Qantas teams up with Tones And I for tear-jerking ad to launch vax rewards campaign

Qantas has finally launched its vaccine rewards campaign, offering vouchers, points and mega prizes to encourage Aussies to get the COVID-19 jab sooner.

From Tuesday, fully-vaccinated frequent flyer members will be able to choose from either 1,000 Qantas points, 15 status credits or a $20 voucher for Qantas or Jetstar.

They will also get the chance to win a year’s worth of flights, accommodation and fuel in the airline’s mega prize draw.

There are ten mega prizes up for grabs; one for each state and territory, plus two more announced as part of a national TV campaign.

Members can claim their prizes by uploading their digital vaccination certificate to the Qantas app and will automatically go in the mega prize draw.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the impact the pandemic has had on the travel industry means the airline has a “clear vested interest” in the success of the rollout.

“For us, getting the vaccine rate up to 70 and 80 per cent means thousands of people can go back to work,” said Joyce, who announced the rewards campaign in May.

“Getting vaccinated is an important step that every Australian can take that brings us that little bit closer to life as we knew it.

“As the national carrier, we want to recognise those who have made the effort to protect themselves and the community.”

The free accommodation comes courtesy of Qantas’ partner Accor, which is offering up stays at 345 of its properties, and the free fuel can be redeemed at any of BP’s 1,400 service stations nationwide.

Australian singer Tones And I has made an exclusive rendition of her hit single “Fly Away” for Qantas’ ‘Be Rewarded’ campaign, which will run across TV, digital, outdoor, print and radio thanks to media support.

Be warned: it’s a bit of a tear-jerker.

If you miss out on the free flights, you can take comfort in another effort by the airline to take the edge off not being able to travel: a series of Qantas-themed meeting backgrounds for your next virtual meeting AND access to Qantas’ signature soundtrack for free on Spotify and Apple Music.

The airline has released 10 downloadable in-situ backgrounds so you can participate in or conduct meetings from the comfort of a business class seat, sitting behind the pilots in the cockpit jump seat, or from one of the Qantas’ luxury lounges.

Qantas Group chief customer officer Stephanie Tully said customers tell the airline they miss flying as much as getting to the destination itself, so they created this “sensory experience” to fill that void.

The soundtrack, which was created by Australian composer Haydn Walker and guitarist Nathan Cavaleri, will also feature on Qantas’ YouTube channel, set to aerial footage of some of the most spectacular landscapes around Australia.

In other Qantas news, the national carrier has extended its flights to Norfolk Island until 30 June 2022 to maintain passenger and freight connectivity with the Australian mainland.

It has been operating flights to Norfolk Island since late January, as part of a contract with the federal government, following the suspension of Air New Zealand flights between Norfolk Island and Australia due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Qantas will continue to operate six flights per week to the Australian territory with three flights from Sydney and three from Brisbane operated by Qantas’ Boeing 737 aircraft.

Special fares are also available from $299 one-way.