Earlier this year, Qantas signalled that major changes were coming to the Frequent Flyer program, particularly around how members earn and retain status. While we had a rough timeline, Qantas has released a more detailed update, including a clearer timeline for when each change will take effect.
The first wave of updates arrives on 8 December 2026. On that date, Qantas will retire Points Club and Green Tier, introduce the ability to earn Status Credits on the ground, and begin rolling out the Status Credit rollover feature.
Further changes will follow in 2027, including the shift to aligned earn and retain Status Credit thresholds, along with details on the new mechanism for earning Status Credits on Classic Reward flights.
The December 8 Changes
The first wave of changes will rollout on December 8, and we will take a look at each of these in the following sections.
Status Rollover
Frequent flyers earning excess Status Credits will get a boost, with Qantas introducing Status Credit rollover from Tuesday, December 8. Members will be able to carry over a portion of their unused Status Credits into their next membership year, giving them a valuable head start toward retaining or upgrading their tier.
Qantas will cap the number of Status Credits you can roll over each year:
- Silver: 25% of excess Status Credits earned over 300 can be rolled over, up to a maximum of 100
- Gold: 50% of excess Status Credits earned over 700 can be rolled over, up to a maximum of 350
- Platinum: 50% of excess Status Credits earned over 1,400 can be rolled over, up to a maximum of 500
- Platinum One: 50% of excess Status Credits earned over 3,600 can be rolled over, up to a maximum of 500
In most cases, the only real cap here is the Platinum and Platinum One cap of 500 SC. Silver and Gold members reaching the cap will be at the next status level.
Earning Status Credits on the ground
The ability to permanently earn points on the ground was also announced in February, following a successful trial last year. Qantas says this will be going live on December 8, and have given the following list of categories. While you will be able to earn up to 140 Status Credits, Qantas hasn’t advised the breakdown across categories.
As Qantas transitions to the new program, there will be some variation as to which year Status Credits will count toward. However, they will count toward whatever membership year you were in on 8 December. If you move into a new membership year between now and the end of November, they will count into your new membership year.
On the Ground Categories
| Category | Partners |
|---|---|
| Credit cards | All Qantas Points earning Credit Cards Credit or charge card rewards points that transferred or converted into Qantas Points and Bonus points from any Qantas Points earning Credit Cards are excluded. |
| Everyday shopping | Everyday Rewards, HelloFresh, Youfoodz |
| Retail and lifestyle | Qantas Shopping, Qantas Marketplace, Qantas Wine, David Jones, Adairs, The Athlete’s Foot, Dr Martens, Hoka, Hype Dc, Merrell, Platypus, Saucony, Sketchers, Stylerunner, Subtype, Timberland, Ugg, Vans, Forty Winks, Carpet Court, Kogan, Luxaflex, Hoyts, Goodlife, Fitness First, Lacoste, Sports Direct |
| Car | Apollo, Avis, Budget, Uber, Uber One, Uber Eats, Bp Rewards, Qantas Valet, Britz, Cheapa Campa, Maui, Mighty |
| Insurance | Qantas Car Insurance, Qantas Health Insurance, Qantas Home Insurance, Qantas Travel Insurance, Miga, Onepath Points earned through the Qantas Wellbeing App are excluded. |
| Hotels and accomodation | Qantas Hotels, Airbnb Any points earned through a hotel loyalty program outside of Qantas Frequent Flyer are excluded. |
| Holidays and experiences | Qantas Holidays, Tripadeal, Qantas Cruises, Ahoy Club, Ahoy Days, Floatspace |
| Banking and home loans | Qantas Pay, Qantas Money Home Loans, CommBank Digi Home Loan, La Trobe Financial Residential Loan, AMP Bank GO Everyday Account, Qudos Bank Qantas Points Saver, Alex.Bank Term Deposit, Zip, Sniip, La Trobe Financial 12 Month Investment Account, Leveraged, Webull Share Trading, Alex.Bank Term Deposit |
| Home utilities | Red Energy |
| Sustainability | Voluntary Carbo |
Qantas has already confirmed it will remove the separate “attain” and “retain” Status Credit requirements. Today’s update clarifies that these changes will begin rolling out in early 2027.
Under the revised system, Qantas will introduce a single Status Credit target for each tier, meaning members must earn the same number of Status Credits to achieve and to renew their status.
The end of Points Club and Green Tier
Qantas has confirmed that Points Club and Green Tier will be officially retired on 8 December 2026. That will bring an end to the two subprograms that have been part of Qantas Frequent Flyer for a few years.
Members can continue earning Points Club until that date. If you already hold Points Club or Points Club Plus, or qualify before 8 December, you’ll retain access to your current Points Club benefits for the rest of your existing membership year, plus the following membership year.
Green Tier will end immediately on 8 December 2026. That said, anyone that has achieved Green Tier but not yet chosen their bonus reward will have the usual 90 days to make their selection.
Future Changes
Qantas’ new Status Credit requirements
Qantas had already said it was removing the separate “attain” and “retain” Status Credit requirements. Today’s update clarifies that these changes will begin rolling out in early 2027.
Under the revised system, Qantas will introduce a single Status Credit target for each tier, meaning members must earn the same number of Status Credits to achieve and to renew their status.
| Qantas status tier | Status Credits to retain (until 2027) | Status Credits to earn and retain (from 2027) |
|---|---|---|
| Silver | 250 SCs | 300 SCs |
| Gold | 600 SCs | 700 SCs |
| Platinum | 1,200 SCs | 1,400 SCs |
| Platinum One | 3,600 SCs (minimum 2,700 SCs on QF flights) | 3,600 SCs (minimum 2,700 SCs on QF flights) |
At face value, this shift makes it harder to retain elite status, as the lower renewal thresholds will disappear. For example, Platinum members will soon need 1,400 Status Credits every membership year, up from the current 1,200 required to renew. That’s a 16% increase for those trying to maintain their tier.
However, this change is partially offset by two new benefits:
- the ability to earn Status Credits on the ground, and
- the option to roll over a portion of excess Status Credits into the next membership year.
Earning Status Credits on Classic Reward flights
Earning Status Credits on Classic Flight Rewards has long been one of the most valuable perks of Points Club Plus, especially for members who regularly redeem Qantas Points for Classic Flight Rewards. As Points Club Plus approaches its end, this benefit has is coming to an end.
In the coming months, Qantas will upgrade one of its premium Qantas credit cards, giving members a new way to earn Status Credits on points‑based Classic Flight Reward bookings — extending the appeal of rewards redemptions even after Points Club Plus is retired.
At this point, we do not know which card it will be. There is speculation that it will be one of the Qantas Money cards.
Loyalty Bonus removal
Qantas has confirmed that its long‑running Loyalty Bonus will be discontinued in 2027, marking the end of a benefit many frequent flyers have relied on for easy Status Credit boosts.
The Loyalty Bonus currently awards 50 bonus Status Credits for every 500 Status Credits earned on eligible Qantas and Jetstar flights, capped at 200 bonus Status Credits per membership year. With its removal, frequent flyers lose access to a potential 200 extra Status Credits annually. While that is a hit on those aiming to renew Platinum, it is partially replaced by the Status Credit rollover process.
Final Words
Qantas’ sweeping Frequent Flyer overhaul offers some structural changes that reshapes how travellers earn, retain and strategise their status. The retirement of Points Club and Green Tier, the introduction of Status Credit rollover, and the shift to aligned earn‑and‑retain thresholds signal a move toward a more streamlined, more predictable loyalty framework. At the same time, new opportunities such as ground‑based Status Credit earning and future Status Credits on Classic Reward flights show Qantas is trying to balance tougher requirements with fresh pathways for engaged members.
For frequent flyers, the next 18 months will require recalibration, but also offer room to get ahead. Understanding the timeline, knowing where the new earning opportunities sit, and planning redemptions strategically will be key to navigating a program that’s evolving faster than it has in years.
2 Comments
“Members will be able to carry over unused Status Credits into their next membership year …” I believe it’s only 50% of unused SCs (up to the stated limits).
Thanks. I had meant to include the percentages at each level. Have fixed it