Loyalty programs · By Patrick Karsh ·
Qantas and Air New Zealand are ending their partnership. According to Qantas' Air New Zealand partner page, updated October 7, 2026, the partnership ends on April 7, 2027.
That date matters for Qantas Frequent Flyer members who use the deal to fly around New Zealand. It affects codeshare tickets, points and Status Credits, Classic Flight Rewards and lounge access.
What changes on April 7, 2027
Qantas lists four main changes.
Codeshare tickets. From April 7, 2027, you can no longer book Qantas codeshare flights run by Air New Zealand. Travel booked for before that date is not affected. If you already hold a Qantas flight number on an Air New Zealand flight on or after April 7, Qantas or your travel agent will move you to the same trip under an Air New Zealand flight number.
Points and Status Credits. Qantas says members moved to an Air New Zealand flight number will still earn the Qantas Points and Status Credits they would have earned on the original booking. Until the deal ends, members earn points and Status Credits on eligible Air New Zealand flights within New Zealand when booked with a QF flight number and their Frequent Flyer number. Points post within 15 days of the flight.
Classic Flight Rewards. Members can book Classic Flight Reward seats on Air New Zealand until April 6, 2027. From April 7, to change a Classic Flight Reward booking, you must contact Qantas. Qantas will rebook you on select Jetstar flights, if seats are open, or refund the booking.
Lounges. Until April 7, 2027, eligible members can use Air New Zealand lounges when flying eligible Air New Zealand domestic flights. That access ends on April 7.
What to do now
If you have a New Zealand trip planned for next year, check how it is ticketed. A trip before April 7 works as it does today. A trip on or after April 7 will be moved to Air New Zealand flight numbers, and your earning should carry over.
Reward bookings need more care. If you hold a Classic Flight Reward on Air New Zealand for April 7 or later, the option to change it narrows to Jetstar flights or a refund. If your dates are firm, that may be fine. If they might move, ask Qantas about your options before the change date.
Lounge access is the quiet loss. Qantas status holders who rely on Air New Zealand lounges on domestic New Zealand trips will need another plan after April 7. Read up on lounge options before a 2027 trip.
The bigger picture
The Qantas page does not give a reason for the split. It does mean Qantas Points will buy fewer ways around New Zealand after April 2027. Members who fly there often may want to keep an eye on other programs that partner with Air New Zealand, such as Star Alliance airline programs, since Air New Zealand is a Star Alliance member.
Our Qantas Frequent Flyer page shows how we value Qantas Points, and our Air New Zealand Airpoints page covers Air New Zealand's own program.
My take
I would not panic about tickets already booked, since Qantas says earning carries over. The real loss is reward seats and lounges after April 7. If I had a Classic Flight Reward on Air New Zealand for next April or later, I would look at it now, while there is time to change course.