Going for Qantas Gold status? This is the way to do it

After an almost one-year gap, Qantas has launched its much-anticipated double status credits offer for frequent flyers, giving its customers a short window during which they can choose to either double their points or propel themselves towards the perks of a higher membership tier.

Launched on Wednesday this week, the offer ends on Tuesday, February 27, and is valid for travel between February 28, 2024, and February 14, 2025.

"Our members tell us that double points and status credits is one of their favourite offers of the year," says a Qantas spokesperson.

Chris Chamberlin - a senior editor at the Pointhacks.com.au website - says people often confuse the benefits of frequent flyer points with status credits.

"Points can be used to help get you a free flight or an upgrade to business class," he tells Explore.

"Status credits, on the other hand, only exist to help you climb the status ladder. That is, up to Silver, Gold, Platinum or even beyond that."

Status credits can't be traded in for free flights. "But if you earn enough status credits, you can unlock some amazing benefits like airport lounge access, a higher checked baggage allowance, and priority check-in and boarding," he says.

As part of the current offer, Qantas frequent flyers have the option to register for either double status credits or double points.

If you're not sure what to opt for, David Flynn, editor of the Executive Traveller website, has some advice.

"Choose the points if you don't think status credits are going to help maintain or improve your current membership status," says Flynn.

"But if you want to maintain your current status, say Silver or Gold, or are within easy reach of the next level, say Platinum, then you should consider registering for double status credits."

The general rule of thumb is: the more you fly - and the more expensive your ticket - the more status credits you can earn.

Therefore, buying business class fares (particularly on international routes), purchasing a return ticket and sticking to Qantas-operated flights are the most obvious ways to do so.

"But there are plenty of sneaky ways you can earn more status credits," says Chamberlin.

1. Take a connecting flight: You earn status credits for every flight - not just for one journey from your start to final destination. So taking an indirect flight instead of a non-stop hop can significantly boost the status credits you earn.

"Flying from Brisbane to Singapore via Melbourne can earn 50 per cent more status credits on some fares compared to flying non-stop," says Chamberlin.

Book this during a double status credits promotion and things get even more rewarding.

"On discount economy, a direct flight from Brisbane to Singapore can earn you 30 status credits. But if you fly from Brisbane to Singapore via Melbourne, you can earn 45 status credits: 15 from the domestic flight, plus 30 from the international leg," says Chamberlin.

"Compared to earning 30 status credits on a non-stop flight on a normal day, you could fly indirect - and with the current offer, earn 90 status credits each way. And just like that you have tripled the status credits you can earn," he says.

Here is the full lowdown on which routes can help you earn the most status credits and points, based on your location and destination.

2. Book flexible economy: Booking "flexible economy" gives you twice as many status credits than the lead-in "discount economy" fares: and that's on a normal day.

So if you book "flexible economy" during double status credits, you could pocket quadruple status credits compared to flying discount economy on a normal day.

3. Join Qantas's Points Club: Qantas frequent flyers who earn more than 150,000 points in a membership year can join the airline's Points Club.

"If you're a Qantas Points Club member, you can earn status credits even when you book Qantas flights using points - and not just when you pay full fare for a ticket," says Chamberlin.

And the same principles apply: Indirect flights help you earn more status credits than direct flights.

"And when you double that while the offer is live, you could very well find a shiny Gold frequent flyer card before you know it," says Chamberlin.

Here is the full lowdown on Qantas's Points Club.

Planning a trip to Europe in business class? Now would be the perfect time to book it if you want to go from zero to Gold status hero.

"Normally, return business class flights between Sydney and London with a stopover (or a change of flight numbers) in Singapore fetch 570 status credits," says Chamberlin.

To retain Gold you need to earn 600 status credits in one year, while to earn it outright you need 700 status credits.

"And thanks to the double status credits offer, if you make the above booking this weekend, you can more than meet those milestones."

If you already have a few hundred status credits up your sleeve, shorter flights could be all you need to bridge the gap to retain your status.

"Why not plan a long weekend in Auckland? From Sydney and flying return, you'd earn at least 160 status credits on a normal day when booking the least expensive business class fares," says Chamberlin.

"With double status credits, that becomes an easy 320 - more than halfway to retaining Gold. Of course, if you can add a domestic connection as part of the same journey, you'll earn even more."

Here's how to register and reap double points or status credits.

1. Download the Qantas app.

2. Login using your membership details.

3. Look for the offer on the home screen.

4. Tap and register for either "Double Status Credits" or "Double Qantas Points"

5. Book Qantas-operated flights between February 28, 2024, and February 14, 2025, before the offer ends at 11.59pm [AEDT] on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.

6. Then look forward to receiving your double points or double status credits after eight weeks of your travel dates.

While the current offer is an excellent opportunity to significantly boost Qantas points or status credits, Chamberlin says there's a caveat, too.

"Qantas is usually smart enough not to run juicy airfare sales while double status credits and points promotions are running," he says.

"So even though you're earning more, you might also be paying more. After all, the money to cover all those drinks and nibbles in the lounges has to come from somewhere."

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