Qantas has announced a way to earn points on the ground effectively devaluing status points and with it the status of its most loyal clients.
Qantas has announced a significant shift in its loyalty program, allowing customers to earn status points—known as Status Credits—“on the ground” through various lifestyle purchases, amid controversy and disappointment following the August 2025 devaluation of points and upcoming changes to the value of status for the highest-tier Platinum and Platinum One frequent flyers.
The new Qantas offer fundamentally changes the status game—making high status more attainable for lifestyle spenders, but potentially less rewarding for Australia’s most loyal jetsetters.
As ground-based status earning becomes mainstream, luxury travellers should carefully evaluate where, how, and when they direct their spend to continue maximising exclusive access and elite benefits.
Here’s an in-depth look at what this offer really means for Australian luxury travellers, business flyers, and Qantas loyalists.
Status Credits Now Earnable Without Flying
Traditionally, Status Credits have only been awarded for actual flights on Qantas, partner airlines, or select premium travel activities.
In a move that aligns with broader industry trends, Qantas now lets members register for a limited-time offer to earn up to 110 Status Credits—simply by accumulating 1,000 Qantas Points in each of eight lifestyle and spend categories before 31 December 2025. Eligible categories include:
- Cards and Banking
- Insurance
- Utilities and Services
- Hotels and Travel
- Fuel and Cars
- Food and Wine
- Shopping
- Health, Leisure, and Entertainment
Each category can be completed once, earning either 10 or 20 Status Credits depending on the spend type. For high-impact earners, the entire 110 Credits could be accumulated without ever stepping onto a Qantas aircraft.
Members must register by 31 October 2025; points must land in accounts by 31 March 2026, and Credits will be credited within six to eight weeks of completion.
The Devaluation: What’s Really Happening
Qantas’s changes come on the heels of two major devaluations. First, in August 2025, Qantas increased the number of points required for Classic Flight Rewards by 10-20% and Points Plus Pay, making it more expensive to redeem points for flights and upgrades.
The result? Qantas Points—once considered among the most valuable worldwide—are now worth considerably less per dollar spent, especially for premium redemptions.
Now, the value of “elite status” itself is declining as Qantas enables status earning without flying. Previously, Platinum, Platinum One, and Gold status were reserved for those who flew frequently and spent significantly; these tiers unlocked VIP privileges like priority upgrades, first-class lounge access, and personalised concierge service.
With the launch of ground-based earning, exclusivity is diluted—more members will reach high status, but the perks (and their scarcity) are lessened for the most loyal flyers.
How Does It Impact Platinum and Platinum One Flyers?
For Platinum and Platinum One, the concern is two-fold:
- Increased competition for upgrades and lounge access, as more members achieve high status by “shopping” rather than flying.
- The definition of loyalty shifts away from aviation-centric towards lifestyle spend, undermining the reward for those travelling long distances or spending heavily on flights.
Qantas has made minor adjustments to tier structures, Bonus Status Credits, and lounge invitations, but the core benefits (VIP Service Team, Platinum bonus rewards, gifting Gold memberships, and exclusive event invitations) remain unchanged for now.
However, with more members qualifying for top tiers using ground-based promotions, the value proposition—and overall experience—for those who genuinely travel often may see further erosion.
Ground-Based Status: The Fine Print
- Status Credits from ground spend are “one-off” per category—maxing at 110, far less than the 1,200 or 3,600 typically required for Platinum or Platinum One.
- These Credits count towards reaching and retaining status, as well as Lifetime Status, but are not recurring—meaning the offer will only run for the 2025/2026 cycle.
- Registered members are tracked via regular email updates; completion does not offer additional Credits for higher spend in categories.
Why Qantas Is Making These Changes
Qantas is under pressure from competitor loyalty schemes and has faced ACCC scrutiny regarding devaluation of frequent flyer programs.
By enabling ground-based earning, they hope to:
- Capture more lifestyle spend, deepening engagement with Qantas’s ecosystem (insurance, banking, retail, energy partnerships, etc.).
- Attract travel-adjacent customers who are unable or unwilling to travel frequently.
- Compete with Velocity’s recent changes—Velocity Frequent Flyer, the Virgin Australia program, has had multiple offers for ground-based status earners as well.
What Travellers Should Do Next
- Register before 31 October to maximize the promo—particularly useful for Silver and Gold members seeking to climb status tiers.
- Review spend categories and ensure eligibility; hotel bookings, cruising, car hire, and retail shopping can all contribute.
- Consider that while this is attractive for non-flyers, the true “insider” value for Platinum and Platinum One is more diluted than in the past years.
