Qantas tweaks loyalty bonus for fast-track Gold, Platinum status
By Chris Chamberlin, November 3 2016
Qantas Frequent Flyer members can now opt for bonus status credits in lieu of extra frequent flyer points as part of the Roo’s ‘loyalty bonus’, making it easier to climb the status ladder or to retain your existing Qantas frequent flyer tier.
For every 500 status credits earned on Qantas and Jetstar flight numbers in a single membership year, travellers can now choose between the existing bonus of 8,000 Qantas Points or an extra 50 status credits instead.
It’s a welcome boost for business travellers hoping to keep their existing Qantas Gold card – requiring 600 status credits in a membership year – as this can now be achieved by earning just 550 status credits in the air, with the loyalty bonus gifting you the remaining 50.
That loyalty bonus also helps Platinum cardholders in their trek for 1,200 status credits each year, who can now achieve that by earning a lower 1,100 status credits from actual flying, and boosting that to an even 1,200 by taking two rounds of 50 bonus credits that same year.
However, existing Platinum One members and those aspiring to reach Qantas’ top-tier should note that extra status credits earned via the loyalty bonus aren’t counted towards attaining or retaining Platinum One status – in which case, taking the bonus points may prove a more fruitful option.
Qantas’ loyalty bonus remains limited to the first 2,000 status credits earned by a member in a single membership year (excluding these new status boosters) on Qantas and Jetstar flight numbers.
The move comes just two weeks after rival Virgin Australia unveiled a new tie-up with the Flybuys program, enabling Velocity Frequent Flyer members to earn extra status credits by shopping at Coles, Liquorland and First Choice Liquor on the ground.
Connect with other business travellers in our Qantas discussion group
Chris Chamberlin is the Associate Editor of Executive Traveller, and lives by the motto that a journey of a thousand miles begins not just with a single step, but also a strong latte, a theatre ticket, and later in the day, a good gin and tonic.
08 Apr 2011
Total posts 25
Great news! Just what I wanted this year.
Qantas
22 Oct 2012
Total posts 282
I wonder how one gets to select between Points and Status Credits. There's no information on this in either their email or on their website.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1235
Apparently you select which reward you'd prefer after you achieve the bonus.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Nov 2016
Total posts 1
Contacted Qantas today they said one u hit 500 SC, u will be able to make the selection within 90 days after you login
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Jun 2015
Total posts 25
New QF frequent flyer card design? Do you have images of all of them or news on the rollout?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Apr 2015
Total posts 57
Two important things to add:
05 May 2016
Total posts 587
This should help me retain WP.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 387
And for those still to attain lifetime Gold and Silver, the extra SCs will make the chase a bit quicker.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Jan 2015
Total posts 106
Virgin should take note
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Jul 2014
Total posts 100
I would rather take the points than the additional 50 Status credits as I will never get near my next Tier and 50 status credits isn't that much in reality anyway
23 Feb 2015
Total posts 267
Should keep me at platinum - excellent!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jan 2014
Total posts 272
The fact they give you a choice shows a real level of service from Qantas, some years the SC will be handy, others the points.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Oct 2016
Total posts 61
I do wonder if this tweak will mean that the 'one off' promotions for bonus status credits will become even more of a rarity.
05 May 2016
Total posts 587
Hopefully not. Bonus SC promotions are driven by a desire to increase sales to get customers to lock in future travel earlier (they get change fees if you have to get the dates) and to do travel that might not otherwise have been done. If the sales levels get low enough I expect they will still want to offer bonus SC promos.
05 May 2016
Total posts 587
I meant if you have to get the dates changed.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Dec 2012
Total posts 172
I agree MVIY. So in a similar approach it might be more prudent for QANTAS to offer bonus SC's to help you reach that next tier, to push you across the line. You need 1000 SC's to reach gold, if you earn 950 then that bonus you the 50 points then. Or something along those lines. I know some people do status runs anyway, but if you were at say 900 and time was running out, you might not want to fork out for a trip(s) to earn the extra 100 SC's, but people may be inclined to book to earn another 50 to get the bonus.
21 Aug 2015
Total posts 90
QF plays catch up again. The FF points are worth less and less. Virgin has partner credits for SC and has announced SC earning with FlyBuys purchases. As usual QF are offering as little as possible. Just a token.
02 Nov 2012
Total posts 35
Virgin do not have lifetime status. when will they catch up?
06 Nov 2016
Total posts 3
how can we elect to receive the Status Credits instead of the points?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Dec 2012
Total posts 172
Their marketing is a bit off. I am a lowly bronze so my email went along the lines of "earn 500 SC's and we will give you a bonus 50 SC's, which could help you move up to that next silver level". Only thing is if I earn 500 SC's I will already be silver so the bonus 50 SC's won't make a lick of difference in that respect. Great offer, just wish ad and marketing departments would pay more attention.
23 Feb 2015
Total posts 267
23 Feb 2015
Total posts 267
Though agree in relation to silver the right answer is "which won't help"
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Dec 2016
Total posts 15
Do these loyalty bonuses count towards the 2400 SC Platinum Bonus?
15 Feb 2013
Total posts 165
How does this work if it crosses a membership year? For example, say my year resets on 1 July. If I earn a loyalty bonus in June, but I wait until July to select my bonus and choose status credits, would they count towards my next membership year? (which would potentially mean you could get three lots of bonus SCs counting towards Platinum)
06 Mar 2017
Total posts 4
Reviving an old comment thread, but useful info hence my reply.
06 Mar 2017
Total posts 4
Apologies, I meant 'nothing to lose in waiting a week to make the choice on the bonus'... oops!
QF
30 Aug 2013
Total posts 5
Why no priority boarding with LTS on Qantas?
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 3050
Qantas, like most other Oneworld airlines, doesn't provide priority boarding for Oneworld Ruby members (Qantas Silver and Qantas LT Silver = Oneworld Ruby): officially, it's a Sapphire and Emerald (Gold and Platinum) benefit, but a few airlines simply choose to go above and beyond by offering it to Oneworld Ruby, even though they don't 'have' to.
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