Qantas Frequent Flyer is introducing the most significant changes to earning and retaining status since the program's inception, giving members the ability to roll over unused Status Credits and earn them through everyday spending for the first time.
The changes, which follow extensive feedback from thousands of frequent flyers and leading loyalty experts, will be introduced progressively from later this year. They include:
- Earning Status Credits on the ground - a permanent way for members to earn in addition to flying, from Qantas credit cards to hundreds of program partners.
- Status Credit roll over - the ability for tiered members to roll over up to 50 per cent of their excess Status Credits[1], which currently reset, from one membership year to the next.
- More lifetime milestones - greater recognition for Lifetime Gold members, including the ability to earn and 'bank' up to five complimentary years of Platinum Status.
- Enhanced tier benefits - an additional lounge invitation each membership year for Silver members, alongside new on-the-ground vouchers and discounts for all higher tiers[2].
- Removing program complexity - the retirement of overlapping sub-programs including Points Club and Green Tier in favour of one core recognition pathway.
- Single Status Credit targets - the removal of separate attain and retain requirements, in favour of a single target for each tier level.
- An improved digital experience - a new search tool on qantas.com to help members find international Classic Reward seats on Qantas and partner airlines in seconds.
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said the overhaul will deliver greater flexibility, faster recognition and more pathways to status.
"With more than 18 million members and nearly 40 years rewarding loyalty, this represents a new era for the Frequent Flyer program in the face of a changing loyalty landscape.
"Our members have an incredible appetite for earning points, but we know they also place immense value on their status. Our most frequent flyers tell us that status retention is the single most important milestone as a member, with thousands achieving or retaining their tier every day.
"These changes are about creating more opportunities for members to unlock status, while ensuring the program remains as relevant and rewarding in the future as it has been for the past four decades," said Ms Hudson.
Qantas Loyalty and Customer CEO Andrew Glance said the introduction of Status Credit roll over and on the ground earning represented some of the most significant changes in program history.
"Traditionally, Status Credits have been a benefit earned exclusively through flying. However last year's trial broke member engagement records, proving they want more ways to fast-track their status.
"Making this a permanent fixture is great news for our members and also our partners, who will benefit from the increased activity this creates.
"Around half of the status credits our members earn each year are over and above their tier thresholds. We are giving value back, ensuring hard-earned status credits in one year give members a head start in the next.
"Lifetime Gold members have shown decades-long loyalty to Qantas, and we want to give them a clearer pathway to even greater rewards. Silver members are our largest group of tiered flyers, and these changes will also deliver more travel benefits for them right from the outset.
"Our new reward seat search tool is also a significant investment in our digital experience. With over 14,000 reward seats booked each day, the tool will provide a seamless window into our network and drive a further increase in flight redemptions," said Mr Glance.
