Qantas just dropped double points and status credits - here is how to maximise the deal

Should you choose double status credits or double points? That's the big question as Qantas drops its latest promotion that will have flyers scrambling to lock in travel for the next year.

For eight days, Qantas frequent flyers travelling to more than 100 destinations around the world will have the opportunity to fast-track their status or boost their points balance.

Members who book a flight during this time can choose whether they want to receive double status credits or double points. Double points can also be stacked on Qantas Hotel or Holiday bookings, providing an even bigger boost.

Flyers need to register on the Qantas App to secure the deal, and flights can be booked for travel between September 3, 2026 and August 14, 2027. The promotion runs until Wednesday, September 2.

But what's the best course of action to obtain that illustrious status upgrade? And why do prices look higher than they were before the promotion? Here's the advice from the experts.

Double status credits is the more popular choice for frequent flyers who travel enough to gain and use the perks, says Brandon Loo, Editor-in-chief at Point Hacks Australia.

"If you don't fly often and aren't aiming for status with Qantas, choosing double points is the best move as you'll have more points to spend later," Loo tells Explore.

If you are looking for a status upgrade - which can give you benefits like priority boarding, higher luggage allowances and even lounge access - multi-stop trips in premium cabins will generally get you the best bang-for-buck, says Loo.

"For example, if you live in Christchurch and fly to Gold Coast via Melbourne in business class return, you could earn up to 400 Status Credits (including the bonus) for around $AU1535," he says.

"That's already enough to lock in Silver status in one trip, and Qantas Gold after two trips."

Mark Trim, Managing Director of QFlyer, agrees flying in premium cabins "supercharges" the double status offer, especially in business class.

"Where possible, including domestic legs in your ticket is a good option to help drive additional accrual," Trim tells Explore.

"For example, instead of flying directly from SYD-LAX, look at options to fly via another domestic port when you need to add more status-earning potential."

"This is also a great opportunity to utilise a round-the-world airfare or circle pacific airfare, with as many QF [Qantas] sectors as possible to/from Australia. Also, be aware that double status credits don't apply to codeshare flights operated by other airlines, including Emirates and American Airlines."

Trim says Qantas prices are rarely on sale during double status credit promotions, and "are often inflated as the benefit revolves around maintaining or upgrading your Qantas membership tier".

"In recent months, Qantas prices have remained higher than prior periods due to stronger demand through to Europe and higher operating costs and unfortunately we don't see this changing in the short term," Trim says.

And if you aren't organised enough to make use of this promotion, there might be a way to predict when the next promotion is likely to drop.

Loo says the timing of the double points or status credits offer "generally starts the day after a sale ends" - which is exactly what happened this time - "so you might find that prices are a bit higher" than if you looked during the sale.

"For regular commuters, this is less of an issue as they'll often book 'regular priced' fares most of the time," Loo says.

"But the price-sensitive holidaymakers, you might not find the best deals during this period."