Qantas Frequent Flyer - Qantas Assure

Qantas Frequent Flyer - Qantas Assure

Many airline passengers lament the traditional loyalty program format, which has become somewhat antiquated and can take forever to produce any useable benefit. But in a new loyalty tieup with Aussie health insurance provider nib , Qantas is demonstrating that it understands how people want to collect and redeem points in a digital world.

Beginning later this year, Qantas Frequent Flyer program members can purchase Qantas Assure , a range of health insurance products powered by nib. Those who sign up can begin earning Qantas Points faster than with flying alone, because they’ll collect points for achieving fitness goals.

Qantas Assure customers will be able to download an app to a number of different wearable and mobile devices. Using the app, customers can choose from a selection of physical challenges at varying levels of difficulty. The app will monitor (by counting steps, for example) the customer as he or she progresses through the challenge and reward completion with Qantas Points that can be used on flights, upgrades, hotels, car hire, at the Qantas store, and more.

Though the program isn’t quite ready yet, Qantas has produced a short YouTube video to explain details for those considering taking part. The video has more than 7,000 views, and Australian media such as Sky News and The Australian Business Review have written about the initiative.

This isn’t the first time and airline has used fitness to inspire loyalty, and viceversa. In 2013, AirBaltic launched an app called Burn the Miles , which rewarded frequent fliers for burning calories.