Qantas now offers a search toolbar that promises users frequent flyer points when you do searches. As with the similar flybuys toolbar, we think the scheme is a bit of a rip-off — in exchange for an obtrusive and inferior search service, you’re basically getting a maximum of 150 points per month. On the plus side, a script is now available that automates the process for Mac users.
A Pastebin user has posted a script for Apple users which runs and emulates key strokes entering search terms in the Qantas toolbar.
- To use this you must have FULL KEYBOARD ACCESS enabled in system preferences
- System Prefs > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts
- Put dot next to “All controls” at the bottom of the window
The setup is as follows:
[clear] [clear]
On the downside, you can’t actually use the computer while the script is running but it’s still a good way to keep points clocking over while you’re out and about.
As always, the creator offers no guarantees that the script will work as advertised and you’re cautioned to use at your own risk. (The script was written and tested on OS X 10.8.4 Mountain Lion with FF 22.0.)
It’s also worth noting that the service is capped at a maximum of 150 Qantas Frequent Flyer points a month, which won’t score you a lot in the way of free flights or rewards. If the notion of free points still appeals, you can get the script here.
See also: flybuys Toolbar Sells Out Your Search Data For A Lousy 50 Cents A Month | The ‘Australia Tax’ Also Applies To Club Sandwiches
Comments
3 responses to “Automate Qantas Toolbar Searches With This Handy OS X Script”
Would you please clarify some of the terminology in this article. You started talking about flybuys points and then switched programs to talking about Qantas Frequent Flyer points.
The flybuys points are capped at 100 points or 50 cents a month for the toolbar. The value of 150 QFF points varies from member to member depending on how they are used.
I know that some people use their flybuys points to fly, but do you really need a picture of a Qantas aircraft. It makes the article very confusing for people who don’t know the difference between the two points programs.
I’m sorry for being picky here but flybuys doesn’t issue many giftcards anymore. The 2000 flybuys point redemption is for $10 of flybuys dollars which are loaded onto the flybuys card. They don’t issue gift cards for this type of redemption.
I think the writer is confused himself.
Hi Deanna, Thanks for picking that up — article fixed now to reflect actual focus on the Qantas toolbar.
Thanks for the changes made and removing some of the references to flybuys points. The article makes much more sense now.
Not impressed with the Qantas toolbar in Chrome. When downloading webpages I get a whole lot of “Waiting for extension Qantas Frequent Flyer Toolbar…” It has slowed down most news websites to being unusable in Chrome and for no apparent reason. Search works, albeit in Bing. I’m a happy Qantas Frequent Flyer member, apart from this garbage.