How to get Qantas Lifetime Gold status
By Chris Chamberlin, December 4 2018
This article is part of our ongoing Business Travel 101 series for newcomers to the world of business travel.
Lifetime Gold status with the Qantas Frequent Flyer program is the goal of many business travellers and high flyers, and with good reason.
It means you get all of those prized perks of a Gold-grade member – such as priority check-in, a more generous checked baggage allowance, airport lounge access, bonus points and a higher spot in the pecking order for upgrades – for the rest of your life.
Forget about trying to re-qualify each and every year: once you have enough status credits for Lifetime Gold, that card and its many benefits are yours to enjoy for a lifetime, regardless of how often you fly.
Of course, you'll also enjoy similar benefits on all other airlines in the Oneworld alliance for the rest of your life, such as access to the business class lounges of British Airways, Cathay Pacific, JAL, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways and more, even when you're flying economy.
Qantas Lifetime Gold status is clearly a goal worth pursuing, so here's how to map out your strategy to get there.
Earning Qantas Lifetime Gold status
Earning Qantas Gold status for a single year requires 700 status credits to get your first Gold card, and then 600 status credits each year after that to keep it.
But while your annual status credit count is wiped clean at the start of each membership year, the total number of status credits accumulated across the life of your Qantas Frequent Flyer membership is your tally for lifetime status.
To reach Lifetime Gold you'll need 14,000 status credits. And make no mistake, that's a lot of flying.
Smile: you're on your way to earning Qantas Lifetime Gold...
It’s the equivalent of 175 business class return trips between Sydney and Melbourne; 59 return business class treks between Sydney and Singapore; or 25 return business class jaunts to London (all when travelling with Qantas on a QF flight number).
Naturally, a frequent international traveller who typically flies in business class or first class will find it easier – and faster – to reach Lifetime Gold than somebody primarily flying within Australia on the lowest-cost economy class fares, which earn far fewer status credits.
Lifetime Gold: is it reachable within your lifetime?
Begin by checking your lifetime status progress via the Qantas website: login using your frequent flyer details, head to the Your Account page, scroll down and click on “show additional status information” underneath the paper aeroplane icons:
In the example above, this traveller's 4,370 lifetime status credits peg him as roughly one-third of the way to Lifetime Gold.
A harsh reality is that only the most frequent travellers will ever ascend to the ranks of Lifetime Gold, so before you embark on the long journey, doing a few quick sums now can save much disappointment later.
Let’s say you’re a high flyer in your mid-30s with a lifetime balance of around 4,000 status credits. You plan to do most of your business travel over the next five years before winding things back to spend more time at home.
To reach Lifetime Gold by the end of that five-year period you’d need to earn an average of 2,000 status credits every year. If that's do-able, then go for it.
However, if you’re the type who just scrapes 600 status credits each year to retain year-on-year Gold status, you’d need to keep that up for just over 15 years (assuming you also start with 4,000 lifetime status credits under your belt) to reach your target. That's a much tougher ask, so be realistic about your expectations.
(As a fall back, Lifetime Silver membership is yours after racking up a total of 7,000 status credits, but the relatively meagre benefits such as priority check-in and a single Qantas lounge pass each year make this more of a 'mile marker' on the road to Lifetime Gold than a goal in its own right.)
Can you fast-track to Lifetime Gold?
Status credits, not frequent flyer points, are the key to Lifetime Gold - so every time you book a flight, consider all of your options and how those options will affect your haul of status credits.
For example, Qantas 'flexible' fares in economy, premium economy and business class earn up to twice as many status credits as lower-priced tickets although they don’t necessarily cost twice as much (and they're often better suited to business travellers and their changeable schedules).
You'll end up with a higher number of status credits per dollar spent (and per flight), which makes flexi fares particularly useful if a client is picking up the bill.
Your choice of airline and flight number is also important: you’ll generally earn the highest number of status credits on flights booked via Qantas (with a QF flight number) and a reduced number of status credits on flights booked via partner airlines.
Book a journey directly with Emirates under an EK flight number, for instance, and you’ll actually earn no status credits at all (along with a much smaller serve of frequent flyer points).
Read: How to max your Qantas frequent flyer points, status credits on Emirates flights
Another notable example: a Malaysia Airlines business class ticket from Australia earns Qantas status credits at the much lower economy rate.
Malaysia Airlines business class earns status credits only at economy rates...
The gap becomes more noticeable on longer trips such as between Sydney and Paris: a business class journey with Qantas partner Emirates on QF flight numbers nets a solid 560 status credits, but choosing to fly the same route with Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong returns a lower 360 status credits.
Also keep your eyes peeled for any bonus status credit deals which may land in your inbox from time to time: there's typically an extra 50% or even 100% of status credits if you book within the promotion period, even if the flights are up to a year in advance.
Also read:
- Qantas and Virgin Australia: frequent flyers go for 'double gold'
- How to get Qantas Lifetime Platinum (well, sort of...)
- Qantas Frequent Flyer Gold: the unofficial guide
- How to maximise Qantas status credits on Emirates
Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT
Chris Chamberlin is the Associate Editor of Executive Traveller and lives by the motto that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, a great latte, a theatre ticket and a glass of wine!
06 Sep 2015
Total posts 26
I'm not sure that this article says much more than any gold flyer would know already. everyone knows more expensive flights get more status credits, and that Qantas emails you special status credit offers.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2974
You'd be surprised to learn how many frequent flyers know very little about the frequent flyer program they're enrolled in – and while some readers on this site are very knowledgeable in that regard and we write some higher-level articles from time to time tailored to those readers, this article (like much of what we write) is positioned at a mainstream audience, comprised of those many people who aren't as clued-in as you are.
13 Sep 2013
Total posts 105
So true!
One of the guys at the office made it to P1. He had no idea there was a higher status than Gold. (Let alone that he must've previously been Plat)
Some people are regular commuters to Europe in J and have very little knowledge about their FF program
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3034
To achive Lifetime Gold one has to attain and retain Gold for (14,000 - 100)/600 = 23.16 years.
To achieve Lifetime Gold in a more realistc timeframe one has to attain and retain Platinum for (14,000 - 200)/1,200 = 11.5 years.
What's the likelihood of a Platinum members of 11.5 years standing to be contented with Lifetime Gold, when he/she would have tasted the benefits of First Class lounges and other perks of Platinum/Emerald?
Is there a way for QFF to earn Lifetime Platinum? No. So what's the value proposition here, when the lifetime offering is a step down?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 May 2014
Total posts 405
When your travelling decreases, a soft landing at Lifetime Gold is better than descending to bronze. At the same time QF offers little incentive to earn status points for its members that are at Lifetime Gold, but cannot maintain Platinum status. There was speculation that with the introduction of P1 status, there was a case for offering Lifetime Platinum.
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 521
Not quite sure your question/point?
I made LTG over 20 years. I went from lifetime silver to gold over a 4 year period I lived in London.
My travel patterns now won't get me seeing platinum again, so rather happy to have LTG as the fallback for those 4 intensive years (and the previous 16 not so intensive years)
21 Aug 2015
Total posts 90
As a loyalty hook it doesn't make the grade.
23 Aug 2012
Total posts 33
British Airways - Executive Club
28 Mar 2014
Total posts 66
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Nov 2013
Total posts 461
Chris, quick clarification question...
Even with Lifetime Gold don't you need to do a minimum of 4 sectors per year to retain?
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2974
Nope – once you have Lifetime Gold, it's yours for life.
Of course, if you hope to attain or retain Platinum status or higher in individual years, you still need to meet the regular requirements of that higher status (including the minimum sector requirements).
05 Oct 2011
Total posts 180
Up the pecking order for Lifetime Gold is a complete joke. I have been lifetime Gold for about 5 or six years now. There are probably 20 or 30,000 people who are Platimum or Chairman who are alwyas in front of you. I looked for something BNE>>HKG>>BNE in business next March (yes nine months away). I couldn't find anything buit it didnt really matter because I am still waiting two weeks after cancelling a flight from JFK for the points to be refunded. Getting into the Qantas Club IS a benefit but not much of one. What WAS a teriffic LOYALTY scheme is now justa way of selling economy tickets to banks to bestow on their customers. I gave up defaulting to QF about 4 yaers ago, swapping opver to Virgin as I knew there was no chance of advancing on a long term basis on Gold with QF.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2974
Hi readosunnycoast, just to clarify, what you're referring to above is outright award bookings on Qantas flights rather than upgrade priority after booking Qantas flights with money and using points to upgrade, which is what we've referred to in the article.
29 Jun 2016
Total posts 19
10 Dec 2019
Total posts 1
You should read the article again. Gold gives you a higher priority for a "POINTS" upgrade, not a free one. If you're looking for free upgrades these days, you're dreaming.
QF LTG
29 Feb 2016
Total posts 10
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jan 2014
Total posts 226
Wouldn't points plus pay be one way of effectively buying status credits, if someone has a heap of points and is a liitle short of lifetime gold and travel is slowing, if I read it right points plus pay still earn status credits I believe.
06 Sep 2015
Total posts 26
yes if you're willing to "burn" points as the value of points are much less in point plus pay but there is the significant advantage of earning status credits as opposed to reward flights
06 Feb 2014
Total posts 97
I was made lifetime gold some years ago...just checked my balance now...I have ~36,000 status credits...given life silver @7k; gold @14k... how about Plat @28k?
11 Mar 2012
Total posts 294
No there has never been a Lifetime Plat level.
Start crediting to AA if you're happy at Gold or post retaining platinum if you're still travelling regularly.
06 Feb 2014
Total posts 97
that's my point I suppose...why dont they have life time Platinium...it would logically kick in at 28k status credits.
01 Jul 2016
Total posts 1
Can anyone tell me please when status credits were introduced and if there was any recognition of flights prior to their introduction for the purpose of calculting lifetime Gold?
QFF
16 Oct 2015
Total posts 13
Would the extra SCs earned from the double SC campaigns count towards lifetime gold?
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2974
Yep – any status credits you've earned in any way are counted.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Aug 2014
Total posts 21
21 Aug 2015
Total posts 90
Yes, and can you be sure that after years of chasing the goal QF won't change the rules? Live for the day, book the flight that works best for you and offers the best value.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
09 Dec 2015
Total posts 10
When I converted from QF to VA my biggest concern was I could not find a lifetime benefit with VA. Is this still the case. As a PT member, but only scraping in each year, I think it would be great to reach gold status for life.
British Airways - Executive Club
27 Feb 2016
Total posts 7
I have been Platinum for the last 10 years and Lifetime Gold for the past 5 years.
I cannot understand what the fuss is all about. Qantas does not give any special treatment in recognition-in fact I feel they look upon me as been a fool for flying with them; they already are aware of my stupidity (loyalty), so why try to accomodate me with non paying upgrades as an example etc?
QF
01 Jul 2016
Total posts 4
I am about to go from Platinum to Lifetime Gold.
Will Lifetime Gold have me higher up the pecking order for upgrades, F/Flyer Rewards etc, than normal Gold?
British Airways - Executive Club
27 Feb 2016
Total posts 7
It should however it hasn't work me but good luck anyway!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 May 2014
Total posts 405
I think your situation is probably the most common (Platinum aquiring Lifetime Gold). It makes no difference while you continue to earn status points at Plat or Gold level. It is only if you reduce your flying with QF that you will see some benefit. It got me into a CX lounge earlier this year !
09 May 2015
Total posts 34
Don't you get all these perks and more by purchasing Business and First class tickets? That seems to me to be the easier way amd how I get them.
14 Jun 2013
Total posts 360
Yes you'll get Gold perks by purchasing business class fares but those last only for as a long as you're flying business class. If you end up flying economy or premium economy, forget about lounge access etc. Jonnie, if you are always flying business or first you definitely want to be in a QFF member so you can start earning those status credits to get lifetime Gold or one day you may look back and wish you'd done so!
21 Dec 2012
Total posts 26
status also nets benefits when things go wrong - most elite statuses have their own call centre number but business/first class ticket holders join the regular call queue. At the end of the day - if you're already flying you might as well get something extra, you never know when you might only be able to fly economy class on a flight and need/want your usual business class perks that status would give.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 445
Lifetime Gold is really about retirement travel for those used to the pointy end paid for by someone else. I have been a member since 1992 and will get lifetime gold in the the next 2-3 years when I am heading to retirement. Perfect I can find cheaper tickets on wider range of airline and still have shorter queues and lounge access not to mention the odd upgrade (for the QF flights).
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Aug 2014
Total posts 99
The article mentions about the 1 free qantas club pass per year with lifetime silver. I remember another thread on here a few years ago where it was discussed that you only get that pass as you requalify for silver each year, but once you make lifetime silver, you are no longer offerred that pass once a year. It's actually a disadvantage of becoming LTS. Has that now changed?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum
07 Feb 2013
Total posts 558
Negative, I'm LTS and get the passes still in the mail
QFF
19 Sep 2013
Total posts 152
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Mar 2014
Total posts 205
I am happy with LTG
I have never paid for QF Club and appreciate the lounges overseas and here in Australia. I see that as bonus. If you fly at the right time form Asia you will get free upgrades.
Lounges have got better and so has the overall experience on QF.
Oneworld LTG is a bonus also
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3034
The prize is Lifetime Oneworld Emerald.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Mar 2014
Total posts 205
For me never to pay for Q Club ever has been the prize.
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3034
Horses for courses. But as a retention tool I wonder about its effectiveness. I still find the audience that this is pitched at a bit muddled. Seems like a throwback from another time before the great strides in First Class offerings...
13 Jul 2016
Total posts 5
When will Virgin Australia be adding this lifetime status program and will they allow for points gianed since membership retrospectively?
22 Jun 2013
Total posts 98
One wonders where in the upgrade pecking order LTGs sit. Whether they are above or below 'paying' Golds. Does anyone know?
QF
21 Jul 2016
Total posts 37
Sorry to leap in at this stage. I am Platinum going for LTG in the next 18 months and Platinum again next year. I joined in 2001 but only intensive travel in the last 5 years. I am looking forward to LTG but Gold is no problem, but at least it takes out the worry. I have been in the Sydney F lounge many times and appreciate the environment and food so I can work in comfort after a hard few days in Australia. (I live in NZ). Travel next week is to Glasgow Scotland with EK via Dubai on a QF ticket. The EK F lounge in Dubai is soemthing else. Been there once before, just not enough time between flights.
04 Dec 2016
Total posts 1
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 521
Though hard to know if true or not but I was once told that when it comes to upgrade precedence LTG comes before yearly gold. So might be one thing.
The main benifit is to people like me who spent years flying but have now slowed down.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Jun 2014
Total posts 35
03 May 2012
Total posts 113
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Aug 2012
Total posts 71
Especially considering that there are now 2 levels above. Plat' one and captains club
14 Apr 2015
Total posts 4
13 Jul 2016
Total posts 5
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 May 2012
Total posts 140
05 May 2016
Total posts 528
Until/unless the market puts pressure on them to do so I think there's unlikely to be any change. LTG is as good as it gets on QF for lifetime loyalty.
QFF Platinum
27 Jun 2016
Total posts 9
02 Jul 2017
Total posts 11
The really interesting thing though is that QF can clearly see my activity and, that my long haul spend is overwhelmingly with other carriers. Do their "loyalty" people ever call to see why?........................crickets!
11 Jan 2017
Total posts 15
As same as you I always did my best to other airlines when it comes to long haul ones. QF cannot compete with other airlines. Domestic - there is no other decent option.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Jul 2017
Total posts 1
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 327
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 521
At the peak of my flying I would have agreeded with you. I was earning 2000SC's per year so made platinum 6 years running and held for 8 so gold meant nothing abciously.
But now I am very grateful I have LTG because my job has changed to the extent I rarely fly international business for work anymore. My flying is mostly domestic Y and having LTG means a lounge and few other perks which is enough to keep me from flying Virgin.
QFF Platinum
27 Jun 2016
Total posts 9
I am that close, I can just about smell it
.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Apr 2018
Total posts 7
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Feb 2015
Total posts 272
07 Jan 2011
Total posts 40
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Feb 2015
Total posts 272
QFF
19 Sep 2013
Total posts 152
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Feb 2015
Total posts 272
06 Feb 2014
Total posts 97
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Mar 2014
Total posts 205
05 May 2016
Total posts 528
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 952
I joined QFF in 2006. Got LTS in 2010 and LTG in 2012. Then the changes to earn rates ("Simpler and Fairer" and later non QF earning halved) slowed my SC earning.
Currently on around 24k live time SCs.
30 Jul 2018
Total posts 7
The trick is obviously to stick with the one airline which is the whole aim of them offering it.
I now wish I had chosen QF over ANZ for 40 round trips PER>AKL>WLG in 2009-11. I would certainly have been real close to LTG now!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Sep 2018
Total posts 9
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Apr 2018
Total posts 7
11 Jan 2017
Total posts 15
Qantas needs to rethink thoroughly about its recognition to its most loyal customers, not just to concentrate on CL.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jan 2014
Total posts 226
QF
21 Jul 2016
Total posts 37
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
27 Sep 2013
Total posts 6
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2974
I'm not aware of any 'special' baggage tags (beyond the regular Gold kit), although the next time you receive a Gold frequent flyer card, the expiry date printed will be "lifetime".
(If you're currently Platinum or higher, you'll keep getting the higher-tier card with that tier's expiry date on it, but when you drop to Gold, you'll get a "lifetime" card.)
If your status goes up as a result of achieving LTG (from Bronze or Silver), you'll get the LTG card immediately, and I believe if you're already Gold, you'll get the LTG card when your current yearly membership period expires (as your current card will still serve you until its expiry date).
You can see a photo of an older Lifetime Gold card in one of our previous articles, albeit in an older design.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
27 Sep 2013
Total posts 6
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 521
Unless things have changed you got tags and a new card every time you moved up a tier.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
27 Sep 2013
Total posts 6
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
13 Jan 2017
Total posts 73
When my bag tags were severely damaged by LH when I was overseas last year, I rang QF and they sent me a new set gratis compatible to my current status.
29 Jun 2016
Total posts 19
I am LTG and Platinum but this year due to personal reasons I have not been able to retain the 1200 points required to continue as Platinum. QF just informed me that all the extra status points I had earned over and above the 1200 last year will neither be taken into account not considered to review extending my platinum status for next year. Other than access to first class lounges, fast track service at airports where it is available and excess luggage with all Oneworld carriers I have not seen any other benefits, not once have I been offered an upgrade on any international flight from economy to biz or from biz to first class, being Platinum is all too common and nothing special, much contrary to what Qantas claims as they (in my opinion) don't really care about their 'customer experience' and will only go out of their way if you are a member of their Chairman's Lounge which, we all know, is only reserved for and offered to politicians, ambassadors and people from business and leaders who do not necessarily support Qantas. I know one such member whose company is on contract with Singapore Airlines yet he was offered Chairman's Lounge status and only uses it for personal long haul flights once a year with his family, so someone do tell me how fair is this loyalty program?!!!!!
11 Jan 2017
Total posts 15
Unless you are CL (which you don’t need to soend money to get it), QFFF program is not worthwhile to focus on and spend more money to get or to keep them continually for so many years.
Being P and P1 for many years, but not LTG yet, my current travel options are that Domestic and short flight I fly on J. Either short ir long haul, if there is F on that aircraft, I purchase it. I don’t care to focus on Qantas flight number any longer. No need to stick to them because appaythey don’t care about their high value customers.
Bettrr give koney to better airlines. Now I am expecting to get Platinum invitation from TG and soon with EK Platinum.
There is no real recognition for LTG, G or P of Qantas. It is nearly useless. A marketing trap maybe.
05 Dec 2018
Total posts 1
If one feels there’s no recognition or value in LTG, G, P, P1 etc there’s other options. However, I’d be interested to know who offers, for an Australian based traveller, a better proposition than QF. Equal to at best-maybe, but not better. I did look into trying for lifetime Oneworld emerald with BA but it was too much hassle needing a UK address etc etc. I like to think I’ve done a lot of miles over the past 11+ years (I was QF gold for a few years before cracking platinum too!), I’ve done a fair bit of research into how else I could maximise value for all the travel I was expensing, other than earning the highest status I could in a given year with one airline then switching to another. In my case VA, but it was more so because I could, and to experience airlines I wouldn’t normally fly, like Etihad. Hell, I’d even fly CX knowing I don’t get anywhere near the same points or SC as flying QF. Again, because I could. On a side note the VA program has its advantages (e.g comp Hilton diamond membership, a couple of free domestic upgrades from eco to business) but I don’t think the overall FF experience with VA and Velocity is as strong as QF’s, nor is their network or lounge experience with partner airlines. We all have choices. Just sayin’.
10 Feb 2016
Total posts 10
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
12 Feb 2016
Total posts 20
05 Sep 2018
Total posts 5
23 Aug 2012
Total posts 33
I'm still waiting for the lifetime platinum.
Actually not being able to get a lifetime emerald makes me consider to switch over to BA and start from scratch there.
QF
21 Jul 2016
Total posts 37
11 Jan 2017
Total posts 15
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
27 Sep 2013
Total posts 6
QF
21 Jul 2016
Total posts 37
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
11 Mar 2015
Total posts 187
QF
21 Jul 2016
Total posts 37
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