Qantas first announced changes to its frequent flyer program earlier this year. Some aspects are being removed, such as the lower thresholds to renew status and the loyalty bonus. These are being replaced with
Starting 8 December 2026, you can earn up to 140 Status Credits on the ground through everyday spending across multiple different categories. These can help you get closer to your next frequent flyer tier much quicker.
Here are the different ways you can start earning Status Credits on the ground.
Credit Cards
You need to earn 20,000 Qantas Points to unlock 20 Status Credits.
Partners: All direct Qantas Points earning credit cards
You can earn up to 20 Status Credits through your Qantas Points earning credit cards. However, it excludes any points that can be transferred or converted into Qantas Points or any bonus points you receive through credit card sign-ups, so only direct-earn cards count.
With a card like the Amex Qantas Ultimate, you’ll need to spend the equivalent of $16,000 to earn the 20,000 Qantas Points.
American Express Velocity Platinum
- Bonus points
- 50,000 Velocity Points¹
- Annual fee
- $440 p.a.
- Earn
- 1.25 Velocity Points earned per $1 on all eligible spend except for government bodies². 2.25 Velocity Points per $1 spent on selected Virgin Australia purchases². 0.5 Velocity Points per $1 on Government spend²
American Express Velocity Platinum
- Bonus Points
- 50,000 Velocity Points¹
- Annual Fee
- $440 p.a.
- Earn
- 1.25 Velocity Points earned per $1 on all eligible spend except for government bodies². 2.25 Velocity Points per $1 spent on selected Virgin Australia purchases². 0.5 Velocity Points per $1 on Government spend²
Earn 50,000 Velocity Points¹ when you apply for the American Express Velocity Platinum, are approved, and spend $5,000 in the first 3 months. The card earns Velocity Points on spend and includes complimentary Virgin Australia Lounge Access every time you fly with Virgin Australia. New Amex Card Members only. T&Cs apply.
Everyday Shopping
You need to earn 1,000 Qantas Points to unlock 10 Status Credits.
Partners: Everyday Rewards, HelloFresh, Youfoodz
Link your Qantas Frequent Flyer account to any of these partners above and earn up to 10 Status Credits when completing your everyday shopping. This is particularly easy to do with Woolworths Everyday Rewards, where $100 on a typical 20x bonus points gift card offer will earn you 1,000 Qantas Points.
Retail and Lifestyle
You need to earn 1,000 Qantas Points to unlock 10 Status Credits.
Partners: Qantas Shopping, Qantas Marketplace, Qantas Wine, David Jones, Adairs, The Athlete’s Foot, Dr Martens, Hoka, Hype DC, Merrell, Platypus, Saucony, Skechers, Stylerunner, Subtype, Timberland, Ugg, Vans, Forty Winks, Carpet Court, Kogan, Luxaflex, Hoyts, Goodlife, Fitness First, Lacoste, Sports Direct, Lotte Duty Free
You can now earn Status Credits through your retail shopping. Shop via Qantas Marketplace or link your frequent flyer account to your retail shopping accounts and earn points as you shop.
We reckon the easiest way is to use Qantas Wine, where plenty of cases offer over 1,000 bonus points on top anyway. It’s possible to earn this with under $100 spend, depending on the bonus points offers.
Car
You need to earn 1,000 Qantas Points to unlock 10 Status Credits.
Partners: Apollo, Avis, Budget, Uber, Uber One, Uber Eats, Bp Rewards, Qantas Valet, Britz, Cheapa Campa, Maui, Mighty
From car hire to fuel to rideshare, there are plenty of ways to earn points and Status Credits on the road. By linking your everyday transport spending to your frequent flyer account, you could turn your travel expenses into another way to work towards your next status tier.
Car hire tends to earn the most points per dollar spent.
Insurance
You need to earn 1,000 Qantas Points to unlock 10 Status Credits.
Partners: Qantas Car Insurance, Qantas Health Insurance, Qantas Home Insurance, Qantas Travel Insurance, Miga, Onepath
If you are looking for a new insurance policy, you might be able to earn Status Credits on top. Most of these options will offer over 1,000 Qantas Points on sign-up. Just make sure the policy suits your needs too. Note that points earned through the Qantas Wellbeing app are excluded.
Hotels and Accommodation
You need to earn 1,000 Qantas Points to unlock 10 Status Credits.
Partners: Qantas Hotels, Airbnb
Taking your next holiday soon? Earn points and up to 10 Status Credits when you book your hotels and accommodation through Qantas Hotels or Airbnb. Any points that are earned through a hotel loyalty program outside of Qantas Frequent Flyer are excluded.
This one is pretty easy to nab when Qantas Hotels has a triple points offer (that’s 9 points per dollar spent). You only need to spend over $112 to earn over 1,000 Qantas Points.
Holidays and Experiences
You need to earn 1,000 Qantas Points to unlock 10 Status Credits.
Partners: Qantas Holidays, Tripadeal, Qantas Cruises, Ahoy Club, Ahoy Days, Floatspace
From cruises to experiences, you can earn points and up to 10 Status Credits on any holidays or adventures you book for a trip. While on your current trip, you can start building up your points for the next.
Most of these options will require a more significant cash outlay, but it’s worth seeing if Tripadeal has any good-value discounts or points bonuses for your desired itinerary.
Banking and Home Loans
You need to earn 1,000 Qantas Points to unlock 20 Status Credits.
Partners: 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
You can also earn Status Credits through eligible banking products and home loans. Some offer points per dollar spent while others offer points based on your savings. For example, the AMP Bank GO Everyday Account awards 1 Qantas Point per $10 of average monthly account balance you have.
Home Utilities
You need to earn 1,000 Qantas Points to unlock 20 Status Credits.
Partners: Red Energy
Your household and energy bills could help you climb the Qantas Frequent Flyer status ladder. This allows eligible members to earn points and Status Credits on their energy and gas bills. Currently, you can only do so through Red Energy, which unfortunately is not available everywhere in Australia.
Sustainability
You need to earn 1,000 Qantas Points to unlock 20 Status Credits.
Partners: Voluntary Carbon Program
Members can also earn points and Status Credits through Qantas’ Voluntary Carbon Program. This supports carbon projects to help address the environmental impact of flying and replaces one of the Green Tier ticks.
You can activate this option by opting for a carbon offset on a flight booking.
Summing Up
Qantas has expanded Status Credits on the ground, giving frequent flyers more opportunity to earn points and Status Credits towards their next tier without having to spend as much time in the air.
This is one of the incoming ways to make up for the higher status retention requirements which will start in 2027 (the other is the introduction of Status Credits rollover).
