#Qantas #QantasFrequentFlyer #StatusCredits #SilverStatus #GoldStatus #PlatinumStatus #QantasClub #FrequentFlyer #FrequentFlyerPoints #flightsale #FlightSaleElite
Previously I’d written about ‘Fast Ways to Increase Your ‘Qantas Frequent Flyer Points‘, however I’ve noticed many travellers requesting ways to ‘Increase their Qantas Frequent Flyer Status Credits’ – especially as their anniversary draws near, before they lose their status credits.
What are Qantas Status Credits?
A status credit is earned for flying on a Qantas aircraft (or One World Member airline). Unlike qantas frequent flyer points, which can be earned from credit cards, shopping, insurance or even just walking these days, a status credit can only be earned whilst flying on a (preferably) Qantas plane.
What Benefits can I get from Qantas Status Credits?
Increasing your status is like becoming a celebrity with freebies, upgrades and lounge access all opening up depending upon your status level.
The biggest hype is also recognition across One World members, so flying with a non-Qantas airline will still give you some reciprocal benefits.
There are four membership status tiers and each gives you the benefits of the previous tier, plus added benefits as summarised below:
Bronze – Earn Qantas Frequent Flyer Points + Status credits and use points for Classic Flight Reward Seats.
Silver (300 credits)- Bonus status credits to help you move up faster + Priority phone service + Priority seating + Additional checked baggage allowance + 1 x lounge invitation.
Gold (700 credits) – Additional bonus status credits + Preferential access to Classic Flight Reward Seats + Qantas lounge access in Australia and overseas + priority check-in/boarding/luggage.
Platinum (1400 credits) – Even more additional bonus status credits + Access to Qantas/Emirates First lounges.
Platinum One (3600 credits) – Confirmed upgrades 2 days prior to travel + VIP support/Waived change fees + Qantas Wine Club membership + Special Event invitations
*All benefits subject to change at anytime.
How Can I Get More Status Credits
A discounted return economy ticket with Qantas between Sydney and Melbourne earns you 20 Status credits, whilst a return Business Class ticket earns you 80 status credits.
A return Business Class ticket from Sydney to Perth earns you 160 status credits which pushes you closer to Silver if you’re a Bronze.
It’s easy to see why gaining status (and more importantly keeping the status) becomes an addiction for many travellers.
With trips from Sydney to Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth in Business class, you’ve eared enough points to go from Bronze to Silver. But it has also cost you almost $10,000 approximately (based on flexi business class fares).
The higher the class of travel, the more Status Credits you’ll earn for each flight. However it is possible for anyone to jump up a status with some planning. Remember for each 500 Status credit you earn, you’ll also have the choice of a bonus 50 status credits OR additional frequent flyer points.
How to earn Qantas Platinum Status from Bronze tier in 3 trips.
Trip #1 – 240 Status Credits
There’s a a daily Emirates flight from Sydney to Christchurch (Airbus A380) so there are always plenty of seats available and this flight offers Economy, Premium Economy, Business and First Class.
Cost of a First Class ticket between Sydney and Christchurch is from $3500pp on the Qantas flight number including airport taxes and service fees but more importantly it also earns you 240 Status Credits. You can combine classes (Business One Way and First Class the return to lower the fare, but you’ll earn less points too).
Note the fare is slightly different if you book on a Qantas flight number compared to an Emirates flight number. This flight is probably the most cost effective way of earning status credits.
Trip #2 – 520 Status Credits
Add to this a 22k Mile Business Class Circle Pacific ticket to the USA (returning via Asia) and you’ve just bumped yourself into Gold Status with up to an additional 520 Status Credits.
Trip #3 – 840 Status Credits
Add a flight from Sydney to London with Qantas in First Class and boom – you’ve just hit Platinum. You’ve just stepped up in the world and it only cost you $28,835 (approximately, including airport taxes and service fees).
These are based on Bronze tier, so you’ll earn even more if you’re already a Silver or Gold tier status member.
However, if you look at what you’ll save then you can effectively wipe out that cost with free upgrades, classic reward point tickets, lounge access, additional luggage allowance and more.
Is there a more cost effective way of going up the Frequent Flyer Tiers?
Flying Economy Class will end up costing more in time and potentially money to earn the same Status Credits compared to flying in Business or First Class, however it’s all relative.
For example Sydney to Singapore in Economy Class return with Qantas costs approximately $1650 including airport taxes and service fees and earns 60 Status Credits.
Compared to Sydney to Singapore in discounted Business Class with Qantas costs approximately $4750 including airport taxes and service fees and earns 240 Status Credits.
In the above example, flying Business Class gets you much closer to the next Status Credit tier in only one trip, compared to 4 trips in Economy.
It’s another example of it’s expensive to be poor. Another traveller may prefer to do the four trips to Singapore instead of 1 in Business Class and that’s okay too. But with each additional trip comes added accommodation, meals, transfers etc and so the overall cost will be much higher to get the same status credits flying in Economy, compared to flying in Business or First Class.
How to get to Silver status from Bronze in Two Trips
Here’s how you can jump from Bronze to Silver Qantas Status (300 status credits) in just two trips (four flights).
Trip #1 – 240 Status Credits
Flying from Sydney to Jakarta in discounted Business Class will cost you approximately $4965pp including airport taxes and service fees and earns you up to 240 status credits.
Accommodation is cheaper in Jakarta for a higher standard compared to Singapore, hence why this is a better option. Or you can opt for the Qantas/Emirates codeshare from Sydney to Christchurch in First Class mentioned above.
Trip #2 – 80 Status Credits
Flying from Sydney to Manila in Economy will cost you approximately $1465pp including airport taxes and service fees and more importantly earns you up to 80 status credits.
80 + 240 = 320 status credits
Only 300 points required to go from Bronze to Silver Status.
How to get to Gold status from Bronze in Two Trips
Here’s how you can jump from Bronze to Gold Status (700 Status Credits) in just two trips.
It’s important to remember you must do a minimum of four Qantas or Jetstar flights per membership year as well as earn the required points to go up to the next tier. A Qantas flight is one with a Qantas flight number e.g QF001.
Trip #1 – 175 Status Credits
22K Mile Circle Pacific Economy Class trip from Sydney to Los Angeles to Tokyo to Hong Kong to Sydney is approximately $4995pp including airport taxes and service fees. This includes two flights on Qantas.
Trip #2 – 540 Status Credits
Fly Sydney to Dubai in First Class from approximately $17,995pp including airport taxes and service fees as a bare minimum if time is a constraint.
However, Technically, it’s better value to fly Qantas to London in Business Class which will earn you 560 Status Credits from approximately $10,295pp Business Class including airport taxes and service fees.
175 + 540 = 715 status credits
Only 700 Status credits required to go from Bronze to Gold Status.
If you have the time and funds and if you’re going to push to get Gold Status, you may as well drive onto Platinum and travel in Business or First Class to get to your tier and destination more comfortably.
Secret tip – Sometimes other airlines will offer a status match so if you have Qantas Gold, they’ll give you the equivalent tier on their program giving you a quick and easy way to jump up tiers on another Frequent Flyer Program.
Found a good route to earn points or status? Submit your tip below.
Contact us to book these trips:
Call us now (AEST Business hours/Message after hours) or submit your details below to increase your Qantas Frequent Flyer Status.
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TERMS AND CONDITIONS
All fares are subject to change and also subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply based on the fare and ticket booked.
All Qantas tier status points are subject to change without notice including the inclusions or benefits.
This information is provided as a guide only on how you can potentially earn Qantas Status Credits. It’s based on information from third parties and is therefore subject to change.
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