Qantas today announced a status extension policy for its Frequent Flyer program members in Australia and New Zealand + rolling over Status Credits to the next membership year.
Members whose status year ends between March 31 – December 31, 2021, can extend theirs by taking a Qantas flight between November 23 – and the expiry of their tier to have it extended by 12 months.
You can access Qantas’ page for Status Extension here.
Things to note:
– Only open for Qantas Frequent Flyer program members in Australia and New Zealand.
– The eligible flight booking must have been created on or after November 23, 2020. Previous bookings don’t qualify.
– Any Qantas operated flight with a QF flight number, or Any Qantas Points earning Jetstar international booking with a JQ flight number, including Jetstar flights within New Zealand (JQ), Jetstar Japan (GK), and Jetstar Asia (3K) flights. Jetstar domestic flights within Australia are ineligible.
Status extension matrix:
Status Credits Rollover table:
Conclusion
You could say that it is easier for programs that use a calendar year for status qualification, rather than a rolling 12 months or joining date (Qantas), to announce blanket extensions, like most programs have already done through early 2022.
I am glad that Qantas helps its Frequent Flyer program members in Australia and New Zealand extend their status by taking a flight. It makes you wonder what Qantas is offering members who live outside of these countries?
Here’s the information that Qantas has released about these two programs:
Status Extension – New November 2020
What new status support is Qantas providing?
Eligible members who reside in Australia or New Zealand who are unable to achieve the Status Credits needed to retain their status will receive a 12-month status extension provided that before the end of their current Membership Year, they simply make at least one new eligible booking for travel before the end of 2021.Additionally, Qantas will rollover accrued Status Credits for eligible members up to a maximum amount, from their eligible Membership Year to help kick-start their new Membership Year.
Do I need to register to receive the Status Extension or Status Credit rollover?
No, we will take care of everything for eligible members and there is no need to call the contact centre.Who is eligible for the Status Extension?
Qantas will extend the status for Qantas Frequent Flyer members who reside in Australia or New Zealand who:
- hold Platinum One, Platinum, Gold or Silver status and have not been able to earn the required Status Credits to retain their status;
- have a status end date between 31 March 2021 and 31 December 2021 (inclusive); and
- have made a new booking to travel on at least one eligible flight. The booking creation date must be between 23 November 2020 and before the member’s current status end date of between 31 March and 31 December 2021. The flight must be booked to travel before 31 December 2021.
Members who have received complimentary Gold status, or complimentary Platinum from a Platinum One member and those on Status Hold are eligible to have their status extended if they meet the above criteria.
What flight do I need to book to be eligible for Status Extension?
To be eligible for status extension, you need to book, pay and have the ticket issued on at least one of the following:
- Any Qantas operated flight with a QF flight number, or
- Any Qantas Points earning Jetstar international booking with a JQ flight number including Jetstar flights within New Zealand (JQ), Jetstar Japan (GK) and Jetstar Asia (3K) flights. Jetstar domestic flights within Australia are ineligible.
The booking creation date must be made on or after 23 November 2020 and before the member’s current status end date of between 31 March and 31 December 2021. The flight must be booked to travel before 31 December 2021.
For the flight to be eligible and contribute towards the Status Extension, the booking must be in the name of the Qantas Frequent Flyer member irrespective of who’s paying for the ticket. Members must ensure their Qantas Frequent Flyer Membership number is added to the booking for it to be eligible.
If you cancel your booking, you will not be eligible for the status extension unless you make another eligible booking.
How can I pay for the new booking?
Eligible bookings can be paid with cash, Qantas TravelPass, Qantas Flight Credit, Qantas Gift cards or with Qantas Points (via a Classic Flight Reward or Points Plus Pay). Bookings can be made directly with Qantas or through a third party such as your preferred travel agent.Members must ensure their Qantas Frequent Flyer Membership number is added to the booking for it to be eligible. Check if your Membership number has been added to your booking now.
Are there specific dates that I need to travel by?
Yes. Travel must be completed by 31 December 2021, however, the booking must be made on or after 23 November 2020 and before your status end date as per the table below.Do I need to make a booking for my children who hold Qantas Frequent Flyer status?
Yes. All members holding Qantas Frequent Flyer status need to have an eligible booking created in their name to have their status extended. The name on the Frequent Flyer Membership must match the name in the booking and ticket.Members must ensure their Qantas Frequent Flyer Membership number is added to the booking for it to be eligible. Check if your Membership number has been added to your booking now.
If I have already made a booking before 23 November 2020, will it still contribute towards the one booking condition?
No. The booking creation date must be on or after 23 November 2020 and before your status end date as per the table below.Members must ensure their Qantas Frequent Flyer Membership number is added to the booking for it to be eligible. Add your Membership number to your booking now.
If the booking is cancelled, will my status still be extended?
If you’ve made a booking in line with the requirements and Qantas cancels the flight you’ve booked, then yes we will still extend your status.If you cancel the booking, you will need to make a new eligible booking before your status end date to qualify for the 12 month extension.
Where can I see my status end date?
You can view your Membership status end date on your digital card on the Qantas App. Simply click on ‘My QFF’ and the digital card icon top right hand corner of the screen.Please note, the Membership Year end date displayed on the qantas.com ‘Status Activity’ page may not reflect your 12-month Status Extension until the start of your new Membership Year.
When would my status be extended?
You can view the key dates that apply for your Membership on the below table for eligible members.
Your status end date: You need to make at least one Qantas booking between: Your status extension will be activated by Qantas: 31 March 2021 23 November 2020 and 31 March 2021 Late March 2021 30 April 2021 23 November 2020 and 30 April 2021 Late April 20221 31 May 2021 23 November 2020 and 31 May 2021 Late May 2021 30 June 2021 23 November 2020 and 30 June 2021 Late June 2021 31 July 2021 23 November 2020 and 31 July 2021 Late July 2021 31 August 2021 23 November 2020 and 31 August 2021 Late August 2021 30 September 2021 23 November 2020 and 30 September 2021 Late September 2021 31 October 2021 23 November 2020 and 31 October 2021 Late October 2021 30 November 2021 23 November 2020 and 30 November 2021 Late November 2021 31 December 2021 23 November 2020 and 31 December 2021 Late December 2021 How does this status extension work with the previously announced status extension, and Status Credit Boost and Status Credit Support?
The status extension announced in March 2020 helped members with a status end date between March 2020 and February 2021 keep their status benefits.My status end date is 31 January 2022 or 28 February 2022, am I eligible for the status extension?
No. Only members with a status end date between 31 March 2021 and 31 December 2021 (inclusive) are eligible for the status extension. To support your ability to retain your status in 2022, you will still be gifted 50% of your annual Status Credits needed to keep your status as part of the Status Credit Boost as previously announced.Members with a status end date of 30 November or 31 December 2020 will continue to receive the Status Credit Boost.
What happens if I’ve already retained my status, will it still be extended by 12 months?
No. If you’ve already retained your status then you will enjoy your current benefits for the rest of your Membership Year you retained it in plus 12 months. The status extension is offered as support for members who are not able to retain in their own right.If I move up to a higher status before the extension date, will the higher status be extended by a further 12 months?
No. If you move up to a higher status before the extension date, you will already have that status with the benefits to enjoy until 2022 and so are not eligible for the extension.If Qantas extends my status as part of this change, will my Status Credits reset to zero?
Yes. Your annual Status Credit total will reset to zero at the end of your current Membership Year. The 12-month status extension will not change this.Will the status extension impact the Loyalty Bonus and other Bonus Rewards calculations?
No. There’s no change to the calculation and awarding of any Bonus Rewards that are earned. You will continue to receive Bonus Rewards during your Membership Year if the eligibility criteria is met.Will I receive a new membership card?
Once we have actioned the extension, you will see your new status expiry date on your digital Membership card in the Qantas App. To view it in the Qantas App, please click on ‘My QFF’ and then the card icon top right hand corner of the screen. Due to the current environment, Qantas Frequent Flyer has temporarily suspended sending physical Membership cards.Can I request a new physical card with the new status expiry date?
No. Qantas has temporarily suspended sending physical membership cards.If I receive the status extension, will it reset my Qantas Points expiry date?
No. To prevent your points from expiring, simply earn more Qantas Points or use some for a reward as per the program terms and conditions.If I receive the status extension, will that also extend my Points Club, Points Club Plus membership?
No. There are no changes to the Points Club membership.
Status Credit Rollover – New November 2020
Can my current Status Credits be rolled over to my next Membership Year?
Yes. If you’re eligible, Qantas will rollover eligible Status Credits earned in the Membership Year ending between 31 March 2021 and 31 December 2021 up to a cap of at least 40% of the Status Credits required to retain your tier. This rollover will apply for Membership Years starting between 1 April 2021 and 1 January 2022,The maximum number of Status Credits that will be rolled over are as follows:
Platinum One Platinum Gold Silver Status Credits 1,800 500 250 100 The table below outlines the Status Credits that will contribute towards Status Credit rollover and when the Status Credits can be awarded to eligible members.
Status end date: Status Credit earn period that will contribute to rollover: When Status Credit rollover will be processed to accounts: 31 March 2021 1 April 2020 through to 31 March 2021 Early April 2021 30 April 2021 1 May 2020 through to 30 April 2021 Early May 2021 31 May 2021 1 June 2020 through to 31 May 2021 Early June 2021 30 June 2021 1 July 2020 through to 30 June 2021 Early July 2021 31 July 2021 1 August 2020 through to 31 July 2021 Early August 2021 31 August 2021 1 September 2020 through to 31 August 2021 Early September 2021 30 September 2021 1 October 2020 through to 30 September 2021 Early October 2021 31 October 2021 1 November 2020 through to 31 October 2021 Early November 2021 30 November 2021 1 December 2020 through to 30 November 2021 Early December 2021 31 December 2021 1 January 2021 through to 31 December 2021 Early January 2022 Which Status Credits count towards the rollover?
Status credits earned through flying or with our partners on the ground will count towards the rollover. Status Credits provided by Qantas as a bonus, support or gift will not count towards the rollover.Who’s eligible to have the Status Credit rollover?
Qantas Frequent Flyers who hold Platinum One, Platinum, Gold and Silver status with a status end date between 31 March 2021 and 31 December 2021 who book an eligible flight for travel before the end of 2021. Members with Lifetime Status who have a membership anniversary date between 31 March 2021 and 31 December 2021 are also eligible if they book an eligible flight for travel before the end of 2021.What flights are eligible to qualify me for the Status Credit rollover?
To be eligible for the Status Credit rollover, you need to book, pay and have the ticket issued on at least one of the following:
- Any Qantas operated flight with a QF flight number, or
- Any Qantas Points earning Jetstar international booking with a JQ flight number including Jetstar flights within New Zealand (JQ), Jetstar Japan (GK) and Jetstar Asia (3K) flights. Jetstar domestic flights within Australia are ineligible.
The booking creation date must be on or after 23 November 2020 and before the member’s current status end date of between 31 March and 31 December 2021. The flight must be booked to travel before 31 December 2021.
For the flight to be eligible and contribute towards the Status Credit rollover, the booking must be in the name of the Qantas Frequent Flyer member irrespective of who’s paying for the ticket. Members must ensure their Qantas Frequent Flyer Membership number is added to the booking for it to be eligible.
If you cancel your booking, you will not be eligible for the Status Credit rollover unless you make another eligible booking.
Are there specific dates that I need to travel by?
Yes. Travel must be completed by 31 December 2021, however, the booking must be made on or after 23 November 2020 and before your status end date as per the table below.My status end date is 31 January 2022 or 28 February 2022, am I eligible for the Status Credit rollover?
No. Only members with a status end date between 31 March 2021 and 31 December 2021 (inclusive) are eligible for the Status Credit rollover. To support your ability to retain your status in 2022, you will still be gifted 50% of your annual Status Credits needed to keep your status as part of the Status Credit Boost as previously announced.To be eligible for both the status extension and Status Credit rollover, do I need to book two eligible flights?
No. Only one eligible flight needs to be booked.What will the Status Credits that are rolled over contribute towards?
The Status Credits rolled over will contribute towards attaining and retaining status for Platinum One, Platinum, Gold and Silver. They will not contribute towards any bonus Rewards, Lifetime Status or Status Accelerators.I‘m a Qantas Points Club Plus member, will this rollover impact the Status Credit rollover I am eligible for from Points Club?
No. Points Club Plus members who already receive a Status Credit rollover will receive this rollover in addition.If I receive the Status Credit rollover, will it reset my Qantas Points expiry date?
No. To prevent your points from expiring, simply earn more Qantas Points or use some for a reward as per the program terms and conditions.
General
Is it still possible to move up to a higher status level (e.g. Gold to Platinum) if I earn the required Status Credits?
Yes. Once you earn the required Status Credits and travel on at least four Qantas Group flights within a Membership Year, your status will be upgraded in line with the program terms and conditions.
It looks like members outside of Aus/NZ with an expiry March – Dec 21 will receive a 12 month extension.
The information is available on the Qantas website when set on a different market eg UK: https://www.qantas.com/gb/en/frequent-flyer/status-and-clubs/status/status-support.html?int_cam=gb%3Astatus-and-clubs%3Apromotion%3Ann%3Aen%3Ann
Overseas members (i.e. not living in Oz or NZ) get the same status extension without needing to do a flight.
Yes – I live in Singapore and received an email form Qantas Loyalty this evening advising Platinum status will be automatically extended through 2021 plus a rollover of up to 500 status credits (likely less below Platinum level?) to help retain status next year.
Do you mind forwarding me the email? Thanks! john@loyaltylobby.com