Qantas launches frequent flyer war with rival airlines including Virgin as it promises to fast-track customers to gold status – here’s how you can get free perks faster
- The national carrier is encouraging top-tier members of other airlines to switch
- Virgin Australia Gold and Platinum members can fast-track to Qantas Gold tier
- Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines frequent flyer members are also eligible
- Qantas Gold tier benefits include lounge access, priority seating and check-in
Qantas is enticing customers of rival airlines to switch allegiances with an offer to fast-track them to gold status on their frequent flyers program.
The national carrier is targeting top tier members of other airline loyalty programs such as Virgin Australia’s Velocity frequent flyer program.
Those who make the switch can earn 100 status credits in three months to qualify for Qantas’ gold tier in their own program.
The Qantas International First Class Lounge at Sydney Airport. Qantas is enticing customers of rival airlines to switch allegiances with an offer to fast-track them to Gold Status on their Frequent Flyers program
The offer also includes 90 days of free access to the airline’s network of Qantas Club lounges and extra checked baggage.
Gold tier benefits with Qantas include lounge access across Qantas and OneWorld airline lounges globally, preferential seating, and priority access to reward seats, as well as priority check-in, boarding and upgrade requests.
Only gold and platinum member equivalents from other airlines will be eligible to be fast-tracked to Qantas’ gold status.
Platinum members will not have their status matched and can only transfer to gold.
A man reads in front of a Virgin Australia plane at Sydney Airport. Velocity Gold and Velocity Platinum members with Virgin are eligible for the Qantas fast-track offer
Those on Qantas gold will then have to earn the normal requirements within a Membership Year to reach the next tiers, Platinum and Platinum One.
Qantas’ biggest domestic competitor Virgin Australia is likely the main target of the promotion.
Only Velocity gold and Velocity platinum members with Virgin are eligible for the Qantas fast-track offer.
The airline is also enticing top-tier members of regional competitors such as Air New Zealand’s Airpoints program, Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer and Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus.
An Air New Zealand plane taxis after touching down at Sydney Airport. Top-tier members of regional competitors such as Air New Zealand’s Airpoints program are also eligible to fast-track to Qantas Gold
Qantas Loyalty chief executive Olivia Wirth said the airline has ‘seen a spike in requests from people wanting us to match their status with other airlines’.
‘If they (customers from other airlines) are willing to bring their travel across to Qantas, we will fast track them to Gold status,’ she said.
Registrations for the Qantas Status Fast Track close on December 18.
Those interested in switching to the Qantas Frequent Flyers program can do so on the airline’s website.
QUALIFYING AIRLINE PROGRAMS FOR QANTAS STATUS FAST TRACK
- Air Canada Aeroplan: 50K, 75K and Super Elite
- Air China Phoenix Miles: Gold and Platinum
- Air India Flying Returns: Golden Edge Club and The Maharajah Club
- Air New Zealand Airpoints: Gold and Elite
- ANA – Mileage Club: Platinum and Diamond
- Asiana Airlines Asiana Club: Diamond, Diamond Plus and Platinum
- Delta – Skymiles: Gold Medallion, Platinum Medallion and Diamond Medallion
- Eva Air Infinity MileageLands: Gold Card and Diamond Card
- Etihad – Guest: Gold and Platinum
- Korean Air – Skypass: Morning Calm Premium Club Card and Million Miler Club Card
- Shenzhen Airlines PhoenixMiles: PhoenixMiles Gold and PhoenixMiles Platinum
- Singapore Airlines – KrisFlyer: KrisFlyer Elite Gold, PPS Club Solitaire and PPS Club
- South African Airways SAA Voyager: Gold and Platinum
- Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus: Royal Orchid Plus Gold and Royal Orchid Plus Platinum
- United Airlines – MileagePlus: Premier Gold, Premier Platinum and Premier 1K
- Virgin Australia – Velocity: Velocity Gold and Velocity Platinum
Qantas is enticing customers of rival airlines to switch allegiances with an offer to fast-track them to Gold Status on their Frequent Flyers program