As a frequent flyer, I know firsthand the value of a good rewards program. And if you're looking to fly to Bali from Australia, Qantas Points can be a great way to get there — if you book far enough in advance.
So, whether you're a seasoned pro or a Qantas Points newbie, read on to find out how to make your Bali trip a reality with Qantas Points.
Key takeaways
- Fly direct to Bali with Qantas and Jetstar from state capitals.
- One-stop options include Kuala Lumpur (closed), Bangkok, and Hong Kong.
- Expect limited availability on direct routes at peak times, especially in Business Class.
Top up your account using Qantas credit card bonus points.
Direct flight options
Check your non-stop options with Qantas and Jetstar first. You may need to first position yourself with a regional flight to a different city, although there are direct flights to Bali from most of our large cities.
Qantas
Availability: Poor | Charges: Average | In-flight experience: Good | Stops: 0
Although it's most likely the first-choice airline for Qantas Frequent Flyer members, availability on a Qantas direct flight to Denpasar will be limited. Finding enough open award seats for a family is difficult, especially if you want to spend the short flight in Business Class and want to travel relatively soon.
Jetstar
Availability: Poor | Charges: Average | In-flight experience: Average | Stops: 0
Although Jetstar flies to Bali from more Australian cities than Qantas, you'll still need to book well in advance to get seats. This is due to the combination of high demand and limitations imposed by the single-aisle aircraft Jetstar predominantly allocates for the short hop.
Multi-stop flight options
If you can't find a direct flight, there are a few multi-stop routings to consider. There is a trade-off between getting a flight on points and the hassle of a layover and transferring to a connecting flight.
Malaysia Airlines
Availability: Average | Charges: Low | In-flight experience: Good | Stops: 1
It will probably be easier to find availability on the outbound leg from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, or Perth to Kuala Lumpur than on the return. Their Business Class seat on the A350 is very good, and the transit experience at KUL is reliably efficient.
Cathay Pacific
Availability: Average | Charges: Low | In-flight experience: Good | Stops: 1
Connect via Hong Kong from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. Availability is harder to find on the return segment from Hong Kong, particularly to Sydney and Melbourne. I've flown with them many times over the years and have found the in-flight experience to be consistently good, and the transit experience in HKG is remarkably good (assuming you have access to one of their lounges). I can easily while away a few hours with a drink and a comfortable chair in The Pier lounge, watching what's happening outside on the apron.
Summary
| Airline | Availability | Charges | In-flight experience | Stops |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cathay Pacific | Average | Low | Good | 1 |
| Jetstar | Poor | Average | Average | 0 |
| Malaysia Airlines | Average | Low | Good | 1 |
| Qantas | Poor | Average | Good | 0 |
