It’s not often that an airline rewards you for not flying, but Qantas is doing just that this October. In a move that’s turning heads in the frequent flyer world, Qantas is giving members the chance to earn up to 110 Status Credits—just by going about their everyday lives. No flights required.
The offer, called “Earn Status Credits on the Ground”, runs from 1 October to 31 December 2025, and it’s open to all Qantas Frequent Flyer members who register before 31 October 2025. Once registered, you can earn Status Credits by collecting Qantas Points through everyday spending in different categories.
The idea is simple: for every category where you earn 1,000 Qantas Points, you unlock a set number of Status Credits. Each category counts only once, but if you manage to earn in all eight, you could walk away with the full 110 Status Credits—without boarding a single flight.
Here’s how it works:
| Spending Category | Status Credits Earned per 1,000 Points |
|---|---|
| Credit Cards & Banking | 20 SC |
| Insurance | 20 SC |
| Utilities & Services | 20 SC |
| Hotels & Travel | 10 SC |
| Fuel & Car Hire | 10 SC |
| Food & Wine | 10 SC |
| Retail & Shopping | 10 SC |
| Entertainment & Leisure | 10 SC |
To earn the maximum 110 Status Credits, you’d need to earn 1,000 Qantas Points in each of these eight categories between 1 October and 31 December. That’s a short window, so you’ll need to plan ahead.
The points you earn must also land in your Qantas Frequent Flyer account by 31 March 2026. So if you’re relying on things like credit card or insurance bonuses, make sure they post in time.
One important detail: these Status Credits do count toward Lifetime Status—which tracks your total accumulation over time—but they don’t count toward Loyalty Bonuses or other flying-based targets like the four flight segments required for tier retention. So while they can give you a helpful nudge upward, they won’t replace actual flying if you’re aiming to requalify the usual way.
This promotion is clever for a few reasons. First, it acknowledges how most people actually earn points these days. According to Qantas, nearly two-thirds of points earned by members come from non-flying activities—things like using a Qantas-linked credit card, buying groceries, or paying bills through a partner.
It also gives people a boost toward status without the need for a flight. For context, you need 300 Status Credits for Silver, 700 for Gold, and 1,400 for Platinum. So 110 won’t get you to the next tier on its own, but it might help close the gap—especially if your flying has slowed down recently.
The offer does have some catches. You can only earn once per category, so earning all your points from, say, fuel purchases won’t get you multiple batches of Status Credits. You’ll have to spread your activity across multiple areas. And depending on your current spending habits, some categories may be easier than others.
For example, if you already have a Qantas Points-earning credit card, you may easily qualify in the “Credit Cards & Banking” category. Buying fuel at BP, booking a hotel through Qantas Hotels, or using Qantas Wine for a delivery could also get you quick wins. But others—like insurance or utilities—may require you to switch providers or sign up for a new plan, which isn’t always practical.
The bigger picture here is that Qantas is trying to keep members engaged in between flights. With competition for loyalty heating up, offers like this encourage people to spend within the Qantas partner network, even when they’re not travelling. For Qantas, it drives more business to its partners. For members, it’s a chance to turn daily purchases into something that brings them closer to lounge access, priority boarding, and other status perks.
This also isn’t the first time Qantas has offered ground-based ways to earn Status Credits, but it’s one of the most widely accessible. Unlike past promos that required big spending or business sign-ups, this one is open to anyone who earns Qantas Points—so long as they do it across different categories.
If you’re already close to the next status level, this could be just the nudge you need. And even if you don’t max it out, picking up an extra 20 or 30 Status Credits without flying is still a win.
Just don’t forget to register before 31 October 2025. After that, even if you earn points in the right places, they won’t count toward the offer.
Whether you go after all eight categories or just a few that fit your lifestyle, this is a rare chance to boost your Qantas status from the ground—without setting foot in an airport.
