How to Fly to Australia and New Zealand with Points

By Bryce Casson, Founder · Cardocrat · Updated June 2026

The short answer: Australia and New Zealand are among the hardest premium awards to book because of long distances and scarce space, but the rewards are huge. Fly Qantas or Fiji Airways through Oneworld and Star programs, Air New Zealand through Star Alliance, or take Qatar Qsuite the long way through Doha. Book far in advance from West Coast gateways and stay flexible.

This guide covers the best ways to reach Australia and New Zealand with points, the programs to use, and how to handle the limited award space. Award prices and availability change constantly as programs devalue and adjust, so treat every points figure here as a rough, illustrative guide rather than a guarantee. Always confirm the current price and that an award seat is actually available on the airline own site before you transfer points, since transfers are one-way and cannot be reversed.

The lay of the land

Australia and New Zealand are served by a handful of carriers across alliances. Qantas, a Oneworld member, is the flagship to Australia, with United and Fiji Airways also serving the South Pacific in Star Alliance and partner networks, and Air New Zealand, a Star Alliance member, the main carrier to New Zealand. Qatar Airways also reaches Australia the long way through its Doha hub.

Because the journey is among the longest in the world, a premium cabin matters enormously, which is exactly why points are so valuable here. The challenge is that these carriers release limited award space, so flexibility and early booking are essential. See our finding award space guide.

Best business class to the South Pacific

Qantas operates excellent business class to Australia, and it tends to release the most award space to its own members and partners around the time schedules open, so booking far in advance is key. Qantas is bookable through Oneworld programs like American AAdvantage and Alaska, as well as Qantas own program. Air New Zealand business to New Zealand is bookable through Star Alliance programs such as Aeroplan, Avianca, and United.

A creative alternative is Qatar Airways Qsuite, widely considered the best business class in the world, which reaches Australia through Doha. It is a longer routing, but it lets you experience a phenomenal product and can have better award space than the direct Pacific carriers. See our business class guide.

The best programs to use

For Qantas, American AAdvantage and Alaska Mileage Plan are key Oneworld programs, and Qantas own program is worth checking for its own space. For Air New Zealand and other Star options, Aeroplan, Avianca LifeMiles, and United MileagePlus all work, with Avianca adding the benefit of no fuel surcharges. For the Qatar Qsuite routing, American AAdvantage and the Avios programs are the main paths.

Fiji Airways, bookable through partners including Alaska, offers another route to the South Pacific through Fiji, which can double as a stopover destination. Because all of these are reachable by transferring flexible points, holding a flexible balance lets you chase whichever carrier has space. See our transfer partners guide.

Handling scarce award space

Award space to Australia and New Zealand is the real obstacle, so the tactics matter. Book as early as possible, ideally when schedules first open around eleven months to a year out, since the limited premium seats go fast. Be flexible on dates, on which country you enter first, and on routing, including the option to fly through Asia or the Middle East rather than nonstop across the Pacific.

Positioning to a West Coast gateway like Los Angeles or San Francisco shortens the journey and improves access to nonstop award space. Consider a stopover in Asia, Fiji, or the Middle East to break up the long trip and see more on one award. Persistence and flexibility are what land these awards. See our booking tactics guide.

Economy and timing

Economy to the South Pacific can be worth it given how high cash fares run, but the long flight makes a premium cabin especially desirable, so many travelers prioritize business class here even at a higher mileage cost. If you do fly economy, distance-based and Star Alliance programs can price it reasonably.

Timing matters too: the region peak season aligns with the US winter, when Australians and New Zealanders also travel, so award space is tightest then. Shoulder seasons offer better availability and value. Award prices and availability change constantly as programs devalue and adjust, so treat every points figure here as a rough, illustrative guide rather than a guarantee. Always confirm the current price and that an award seat is actually available on the airline own site before you transfer points, since transfers are one-way and cannot be reversed. See our economy and Asia guides for connecting strategies.

The bottom line

These are long, scarce awards, so plan far ahead and stay flexible.
Qantas and Fiji Airways serve the region through Oneworld and partners.
Air New Zealand is bookable through Star Alliance programs.
Qatar Qsuite the long way through Doha is a comfortable alternative.
West Coast gateways shorten the journey and improve award access.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to fly to Australia with points?

Fly Qantas business class booked through American AAdvantage or Alaska, or take Qatar Qsuite the long way through Doha. Qantas releases the most award space when schedules open, so book far in advance, and stay flexible on dates and routing.

How do I fly to New Zealand with points?

Air New Zealand, a Star Alliance member, is the main carrier and is bookable through Star programs like Aeroplan, Avianca LifeMiles, and United. Book early and stay flexible, since premium award space to New Zealand is limited.

Why is award space to Australia so hard to find?

The distances are vast, the carriers are few, and they release limited premium award space that goes quickly. Booking far in advance when schedules open, and being flexible on dates and routing, including through Asia or the Middle East, is essential.

Can I fly Qatar Qsuite to Australia?

Yes, the long way through Doha. It adds routing but lets you experience what is widely considered the best business class in the world, and it can offer better award space than the direct Pacific carriers. Book through American AAdvantage or Avios programs.

Which US gateways are best for the South Pacific?

West Coast gateways like Los Angeles and San Francisco offer the shortest Pacific crossings and the most nonstop award space. Positioning to the West Coast can improve both comfort and availability for the long journey.