Qantas non-stop to Cape Town from Oct 2027 + Velocity's 20% Amex bonus

It's been a big week for Qantas watchers, with a brand-new non-stop route confirmed and the airline's marquee 22-hour Sydney–London service getting its flight number. Meanwhile, Velocity transfer bonuses and CommBank's Yello overhaul have points collectors rethinking their strategy ahead of Black Friday.

Getting from Australia to Cape Town has always meant at least one stop on the way, but from October 2027 that changes. Qantas is set to fly non-stop from Sydney to Cape Town, cutting out the connection for travellers heading to South Africa.

A direct SYD–Cape Town flight is a big deal for Qantas Frequent Flyer members who've been routing via other hubs. It's nearly a year off, so start thinking about how many points you'll need to bank for a Classic Reward seat.

Qantas has now confirmed the flight number for its yet-to-be-launched 22-hour non-stop service from Sydney to London. It's news that was widely expected, but it's another concrete step toward the airline's flagship ultra-long-haul route becoming a reality.

If you want a preview of what the current Sydney–London experience looks like, Australian Frequent Flyer has a rundown of flying QF1 via Singapore, which departs Sydney every afternoon.

A dedicated flight number signals this route is moving from concept to product. Start comparing the one-stop QF1 experience against the non-stop so you know what you're trading off when award seats open.

Velocity is offering 15-20% more points on Amex Membership Rewards transfers in November 2026, plus up to 500 bonus points for Flybuys members. If you've been sitting on a Membership Rewards balance, this is the sort of promotion that makes a transfer worthwhile.

Transfers are one-way, so only move points when you have a Velocity redemption in mind. If you do, a 15-20% uplift is a solid way to close the gap on a reward seat.

CommBank Yello is being reshaped to reward customers who bank more with CommBank, rather than just those who hold a credit card. Point Hacks has broken down who comes out ahead under the new setup and who may not.

If your CommBank relationship is mostly a single card, check how the changes affect your benefits. Customers with a deeper relationship across everyday banking look best placed to benefit.

Qantas will be offering Points Planes promotions again in 2027, according to Australian Frequent Flyer. Details are light for now, but the return of the program is good news for Qantas Frequent Flyer members who like extra value from their balances.

Keep an eye on the announcements through 2027 and avoid burning points you could save for a Points Planes deal. Treat it as a reason to keep your Qantas balance flexible.

• 🌎 Airfare of the Week: Qantas Premium Economy Brisbane–Santiago from $3,198 return.

• 🛍️ Black Friday 2026: Point Hacks rounds up credit card offers and travel deals to help you earn more points.

• 🛒 Gift card offers: Apple gift cards return to Woolworths at 20x Everyday Rewards points per dollar, and Flight Hacks flags 10,525 Flybuys points on Mastercard gift cards at Coles.

• 💺 Qatar Airways seat guide: A deep dive from recliner seats to Qsuites on Qatar's business class cabins.

That's the week in Australian points - enjoy your Sunday, and happy hunting for those award seats.

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General information only, not financial advice. This content does not consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. Check the product terms before you apply for any credit product.