Qantas is ushering in what it calls a “new era” for Qantas Loyalty, announcing the biggest changes to Frequent Flyer status in nearly four decades on the same day it revealed a $1.46 billion pre‑tax profit for the first half of the financial year. From late 2026 and into 2027, members will be able to earn Status Credits on the ground, roll over unused Status Credits and aim for a single status target per tier, fundamentally reshaping how Aussies climb – and keep – their silver, gold and platinum.
Earn Status Credits Without Flying
For the first time, Qantas Frequent Flyer members will be able to earn Status Credits without stepping on a plane, turning everyday spend into status progress.
- From late 2026, members can earn up to 140 Status Credits per membership year via 10 partner categories, including Qantas‑linked credit cards, retail partners and other on‑the‑ground spend.
- Crucially, these ground‑earned Status Credits will also count towards Lifetime Status, helping long‑term loyalists inch closer to Lifetime Silver, Gold and eventually Platinum.
This move follows a successful 2025 trial and reflects a broader loyalty trend where airlines reward total engagement, not just flight activity.
Status Credit Rollover: Keep Up to 50% for Next Year
Qantas is also introducing Status Credit rollover for all tiered members (Silver and above), replacing the old loyalty bonus mechanic.
- Members will be able to roll over up to 50% of unused Status Credits into the next membership year.
- Rollover caps apply:
- 100 Status Credits for Silver
- 350 Status Credits for Gold
- 500 Status Credits for Platinum
Given Qantas says around half of all Status Credits earned each year are above tier thresholds, this change effectively gives value back, giving frequent flyers a head start on renewing their status instead of letting surplus credits vanish.
One Target Per Tier: Gold = 700 Status Credits
From 2027, Qantas will simplify tier requirements by moving to one annual Status Credit target per tier, removing the old “attain” and lower “retain” thresholds.
- Gold, for example, will require 700 Status Credits every year, whether you’re reaching it for the first time or keeping it.
On the surface, this lifts the bar for some members who relied on lower retain thresholds, but Qantas argues that rollover plus ground earning will make maintaining status easier for typical travellers, even as the targets standardise.
Points Club and Green Tier Retired, Benefits Folded In
Two existing program layers will disappear from late 2026:
- Points Club
- Green Tier
Qantas says that selected benefits from these tiers will be folded into the core Frequent Flyer program, reducing overlap and simplifying recognition, while still rewarding high points earners and sustainability‑minded travellers.
Lifetime Gold and Silver: New Pathways to Platinum
For Lifetime Gold members, Qantas is adding new incentives and clearer milestones towards Platinum:
- From early 2027, Lifetime Golds will be able to “bank” up to five complimentary years of Platinum status as they hit higher lifetime Status Credit thresholds (starting at 25,000 lifetime Status Credits and then at 35k, 45k, 55k and 65k).
- These banked Platinum years can be activated whenever suits the member, giving long‑term loyal flyers powerful flexibility (for example, during a big travel year or sabbatical).
Qantas estimates that around one‑third of current Lifetime Gold members will immediately qualify for at least one banked Platinum year once this goes live.
Extra Perks for Silver and Above
Tier benefits are also being quietly upgraded:
- Silver – Qantas’ largest elite cohort – will receive an extra lounge invitation every membership year, giving more tangible on‑the‑ground value.
- Silver, Gold and Platinum members will gain access to new on‑the‑ground vouchers and discounts, still to be fully detailed but aimed at everyday recognition beyond the airport.
A new digital Classic Reward search tool will also launch, letting members scan reward seat availability across Qantas and 30 partner airlines over a 12‑month window, addressing a long‑standing pain point for points users.
Profits Fly: $1.46B Group Result, Jetstar Surge
The loyalty overhaul lands as Qantas Group posts a $1.46 billion pre‑tax profit for the first half of FY25, up about $71 million year‑on‑year.
Key drivers include:
- Domestic strength: Qantas Group’s domestic business delivered $1.05 billion underlying profit, up 14%, helped by 5% revenue growth and a 6% lift in business travel.
- International softness: International profit slipped 6% to $463 million, even as revenue and capacity both rose around 5%.
- Fleet renewal: Six new aircraft (including the first A321XLRs) joined in the half, contributing to a 4% increase in overall capacity.
- Jetstar jump: Jetstar’s domestic arm recorded a 38% increase in underlying profit, while its international business saw a 9% lift, carrying around 600,000 more international passengers over six months.
- Loyalty growth: Qantas Loyalty’s profit grew 12% to $286 million, with membership now exceeding 18.3 million people.
Group CEO Vanessa Hudson says the result reflects strong demand, new‑generation aircraft and a growing loyalty business, giving Qantas confidence to keep investing in both fleet and Frequent Flyer changes.
What It All Means for Frequent Flyers
Taken together, these moves show Qantas responding to a more competitive loyalty landscape, where airlines and banks increasingly court the same high‑value travellers. Hudson calls the overhaul a “new era for the Frequent Flyer program”, while Qantas Loyalty & Customer CEO Andrew Glance highlights Status Credit rollover and on‑ground earning as “landmark changes”.
For many flyers, the net impact will hinge on how they travel:
- Heavy flyers stand to benefit from rollover instead of wasted surplus, plus new lifetime milestones.
- Balanced travellers (mix of work trips and strong credit‑card or retail spend) may find status easier to keep thanks to non‑flying status credits.
- Infrequent flyers who sit just below status thresholds may still face a challenge, despite the extra pathways.
All changes will roll out gradually through 2026 and 2027, giving members time to adjust their strategy – whether that means optimising everyday spend, timing big trips around membership years, or targeting Lifetime Gold to unlock those banked Platinum years.
