Qantas Business Rewards vs Virgin Australia Business Flyer: which suits a small business?

How do I join each program?

Qantas Business Rewards charges a one-off joining fee of $89.50. To earn points on flights, a business must meet Qantas' tax-registration or incorporation requirement (see the Qantas FAQ), and travel agents and businesses that already have a negotiated Qantas discount are excluded from earning on flights. Those businesses can still earn with other Qantas Business Rewards partners.

Virgin Australia Business Flyer is free to join with no ongoing membership fees. You need an active ABN or ACN and an Australian business address, and the program is for businesses spending up to $500,000 a year on domestic air travel. Travel agents and resellers are excluded.

How do businesses earn points on flights?

Qantas: points for the business are earned on eligible flights with a QF flight number, ticket number starting 081, bought in Australia. The business ABN and the traveller's Qantas Frequent Flyer number must both be quoted on every booking. Qantas advertises savings of up to 8% on the base fare of selected flights.

Virgin: members earn Velocity Points for the business on eligible flights, up to 1,000,000 points a year. On eligible international partner flights the earn rate is 1, 1.5 or 2 points per $1 depending on tier. Virgin advertises up to 6% off eligible Virgin Australia flights and up to 10% with international partners.

At the time of writing Virgin is also running a promotion of triple business points for those who join, book and fly by 2 November 2026 (terms apply).

Can I earn on everyday business spend?

Both programs earn on more than flights. Qantas lists everyday spend "including travel, credit card spend and fuel". Virgin lists 25+ partners including car hire, hotels, online shopping, energy, telecommunications, and "credit card payments, business transactions, and loans".

Bill payment platforms are one route in. pay.com.au lists a transfer rate of 2 PayRewards Points to 1 Qantas Point or 1 Velocity Point, and Qantas' pay.com.au page says the $89.50 joining fee is waived for PayRewards members. Check the fees first: our guide to supplier payments covers the maths.

How can a business use the points?

Qantas: business points can go to flights, upgrades and more, and can be transferred to an individual's Qantas Frequent Flyer account once the business balance is at least 3,000 points. Qantas suggests talking to your accountant about tax implications such as fringe benefits tax.

Virgin: points can be redeemed for rewards, and members get member discounts. See Virgin's terms for transfer rules.

Quick comparison

Which program suits my business?

• Which airline do you actually fly? That matters more than anything else in the table.
• Eligibility. Qantas' registration or incorporation rule excludes some sole traders from flight earn.
• Where your other points land. If you already earn Velocity Points elsewhere in the business, concentrating them helps you reach a useful redemption.

Can I earn points from card sales?

Some merchant payment providers also earn airline points. FairPayments (Nuvei Preferred Partner) gives eligible merchants Velocity Points at 1 point per $25 in card sales, with 0.95% on Visa and Mastercard and a flat 25c per eftpos transaction (published rates). It is offered to auto, wholesale food and trade supply businesses. Pay less. Get more. That's fair.

Which should I join?

Business Flyer is free and broad; Qantas Business Rewards has a modest joining fee and stricter flight earn eligibility. Pick the airline you fly, check the terms on each program's own site, and join both if the eligibility and costs suit you.