Qantas Reduces Status Credit Requirements for Platinum and Platinum One

In a recent announcement, Qantas Frequent Flyer has decided to temporarily reduce the Status Credit retention threshold for its Platinum and Platinum One members whose status expires in July, August, or September 2023. This move is in response to the ongoing recovery of the Qantas and partner networks, which has made it challenging for members to achieve the high Status Credit targets of these premium tiers.

• Platinum One members will now need to earn 2,880 Status Credits, down from 3,600, with 2,160 of them needing to be acquired from flying on Qantas-marketed flights.
• Platinum members will now need to earn 960 Status Credits, down from 1,200, with at least four eligible Qantas group flights taken.

Since 2020, Qantas has been proactive in offering a range of support mechanisms to its frequent flyers to help them retain their status. These include status extensions, Status Credit boosts, increased opportunities to earn Status Credits on the ground, and simplifying the retention requirements.

With the Qantas Group Domestic capacity back to pre-COVID levels and international capacity gradually climbing back, the majority of frequent flyers have been able to earn the required Status Credits to retain their tier benefits. However, Platinum and Platinum One members, who have very high Status Credit targets (1,400 to earn Platinum and 1,200 to retain or 3,600 for Platinum One) to qualify for their benefits, are most impacted by reduced networks within their membership year.

Under the new support mechanism, Platinum One members whose status expires in July, August, or September 2023 will need to earn 2,880 Status Credits, down from 3,600, with 2,160 of them acquired from flying on Qantas marketed flights on or before their membership year date. Similarly, Platinum members will need to earn 960 Status Credits, down from 1,200, with at least four eligible Qantas group flights taken on or before their membership year date.

Members who are eligible for the status support and earn enough status credits to meet the reduced number do not need to take any action. Extensions will be processed automatically, and members will be notified via email. The new status end dates will be 31 July 2024 for those whose current status ends on 31 July 2023, 31 August 2024 for those ending on 31 August 2023, and 30 September 2024 for those ending on 30 September 2023.

However, Gold and Silver Frequent Flyers, as well as Platinum One and Platinum Frequent Flyers whose status expires from October 2023 onwards, will need to earn the usual number of Status Credits required to retain. The temporary Status Credit threshold applies only to members retaining their existing status, and the Status Credits required for members to attain Platinum or Platinum One have not changed.

This latest move is part of a series of status support measures that Qantas has offered to its Frequent Flyers since 2020, including full 12-month extensions to their existing status, gifting 50% of the Status Credits required to retain their tier, monthly ‘Status Boost’ to select cohorts, and rollover of status credits to their new membership year if they booked a flight.

In Summary

In a move that will be welcomed by many, Qantas Frequent Flyer has announced a temporary reduction in the Status Credit retention threshold for Platinum and Platinum One members. This is a positive step that acknowledges the challenges these premium tier members have faced in achieving their maintenance levels of Status Credits.