We all deserve to soar into the sunset as often as our jobs and lives allow, so this year, there’s a new plan of attack: staggered spending.
Now that our partners at Qantas and Zip have joined forces on domestic and international flights, planning a holiday that fits the budget is far more manageable—regardless of whether you have a weekly, fortnightly, or monthly spending target.
With a little finessing and an eye on your frequent flyer points, 2024 could be booked to the brim with trips that will also contribute to the funds for future overseas escapes.
Read on to continue ticking new places off your must-visit list. After all, there’s no better feeling than shaking up your routine to feast on chawanmushi in Tokyo or explore hiking trails in Tasmania.
How Qantas And Zip Work Together For You
Let’s get into the logistics of it all.
Zip is the leading buy now pay later service designed for everything travel-related, including flights, helping you break down your trip into smaller, more manageable payments. Whether you're planning a smaller vacay or a jam-packed epic adventure, Zip allows you to book a Qantas flight up to $10,000 and pay the total amount off over six months interest-free*. This means if you don't have all your coins ready upfront, you can breathe a sigh of relief as Zip will help you space it out—less time worrying about cash and more time planning your itinerary.
Use Your Current Travel Plans To Lock In Future Trips
The other perk can be found with Qantas Points.
Anyone new to Zip who activates their account (via this link here) can earn 3,000 bonus Qantas Points* —that's a great start to building up more points for your next Eat, Pray, Love moment. Once you’re signed up, book an eligible domestic or international flight departing from Australia on qantas.com and checkout with your Zip account to earn 1 Qantas Point for every $3 spent*.
As the name suggests, that can add up quickly if you happen to be someone who flys… frequently. What's even better is if you have earned Zip points through Zip's own rewards program, you can transfer them to Qantas Points once you reach your Zip Rewards Goal^—meaning more points for your next flight.
It’s a bit of a numbers game but once you get into a routine of calculating your points and planning trips well in advance, eventually you’ll be able to accumulate enough savings to put towards a little treat while you’re away.
Set Your Sights On Nearby Countries
As Australians, we should be taking advantage of our proximity to Japan. A ten-hour flight from Melbourne feels like a 20-year trip to the future so really, why wait?
As Japan and its major cities are so well-connected, you can fly to Osaka to experience childlike wonder at Universal Studios all while still using Qantas Points.
Make Use Of ‘Loud Budgeting’
If 2023 was all about 'quiet luxury', ‘loud budgeting’ is 2024’s solution to spending and it works a treat for your travel plans. This is particularly true if you get paid monthly and you notice the travel budget consistently dwindle after week three.
Loud budgeting (outlined in this TikTok post) is proudly declaring your inability to partake in activities or celebrations to save for something on a larger scale.
In this instance, you could turn down a Friday night on the town because you know you have an impending payment towards your Japan getaway. The rationale is guilt-free because it’s true, and frankly, time spent in a different country or state is far more important than another blurry night at a bar you’ve frequented enough times to know the fire exits.
Booking a holiday, on the other hand, is never a bad idea. Head to Qantas and Zip to start planning your next memory-making moment. If you're looking to book your next trip to Japan, click here.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Qantas and Zip and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.
*Please note: Flight prices may fluctuate due to timings and departure destinations. To check prices, please head here. Zip Pay and Zip Money is available for bookings made online at qantas.com where you see the Zip logo. A 1.5% Qantas payment fee applies, capped at a maximum per passenger of A$22 for Australian domestic or A$120 for international itineraries. Eligible purchases include domestic or international flights departing from Australia and excludes round the world itineraries, flight vouchers or non-flight products and services or where carbon offset and travel insurance is included in the booking. Earn 1 Qantas Point for every $3 spent on eligible purchases at qantas.com when you link your Qantas Frequent Flyer membership number in the Zip app and check out with your Zip account. Qantas Points will be applied to your QFF account within 14 days of completion of purchase. Exclusions and terms and conditions apply. Qantas FFP are redeemable when you reach the Rewards Goal. Rewards Program T&Cs and Zip Rewards QFF Offer terms and conditions apply. You must be a member of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program to earn Qantas Points. If you are not a Qantas Frequent Flyer member, join for free. Membership and Qantas Points are subject to the terms and conditions of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program available at qantas.com/terms. Term only available for purchases of $1 or more. Available for approved applicants only and subject to completion of a satisfactory credit check. Minimum monthly repayments are required. Paying only the minimum monthly repayment amount will generally not repay the purchase within the interest-free period. Any balance outstanding at the expiry of the interest-free period will be charged at the standard variable interest rate, 25.9% per annum, as at 1 June 2023. A monthly account fee of $9.95 applies and a one-off establishment fee may apply for new customers. Other charges may be payable, see T&Cs. Interest, fees and charges are subject to change. ^Terms & Conditions apply and are available on application. See your contract for further details. Credit provided by ZipMoney Payments Pty Ltd (ABN 58 164 440 993), Australian Credit Licence Number 441878). Redeemable when you reach the Rewards Goal apply. To earn 3,000 bonus Qantas Points you must successfully sign up and activate your Zip account via this link, be a Qantas Frequent Flyer member, link your Qantas Frequent Flyer membership number in the Zip app and complete a purchase using your Zip account within 90 days of activation. The 3,000 bonus Qantas Points will be applied to your Qantas Frequent Flyer account within 14 days of your first purchase. Zip Pay and Zip Money only. Full Zip Qantas Frequent Flyer 3,000 bonus Qantas Points Offer Terms and Conditions apply.
Image credit: pexels Ketut Subiyanto