Qantas unveils the biggest changes to status in program history

[Pushka]

MrP will benefit. For the WP bank year. I won't. And maybe even more so if the LTG goal is shifted before I can get there.

 

[MH_fan]

Just looking at the changes properly for the first time and I have to say I like it. It's fair for the most part and does encourage you to fly more with them.

 

[Johnxx]

Points Club was confusing? It was so simple...just churn those cards for something I really want - QR points and QC membership. Points on the Ground is far less motivating....what do I want with a $500 Hoyts voucher

 

[aplmac]

"Late 2026" ... my year ends in May, at which point I shall transition from Gold back to Lifetime Bronze

 

[opusman]

While this is formally being removed with the retirement of Points Club, I understand that Qantas is considering bringing back the ability to earn status credits on Classic Rewards through a different mechanism. This isn't yet decided or confirmed yet.

Maybe they could call it "Any Seat Awards"

 

[http_x92]

Points Club was confusing? It was so simple...just churn those cards for something I really want - QR points and QC membership. Points on the Ground is far less motivating....what do I want with a $500 Hoyts voucher

Cant earn points on new Kayo/Binge subscriptons anymore... welp. Not sure if there is going to be an easy way with the entertainment category.

 

[CaptJCool]

For someone like me on 67000 lifetime status credits who gave up flying Qantas 6 years ago, the offer of 4 years of platinum is actually very enticing.....

Will be 5 years …

SYD+1 just asked me a curly one.

Someone who is LTG has a requal threshold of 0 SCs each year. Does that mean they rollover 50% of any SCs earned (up to 300)?

Edit:
The QF FAQ at the link above does states that Gold is eligible for rollover for any excess over 700 SCs. Although it doesn’t mention LTG. Curious, what does someone who’s LTG (but not P1/WP) see for “retention”?

This
No retention mention
Perhaps a party when I get to 59,999 to go !

 

[SYD]

Maybe they could call it "Any Seat Awards"

Return of FASA/JASA would be *very* welcome around here!

 

[purdyneat]

After feeding all this into my preferred robot helper, it's clear the coming earn year is what I will refer to in the future as,"the good old days".

Effort will be directed at maximising benefits to keep Gold with Plat now firmly out of reach. Glad it's getting less complex (PC, GT was kinda fun chasing SC) will wait to see what else they've got up their sleeve for earning Status. Would be nice to see all the profits go into changing QP menus.

 

[J-P]

The new search tool is a massive devaluation for AFF users (who have above-average program knowledge).

Making it easier for the masses to find flights will significantly reduce availability very quickly.

 

[Johnxx]

I suppose with the end of Points Clubs I can get back to churning for Velocity points and the easily accessible Qatar flights. Having Qantas Club virtually every year with good timing was fun while it lasted

 

[DejaBrew]

The new search tool is a massive devaluation for AFF users (who have above-average program knowledge).

Making it easier for the masses to find flights will significantly reduce availability very quickly.

You're making the (rather large) assumption that the new search tool will actually work as expected....

 

[flyguy77]

Making it easier for the masses to find flights will significantly reduce availability very quickly.

What availability?

 

[DejaBrew]

What availability?

 

[1A Please]

posted in double status run - but maybe more appropriate here:

hmmm - thoughts? my membership year ends January. I have booked just enough DS flights to retain Platinum at 1100 SC next year (with 100 SC rollover). When do you think the 1400SC retention will kickin -Feb? Do I need to book another DS run to get to 1400 before end Jan 2027?

 

[mviy]

I reckon they should make points earn on classic rewards dependent on holding silver status or higher, or possibly gold or maybe even a new Lifetime perk for e.g. Lifetime Silver. Possibly with higher earn rates the higher your status is.

It will be interesting to see what they do.

 

[kewpid]

Is it possible QF have increased the LTG threshold from 14,000 to 15,000 SCs without explicitly saying so? The new lifetime milestones are phrased as “for every 10,000 SCs achieved beyond the gold threshold”, and the first one is at 25,000…

My partner is getting close to LTG, so this shifting of the goalposts will be pretty irritating

 

[mviy]

Is it possible QF have increased the LTG threshold from 14,000 to 15,000 SCs without explicitly saying so? The new lifetime milestones are phrased as “for every 10,000 SCs achieved beyond the gold threshold”, and the first one is at 25,000…

My partner is getting close to LTG, so this shifting of the goalposts will be pretty irritating

I hope not. I still see the 14,000 target. If they do announce an increase there could be a few doing status runs to try to beat the change. On the other hand 1,000 SC would be a reason to keep Platinum one more year, so not a big delay if that is feasible.

 

[.tim]

Same.

My next membership year commences June 1, 2026 before the rollover and higher retention thresholds "officially" start in late 2026. They will, however, certainly be in place by the time that membership year ends on May 31, 2027.

Using my Gold status as an example:

I can't imagine QF is going to change the game on me mid-year and force me to earn 100 extra SCs without having allowed me the opportunity to roll over an excess 100 SCs that I will have in my account on May 31, 2026. The FAQs likely support this: "Members will receive plenty of notice on the retirement and implementation of these changes so that they can adapt their behaviours accordingly. " (I also doubt they'll let me "double dip" and enjoy a lower retention rate that year and ALSO roll over excess SCs as of May 31, 2027. My assumption is nothing changes for me either way until June 1, 2027.)

So my guess is that they'll apply the changes to your next full membership year post official implementation announcement in late 26 or give you a "free" 100SCs to "protect" you from immediate implementation. (I suspect the former, and this early "initial" notice also gives them months to get their systems ready to do that.)

I prepare to stand to be corrected, but for people whose membership years were to end, e.g., a month after implementation, forcing an a higher number of SCs to retain at the last minute would be absurd, and I don't think they'll do it.

Same. Same. I Just made Platinum but 60 days to go till anniversary and still earning.. was expecting the SC pool to evaporate on anniversary day, and then have to start earning the lower 'retain' goal for the next year. Looks like I'll fall into the hole between the old process with zeroing of SC balance and lower retention threshold, and the new process with rollover & higher retention target.

 

[elanshin]

Points Club was confusing? It was so simple...just churn those cards for something I really want - QR points and QC membership. Points on the Ground is far less motivating....what do I want with a $500 Hoyts voucher

Im not happy about the points club changes, but from a confusing point of view, it was definitely confusing for the masses. Lots of confusion around having a progress bar with points on it and a date (will i lose my points after the date, whay does it say one number here and my total is different).