Qantas launches 'double Status Credits' promotion

By David Flynn, April 28 2016
Qantas launches 'double Status Credits' promotion

Whatever you do, don't book a Qantas flight today until you've signed up for this fantastic promo!

Get ready to fast-track your way to Qantas Gold, Platinum or even Platinum One status: for a limited time, Qantas frequent flyers can earn a double serve of status credits on domestic and international flights.

Qantas usually restricts bonus status credit promos to a selected set of frequent flyers, but this one's wide open to everybody.

As a result, your next Qantas flight could see you step up to the next tier of the Qantas Frequent Flyer status ladder or lock in your current shiny status for another year (or to catapult to the extra perks of 'Platinum Plus' tiers such as free partner Gold membership).

For example, flying from Sydney up to to Singapore or Hong Kong you'll pocket at least 240 status credits each way in business class; a quick trip across the pond to Auckland is worth at least 160 status credits in business class; and even your regular Sydney-Melbourne shuttle will yield 80 status credits on a return flexible economy ticket.

Going the long haul to London? Travelling in business class from Sydney or Melbourne to London, you'll pocket 560 status credits each way – so the return trip haul of 1,120 status credits can put you on the threshold of Platinum from a standing start.

There are a few caveats, so here's the skinny.

Register first: You need to register for this promo before you book your flights – click here to go straight to the promo sign-up page.

Book fast: To take advantage of this double status credits deal you have to book on an eligible flight (see below) through to 11.59pm (AEST) on Wednesday  May 4, 2016. Existing bookings don't count: only new bookings are eligible.

Travel to April 2017: while there's a limited window for booking your double status credit flights, the actual travel dates stretch through to April 16th, 2017 – perfect for planning ahead when it comes to both business trips and holidays.

Valid flights: The deal covers all Qantas domestic and international flights, as well as American Airlines' Sydney-Los Angeles and Auckland-Los Angeles flights booked under their respective Qantas QF numbers (QF309/3310 and  QF3225/QF3226) – but not Emirates codeshares.

Also read: This month's top credit card sign-up deals for Qantas Frequent Flyer points

Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT

David

David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

11 Oct 2014

Total posts 693

Even the terms & conditions seem somewhat spurious:

"you won't be eligible for this promo "if you have received a bonus Status Credit or a Status Accelerator offer from Qantas in the last 180 days"

What is 'received' meant to mean?

1) That QF emailed you an offer (whether it was acted on or ignored by recipient ?)

2) That you signed up / registered for the offer (but did / did not purchase bookings)

3) That you received the offer, registered for it and made one (or more) booking.

If 1), then QF is somewhat foolish in not clarifying. The offer (which was only for 50% bonus status credits, was for a similarly limited ' booking offer' period. Those who may not have been able to book during that period would seem to be being disadvantaged from this offer.

Point 2) would also see a similar situation to point 1.

Frankly, I find this QF offer badly worded and not particularly well-thought out. I get that for those who booked in the initial offer that 'forward-bookings' through 2016 must be protected so that multiple offers don't pile on unintended levels of status credits.

But for those who have received the March offer and not acted on it, QF is simply not maximising the appeal of the offer.

I suspect that the whole promotion is being used to bump up booking numbers, due to the previously noted fall in bookings. But Two offers within a short period of time (March & late April) where one is for 50% and the other is for 100% SC's over a period of almost a year ... screams desperation to me.

24 Oct 2010

Total posts 2559

That 180 day caveat has this morning been removed from the T&Cs :)

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

11 Oct 2014

Total posts 693

Thanks for the update, David. It's appreciated.

Suspect that QF Marketing has realised the limitations of the orginal offer, which would have excluded a large number of the intended audience. 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

29 Nov 2013

Total posts 478

I don't know that it screams desperation - if these types of offers move the needle in terms of forward bookings then its smart work by Qantas. 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

12 Jun 2014

Total posts 4

Well I booked in 4 flights yesterday before the promo started...

MrT
MrT

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

28 Aug 2015

Total posts 38

Ditto. How frustrating.

04 May 2015

Total posts 267

Interesting how Qantas has launched a generous promo yet people are quick to complain about not having something they never did to begin with.

If you want double status credits, book a new flight like everybody else has to. Simple!

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

29 Nov 2013

Total posts 478

I think they're just being ironic Dean! 

bmc
bmc

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

22 Aug 2013

Total posts 173

cancel and rebook if your fare code allows

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

23 Mar 2012

Total posts 211

Strange they left our Emirates codeshares, when they were saying it was such a tight partnership and one of the stated reasons for cutting benefits for flying Oneworld partners like QR, CX and MH was the need to show loyalty to QF, even if that meant flying in EK metal.

For long haul heading to Europe it looks like Perth/Adelaide folk just need to back track to Syd/Melb.

QF

11 Jul 2014

Total posts 966

Seems like a despite move to make the balance sheet look good, if it was any other airline I would be making sure I paid on credit card incase they went belly up.

28 Apr 2016

Total posts 1

I couldn't see any restrictions in the terms and conditions about using the Book Now, Pay Later option on qantas.com I could only see that you need to book by May 4, not necessarily pay by May 4. Does anyone know if Book Now, Pay Later bookings would be eliglbe for this promotion?

04 Dec 2013

Total posts 154

Sorry QF.  After many years of platinum, your "enhancements" made it too much of a pain to keep my FF status given that I do plenty of my flying on other OW airlines.

I've switched programmes, kept OW emerald with another airline, and never have to bother with your ongoing tinkering again.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

29 Apr 2016

Total posts 1

When will Virgin have one of these offers.  Have not seen one for about two years.

10 Nov 2013

Total posts 14

Done.

I received a QF email & MrsB didn't. Initially thought I was "targeted" until seeing the website.

Qantas

16 Jan 2014

Total posts 3

Do we know if it really means all Qantas operated flights.  So for bookings on Qantas flights originating in the UK or NZ or USA.  Or is it like the Amex cards QF double points offers, so only for bookings made in and originating in Australia and charged in AUD?.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

13 Oct 2015

Total posts 2

Does "not emirates codeshare" include QF flight number on Emirates metal? 

01 May 2016

Total posts 2

Does anyone know for sure if you need to register prior to making the booking? I"ve just booked a fist class return ticket, MEL - LHR, and only afterwards have I seen and registered for the promotion. Rang Qantas (not the FF desk which is closed) to be told it looks like it will be okay but I 'd like to be sure. Don't want to waste the opportunity of doubling my status credits for such a long haul. Anyone have any experience with this? Will I have to cancel and rebook?

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

24 Mar 2013

Total posts 67

This is a great and rare offer from QANTAS, I like others missed some double credit opportunities as I also booked some flights prior to the offer, however, thats life and whilst I understand that its a sourt taste to miss out on something by a matter of hours or even minutes, in life stuff happens and you have to get on with it, for some to see that QANTAS owe them for the fact they missed out, I say move on, or do as I did and look to book more flights in advance so as to maximise your credits into the next membership period or even to move further up the status ladder.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

02 May 2016

Total posts 8

A multi-city trip i was looking at to the US went up by $3k when this was announced.. Nothing is for free with QF!

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

02 May 2016

Total posts 3

Can I cancel and rebook my SYD - JFK return business class flight in July to get the double status points?

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

15 Aug 2014

Total posts 25

Another caveat is that if you has been offered a status booster in the past 180 days you are ineligible for this offer. I cancelled a booking, lost $30 booking fee, FF points for an upgrade and paid more for the second (same) flight that I re booked under this offer.  I had also registered and booked the original with a double frequent flyer point offer that I received on the 1st of April.  I am contacting FF on Monday to see what they say.


Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Qantas launches 'double Status Credits' promotion