Qantas Points Club Plus – Status Credits on Malaysia Airlines Classic Reward Flights

[JustSlash]

Hello all,

Apologies if this has been asked or answered previously. I tried searching the forum but couldn't find anything specific, so I'm hoping someone here might be able to shed some light on this.

Long story short, I recently flew MEL–KUL on Malaysia Airlines (MH148) in Business Class, booked as a Qantas Classic Flight Reward. As a Points Club Plus member, I was under the impression that I might earn some Status Credits, particularly as I took the exact same flight last year, also as a Business Class reward booking, and received 60 Status Credits and 5,000 Qantas Points (screenshot below).

After waiting around three weeks with nothing credited to my account, I submitted a missing points claim through the Qantas website, which was rejected on the basis that the flight wasn't eligible.

I then followed up with Qantas Frequent Flyer via email, providing a screenshot of the Status Credits and points received for the same flight in 2025. Unfortunately, I received the same response. I also asked whether there had been any changes to the eligibility rules for partner airline reward flights between 2025 and 2026, but was simply directed to check the Qantas website.

For context, I held Points Club Plus membership at the time of both flights, and both were Classic Flight Rewards on MH148 in Business Class.

I'm not looking to make a big deal out of this, but I'm genuinely curious whether I've missed something or if there has been a change in the rules that I'm unaware of.

Has anyone had a similar experience, or does anyone know why the same reward flight might have earned Status Credits in 2025 but not in 2026?

Appreciate any insights. Thanks in advance!

 

[markis10]

For context, I held Points Club Plus membership at the time of both flights, and both were Classic Flight Rewards on MH148 in Business Class.

I'm not looking to make a big deal out of this, but I'm genuinely curious whether I've missed something or if there has been a change in the rules that I'm unaware of.

AFAIK points club only applies to Qantas marketed and operated flights

 

[oz_mark]

I would say that there was a bank error in your favour in 2025, if it was a Reward flight..
You should only get Status Credits on Qantas operated Classic Reward flights

 

[aurora_b]

As mentioned above, you should only get SC on QF operated Classic Reward Flights, so definitely sounds like an anomaly? Interesting how you were also awarded points, which is contrary to what is published on the website where it states you won't earn points on Classic Flight Rewards or Classic Plus Flight Rewards.

 

[sudoer]

does anyone know why the same reward flight might have earned Status Credits in 2025 but not in 2026?

Did you have any sort of IRROPS situation/schedule change in 2025? You may have been rebooked in a revenue booking class.

Many experienced similar "bank errors" on BA J awards a few years back but I don't recall seeing any reports of MH errors.

What others have said is correct though, you shouldn't be earning SC on a non QF award.

 

[kpc]

Did you have any sort of IRROPS situation/schedule change in 2025? You may have been rebooked in a revenue booking class.

Many experienced similar "bank errors" on BA J awards a few years back but I don't recall seeing any reports of MH errors.

What others have said is correct though, you shouldn't be earning SC on a non QF award.

There was a loophole that if you had an award booking with MH using Qf pts,, and there was a change eg flight time with the MH flight, this resulted in the MH flight looking like a revenue flight, and hence Qf SCs and pts were awarded.

It was well known amongst AFFers but for obvious reasons never publicised. I assume the OP MH flights were changed somehow hence he got Qf SCs and pts

 

[hutch]

While I am aware that points club only gets you SC on QF flights, I once got SC on an Malaysia flight which was a reward booking.

As noted, it was a bank error in my favour. Best advice is to .... certainly don't contact the bank unless you have something in writing supporting your request.