Qantas’ New Status Credits on the Ground: Why This Rare Promotion Matters
If you’ve ever felt like Qantas status is out of reach because you don’t fly enough, this latest promotion may be your chance to close the gap. For a limited time, Qantas Frequent Flyer members can earn bonus Status Credits without getting on a plane.. something we honestly can’t recall Qantas offering in this way before. And for travellers chasing Silver, Gold, or Platinum, it could be a game-changer.
What Qantas Is Offering
Between 1 October and 31 December 2025, Qantas is letting members earn Status Credits by collecting Qantas Points across everyday “on the ground” categories. Think: shopping, hotels, fuel, cards, insurance, utilities.. things you’re probably already spending on.
Here’s the breakdown:
Earn 1,000 Qantas Points in a category (e.g. Shopping, Hotels & Travel, Fuel & Cars).
Unlock 10 or 20 Status Credits, depending on the category.
Complete all eight categories and you could pocket up to 110 Status Credits in total.
That’s without a single extra flight.
To qualify, you’ll need to register by 31 October 2025 and make sure your points land in your Qantas Frequent Flyer account by 31 March 2026. The Status Credits will even be back-dated to when you earned the points, so they count in the right membership year.
Categories & How Many Maximum Bonus Credits You Can Earn Per Category.
Here’s where the magic happens. Each time you earn 1,000 Qantas Points in a category, you unlock Status Credits. Do all eight categories and you can collect a total of 110 Status Credits:
Shopping – 10 SC
Hotels & Travel – 10 SC
Fuel & Cars – 10 SC
Food & Wine – 10 SC
Health, Leisure & Entertainment – 10 SC
Cards & Banking – 20 SC
Insurance – 20 SC
Utilities & Services – 20 SC
Total possible: 110 SC
That’s without a single extra flight.
Why This Matters
For many Qantas flyers, status is the key that unlocks the good stuff. We’re talking:
Upgrades to Business or Premium Economy
Lounge access (a lifesaver on long travel days)
Priority check-in and boarding
Early access to reward seats, giving you first pick before general release
Extra baggage allowance
Status Credits are the hardest part of earning status.. you can’t buy them outright, and normally they only come from flying. That’s why this promotion is unusual and exciting. It effectively lets you get a head start on your next tier by simply leveraging your everyday spend.
The Fine Print
Of course, there are conditions. You’ll still need to meet the four eligible flight requirement to actually move up a tier, even if you hit the Status Credit target. Points must also post by the deadline (31 March 2026), so delayed transactions could cost you.
On the upside, the bonus Status Credits will also count towards Lifetime Status, which is a nice long-term win for frequent travellers.
Our Take
We’ll be honest… we don’t really chase Qantas status for the shiny cards. For us, points and redemptions usually offer better value than flying purely to earn Status Credits. But we know many in our community do value status, especially for upgrades, lounges, and family travel. And for them, this is a golden opportunity.
If you’re already earning Qantas Points across categories like fuel, shopping, or insurance, this is basically free Status Credits just for doing what you’re doing anyway. Even if you don’t go for all eight categories, a handful could still push you into the next tier. But do the math first before committing, and make sure you’re benefiting from these offers more than just from the status itself.
And because we’ve never really seen Qantas run a status promo like this, we’d say: don’t ignore it. If you’re on the cusp of retaining Gold or reaching Platinum, this could be the difference between falling short and unlocking a year’s worth of benefits.
Final Thoughts
If status is your thing, make sure you register before 31 October and take advantage of this rare window. It may just be the easiest set of Status Credits you’ll ever earn.
And if you want to know how to maximise both points and status without overspending, keep following The Points World - we’ll keep breaking it down for you.
Ready to Build Your Status & Points Strategy?
Earning up to 110 Status Credits on the ground is a rare opportunity - but it’s just one piece of the bigger picture. To truly maximise your Qantas Points, Velocity, and other loyalty programs, you need a strategy that fits your lifestyle and travel goals.
That’s where we come in. In a 1:1 Points Strategy Session, our experts will:
Map out the fastest way for you to reach the status or rewards you want
Show you how to layer everyday spending with hidden tricks to earn faster
Help you avoid common mistakes that waste points or hold you back
Book your Points Strategy Session today and take the guesswork out of chasing status and upgrades.
