Status credits are the hidden counter behind every frequent flyer tier. Here's how Qantas and Velocity award them and the new ways to earn them on the ground.
21 October 20262 min read
You can have a million points and still be at the bottom tier. That's because tiers aren't decided by points at all. They're decided by status credits, a separate counter most members never look at.
Here's what status credits are, how Qantas and Velocity award them, and the new ways to earn them without flying.
Status credits measure how much you fly (and, increasingly, how much you spend with partners) over a membership year, and they decide your tier. You never spend them, and they reset each year.
Qantas awards a fixed number of status credits for each flight, based on:
A one-way business sale fare on a domestic route like Melbourne to the Gold Coast can earn 60 status credits, while a cheap economy fare on the same route earns far fewer. Jetstar flights only earn when you buy a bundle that includes points.
From 8 December 2026, you can also earn up to 140 Qantas status credits a year without flying, across ten everyday categories such as a Qantas credit card and Everyday Rewards. Qantas Frequent Flyer changes from 8 December lists them.
Since 2 April 2025, Velocity awards status credits on Virgin Australia fares by price, not distance:
That means Velocity Silver, at 250 status credits, takes about $3,000 of Virgin flights a year on most fares. Partner airline flights still earn by distance and fare, and at least half your credits must come from Virgin Australia flights.
Velocity members can also earn up to 120 status credits a year at Coles through Flybuys. Flybuys: how to get started explains how.
| Qantas | Velocity | |
|---|---|---|
| How flights earn | Distance and fare type | Price paid, on Virgin fares |
| Silver | 300 | 250 |
| Gold | 700 | 500 |
| Platinum | 1,400 | 1,000 |
| Earning on the ground | Up to 140 a year from 8 Dec 2026 | Up to 120 a year at Coles |
Correct as of October 2026.
Points are a currency. Status credits are a scorecard. Most flights earn both, but most everyday spending earns only points. Frequent flyer status explained covers what each tier gets you.
Distance-based credits reward long trips on cheap fares, which aren't always the most valuable customers. Spend-based credits reward the people who pay the most. Everyday status credits do something different: they keep members engaged between flights, and make partner spending feel like progress.
This guide is general information only and isn’t financial advice. It doesn’t consider your personal circumstances. Check product terms and fees before applying for any credit card. The views here are ours.
16 Sept 2026 · 3 min read
Points pay for flights. Status changes how you fly. Here's how status credits work, what each Qantas and Velocity tier gets you, and when it's worth chasing.
1 Sept 2026 · 4 min read
Status Credits without flying, rollover, the end of Points Club and tougher renewals in 2027. Who wins, who loses and what to do before 8 December.
