How I Saved 50% on Our Trip to Uluru
When I told a friend we were heading to Uluru for a mother-son getaway, her first response was, “Isn’t that expensive?”
And yes, at first glance, it really can be. Flights, accommodation, tours… it all adds up quickly. But this trip? I saved 50% using Qantas Frequent Flyer Points, and I didn’t pay a cent extra to earn them.
In this post, I’ll show you exactly how I did it, and how we make travel part of our life, without needing a trust fund to do it.
The Trip
In March 2023, I booked a last-minute Uluru escape with my middle son, Freddie. Just the two of us. We flew with Qantas to Ayers Rock Airport, stayed at Sails in the Desert, explored the Field of Light, and cycled around the base of Uluru. It was magic; red earth, wide skies, the kind of place that makes you feel small in the best possible way.
And the very best part? I booked our flights and accommodation as a Qantas Holidays package, and I covered the cost of Freddie’s entire trip using Qantas Points. No tricks. No upgrades. Just smart planning.
Step One: Join the Qantas Frequent Flyer Program (It’s Free)
If you’re not already a member of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program, sign up now. It’s completely free and it’s one of the simplest ways to start saving on travel within Australia and overseas.
Every time you fly with Qantas (or an eligible partner airline), you’ll earn points and status credits. If you’re already travelling for work or family visits, those flights can quietly build up your balance without you even noticing.
Step Two: Earn Points from Your Everyday Spending
Here’s where it gets interesting. Most of my points didn’t come from flying, they came from spending money I was going to spend anyway.
I use a Westpac Altitude Platinum credit card, linked to my Qantas account. It earns 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent on eligible purchases, and I scored a 75,000-point bonus just by spending $4,000 in the first 90 days. That might sound like a lot, but when you’re paying for groceries, school supplies, bills, and birthdays, it adds up fast.
Tip: Always check the terms and conditions and make sure you can pay off your card in full each month. Points aren’t worth getting into debt for.
Step Three: Install the PointsPrompter App
This one is a game-changer.
The Qantas Shopping PointsPrompter App sits quietly on my MacBook, reminding me when I can earn points through online purchases. Think everyday essentials:
- My shampoo from Kerastase
- The kids’ school shoes from Athletes Foot
- Even my favourite La Poche packing cubes, which earned me over 1,000 Qantas Points on one order.
I didn’t change what I was buying. I just clicked through the right links and let the points roll in.
Step Four: Watch for Qantas Red Tail Sales
I’m always on the lookout for deals, and I recommend subscribing to Qantas emails or checking the site regularly for their Red Tail Sales.
That’s how I found the Uluru trip…on sale, and bundled into a package that allowed me to use points for a huge chunk of it. I didn’t need to redeem a million points or sit in front of a laptop at midnight. I just spotted the offer, used my points at checkout, and booked it.
Why This Matters
Travel doesn’t have to be something you only do once every few years. With a bit of planning and some clever use of loyalty programs, you can travel more often, spend less, and still have beautiful, memory-making adventures with your kids.
Our Uluru trip wasn’t luxurious in a five-star-silver-service kind of way. It was luxurious in time, in space and in connection. In the kind of conversations that only happen when you’re pedalling through the outback at sunrise, or eating at an outback barbeque while watching lights flicker against the desert sky.
I want more of that. And if you’re still reading this, I’m guessing you do too.
A Quick Reality Check
Now, just to be clear…I’m not one of those points-hacking pros you see on Instagram. You know the ones booking first-class flights every other week and sharing links to booking forms? I honestly don’t know how they do it.
And I’m definitely not being paid to write this post. Qantas has no idea who I am, and this isn’t sponsored in any way. I’m just a mum, sharing what works for our family, in case it helps someone else.
Because if you’re already spending the money, booking the flights, and shopping online anyway, why not get a little extra back?
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever looked at a travel blog or Instagram account and thought, “Must be nice,”—trust me, I get it. But I promise, this is possible for regular families. You don’t need a huge salary or a lotto win. Just a little bit of know-how, a few good habits, and a willingness to plan ahead.
Start small. Join the program. Link your card. Install the app. Sign up for sale alerts. Before you know it, you’ll have enough points for your next getaway.
Because every great story starts with a plan… and a few points in the bank.
Want more real-life travel tips from a mum who’s figured it out the long way round?
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