Qantas has announced sweeping changings to its Frequent Flyer programme, including retiring its ‘Green Tier’ scheme that rewards members for sustainable travel choices.
The Australian carrier on Thursday (26 February) said it is planning “the most significant changes to earning and retaining status since the programme's inception”. Among these is the ability to earn status credits 'on the ground' through credit cards purchases and with selected retail partners and utility providers.
Members will also be able to carry forward up to 50 per cent of their unused credits into the following membership year. The maximum roll-over limits are set at 100 credits for silver, 350 for gold and 500 for platinum tier members.
Both of these changes will be introduced “later in 2026”, the carrier said. Meanwhile, enhanced tier benefits – such as vouchers and additional lounge invitations – and added benefits for lifetime members will launch in 2027.
Purchasing carbon offsets for flight emissions, however, will no longer be rewarded as the carrier plans to axe its Green Tier scheme in the latter half of the year. First introduced in 2022, the scheme also rewarded bookings at eco-accredited hotels and donations to organisations supporting food waste reduction and biodiversity conservation, such as The Great Barrier Reef Foundation, OzHarvest and UNICEF.
The airline said it will consider “new ways to reward members who make sustainable choices when they fly”.
The Qantas Points Club, which recognises loyalty members who earn a high number of points on the ground, will also be gradually phased out from late 2026.
Commenting on the changes, Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said: “These changes are about creating more opportunities for members to unlock status, while ensuring the program remains as relevant and rewarding in the future as it has been for the past four decades."
1H26 results
The loyalty programme overhaul comes as Qantas reported an 8 per cent year-on-year drop in profits for its international division for the six months to 31 December 2025. Its profit margin also fell to 6.2 per cent in 1H26, down from 7.1 per cent in 1H25.
The carrier cited “elevated engineering and industry costs” and “higher wages across some operational work groups” as the reason for the decline "despite continued demand strength”.
While demand for flights from the US to Australia had increased, the carrier said this did not offset reduced economy demand for flights from Australia to the US. As a result, Qantas will adjust some of its US schedules, and plans to replace its A380 aircraft with a Boeing 787 jet on its route from Melbourne to Los Angeles.
Overall, the group reported an underlying profit before tax of AU$1.46 billion (approx. €877 million). Net passenger revenue for the group – which includes low-cost subsidiary JetStar – increased 6 per cent year on year to AU$11.1 billion, while revenue per available seat kilometre increased 3 per cent compared to the same period last year.
Qantas expects “strong” travel demand across its portfolio for the second half of its financial year, but noted “the evolving economic environment in the US will continue to be monitored”.
Revenue for the group’s international division is expected to increase by between 1 and 3 per cent over the next six months.