How to buy Qantas (QAN) shares

Do you want to know how to buy shares in Qantas (ASX: QAN)? This guide will show you everything you need to know about adding shares in the famous Australian airline to your portfolio.

Company overviewQantas is a household name in Australia, having been the country's flag carrier airline since the 1930s and at one time the only airline to offer flights to and from the rest of the world. Its enviable safety record has earned it world fame.

The price of Qantas shares has been volatile in recent years, being buffeted by the cost of fuel, fierce competition domestically and on some international routes, and the pandemic. With nearly half the country's population registered, the Qantas Frequent Flyer program has been instrumental in the company's resilience.

Step 1: Choose a broker

When you buy shares online, you do it through an intermediary called a broker. There are lots of online brokers available, offering various options. You need one with access to the Australian Stock Exchange.

Here are some key features to look for when choosing an online broker:

Low-cost brokerage

The advent of online share trading has seen brokerage costs plunge.

If you shop around, you’ll be able to find online platforms offering very competitive brokerage rates.

Be careful to weigh up brokerage costs against other services the online trader may or may not offer.

Easy-to-use trading platform

Trading in shares needn’t be complicated, so keep an eye out for a trading platform that is straightforward to use.

Research and reporting

Look for a platform that has a solid research and reporting section that can give you important information about Qantas, including company overview, price history, recommendations, and price forecasts.

Step 2: Funding your account

Next, it's time to add money to your account so you can make trades. Keep in mind the minimum transaction for any initial investment varies between brokers.

You will need to transfer funds from your bank account and it may take around 3 days for the funds to clear.

Step 3: Decide how much you want to invest

Deciding how much you want to risk on your investments is a pretty basic start, but it's more important than you think.

Work out a budget for buying shares and only spend what you can afford to lose.

Step 4: Choose between buying shares or an ETF

Another option for more cautious investors is an ETF or Exchange Traded Fund, which allows you to invest in a market as a whole or a specific commodity rather than an individual company like Qantas. This product tracks that market, meaning it's less likely to experience sudden rises or falls, but it also means it's harder to make the kind of big gains you can with shares.

Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund ETF (VT), Invesco PureBeta FTSE Developed ex-North America ETF (PBDM), and John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF (JHMD) all hold Qantas shares.

Step 5: Decide your order type

So, you’ve decided to buy Qantas shares. These are some of the main order types available to execute your trade.

Market order

These are orders to buy shares at the current market price. In fast-moving markets, these prices can change while you're making the trade. Let's say you place an order for Qantas shares at $4.70. You place an order but by the time it executes the share price has dropped to $4.67. You will get your shares at a lower price. The same situation applies if the share price goes up while your order is being executed.

Limit order

With a buy limit order, your trade will only execute when the share price reaches the price, or lower, that you nominate. Let’s say you decide you only want to buy Qantas shares at $4.50 or lower. Once the price drops to $4.50, your limit order will kick in.

Stop limit

This is when you nominate a price at which to sell your shares. When that price is reached, your sell order is executed. For example, you decide you want to sell your Qantas shares at $4.90. Once the price reaches $4.90, the stop limit executes.

Stop loss

This helps you reduce risk. With a stop-loss order, you nominate a price at which you decide to sell your shares. If the share price goes into freefall, for example, the stop loss means you sell out before your shareholding suffers too much damage.

Step 6: Place your order

Once you've made all your choices, it's time to place your order. Call up your trading platform, type in the Qantas share code (ASX: QAN) and execute the order you wish. This is usually as easy as clicking a button.

Check the news for Qantas-related stories that might help or harm your share price, investor meetings, world travel news, and quarterly earnings. Every one of these can affect the value of your investment, and make it worthwhile to sell your shares or buy more.

You can track how companies in the broader travel industry are doing for a better sense of how the market is responding to events. Shares like Qantas include Webjet Limited (ASX: WEB) and Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT).