- National carrier Qantas has announced the ‘most significant’ update to its Frequent Flyer program since it launched almost four decades ago.
- Under the revamped program, members can earn up to 140 Status Credits annually through everyday spending with retail, credit card and utility partners. Additionally, members will have the flexibility to roll-over up to 50 per cent of their unused Status Credits into their next membership year.
- The updated Qantas Frequent Flyer program will launch in stages, with the first phase to roll out in March 2026, followed by full adoption in late 2026/early 2027.
If you have ever found yourself 10 status credits and a few thousand points away from achieving that elusive Qantas Frequent Flyer gold tier, only to have it snatched away by the cruel fate of the calendar year, there is good news. The national carrier has today announced a raft of changes are coming to its frequent flyer program, aimed at rewarding long-term customers.
Described as the ‘most significant’ update in the loyalty program’s almost 40-year history, the revamped Qantas Frequent Flyer membership radically changes the way members earn and retain status. Australian travellers will soon be able to earn more credits on the ground, making the task of unlocking silver, gold, platinum and platinum plus status far more straightforward. Alongside this, you can expect to see more milestones made available, increased tier benefits and an upgraded digital experience when the updates finish rolling out later this year.
So, how does the new Qantas Frequent Flyer update work?
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Qantas Frequent Flyer Update 2026
Announced alongside Qantas’ first-half earnings results, the updated program is set to define the airline’s “new era”. From enhanced benefits to increased status earning potential, the revamp is the largest shake-up in frequent flyer history. Below, you’ll find a complete list of the new 2026 Qantas Frequent Flyer changes set to alter the way you travel with the Flying Kangaroo.
Status Credits on the Ground
The most significant update to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program happens, ironically, on the ground. The airline has announced that from late 2026, 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, meaning you can reach Lifetime status sooner if you choose to earn Status Credits via credit cards, retail partners, and utility providers.
It comes after a record-breaking trial in 2025 that saw travel fans fully embrace the on-ground earning potential, racking up millions of points across a multitude of partners like BP, Woolworths and Red Energy. According to Qantas loyalty and customer CEO Andrew Glance, the newly announced expansion will kick off later in 2026 and will coincide with more major partners joining the program.
“Traditionally, Status Credits have been a benefit earned exclusively through flying,“ Glance said. “However last year’s trial broke member engagement records, proving they want more ways to fast-track their status. Making this a permanent fixture is great news for our members and also our partners, who will benefit from the increased activity this creates.“
Status Credit Roll-Over
While points are important, for most frequent flyers, status is the name of the game. In a first for the program, members will soon be able 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 and will launch later in 2026.
“Our members have an incredible appetite for earning points, but we know they also place immense value on their status,“ Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said. “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,“ she continued.
Lifetime Milestones
If you have been lucky enough to secure Lifetime Gold membership, the journey to Lifetime Platinum is getting easier. The Qantas Frequent Flyer update also sees changes to the milestone offering. For every 10,000 Status Credits earned beyond the Lifetime Gold threshold, members will receive a complimentary year of Platinum status. Better yet, these years can be ‘banked’ and activated whenever you want, however, this feature won’t launch until 2027.
Enhanced Tier Benefits
For Silver tier members, the biggest benefit comes in the lounge offering. These members now score an additional lounge invitation each membership year, alongside new on-the-ground vouchers and discounts for all tiered members Silver and above. There are more benefits on the way, but Qantas is yet to officially confirm what they are.
Green Tier Retirement
The new program also marks the end of the confusing and rarely sighted Green tier. A category that often overlapped with other tiers but offered fewer benefits and a perplexing approach to lounge invitations, Green tier is set to be retired by the end of 2026.
According to Qantas, the benefits valued most will be integrated into the core frequent flyer program, essentially removing the overlapping eligibility requirements of these sub-programs. With the retirement of Green Tier, the airline will consider new ways to reward members who make sustainable choices when they fly.
Single Status Credit Targets
With the announcement of 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. For example, Qantas has confirmed that Gold status will require 700 Status Credits annually (previously 700 to attain and 600 to retain), with other tiers to follow a similar pattern.
Improved Digital Experience
Finally, Qantas is set to make the searching experience easier as well. The airline has announced a new search tool is launching next month. Designed to make the process more streamlined, the tool 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.
“Our new reward seat search tool is also a significant investment in our digital experience,“ Glance said. “With over 14,000 reward seats booked each day, the tool will provide a seamless window into our network and drive a further increase in flight redemptions.“
Qantas Record Profit Announcement
The announcement came just hours before Qantas announced a record $1.46 billion pre-tax profit for the six-month period. In its half-yearly results published on Thursday, Qantas revealed much of the record profit can be attributed to a renewed focus on frequent flyer points. The airline’s loyalty business enjoyed a 19 per cent bump in revenue over the period, so it is little wonder the Flying Kangaroo is doubling down on members.
The new Qantas Frequent Flyer update kicks off in March with the launch of the Classic Reward seat inventory tool, with the remainder of the upgraded features to roll out by late 2026. The updated comes just weeks after Qantas announced the launch of a new Economy Plus cabin, its first major on-board revamp of 2026.
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