What Are Qantas Status Credits?
Status Credits (SC) are a separate currency from Qantas Points that determine your membership tier in the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. Unlike Points, which you earn and spend on rewards, Status Credits accumulate over your membership year and reset annually. They cannot be transferred, gifted, or redeemed — their sole purpose is unlocking elite status benefits.
Reach 300 SC and you become Silver. 700 SC earns Gold. 1,400 SC earns Platinum. Status unlocks lounge access, upgrade priority, bonus points earning, and guaranteed baggage allowances.
How to Calculate Status Credits
Status Credits = Flight Distance (km) × SC Rate per km (based on fare class)
Worked Example: Sydney to Melbourne (Economy Flex)
Use our earn calculator to see the exact SC earn for any route and fare class →
Status Credits Required by Tier (2026)
| Tier | Attain (new members) | Retain (existing members) | 2027 single target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | 0 SC | 0 SC | 0 SC |
| Silver | 300 SC | 200 SC | 300 SC |
| Gold | 700 SC | 500 SC | 700 SC |
| Platinum | 1,400 SC | 1,000 SC | 1,400 SC |
| Platinum One | Invitation only | Invitation only | Invitation only |
The Biggest Changes to Status Credits in 2026
February 2026 marked the biggest overhaul to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program in 39 years. Here are the specific Status Credit changes and what they mean for you:
Points Club Retirement (Late 2026)
Points Club and Points Club Plus — which allowed members to earn bonus SC on Classic Plus redemption bookings — are being retired from late 2026. If you relied on reward bookings to accumulate SC, you will need a new strategy. The ground earning pathway (below) partially replaces this.
Ground Earning: Up to 140 SC Per Year (Late 2026)
This is the largest structural change in the program's history. Members can now earn Status Credits through everyday spending with Qantas retail, credit card, and utility partners — without boarding a single flight. The cap is 140 SC per year from ground activities.
Status Credit Rollovers (Late 2026)
Members who exceed their tier threshold can now carry forward up to 50% of surplus SC into the next membership year. Earn 900 SC against a 700 SC Gold target: 100 SC rolls to your next year. This is a significant benefit for members who have good years — it gives a built-in head start.
Loyalty Bonuses Retired (2027)
Loyalty Bonuses — the bonus points awarded for every 500 SC earned on Qantas and Jetstar flights — are being retired in 2027. Members who valued these as a secondary benefit of high SC earning should factor this into their calculation.
Green Tier Retired (Late 2026)
The Green Tier — a recognition tier for members choosing sustainable flight options — is being retired from late 2026 as part of the program simplification.
Earning Status Credits Without Flying
From late 2026, up to 140 Status Credits per year can be earned through ground spending— a new pathway that changes the math for members who fly less frequently.
How ground SC earning works:
Eligible Partners
Qantas-linked credit cards, retail partners, and utility providers will offer ground earning.
Pending Rates
Exact earn rates per partner will be published by Qantas closer to the late 2026 launch.
Tier Contributions
Ground Status Credits count directly toward elite tier qualification alongside standard flight-earned SCs.
Annual Cap
A strict maximum of 140 SC per year can be earned from ground-based activities combined.
Practical implication: a member targeting Silver (300 SC) needs only 160 SC from flights if they maximise ground earning. A Gold target (700 SC) becomes reachable with 560 SC from flying — roughly 20% fewer flights required.
Highest SC-Earning Routes in the Qantas Network
| Route (return) | Distance (km) | SC on Business Flex | % of Gold target |
|---|---|---|---|
| SYD–LHR (London) | 34,392 | 576 SC | 82% |
| SYD–DFW (Dallas) | 27,724 | 464 SC | 66% |
| SYD–JFK (New York) | 32,086 | 538 SC | 77% |
| MEL–LAX (Los Angeles) | 27,780 | 466 SC | 67% |
| SYD–CDG (Paris) | 33,584 | 562 SC | 80% |
| SYD–HKG (Hong Kong) | 14,818 | 248 SC | 35% |
| SYD–SIN (Singapore) | 12,840 | 216 SC | 31% |
| SYD–NRT (Tokyo) | 14,974 | 252 SC | 36% |
| SYD–LAX (Los Angeles) | 24,792 | 416 SC | 59% |
| SYD–AKL (Auckland) | 4,398 | 74 SC | 11% |
Status Credits vs Qantas Points — Key Differences
| Feature | Status Credits | Qantas Points |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Determine membership tier | Redeemable for rewards |
| Expire? | Reset annually | Expire after 18 months of inactivity |
| Transferable? | No | No (Qantas Points cannot be transferred) |
| Earnable on ground? | Yes — up to 140/year from 2026 | Yes — credit cards, shopping, dining |
| Earnable on partner airlines? | oneworld only, not Emirates | Most partners earn points |
| Redeemable for rewards? | No | Yes |
Tips to Reach Your Next Tier Faster
Checklist: How to Reach Your Next Tier Faster
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions about this topic
Calculate Status Credits for any flight
Enter your route and fare class — see your exact Status Credits and points earned.
Open Earn CalculatorQantas Points Calculator
Published January 24, 2026 · Updated January 2026