Qantas Frequent Flyer Unveils Big Changes
Qantas has announced a major revamp for its Frequent Flyer program. There are significant changes to earning and retaining status since the program’s inception, giving members the ability to roll over unused Status Credits and earn them through everyday spending for the first time.
“With more than 18 million members and nearly 40 years rewarding loyalty, this represents a new era for the Frequent Flyer program in the face of a changing loyalty landscape,” said Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson. “Our members have an incredible appetite for earning points, but we know they also place immense value on their status. Our most frequent flyers tell us that status retention is the single most important milestone as a member, with thousands achieving or retaining their tier every day.
Let’s take a look at the changes.
Status Credits on the Ground
All members will be able to earn up to 140 additional Status Credits each year from ten everyday categories. Status Credits earned on the ground will also count towards Lifetime tier balances, helping members to reach Lifetime status sooner.
This expansion launches later in 2026 and will coincide with more major partners joining the program.
Status Credit roll over
For the first time, members will have the flexibility to roll over up to 50 per cent of their unused Status Credits into their next membership year. Roll overs will be capped at 100 Status Credits for Silver members, 350 for Gold, and 500 for Platinum.
This permanent benefit will replace the previous loyalty bonus offered to some members. This new roll-over benefit will launch later in 2026.
More lifetime milestones
Lifetime Gold members will now enjoy greater recognition on their journey towards Lifetime Platinum. For every 10,000 Status Credits earned beyond the Lifetime Gold threshold, members will receive a complimentary year of Platinum status.
These years can be ‘banked’ and activated at a time of the member’s choosing (with a limit of five banked years). This feature will launch in 2027.
Enhanced tier benefits
Silver members will enjoy an additional lounge invitation each membership year, alongside new on-the-ground vouchers and discounts for all tiered members Silver and above.
Additional benefits will be announced before the new-look tiers launch in 2027.
Removing Points Club and Green Tier
Points Club and Green Tier will be retired later this year. This will remove program complexity and the overlapping eligibility requirements of these sub-programs.
The airline says it will consider new ways to reward members who make sustainable choices when they fly. Points Club and Green Tier will be phased out gradually from late 2026.
Single Status Credit Targets
With Status Credit roll over and expanded earning opportunities on the ground, the program will also move to a single Status Credit target for each tier.
Currently for example, Gold status requires 700 Status Credits to attain and 600 to retain. Once the changes are introduced, you will need 700 Status Credits to attain and retain.
This change will be introduced in 2027.
Improved digital experience
Launching next month, a new search tool on qantas.com will display Classic Reward seat inventory on Qantas and 30 partner airlines in seconds. Members will be able to search millions of seats by destination and cabin type over a 12-month booking period.
