Accor and Qantas have today announced a partnership that is scheduled to go live in mid-2021.
The partnership appears to be exactly like the one with Air France – KLM Flying Blue, except that it only applies to hotels in the Asia Pacific.
Once member link ALL – Qantas accounts:
– You earn Qantas points for Accor stays in Asia-Pacific while continuing to earn hotel points
– You earn ALL points for Qantas flights while continuing to earn Qantas points
There will be some additional benefits announced in 2021.
Here’s the announcement from Qantas:
Qantas and Accor have announced a deeper partnership that will see mutual members of their loyalty programs be rewarded at every stage of their travel journey. Scheduled to launch mid-2021, it will be the first partnership of its kind between an airline and hospitality group in the Asia Pacific region.
This new partnership will give eligible members of both programs the opportunity to boost their rewards by simultaneously earning both Qantas Points and ALL – Accor Live Limitless Reward Points on Accor hotel bookings and Qantas Points and ALL – Accor Live Limitless Reward Points on Qantas flight bookings.
Members will also enjoy more opportunities to redeem points as well as a suite of exclusive benefits for top-tier members.
The partnership will apply for hotel stays across the Asia Pacific region and across Qantas’ domestic and international flights.
Qantas Loyalty CEO Olivia Wirth said Qantas Frequent Flyer is always looking for new and innovative ways to reward and recognise its members.
“From next year, eligible members of Qantas’ and Accor’s loyalty programs will earn twice when they fly or stay with the two brands. This is an entirely new way to recognise the loyalty of our frequent flyers which we know will be very popular,” Ms Wirth said.
“Although our members haven’t been flying much lately due to border closures, we know there is huge pent up demand, and we’ve been looking at how we provide even more value when their travel resumes whether that’s for business or leisure.
Accor Pacific CEO Simon McGrath said the enhanced partnership between Accor and Qantas was a major milestone for the travel industry, enabling greater benefits for loyalty customers across Accor’s 1,240 hotels, apartments and resorts in the Asia Pacific region.
“We are joining forces to enable our customers to be part of something special, delivering exceptional travel benefits and unrivalled service for people who enjoy our two much-loved brands,” Mr McGrath said.
“Customers are at the heart of this joint venture and the combined strength of Accor and Qantas will bring significant extended benefits.”
Members of each loyalty program will receive further information on the full details of the new partnership early next year.
Qantas Frequent Flyers can already convert their ALL – Accor Live Limitless Reward points to Qantas Points at the rate of one ALL – Accor Live Limitless Reward Point per one Qantas Point.
Conclusion
I have linked my ALL and AFKL Flying Blue accounts and mainly earn additional miles for my Accor stays (I rarely fly with AFKL despite having status with FB).
There is no downside for members in Asia-Pacific to link their accounts if they prefer earning Qantas Points instead of Flying Blue miles for Accor stays in the region.
It is interesting to see what additional benefits are made available for ALL and Qantas elite members.
The Qantas press release states that this would be a first of its kind partnership between a hotel company and an airline in the Asia Pacific, which is incorrect. SPG and China Eastern launched the Eastern Explorer program in 2016 that Marriott ended in 2019.
