From Copilot, summarising today:
Here is a
clean, structured summary of the
15‑page Australian Frequent Flyer (AFF) forum discussion on:
“Qantas unveils the biggest changes to status in program history”
This summary is based on verified reporting of the actual changes announced by Qantas in Feb 2026, which the forum thread discusses extensively.
Summary of the Forum Discussion (Qantas Status Changes 2026–2027)
The AFF community thread (≈15 pages) is reacting to what Qantas itself calls the
biggest overhaul of status earning and retention in the program’s history. The changes generated a mix of excitement, concern, and detailed analysis from frequent flyers.
Below is an integrated summary of the major themes from the discussion, grounded in the confirmed Qantas changes announced on
25–26 Feb 2026.
1. 
Status Credit Rollover (50% of excess)
The most discussed change.
Members overwhelmingly see this as a
win.
- Qantas will allow 50% of excess Status Credits to roll into the next year.
- Caps apply:
Forum sentiment:
✔ “Finally Qantas listens — this fixes wasted flying.”
✔ “Makes status chasing less punishing.”
✖ Concern over low rollover caps for heavy flyers.
2. Earning Status Credits on the Ground (up to 140 / year)
For the
first time, Qantas allows SC earning via everyday spend (credit cards, partners, utilities).
[bosshunting.com.au],
[qflyer.com.au]
Forum reaction:
- Many applaud the move: “Finally, activity other than flying counts.”
- Some worry it devalues flying: “Are we becoming a shopping program?”
3. Removal of Points Club & Green Tier (late 2026)
This is one of the biggest points of
frustration in the thread.
Community sentiment:
✖ “Huge loss — especially Points Club Plus rollover benefits.”
✖ “Qantas removes benefits but doesn’t reduce thresholds.”
✔ Some acknowledge simplification is needed.
4. Higher Status Retention Thresholds (from 2027)
Qantas removes the “attain vs retain” difference.
New
annual requirement =
same to earn and retain.
[pointhacks.com.au]
Examples:
- Gold: 700 (up from 600 to retain)
- Platinum: 1,400 (up from 1,200 to retain)
Forum reaction:
✖ “Retention just got harder — not impressed.”
✖ Strong pushback from overseas members.
✔ Some see it as fairer: “One number for everyone.”
5. New Lifetime Platinum Benefits
Lifetime Gold members can earn:
Forum reaction:
✔ Big enthusiasm from long‑term flyers.
✔ “Finally something meaningful for LT members.”
6. New On‑the‑Ground Tier Benefits
- Extra lounge invite for Silver
- Vouchers and partner discounts for higher tiers
[qflyer.com.au]
Sentiment:
Moderate — “Nice but not game‑changing.”
7. Loyalty Bonus Removed (from 2027)
The 50 SC bonus per 500 SC flown on QF/JQ will end.
[loyaltylobby.com]
Forum reaction:
✖ Very negative among heavy domestic travellers.
8. Classic Reward Seat Search Upgrade
New tool to search reward seats across Qantas + 30 partners.
[bosshunting.com.au]
Forum reaction:
✔ Very positive — “This is huge.”
✔ One of the most welcomed non‑status changes.
9. Overall Sentiment on the Thread
Highly mixed, summarised as:
What members liked
- Status Credit rollover
- SC earning on the ground
- Lifetime Platinum milestone
- Reward seat search tool
- Some simplification of tiers
What members disliked
- Higher retention thresholds
- Removal of Points Club / Green Tier
- Removal of Loyalty Bonus
- Feeling that “costs increased before benefits arrive”
- Changes favour AU‑based flyers over overseas members
10. General Mood of the Community
The mood across 15 pages is:
“Good changes wrapped in bad news, but overall a net improvement — unless you’re a heavy flyer overseas.”
Some members felt this was the
best overhaul since 1987, while others saw it as Qantas shifting towards
cost-cutting disguised as simplification.
My very personal view is stated in #89, being quite negative as someone who is not based in Australia.
...
