Qantas announces the biggest change to its Frequent Flyer program in its history – as massive $1.46b profit is revealed
Qantas customers who have been chasing that elusive Gold or Platinum Frequent Flyer status may have a luckier 2026, with the airline today announcing the biggest changes since the program’s inception.
Members will soon be able to earn Status Credits through everyday spending on the ground like they can with Qantas points. This will be via select credit cards and program partners.
Status Credits are the only way a new tier (Silver, Gold, Platinum) can be achieved and could previously only be earned from flying.
The changes, which follow ‘extensive feedback’ from thousands of frequent flyers and loyalty experts, will be introduced progressively from later this year and impact the 41 per cent of Aussies who currently collect Qantas points.
Among them will be the ability for members to roll over up to 50 per cent of their excess Status Credits, which currently reset from one membership year to the next. This will be capped by tier.
Unsurprisingly, this means the amount of credits needed to keep status level is rising.
In news deemed less positive by many Qantas customers, the airline has also announced the retirement of the popular Green Tier and Points Club Plus schemes.
The removal of the former means members will no longer be able to earn an annual bonus of 50 Status Credits or 10,000 Qantas Points by completing five ‘sustainable’ activities like offsetting a flight, doing a quiz or buying eco-wine.
Qantas customers who have been chasing that elusive Gold or Platinum Frequent Flyer status may have a luckier 2026, with the airline today announcing the biggest changes since the program’s inception
The retirement of Points Club Plus means no more complimentary Qantas Club membership (worth $700+) for those who earned over 350,000 points on the ground.
Qantas says these schemes were canned due to ‘program complexity’; the team wanted to remove any ‘over-lapping sub-programs in favour of one core recognition pathway’.
Other changes to roll out throughout the year include greater recognition for Lifetime Gold members, including the ability to earn and ‘bank’ up to five complimentary years of Platinum Status.
An additional lounge invitation each membership year will also be included for Silver members, alongside new on-the-ground vouchers and discounts for all higher tiers.
Finally, a new search tool will be implemented on the Qantas website to help members find international Classic Reward seats on Qantas and partner airlines in seconds.
The news comes as Qantas Group announced an underlying profit before tax of $1.46 billion on Thursday and a 19 per cent spike in Qantas Loyalty revenue.
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said the overhaul will deliver greater flexibility, faster recognition and more pathways to status.
‘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,’ she said.
The news comes as Qantas Group announced an Underlying Profit before tax of $1.46 billion on Thursday and a 19 per cent spike in Qantas Loyalty revenue
‘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.
‘These changes are about creating more opportunities for members to unlock status, while ensuring the program remains as relevant and rewarding in the future as it has been for the past four decades.’
Qantas Loyalty and Customer CEO Andrew Glance said the introduction of Status Credit roll over and on the ground earning represented some of the most significant changes in program history.
‘Traditionally, Status Credits have been a benefit earned exclusively through flying. However last year’s trial broke member engagement records, proving they want more ways to fast-track their status,’ he said.
Qantas Loyalty and Customer CEO Andrew Glance said the introduction of Status Credit roll over and on the ground earning represented some of the most significant changes in program history
‘Making this a permanent fixture is great news for our members and also our partners, who will benefit from the increased activity this creates.
‘Around half of the status credits our members earn each year are over and above their tier thresholds. We are giving value back, ensuring hard-earned status credits in one year give members a head start in the next.
‘Lifetime Gold members have shown decades-long loyalty to Qantas, and we want to give them a clearer pathway to even greater rewards. Silver members are our largest group of tiered flyers, and these changes will also deliver more travel benefits for them right from the outset.’
