Qantas seals Airbnb deal

A new agreement between Qantas Frequent Flyer and accommodation disruptor Airbnb attracted lots of attention when it was announced early last month. Under the partnership the 11-plus million members of the QF loyalty program will earn one Qantas Point for every dollar they spend on Airbnb bookings – via the Qantas website – at any of its 2.5 million listings in 191 countries. It’s the first time Airbnb has worked with an airline in this way, with Qantas ceo Alan Joyce saying it was a “natural fit for two global brands with a track record of wanting

customers to feel at home when they travel, as well as using technology to create great experiences for their customers”. The deal was not welcomed by traditional hospitality suppliers, with Tourism Accommodation Australia slamming it as a “slap in the face” to the airline’s long-time

hotel partners. TAA ceo Carol Giuseppi said “while we respect the right of airlines to make commercial agreements with various organisations, Qantas should understand the importance of working with partners who fully support and contribute to the tourism industry and meet all their regulatory