Double Status Credits on Qantas Domestic & Trans-Tasman Flights (May 2026)

Qantas has launched its second double status credits (DSCs) offer for 2026! While this one is a bit more restrictive than usual, it’s a welcome surprise for those frequent flyers who are able to make the most of it.

As with other similar promotions in recent years, you alternatively have the option to earn double Qantas Points instead of double status credits. Many frequent flyers prefer to choose double status credits, as these help with earning and retaining Silver, Gold, Platinum or Platinum One status. But if you don’t need the status credits, the extra points can also come in handy.

About the May 2026 offer

With this latest offer, you can earn double status credits or points on Qantas domestic and Trans-Tasman flights booked during the promo period, and flown between 12 May and 31 August 2026. However, note that other Qantas international flights are not eligible for this offer.

You would need to register for the promotion on the Qantas website or app, and book any eligible flights between 5-11 May 2026.

Qantas last ran a bonus points or status credits offer in February 2026. That particular offer was more generous as it was valid on Qantas bookings worldwide, for travel dates up to 12 February 2027.

Qantas doesn’t typically offer double status credits in May. Given the unexpected nature of this latest offer, and the limited booking window available, some AFF members have speculated that demand on domestic and trans-Tasman routes might be a bit soft at the moment.

Coincidentally, 11 May (the last day to book with double status credits) is also the last day to get discounted Early Bird tickets for our upcoming Frequent Flyer MasterClass in Sydney. Just in case you needed a sign to book your flights to Sydney for this event. 😉

Offer terms & conditions

As per usual, only Qantas marketed and operated flights (including QantasLink flights) are eligible to earn double points or status credits.

Status credits earned with this offer do count towards lifetime status, but not towards any Loyalty Bonus or Status Accelerator offer.

Most of the other terms & conditions – for example, that only new bookings are eligible, and that Points Club members can earn double status credits on Classic Reward bookings – are also similar to previous offers.

The main difference with this promotion is that only domestic flights within Australia, and flights between Australia and New Zealand, are eligible.

Qantas has previously run double status credit offers that only included domestic or trans-Tasman flights, but that was during the COVID-19 pandemic when the airline was not operating any other commercial international flights.

The full T&Cs for this offer can be found on the Qantas website.

How to make the most of double status credits with this promotion

If you’re thinking about booking a trip to make the most of this offer, the Qantas Status Run Master Thread would be a good place to start. This is where AFF members on our forum discuss the routes where you can earn Qantas status credits at the cheapest rates.

Qantas Business Class flights to New Zealand are often worth looking at, as they earn a relatively high rate of status credits compared to the cost of the airfare. Connecting flights can be especially lucrative because you get the extra status credits from the domestic sector.

Also keep in mind that prices are not necessarily the same when booking Qantas flights originating in New Zealand! Often, it’s cheaper to start your trip in New Zealand than in Australia.

For example, you could earn 480 status credits (including double status credits) for the following itinerary originating in Wellington (flying via Melbourne outbound, and via Sydney on the return leg):

The above itinerary costs NZD1,854, which is equal to ~AU$1,519 at the current exchange rate. That works out to be around $3.17 per status credit (in AUD).

If you booked the same round trip in reverse – so, from Hobart to Wellington – you’d still earn 480 status credits. But you’d pay almost $600 more.

Some examples of popular status runs

A particularly popular status run to New Zealand is from Gold Coast to Auckland via Melbourne, flying Business Class:

This itinerary earns 560 status credits (including double status credits), at a cost of $1,842. That works out to be $3.29/status credit.

Adelaide-Newcastle is another popular run, earning 120 status credits each way (with double status credits) for $450. That’s $3.75/status credit.

Finally, if you just need 100 status credits, there are two potentially fun ways to do this out of Brisbane.

One option is to simply fly to Newcastle in Business, and back in Economy, at a cost of $484. With double status credits, you’ll earn 80 status credits for the Business flight and 20 for the Economy flight. (Or, book Business both ways to earn 160 status credits for $638, at a rate of $3.99/status credit.)

And if you really enjoy flying, you could earn 100 status credits (with DSCs) for $447 by travelling from Brisbane to Rockhampton… via Cairns, Townsville and Mackay, using the Queensland “milk run”. And then back again the same way.

Read & share more tips on the AFF forum

You can discuss this promotion, and other ways to maximise it, on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum: