Five changes to a program that looks a bit different on the other side of December 8. If you hold Qantas status or you’re chasing it, here’s what’s changing and what you need to do before it does.

1. Status Credit Rollover

This is the headline change and it’s genuinely good news for regular flyers. For the first time, you can carry over excess status credits into the next membership year rather than having them feel ‘wasted’.

Silver members can roll over 25% of excess credits, capped at 100 per year. Gold, Platinum and Platinum One members roll over 50% of excess, capped at 350 for Gold and 500 for Platinum and Platinum One. Rolled credits count toward attaining and retaining status, which is where you want them.

The trade-off is the current loyalty bonus, which paid 50 status credits for every 500 earned. That is being removed and replaced by this rollover system. For most mid-tier members the rollover is a better deal. For high-volume flyers who were stacking loyalty bonuses the news might not be so great.

2. Status Credits on the Ground

For the first time in the program’s history, you can earn status credits without boarding a plane. Up to 140 status credits per year are now earnable through everyday spending including Qantas credit card use, groceries, retail, car hire, insurance, hotels, utilities and loans.

The number won’t get you to Silver on its own, but as a supplement to flight credits it closes gaps faster and rewards loyalty beyond just flying. For members sitting just below a threshold at year end, ground credits could help you get over the line.

3. Points Club and Green Tier Retirement

Both of these separate programs are being retired on December 8, 2026. If you’re close to qualifying for either before December 7, it’s worth pushing for it. One more membership year of benefits is available for anyone who qualifies before the cutoff, and Points Club benefits including lounge passes and the ability to earn status credits on award flights have been some of the aspects of the program.

The current double points promotion is worth using as a final push if Points Club is within reach. Keep in mind that some bonus points can take up to eight weeks to land in your account, so timing will matter.

4. Single Status Pathway

Qantas says this one will come into full effect in 2027. The separate attain and retain thresholds are being replaced by a single number. Silver will be 300 status credits, Gold at 700 and Platinum at 1,400. The minimum four flights on Qantas or Jetstar flights still applies.

This simplifies the structure, but for members who previously benefited from a lower retain threshold, the consolidated number means the bar to hold status gets higher from 2027 onward.

5. Lifetime Gold Complimentary Platinum

Lifetime Gold members now receive a complimentary Platinum year at 25,000, 35,000, 45,000, 55,000 and 65,000 lifetime status credits. These years can be banked and activated whenever you choose. For frequent flyers who have already earned Lifetime Gold, this is a meaningful addition that rewards sustained loyalty. But I’m not sure how useful this perk will be to the average punter.

The Green Tier Last Chance

If you’re close to achieving your next status level and haven’t attained Green Tier yet, it’s worth pursuing for the 50 bonus status credits alone. All you need to do is complete qualifying activities including flying carbon neutral, staying at eco-accredited hotels, shopping for eco-accredited wines or completing a quiz. It’s a low-effort status credit opportunity but you need to complete all the steps before 7 December 2026. You’ll then have a couple of weeks to put in your claim for the 50 status credits – you need to do this manually so make sure you do, so you don’t miss out!

The Net Assessment

Under the new program rules, it appears it will be easier to earn with ground credits and easier to retain status with rollover of excess status credits. But it will be harder to hold status from 2027 once the single pathway lands. Overall this reads as a program getting more accessible for occasional and mid-tier flyers, while quietly raising the bar for those who were coasting on the lower retain threshold. The rollover is the standout win.

Has this changed how you’re approaching your Qantas status? Share this with someone who hasn’t seen the update yet and drop a comment below telling me whether you’re changing your strategy because of it. Follow 5 Star Trip for more travel hacks, program breakdowns and guides that help you get more from every flight.