Earlier this year, Qantas announced they were introducing the ability to earn Status Credits on the Ground. This change was being made as part of a broader shake-up of Status Credits within the Qantas Frequent Flyer program.
More recently, they advised that the ability to earn Status Credits on the ground was going to begin on 8 December. Now, they have provided an update on which merchants will count in the various categories.
Status Credits on the Ground
Each year, you will be able to earn up to 140 Status Credits after earning points in ten different categories. Basically, as you earn points from eligible merchants, Qantas will keep a tally of how many points you have earned in a category. When you earn the target number of points for a category, Qantas will award either 10 or 20 Status Credits (depending on the category).
The Categories
Qantas have published the following table on which merchants will count toward each category.
| 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 Lotte Duty Free |
| 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 accommodation | 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 La Trobe Financial Residential Loan AMP Bank GO Everyday Account Qudos Bank Qantas Points Saver Alex.Bank Term Deposit Alex.Bank Personal Loan Zip Sniip La Trobe Financial 12 Month Investment Account Leveraged Webull Share Trading |
| Home utilities | Red Energy |
| Sustainability | Voluntary Carbon Program |
Changes
These category lists have had some changes from those in use during last years promotions. Some of the changes include:
- Hotels and Travel has been split into two categories
- Hotels and Accommodation
- Holidays and Experiences
- The only hotel options are now Qantas Hotels and airbnb.
- The Health, Leisure and Entertainment category has gone, with Hoyts being moved into Retail and Lifestyle
- A new Sustainability option – with the Voluntary Carbon Program moving from the retiring Green Tier program
More to Come
While that has given more clarity around which merchants are in which categories, there are still some unknowns.
Firstly, we do not know what the hurdles will be for each category. While in last years promotion, the hurdle was set as 1,000 points for each category, there is no guarantee that will be the case going forward. Indeed, as you will have a full year in which to achieve the hurdle, they may set them higher.
Secondly, there is no indication yet as to how many Status Credits each category will earn. While some will yield 10 Status Credits, and some 20 Status Credits
Final Words
Qantas Frequent Flyer has now released further information on the Status on the Ground Categories. As further information comes to light between now and 8 December, we will keep this post updated.
