details.
Loyalty Program Special Offers
Valid to 31 March 2026
Qantas Business Rewards
- Join for free (save $89.95)
- Win 1 million Qantas points for your business: Make an eligible flight or hotel booking or spend with any of Qantas Business Rewards’ 50+ partners by 30 April 2026.
Conditions apply – read here. Sign up through Spencer Corporate Travel today.
Virgin Australia Business Flyer
- Earn up to $1000 Travel Credit: Sign your business up to Virgin Australia Business Flyer and fly 2+ times for work by 31 March 2026.
Conditions apply – read here. Sign up through Spencer Corporate Travel today.
Which Loyalty Program is Right for Your Business?
It depends on your travel profile.
If your business:
- Flies frequently with Qantas domestically and internationally
- Has meaningful everyday spend you can channel through partners
- Wants structured tier progression and status benefits
Qantas Business Rewards offers scale and depth. For procurement teams, the combination of corporate-style benefits without requiring large-volume contracts makes Qantas a commercially compelling option for SMEs seeking structure, recognition and reach.
If your business:
- Is highly price-sensitive
- Values flexibility and competitive fare positioning
- Primarily travels domestic and short-haul
Virgin Australia Business Flyer can deliver strong savings, practical value and great service experiences.
The Bottom Line for SMEs
Business travel is not a cost line, it’s a strategic investment.
Both loyalty programs allow you to:
- Reduce net travel spend
- Earn additional rewards
- Recognise and retain staff
- Improve traveller experience
Hot Tip! Make sure you or your travel agent always add your ABN and/or loyalty program number to every booking to maximise your savings and earning potential. Because in today’s climate, leaving value on the table is the most expensive mistake of all.
