The Best Ways To Fly to Australia With Points and Miles [Step by Step]

Nonstop flights take 14 to 17 hours depending on the route, making Australia one of the longest long-haul destinations from the continental U.S. Using points and miles can significantly offset the cost, particularly in premium cabins.

This guide covers the best points and miles programs for booking flights from the U.S. to Australia.

Quick Overview: Best Ways To Fly to Australia With Points

There are 6 programs that stand out for award flights from the U.S. to Australia: ANA Mileage Club, Avianca LifeMiles, Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards, American Airlines AAdvantage, Qantas Frequent Flyer, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.

ANA Mileage Club offers the lowest business-class pricing, at 72,500 miles one-way on United or Air Canada, followed by Avianca LifeMiles and American AAdvantage at 80,000 miles one-way. Alaska Atmos Rewards prices Qantas business class at 85,000 miles one-way from the continental U.S., while Virgin Atlantic Flying Club prices Delta One at 165,000 miles and Qantas Frequent Flyer charges up to 166,300 miles for Los Angeles (LAX) to Sydney (SYD) in business class, though Qantas often has more award space in its own programs than partner programs can access.

Avianca LifeMiles, Alaska Atmos Rewards, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club charge no fuel surcharges on Australia redemptions. ANA Mileage Club surcharges vary by partner, with minimal fees on United and Air Canada bookings. Premium cabin availability is limited across all 6 programs, and searching around 11 months in advance — when most airlines open their booking windows — gives the best chance of finding seats.

Best Programs for Booking Flights to Australia Right Now

Why did these 6 programs make our list?

• ANA Mileage Club offers the lowest one-way business class pricing, at 72,500 miles on United or Air Canada flights to Australia.
• Avianca Lifemiles prices United business class to Australia at 80,000 miles one-way with no fuel surcharges and the broadest set of transfer partners of any program on this list.
• American Airlines AAdvantage books Qantas business class from the continental U.S. at 80,000 miles one-way with fees of around $40.
• Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards prices Qantas business class at 85,000 miles one-way from continental U.S. airports with no fuel surcharges on Qantas bookings.
• Qantas Frequent Flyer releases exclusive award space on Qantas flights that partner programs can’t access, making it the most reliable option for booking Qantas business or first class.
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club books Delta One Suites to Australia for 165,000 points one-way with no fuel surcharges and 6 major 1:1 transfer partners including Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Best Programs for Award Flights to Australia: At a Glance

*Continental U.S. to Australia (covering flights 7,001 to 10,000 miles). Hawaii-to-Australia routes fall in the 5,001-to-7,000 distance band at 37,500 points for economy and 75,000 for business.
**Los Angeles or San Francisco to Sydney or Melbourne (covering 9,601 to 15,000 miles of flight distance). Flights from Hawaii fall in a lower band, at 36,200 points in economy and 130,100 in business.

Nonstop Routes Between North America and Australia

Since Australia is one of the more challenging destinations to reach from the U.S., there are fewer flights to consider. These airlines operate nonstop flights between the U.S. (including Hawaii) and Australia:

Air Canada also flies nonstop from its Vancouver hub, which can be a convenient connection for U.S. travelers. It’s also worth pointing out that Qantas runs the Vancouver-Sydney route as well.

Best Programs for Booking Award Flights to Australia

Let’s examine the best programs for booking award tickets to Australia. Generally speaking, award availability, especially in business or first class, is extremely difficult to find. Flexibility and a willingness to book a positioning flight (a flight to a city where points bookings are available) will help immensely when you’re searching for award space.

All Nippon Airways (ANA) Mileage Club

ANA Mileage Club is a Star Alliance program with fixed partner award pricing and some of the lowest rates available for U.S.-to-Australia flights on United and Air Canada.

The program has 2 separate award charts: one for ANA-operated flights and one for Star Alliance partner flights. On ANA-operated flights, pricing is seasonal and depends on travel zones. North America is Zone 6 and Oceania is Zone 10. Fuel surcharges apply to ANA awards, though United and Air Canada carry minimal fees.

Here’s the award pricing for flights between the U.S and Australia (zones 6 and 10, respectively) when flying on ANA:

Star Alliance partner awards through ANA are not subject to seasonal pricing, which means the same mileage cost applies year-round regardless of when you travel. One-way partner awards are available for bookings and tickets issued on or after June 24, 2025.

Flights with both United and Air Canada fall under this pricing, and each offers excellent premium cabins. United offers its Polaris business class on most nonstop routes between the U.S. and Australia. Air Canada’s business class product features reverse-herringbone seats in a clean, airy cabin.

Example redemptions:

• Houston (IAH) to Sydney (SYD) in United Polaris for 72,500 ANA miles
• Los Angeles (LAX) to Melbourne (MEL) in United economy for 37,500 ANA miles
• San Francisco (SFO) to Melbourne (MEL) and Sydney (SYD) back to San Francisco (SFO) with an open-jaw in Melbourne in United Polaris for 145,000 ANA miles
• Vancouver (YVR) to Melbourne (MEL) and then Brisbane (BNE) to Vancouver (YVR) with an open-jaw in Melbourne in Air Canada business class for 145,000 ANA miles

How to book:

Starting on Air Canada’s or United’s website won’t help you, because you need to find flights available to partners. You can use a tool like Seats.aero or Roame.travel, or start your search using ANA’s flexible date option.

1. Visit ANA’s website.
2. Click “Log in” at the top, and then provide your user name and password.
3. On the flight search tool in the middle of the screen, click on “Flight Awards.”
4. Click on “Award Reservation,” and a new window will open.
5. Enter your desired route, dates, and the desired class of travel.
6. Choose your flights.
7. Reserve your flight and pay for any applicable taxes and fees.

Earning ANA Mileage Club Miles

You can earn miles directly with the ANA CARD U.S.A. Plus. However, its earning rates and welcome offer are much lower than what other credit cards offer. Transferring points to ANA Mileage Club is better.

American Express Membership Rewards transfers to ANA Mileage Club at a 1:1 ratio. Marriott Bonvoy transfers at a 3:1 ratio, with a 5,000-mile bonus when transferring 60,000 points at once.

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Platinum Card^® from American Express

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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

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Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.  

As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$895

APR

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Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than the Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

 

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,550 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash and Uber One, Resy, lululemon credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR+ credit, and Equinox credit)
• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
• Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts and Amex International Airline Program
• Access to Amex transfer partners
• No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

 

Cons

• $895 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

 

 

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Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards^® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel^®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts^® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel^® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
• With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection^®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club^® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.* As of 07/2025.
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• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card^® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
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• $895 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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American Express^® Gold Card

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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

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American Express^® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

As High As 100,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $2,200

Annual Fee

$325

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Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The American Express^® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $325 annual fee (rates and fees)
• No lounge access

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Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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Bottom Line:

ANA has separate award charts for its own flights and partner award flights. The program has some of the best award pricing on most routes.

Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards

Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards is a strong Oneworld option for booking Qantas, American Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines flights to Australia with no fuel surcharges on most partner airlines.

The program uses a distance-based award chart for international partner flights. Flights from Hawaii to Australia fall in the 5,001-to-7,000 distance band, while flights from the continental U.S. and Vancouver fall in the 7,001-to-10,000 band. No fuel surcharges apply on Qantas, American, or Hawaiian flights. Only Hainan Airlines, Icelandair, and British Airways carry surcharges through this program.

Here’s Alaska’s award chart from the U.S. to Asia or the Pacific (note that these are starting prices):

Taxes and fees are typically under $50 one-way. The program also supports open-jaws and stopovers and is an option for booking Qantas first class.

Example redemptions:

• Los Angeles (LAX) to Brisbane (BNE) in Qantas economy for 42,500 points and about $42 in taxes and fees one-way
• Honolulu (HNL) to Sydney (SYD) for 65,000 Atmos Rewards points and $28 in taxes and fees one-way in Hawaiian Airlines business class

How to book:

1. Go to Alaska Airlines’ website.
2. Click on the person icon in the top right corner, then sign in using yourAlaska Airlines Atmos Rewards number and password.
3. Search for your route pairing, dates, and number of passengers on the homepage (check the box that says “Use Points“).
4. Select your flight and click “Add To Cart.”
5. Complete your booking by paying with points and for any taxes and fees using a credit card.

Earning Alaska Airlines Points

Bilt Rewards transfers to Alaska Atmos at a 1:1 ratio. Marriott Bonvoy transfers at a 3:1 ratio, with a 5,000-point bonus for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred.

You can also earn points with an Alaska Airlines credit card or buying Alaska Airlines points when there’s a big sale.

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Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite^® card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Atmos Rewards Summit card is the perfect companion for Alaska Airlines loyalists.

Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite^® card

The Atmos Rewards Summit card is the perfect companion for Alaska Airlines loyalists.

Welcome Offer

50% Flight Discount upon approval and Earn 100,000 Bonus Points after spending $6,500 or more on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.

100,000 points + 50% Flight Discount

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,600

Annual Fee

$395

APR

19.49% to 27.49% Variable

Why We Like This Card

The Atmos Rewards Summit card is perfect for any frequent Alaska or Hawaiian flyer who wants a card loaded with great benefits, such as an annual Global Companion Award, Alaska Lounge passes, free checked bags, and a fast-track toward Atmos Rewards elite status.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3x points on Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases
• 3x points on dining and foreign purchases made overseas
• 1x points on all other purchases

Cons

• $395 annual fee
• Points aren’t as flexible as other transferable reward programs

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• 50% Flight Discount upon approval and Earn 100,000 Bonus Points after spending $6,500 or more on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
• 3x points on Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases
• 3x points on dining and foreign purchases made overseas
• 1x points on all other purchases
• Receive 10,000 status points each year and 1 status point for every $2 of card spend
• 10% rewards bonus on all points earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America account.
• 25,000-point Global Companion Award annually
• 100,000-point Global Companion Award (after spending $60,000 or more on purchases in a card anniversary year)
• $395 annual fee

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49% to 27.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 

Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature^® card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Provides the potential to earn plenty of points to fly with Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines or over a dozen partners. Plus, get an annual companion fare from just $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) when you spend at least $6,000 a year on the card!

Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature^® card

Provides the potential to earn plenty of points to fly with Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines or over a dozen partners. Plus, get an annual companion fare from just $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) when you spend at least $6,000 a year on the card!

Welcome Offer

50% Flight Discount upon approval and Earn 80,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 or more on purchases within the first 120 days after account opening.

80,000 points + 50% Flight Discount

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,280

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.49% to 27.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

With the Atmos Rewards Ascent card in your wallet, you can get great perks and earn points at the same time. This is a win-win if Alaska or Hawaiian is the airline you prefer to fly with! Plus, its annual companion fare is a great benefit for traveling couples.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3x points per $1 spent on Alaska and Hawaiian purchases
• 2x points per $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging, local transit (including rideshare), cable, and select streaming services
• 1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases

Cons

• Charges a $95 annual fee
• Does not earn transferable rewards

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Card Highlights

• 50% Flight Discount upon approval and Earn 80,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 or more on purchases within the first 120 days after account opening.
  
• Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™. Get a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year. Valid on all Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines flights booked direct.
• Free checked bag. Any cardholder who purchases airfare with their card, and up to 6 additional guests traveling on the same reservation, may check their first bag free.
• Enjoy priority boarding so you can get to your seat quicker, when you pay for your flight with your card.
• Earn unlimited 3 points for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases. Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases. And earn unlimited 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. And, your points don’t expire on active accounts.
• Earn a 10% rewards bonus on all points earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America^® account.
• Enjoy 20% back on all Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines inflight purchases and get $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ Membership when you pay with your new card.
• With oneworld^® Alliance member airlines and Alaska’s Global Partners, Alaska has expanded their global reach to over 1,000 destinations worldwide bringing more airline partners and more ways to earn and redeem points.
• Flexibility with no blackout dates on Alaska Airlines flights when booking with points or a companion fare.
• Plus, no foreign transaction fees.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49% to 27.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards Frequent Flyer Program

Atmos™ Rewards Visa^® Business Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Atmos Rewards Business card earns you extra points and benefits on Alaska and Hawaiian flights, plus it allows you to earn an annual companion certificate.

Atmos™ Rewards Visa^® Business Card

The Atmos Rewards Business card earns you extra points and benefits on Alaska and Hawaiian flights, plus it allows you to earn an annual companion certificate.

Welcome Offer

Earn 80,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $5,000 or more on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.

80,000 points + $99 Companion Fare

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,280

Annual Fee

$70 for the company, then $25 per card

APR

19.49% to 27.49% Variable

Why We Like This Card

The Atmos Rewards Business card is a great option for business owners looking to receive added perks on their Alaska and Hawaiian flights and earn additional points for all of their business expenses.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3x points on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases
• 2x points on eligible gas, EV charging station, shipping and local transit (including rideshare) purchases
• 1x points on all other purchases

Cons

• Charges an annual fee
• Annual companion certificate requires $6,000 in annual spend

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 80,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $5,000 or more on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
• Earn another Alaska’s Companion Fare^™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after spending $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year.
• Free checked bag for you and up to 6 guests on your reservation – that’s a savings of $70 per person roundtrip!
• Enjoy priority boarding so you can get to your seat quicker, when you pay for your flight with your card.
• Earn 3 points for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases, 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, shipping and local transit (including ride-share) purchases, and 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
• Earn a 10% rewards bonus on all points earned from card purchases if your company has an eligible Bank of America small business account
• Enjoy 20% back on Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines inflight purchases when you pay with your card
• Get $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ Membership purchased with your Alaska Airlines Business card.
• With oneworld^® Alliance member airlines and Alaska’s Global Partners, you have the freedom to travel to more than 1,000 destinations.
• Flexibility with no blackout dates on Alaska Airlines flights when booking with miles or a companion fare.
• No foreign transaction fees.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49% to 27.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 

Bottom Line:

Redeeming Alaska Airlines points for Qantas or American Airlines flights is a great way to fly to Australia, as long as you can find award availability. 

Avianca Lifemiles

Avianca Lifemiles is a Star Alliance program that prices one-way awards to Australia at flat rates with no fuel surcharges on any redemption.

Economy costs 40,000 miles one-way_, and business class costs 80,000 miles one-way, both bookable on United or Air Canada. Pricing is fixed rather than distance-based, and the roughly $61 in taxes and fees applies to both economy and business class awards.

There are several great ways to redeem Avianca Lifemiles for maximum value, and award flights between the U.S. and Australia are an option. Here’s the award pricing for one-way flights between North America and Australia:

When you redeem Lifemiles for flights to Australia, you’ll fly either with Air Canada or United Airlines.

Example redemptions:

• Los Angeles (LAX) to Sydney (SYD) one-way in United economy for 40,000 Lifemiles plus $61 in taxes and fees
• San Francisco (SFO) to Brisbane (BNE) one-way in United Polaris business class for 80,000 Lifemiles plus $61 in taxes and fees

Here’s how to book:

1. Go to the Lifemiles website.
2. Click the flag icon in the top-right corner and choose English if necessary.
3. Log in and enter your Lifemiles number and password.
4. Click “Use miles” in the menu at the top of the screen, and choose “Travel with miles” from the next menu.
5. Enter your route pairing, number of passengers, and cabin class. Only choose dates after choosing the cabin class, or you might have to start again from the beginning.
6. Click the arrow to start your search.
7. Find your flights and pay with Lifemiles and for any taxes and fees using a credit card.

Earning Avianca Lifemiles

American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One miles, and Wells Fargo Rewards transfer to LIfemiles at a 1:1 ratio. Citi ThankYou Rewards transfers at 1:1 on cards with an annual fee or at 1:0.7 on no-fee cards. There are frequent transfer bonuses to Avianca from several of these programs, often around 30%.

Avianca loyalists should consider opening the Avianca Lifemiles American Express^® Card or Avianca Lifemiles American Express^® Elite Card to earn miles from daily spending.

Recommended Capital One Cards

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$395

APR

Purchases: 19.49% - 28.49% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• $395 annual fee
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®
• Top rated mobile app

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 19.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

LIMITED-TIME ONLY

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Welcome Offer

Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel.

75,000 miles + $250 Capital One Travel credit

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,600

Annual Fee

$95

APR

Purchases: 19.49% - 28.49% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent Credit

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x miles per $1 on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• Up to a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• Limited elite benefits

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Top rated mobile app

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 19.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.

Welcome Offer

Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel.

20,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

Purchases: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; variable 18.49% - 28.49% thereafter

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

Interested in a travel rewards credit card without one of those pesky annual fees? Then say hello to the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.

In addition to no annual fee, the Capital One VentureOne card offers no foreign transaction fees.

But is this card worth its salt, or is it merely a shell of the more popular Capital One Venture card?

Pros & Cons

Pros

• No annual fee
• No foreign transaction fees
• Ability to use transfer partners

Cons

• Weak earn rate at 1.25x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
• No luxury travel or elite benefits

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
• Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
• Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 18.49% – 28.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
• Top rated mobile app

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; variable 18.49% - 28.49% thereafter
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

Capital One Venture X Business Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Venture X Business card offers at least 2x miles on all purchases, and comes packed with premium perks.

Capital One Venture X Business Card

The Capital One Venture X Business card offers at least 2x miles on all purchases, and comes packed with premium perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.

150,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $2,700

Annual Fee

$395

APR

This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month.

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture X Business card is a great all-around premium rewards card that helps you rack up miles on all of your business expenses.

From 2x miles per dollar on all purchases, airport lounge access, an annual travel credit, complimentary employee cards, and more, there is plenty to love about the Capital One Venture X Business card.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Business Travel
• 5x miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Business Travel
• 2x miles per dollar on all other purchases

Cons

• $395 annual fee
• 10x and 5x bonus categories are limited to Capital One Business Travel

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
• Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
• With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
• Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
• Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
• Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
• This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
• Top rated mobile app

Financial Snapshot

• APR: This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

Qantas Frequent Flyer

Qantas Frequent Flyer is the most reliable program for booking Qantas business and first class to Australia, as it releases exclusive award space not available to partner programs and opens its schedule 353 days in advance.

Award pricing is distance-based. LAX and SFO routes to Sydney or Melbourne fall in the 9,601-to-15,000 band, with business class priced at 166,300 points one-way and first class at 249,400 points.

Although award rates are higher than many other programs, Qantas Frequent Flyer may be worth using, as award space is generally easier to find through this program than through partners. Taxes and fees are substantial: around $370 to $500 for business class from the West Coast.

• Qantas releases award seats exclusive to Qantas Frequent Flyer members who are redeeming Qantas Frequent Flyer points.
• Qantas’ schedule opens up 353 days in advance, a few weeks earlier than most other programs.

Here is the award pricing for classic Flight Rewards with Qantas, Jetstar, and American Airlines after a 2025 devaluation:

Example redemptions:

• Honolulu (HNL) to Sydney (SYD) one-way in Qantas business class for 98,400 Qantas points and $370 in taxes and fees
• Honolulu (HNL) to Sydney (SYD) one-way in Qantas economy for 36,200 Qantas points and $70 in taxes and fees
• Los Angeles (LAX) to Melbourne (MEL) or Sydney (SYD) one-way in Qantas first class for 195,400 Qantas points and about $500 in taxes and fees

Here’s how to book:

1. Visit Qantas’ website.
2. In the top-right corner, click on “Log in” and provide your Qantas Frequent Flyer details.
3. In the flight search box, enter your city, date pairings, and number of passengers, and click the Rewards button.
4. Click “Search flights.”
5. Select your flights from the results (or adjacent dates in the calendar) and click “Continue.“
6. Pay using points and use a credit card for the taxes and fees.

Earning Qantas Frequent Flyer Points

American Express Membership Rewards and Capital One miles transfer to Qantas Frequent Flyer at a 1:1 ratio. Citi ThankYou Rewards transfers at 1:1 on eligible cards (those with an annual fee). Marriott Bonvoy transfers at 3:1, with a 5,000-point bonus for every 60,000 points transferred.

Recommended Citi Cards

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com

60,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$960

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.49% to 27.49% Variable

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is a great all-around travel rewards card that allows you to earn big rewards on a variety of purchases like air travel, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and more, along with flexible redemption options, all for a modest annual fee.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
• 3x points on air travel, other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations
• $100 annual hotel benefit

Cons

• $95 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
• Earn 10X points per $1 spent on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
• Earn 3X points per $1 on air travel and other hotel purchases, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas and EV charging stations.
• Earn 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
• $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card.
• No foreign transaction fees on purchases.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49% to 27.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Citi Strata Elite card is Citi's most premium card built for frequent travelers and foodies.

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

The Citi Strata Elite card is Citi's most premium card built for frequent travelers and foodies.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus ThankYou Points after spending $6,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.

75,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $1,200

Annual Fee

$595

APR

20.49% to 28.49% Variable

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Strata Elite card is a great option for frequent travelers, foodies, and those who are fans of the Citi ThankYou Rewards ecosystem thanks to its combination of bonus categories, perks, and annual credits.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 12x points on hotels, rental cars, and attractions booked through Citi Travel
• 6x points on airfare through Citi Travel
• 6x points on dining on Citi Nights (Friday and Saturday nights from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.) and 3x points on dining at all other times

Cons

• $595 annual fee
• Boosted dining rewards are limited to 2 nights per week

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus ThankYou Points after spending $6,000 within the first 3 months of account opening
• 12x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on cititravel.com
• 6x points on air travel booked on cititravel.com
• 6x points at restaurants, including restaurant delivery services, every Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. ET, and 3x points any other time
• 1.5x points on all other purchases
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
• Up to $300 annual hotel benefit
• Up to $200 annual Splurge credit
• Up to $200 annual Blacklane credit
• 4 American Airlines Admirals Club passes every calendar year
• Transfer Citi ThankYou Points to partners like American Airlines
• Complimentary Priority Pass membership
• No foreign transaction fees

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.49% to 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Citi Strata℠ Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Citi Strata℠ Card

Welcome Offer

Earn 20,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.

20,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$320

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, and then a variable APR 18.49% to 28.49%.

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Strata card offers a fresh way to earn Citi ThankYou Points with a $0 annual fee, allowing you to maximize your spend at gas stations, supermarkets, and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com
• 3x points at supermarkets, select transit, gas and EV charging stations, and an eligible self-select category of your choice (fitness clubs, select streaming services, live entertainment, cosmetic stores/barber shops/hair salon or pet supply stores)
• 2x points at restaurants

Cons

• Doesn’t offer the best transfer ratio to Citi’s airline and hotel partners
• Charges foreign transaction fees

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
• Earn 5x points per $1 spent on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
• Earn 3x points per $1 on supermarkets, select transit, gas, and EV charging stations, and an eligible self-select category of your choice every quarter (fitness clubs, select streaming services, live entertainment, cosmetic stores/barber shops/hair salons, or pet supply stores).
• Earn 2x points per $1 at restaurants.
• Earn 1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, and then a variable APR 18.49% to 28.49%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase

Rewards Center

Citi ThankYou Rewards

Citi Double Cash^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!

Citi Double Cash^® Card

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!

Welcome Offer

Earn $200 cash-back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.

$200 cash-back

Annual Fee

$0

APR

17.49% to 27.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Fair to Excellent (580-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Double Cash^® Card has long been one of the top cash-back credit cards on the market, and the card now has the ability to earn Citi ThankYou Points!

This means that cardholders of the Double Cash card will now earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Cash back is earned in the form of ThankYou Points. This means each billing cycle, you will earn 1 ThankYou point per $1 spent on purchases and an additional ThankYou point for every $1 paid on your purchase balance as long as there is a corresponding balance in your Purchase Tracker.

Citi has turned the Double Cash card into a top choice for those who are looking for an everyday, no-fuss credit card.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Uncapped 2% for every $1 spent (1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay)
• Flexible redemption options
• No annual fee

Cons

• No bonus categories
• 3% foreign transaction fees

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou^® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
• Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
• Earn a total of 5 ThankYou^® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rental, and attractions, excluding air travel, when booked through the Citi Travel^® portal.
• To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
• Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers; after that, the variable APR will be 17.49% to 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
• If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
• There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 17.49% to 27.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase

Rewards Center

Citi ThankYou Rewards

Citi Custom Cash^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Earn big on purchases in your top eligible spend category, up to the first $500 each billing cycle, without an annual fee!

Citi Custom Cash^® Card

Earn big on purchases in your top eligible spend category, up to the first $500 each billing cycle, without an annual fee!

Welcome Offer

Earn $200 cash-back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou^® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash-back.

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

17.49% - 27.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Fair to Excellent (580-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Custom Cash^® Card is inventive when it comes to cash-back credit cards. Instead of earning a set amount of cash-back on predetermined bonus categories, the Citi Custom Cash card earns 5% cash-back on your highest eligible spend category each billing cycle, with a $0 annual fee.

Thanks to that unique perk, you’ll never need to worry about whether you’re using the right card for the right purchase, as your Citi Custom Cash card will always pay you 5% back on whichever category you end up spending the most on each month.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5% cash-back (on up to $500 each billing cycle) from your largest purchase category, including restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment
• $0 annual fee
• Multiple redemption options

Cons

• Your 5% category is limited to $500 in spend ($25 in cash-back) each month
• Not particularly rewarding for any purchases outside of your top 5% cash-back category

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou^® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
• Get 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 17.49% - 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
• Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
• No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
• $0 annual fee.
• Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash^® Card account per person.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 17.49% - 27.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3%

Bottom Line:

Qantas Frequent Flyer offers better award availability than partner airline programs. This is extremely important for those looking for Qantas first and business class award flights.

American Airlines AAdvantage

American Airlines AAdvantage prices partner awards to Australia at a flat rate regardless of route distance within the South Pacific zone, with no dynamic pricing on Qantas bookings.

Economy costs 40,000 miles one-way and business class costs 80,000 miles one-way from the continental U.S. Partner awards follow a fixed chart, so Qantas business class from Dallas or Los Angeles prices the same. Taxes and fees on Qantas flights are low, typically around $40 one-way.

American Airlines places Australia in the South Pacific region on its award chart, offering the following pricing from the continental U.S.:

Example redemptions:

• Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) to Sydney (SYD) one-way in Qantas business class for 80,000 AAdvantage miles plus $40 in taxes and fees
• Honolulu (HNL) to Sydney (SYD) one-way in Hawaiian Airlines business or first class for 65,000 AAdvantage miles plus $28 in taxes and fees
• Los Angeles (LAX) to Brisbane (BNE) one-way in Qantas business class for 80,000 AAdvantage miles plus $40 in taxes and fees

How to book:

1. Go to AA.com and click the “Log in” button in the top right corner.
2. Log in using your AAdvantage account details.
3. On the home page, choose the “Book” tab and provide your flight details like city pairs, dates, and number of travelers. Then click on “Search.”
4. On the results page, you can choose from flights on your original dates or click on “Calendar” to see 30 days’ worth of options for cheaper pricing.
5. Choose a flight that you like, then pay using AAdvantage miles and a credit card for the taxes and fees.

Earning American Airlines AAdvantage Miles

Earning American Airlines AAdvantage miles is easy. Whether you’re using the Citi co-branded AAdvantage credit cards or transferring from Citi ThankYou Rewards, you have options.

In addition, Marriott Bonvoy is a 3:1 transfer partner. Transfers from Marriott Bonvoy take around 2 business days to complete.

Recommended AAdvantage Cards

American Airlines AAdvantage^® MileUp^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Earn 2x miles per dollar spent on American Airlines flights and at grocery stores, all without needing to pay an annual fee.

American Airlines AAdvantage^® MileUp^®

Earn 2x miles per dollar spent on American Airlines flights and at grocery stores, all without needing to pay an annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 15,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after making $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

15,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$210

Annual Fee

$0

APR

19.49% to 29.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The American Airlines AAdvantage^® MileUp^® is perfectly suited for those looking for a way to earn more American Airlines miles and earn Loyalty Points, all with a $0 annual fee.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 2x miles per $1 on American Airlines and grocery store purchases
• 1x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases

Cons

• Other cards are more rewarding for frequent American Airlines flyers
• Charges a 3% foreign transaction fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 15,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after making $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
• 0% Intro APR for 15 months from date of account opening for balance transfers only. After that the variable APR will be 19.49% – 29.49%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
• Balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each credit card balance transfer, whichever is greater. Balance Transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
• No Annual Fee
• Earn 2 AAdvantage^® miles for each $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services
• Earn 2 AAdvantage^® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
• Save 25% on inflight food and beverage purchases when you use your card on American Airlines flights

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49% to 29.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3%

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® World Elite Mastercard^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Status lovers will enjoy the variety of benefits that come with this card. From free bags to reduced-price inflight beverages, AA still flies in style.

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® World Elite Mastercard^®

Status lovers will enjoy the variety of benefits that come with this card. From free bags to reduced-price inflight beverages, AA still flies in style.

Welcome Offer

Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

50,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$700

Annual Fee

$0 intro annual fee, $99 after the first year

APR

19.49% to 29.49% Variable

Why We Like This Card

The AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite card is a great option for American Airlines frequent flyers who want to earn more miles on their daily purchases and score perks such as free checked bags, preferred boarding, and savings on inflight food and beverage purchases.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 2x miles at restaurants, gas stations, and eligible American Airlines purchases
• 1x miles on all other purchases
• 1x Loyalty Point per $1 spent on all purchases

Cons

• Does not earn transferable rewards
• Charges an annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
• Earn 2 AAdvantage^® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases.
• Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage^® mile earned from purchases.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions traveling with you on the same reservation.
• Enjoy preferred boarding on American Airlines flights.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49% to 29.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 0%

Rewards Center

American Airlines AAdvantage Program

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Globe™ Mastercard^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The AAdvantage Globe card gives you more value on every American Airlines flight and helps you qualify for elite status.

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Globe™ Mastercard^®

The AAdvantage Globe card gives you more value on every American Airlines flight and helps you qualify for elite status.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.    

60,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$840

Annual Fee

$350

APR

19.49% to 29.49% Variable

Why We Like This Card

The AAdvantage Globe card is an excellent option for American Airlines frequent flyers who want a card that offers benefits on every American Airlines flight and makes it easier to qualify for American Airlines elite status.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 6x miles on eligible AAdvantage Hotels bookings
• 3x miles on American Airlines purchases
• 2x miles at restaurants, including takeout and delivery

Cons

• $350 annual fee
• Doesn’t earn transferable rewards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.
• American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles are not available if you have received AAdvantage^® bonus miles for a new AAdvantage^® Globe™ account in the past 48 months or if you converted another Citi credit card account on which you earned a new account bonus in the last 48 months into a AAdvantage^® Globe™ account.
• Every calendar year, receive four Admirals Club^®Globe™ Passes.
• Global Entry^® or TSA PreCheck^® application fee credit of up to $120 every 4 years.
• Earn 6 AAdvantage^® miles for every $1 spent on eligible hotels booked through aadvantagehotels.com.
• Earn 3 AAdvantage^® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases.
• Earn 2 AAdvantage^® miles for every $1 spent at restaurants, including takeout and delivery.
• Earn 1 AAdvantage^® miles for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49% to 29.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: $0

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Access to Admirals Clubs, tons of added benefits, and a way to spend towards elite status make this a great option for American Airlines loyalists.

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^®

Access to Admirals Clubs, tons of added benefits, and a way to spend towards elite status make this a great option for American Airlines loyalists.

Welcome Offer

Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after $7,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.

70,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$980

Annual Fee

$595

APR

19.49% to 29.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The AAdvantage Executive World Elite card is a must-have for frequent American Airlines flyers who want Admirals Club lounge access, to earn more miles on their daily expenses, and a fast-track to American Airlines AAdvantage elite status.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Earn 10x miles on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through aadvantagehotels.com and aadvantagecars.com
• Earn 4x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, and 5x miles after you spend $150,000 in purchases in a calendar year
• Earn 1x mile and 1 Loyalty Point on all other purchases

Cons

• $595 annual fee
• Doesn’t earn many miles on all other eligible purchases

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after $7,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.
• Admirals Club^® membership for you and access for up to two guests or immediate family members traveling with you
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
• Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage^® mile earned from purchases
• First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 8 companions traveling with you on the same reservation

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49% to 29.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 

Rewards Center

American Airlines AAdvantage Frequent Flyer Program

Bottom Line:

Partner awards are typically the best way to use American AAdvantage miles, rather than AA’s own flights.

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club books Delta Air Lines flights to Australia through its SkyTeam partner network, including Delta One Suites on all current LAX-Australia routes.

All of Delta’s nonstop U.S.-Australia routes depart from Los Angeles and exceed 7,000 miles, placing them in the 6,001-plus-mile distance band at 65,500 points one-way in economy and 165,000 points in Delta One. No fuel surcharges apply on Delta US-Australia routes; surcharges only apply on Delta transatlantic routes.

Award availability in Delta One can be limited, so searching close to when Delta opens its booking window (331 days out) is recommended.

Here is the points requirement for Delta-operated flights based on distance:

Once you’ve decided on which flight you want to take, follow these steps to book your Virgin Atlantic Flying Club award flight online:

1. Visit Virgin Atlantic’s homepage.
2. Type in your flight details in the search bar, including the date, route, number of passengers, and whether you’re booking one-way or round-trip.
3. Make sure to click the toggle button next to “Search for Reward Seats” before clicking the “Search flights” button.
4. If you aren’t logged in to your account, you may be prompted to log in before results appear.
5. Along with the date you searched for, you’ll also see a week’s worth of pricing at the top of the page.
6. You may need to play around with dates to find availability. Once you’ve found a flight, click “Next Step.”
   • Although transferring points to Virgin Atlantic is normally instant, you can also request 5-day award holds by calling Virgin Atlantic at 800-365-9500.
7. Complete your booking by paying the miles, taxes, and fees.

Hot Tip:

Want to monitor flight award availability without checking every day? Check out our guide on ExpertFlyer to learn how to set up automatic flight alerts.

Earning Virgin Atlantic Points

American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Rove Miles, and Wells Fargo Rewards all transfer to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club at a 1:1 ratio. Marriott Bonvoy transfers at a 3:1 ratio, typically within 1 business day.

Virgin loyalists should also consider the Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard^® to earn points on daily spending.

Recommended Chase Cards

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 75,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,500

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.24% - 27.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
• Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
• 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.24% - 27.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

125,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$2,500

Annual Fee

$795

APR

19.49% - 27.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Excellent

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like worldwide airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus, it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to cover you at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the more than $2,000 in annual credits, which can offset the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 8x points on all Chase Travel purchases
• 5x points on Lyft rides
• 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly

Cons

• $795 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
• Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
• $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge^® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^® every 4 years
• Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
• Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $250 annually
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49% - 27.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Before You Book Award Flights to Australia

Before transferring points to any program, confirm that award space exists on your specific dates and in your desired cabin. Use Seats.aero or the airline’s own award search tool to check availability first. Point transfers between loyalty programs are generally irreversible — once moved, miles can’t be returned — so transferring before confirming a seat carries real risk.

Taxes and fees vary widely by program and are worth calculating as part of the total cost. Qantas Frequent Flyer awards can carry $370 to $500 in fees for business class from the West Coast, while Avianca Lifemiles and Alaska Atmos Rewards typically charge under $65. Always factor the cash component into the total before deciding which program to use.

How We Selected the Best Ways To Fly to Australia With Points

We evaluated each program based on award pricing for economy and business class, fuel surcharge policies, award availability on U.S.-to-Australia routes, and the range of transferable currencies that feed into each program. Programs that offer fixed or transparent award charts, no or low surcharges, and access to nonstop routes ranked highest. For a full breakdown of how we evaluate and rate travel loyalty programs, see our credit card and loyalty program rating methodology here.

Final Thoughts

For most travelers, ANA Mileage Club and Avianca LIfemiles offer the strongest pricing for United and Air Canada flights to Australia, costing 72,500 and 80,000 miles one-way in business class, respectively. For Qantas business or first class, American AAdvantage (80,000 miles) and Alaska Atmos Rewards (85,000 miles) are more cost-efficient other than Qantas Frequent Flyer, though Qantas Frequent Flyer is the better bet for finding award availability.

Across all programs, confirm award space and calculate total fees — including taxes and surcharges — before transferring any points.