The long-awaited Qantas Double Status Credit promotion has finally landed, and for many frequent flyers, it feels like a long-overdue move. After what’s felt like a lull in meaningful rewards, Qantas has brought back one of its most valuable offers—this time with a crucial change that has caught the attention of loyal travellers.
Initially, when the promotion launched, Qantas made it clear that while the bonus Status Credits would count toward your annual status qualification, they wouldn’t apply to your Lifetime Status total. That sparked instant frustration among frequent flyers who have been chasing Lifetime Gold or Platinum for years, often investing tens of thousands of dollars over time. But in a welcome and unexpected U-turn, Qantas reversed its position. The bonus credits from this offer will now count toward Lifetime Status, aligning this promotion with past campaigns and restoring its real long-term value.
That said, not everything in this promotion hits the mark. Alongside the main offer, Qantas has announced a one-off gift of Status Credits, which will be added to accounts automatically next month. The amount varies depending on your current tier: Bronze and Silver members receive 40, Gold gets 80, Platinum picks up 150, and Platinum One is awarded 300. While it’s a generous gesture on the surface, these gifted credits do not count toward Lifetime Status. That caveat significantly reduces their long-term impact and leaves many loyal flyers underwhelmed.
The frustration is understandable. For those inching toward a lifetime tier, these gifted credits could have made a meaningful difference. Instead, they only help with this year’s requalification. It’s certainly better than nothing—and helpful for those trying to hang onto their current level—but it feels like a missed opportunity to truly reward long-term loyalty in a more lasting way.
Still, this is a valuable promotion, especially if approached with a bit of strategy. The first step is to register and choose between Double Status Credits or Double Points. Most people will opt for Status Credits because tier status unlocks lounge access, upgrades, priority services, and greater flexibility. But it’s not always the right choice for everyone.
If you’re not likely to cross the threshold into the next status tier—or if you’re so far from it that even double credits won’t get you there—then choosing Double Points instead might be more practical. Points can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, or even items from the Qantas store, and for many travellers, that redemption flexibility is more useful than sitting on a pile of Status Credits that ultimately don’t move the needle.
Once you’ve made your selection, any eligible Qantas-operated flight booked within the promotion window (for travel over the next 12 months) will earn double the usual credits or points, depending on what you chose. To make the most of it, consider the travel you already plan to take—business trips, family visits, holidays—and book them now while the offer applies.
In the end, the decision to count bonus Status Credits toward Lifetime Status makes this one of the more valuable promotions we’ve seen in a while. It’s not perfect, and the gift credits not contributing to lifetime progress is a clear miss, but it still offers real value. For those who plan carefully, this is the kind of offer that can push you over the line—or bring you meaningfully closer.
