Qantas Frequent Flyer is preparing to roll out some of the biggest changes to its status program since it began, with members soon able to earn Status Credits without even stepping onto a plane.

From 8 December 2026, members will be able to earn Status Credits through eligible everyday spending, including Qantas Points-earning credit cards and shopping partners.

Members will be able to earn up to 140 Status Credits each membership year across 10 categories on the ground. For example, eligible Qantas Points-earning credit cards can unlock 20 Status Credits, while everyday shopping, including through Everyday Rewards at Woolworths, can earn 10 Status Credits.

Better yet, these Status Credits will count towards Lifetime tier balances, giving Frequent Flyers another way to work towards Lifetime status.

Roll over your Status Credits

In an Australian airline first, eligible Qantas Frequent Flyers will also be able to roll over up to 50 per cent of their excess Status Credits into their next membership year.

The rollover will be capped according to status, at 100 Status Credits for Silver members, 350 for Gold and 500 for Platinum and Platinum One.

It could make retaining status a little easier for travellers whose flying patterns vary from year to year, while rewarding members who earn beyond their tier requirements.

As part of the December changes, Qantas will retire its Points Club and Green Tier sub-programs. Members can continue attaining Points Club until 8 December and enjoy its benefits for the remainder of their current and next membership year.

More status changes are scheduled to arrive in early 2027, including the removal of separate attain and retain requirements, new Silver tier benefits and new Lifetime milestones.

Jetstar upgrades are taking off too

There’s more good news for Frequent Flyers with a healthy points balance.

Jetstar Classic Upgrades are set to launch in early September 2026, giving members a new way to use Qantas Points for Business Class seats across Jetstar’s network.

At launch, an upgrade from Melbourne to Singapore will require 37,000 Qantas Points, while Sydney to Osaka will require 45,300 points.

Jetstar Classic Upgrades will include 30kg checked baggage, in-flight meals and priority boarding. Upgrade requests will initially be available for eligible flights booked through Jetstar, with bookings made through Qantas set to follow.

The launch coincides with Jetstar’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner refurbishment program, which will more than double the number of Business Class seats aboard each aircraft from 21 to 44.

More rewards on the horizon

Qantas says a record number of flight rewards were booked using points during FY26, including a 7 per cent increase in Business and First upgrades on Qantas international flights.

The airline has also flagged that new partner airlines will join the Frequent Flyer program in FY27, adding to the more than 30 carriers already available to members.

With more ways to earn Status Credits on the ground, greater flexibility to carry them over and new options for spending points in the air, Qantas Frequent Flyer members have plenty of changes to unpack.

Need a hand turning those points into your next escape? Speak to the ATPI Cruise & Travel team and let us help you get your travel plans off the ground.

If you’d like to learn more or book your next trip, contact the ATPI team for a friendly chat.

London calling? Here’s a timely reminder that British Airways is returning to Melbourne in January 2027, reconnecting the Victorian capital with London Heathrow for the first time in more than 20 years.

From 11 January 2027, British Airways will operate a daily, year-round service from Melbourne to London Heathrow via Kuala Lumpur aboard its Boeing 787 fleet. Travellers will have a choice of four cabins, including Economy, World Traveller Plus, Business Class and First.

And with take-off now less than six months away, there are some fantastic return fares currently on sale from Melbourne to London Heathrow:

• Economy Class: from AUD$1,799
• World Traveller Plus: from AUD$4,299
• Business Class: from AUD$7,599

Fares include taxes and fees and are available for travel from 11 January to 31 May 2027. A minimum stay of five nights and maximum stay of 12 months applies. The sale is currently available until 31 August 2026, although it may be extended.*

Whether London is the final stop or the starting point for a bigger European adventure, this returning route gives Melbourne travellers another welcome way to head north.

Fancy a London getaway? Contact the ATPI Cruise & Travel team to check the latest fares, availability and options for your 2027 escape.

*Fares and availability are subject to change. Sale end date may be extended. Please contact the ATPI Cruise & Travel team for current pricing and conditions.

Sydney’s hotel scene is getting a colourful new addition, with Radisson RED set to make its Australian debut in Haymarket.

Scheduled to open in 2029, the new-build Radisson RED Sydney Haymarket will rise 31 storeys at the southern end of Sydney’s CBD. Its location will put guests close to Central Station, Darling Harbour, the International Convention Centre and the growing Tech Central precinct.

The signing represents a major milestone for Radisson Hotel Group’s Australian expansion and follows the arrival of Radisson RED Auckland earlier this year, which became the brand’s first hotel in Australasia. A second New Zealand property, Radisson RED Hotel Queenstown, is also scheduled to open in late 2028.

Known for putting a playful spin on the traditional hotel stay, Radisson RED combines bold design with relaxed social spaces and a lively, contemporary atmosphere. The brand now has more than 110 hotels operating or under development around the world.

For travellers, its Sydney arrival will add another lifestyle-focused stay to one of the city’s most connected neighbourhoods, with dining, entertainment and some of Sydney’s best-known attractions within easy reach.

Planning a Sydney stay? Contact the ATPI Cruise & Travel team and let our travel experts help you find the right hotel, flights and extras for your next city escape.

If your next adventure includes a stopover in Doha, Qatar Airways is giving Australian travellers one more reason to look forward to the journey.

Eligible Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer members travelling between Australia and Doha can enjoy a complimentary USD20 dining voucher to spend at more than 50 participating food and beverage outlets at Hamad International Airport.

Whether you’re after a gourmet meal before your next flight, a quick coffee or a sweet treat during your transit, the voucher can be redeemed simply by presenting your boarding pass at participating venues. Just make sure your Privilege Club or Velocity membership number is added to your booking before check-in.

From Jones the Grocer and Emporio Armani Caffè to Burger King and dozens more, there’s something to satisfy every traveller during their stopover. The offer is available on eligible Australia and Doha itineraries for a limited time, so it’s well worth taking advantage of if you’re flying with Qatar Airways.

To find out more or book your next flight, contact our team for a chat.

Qantas is set to elevate the pre-flight experience with an all-new International Business Lounge at Sydney Airport, expected to open in late 2026 as part of the airline’s major lounge upgrade program.

 

The new lounge will offer significantly more space than the current facility, with room for around 350 guests. Travellers can look forward to contemporary Australian design, a refreshed dining experience, dedicated workspaces and a premium bar, creating a stylish retreat before international departures.

The new Business Lounge will complement Qantas’ flagship First Lounge and is part of a broader investment in upgrading the airline’s lounge network across Australia and around the world. For eligible Qantas and oneworld travellers, it promises an even more comfortable start to their next overseas adventure.

To find out more or book your next holiday contact the team for a chat.