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Qantas double points and status credits are back – but you’ll need to be quick

Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
Qantas’s most popular loyalty promotion is back, allowing frequent flyers to fast-track their status or points balance.

Qantas has brought back its much-loved double rewards promotion, giving members a short window to squeeze more value out of flight bookings. Qantas frequent flyers must book by 2 September, decide whether they want to earn double points or status credits – you can’t have both – and fly on any QF domestic or international flight between 3 September 2026 and 14 August 2027.

If that dream trip has been sitting in your tabs, consider this your nudge to finally lock it in, with more than 100 destinations across Qantas’s global network in play.

It comes after the airline overhauled its loyalty status rules earlier this year, announcing that members will need more status credits to retain their tier starting from 2027. For example, Gold will require 700 status credits annually (previously 700 to attain and 600 to retain) and Platinum will require 1400 as opposed to 1200. In other words, the loyalty ladder is about to get a little steeper – making those extra status credits all the more tempting.

qantas double points
Qantas is doubling points and status credits for members. (Credit: Jeffry Surianto)

Double status credits enable members to climb the airline’s loyalty tiers (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Platinum One) faster and subsequently reap rewards such as lounge access and priority check-in.  

Not fussed about status? There’s another way to play it. Those more interested in boosting their points balance can instead opt to score double Qantas points, which can be used to purchase flights, upgrades, hotel stays and thousands of retail goods.

This is the third time the airline has run a double status credit promotion this year, following an offer that ran from late February to early March and another covering domestic and trans-Tasman flights in May.

For anyone already plotting their next escape in the diary but who hasn’t yet booked flights, the promotion is an easy way to make your money go further. Or if you’ve simply been looking for an excuse to book the trip you’ve been daydreaming about, this may just be your sign.

How to redeem Qantas double points

qantas
The promotion ends on 2 September 2026. (Credit: Akshaya Nandyala)

To redeem, you must first register your choice of double status credits or Qantas points via the Qantas App or the Qantas website. Then, simply book any Qantas-operated flight with a QF flight number before 11.59pm 2 September 2026. Travel dates must be between 3 September 2026 and 14 August 2027. 

While codeshare and partner airline flights (including Jetstar and Emirates) are not eligible for the promotion, all new Qantas-operated flight bookings made within the promotion period will qualify. For more information, visit the Qantas Twice as Rewarding offer page.

Discover which frequent flyer program is better between Qantas and Virgin.

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Eleanor Edström
Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and design. She discovered her knack for storytelling much earlier, however – penning mermaid sagas in glitter ink at age seven. Proof that her spelling has since improved, she holds an honours degree in English and philosophy, and a French diploma from the University of Sydney. Off duty, you’ll find her pirouetting between Pilates and ballet classes, or hunting down Sydney's cosiest cafes.
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From hot springs to tasty treats: your wellness guide to Gippsland Lakes

    Gemma Kaczerepa Gemma Kaczerepa
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    Rest and recuperate in the East Gippsland region, a haven of natural hot springs, seasonal festivals and really tasty things to eat.

    It’s about this time of year that the buzz of the summer holidays is well and truly behind us, and the pressures of the day-to-day are starting to pile up. The solution? A proper weekend escape, ideally one with a focus on rest, relaxation and total reset.

    East Gippsland delivers all three in spades. Here, you’ll find charming towns, natural scenery alive with wildlife and easygoing experiences – think steamy hot springs and idyllic lakefront stays that practically force you to unwind.

    The Gippsland Lakes are one of the region’s highlights, a sprawling network of glassy waterways with a seriously calming atmosphere. Spend a few days here, and you’ll be well and truly recharged.

    Here’s where to eat, stay, explore and unwind for a wellness-focused weekend in this gorgeous region.

    Getting there

    aerial of lakes entrance
    Visit lakeside villages like Lakes Entrance.

    East Gippsland is a patchwork of towns, each with its own personality: coastal gems like Marlo and Mallacoota, lakeside villages including Metung, Paynesville and Lakes Entrance and a smattering of inland communities.

    From Melbourne, getting to each is easy. The region can be reached by car in around four hours, just a smooth drive along the Princes Highway.

    If you’re driving to or from Sydney, many of the towns sit along the legendary Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive, which winds its way through Lakes Entrance, Orbost, Marlo and Mallacoota.

    Having a car makes exploring the region a breeze, as you can pull over at farm gates, take scenic detours and go at your own relaxing pace.

    Winter delights

    Bruthen Medieval event at East Gippsland Winter Festival
    Experience that East Gippsland Winter Festival. (Credit: Naomi Rahim)

    Winter is a particularly good time to visit. The East Gippsland Winter Festival is a raucous celebration of wintery food, drink, music and experiences, taking place over an entire month and in different towns.

    Expect re-enactments, games, roving performances and fiery displays at the Bruthen Medieval event. Feast your way through regional bites and watch live wood carving and a hotly contested dumpling-eating competition in the waterside town of Metung. Head to Lakes Entrance for one of the festival’s signature events, Lakes Lights: Gardens of the Galaxy – a slightly cosmic and totally mesmerising display of lights. Or book a seat at the Nicholson River Trestle Bridge Long Lunch. This long-table feast stretches across the entire bridge, with sweeping river views and top-tier local produce.

    Where to stay

    Metung Hot Springs
    Rejuvinate at Metung Hot Springs.

    Metung is also a much-loved destination for natural hot springs – warm mineral pools believed to restore and detoxify the system. Here, you’ll find a network of tranquil springs fed with water sourced 500m below the surface, all at varying temperatures but with a healthy mix of soothing minerals and trace elements. Each looks over the stunning surrounding lakes, only adding to the sense of serenity.

    Extend the relaxation by booking into Metung Hot Springs. The property is home to a collection of glamping tents – either perched on the hillside or overlooking the lagoon – that deliver after-hours access to the springs. These are no ordinary tents; expect plush linens, beautifully curated furnishings, warm service and a complimentary gourmet breakfast delivered daily.

    Alternatively, book a night or two at Idle Lake House – a gorgeously appointed hideaway in Lakes Entrance. The aesthetic is moody, modern and very cool, and the property is situated right on the water’s edge with floor-to-ceiling windows that immerse you in the surroundings.

    Where to eat

    table spread at Sodafish in east gippsland victoria
    Sit down at the floating restaurant, Sodafish. (Credit: We Are Explorers)

    Given its wealth of fresh seafood and exceptional produce, East Gippsland is home to a vast selection of eateries, with options to suit all tastes and budgets.

    For something a little bit fancy, Sardine Dining in Paynesville is a must-visit. The hatted restaurant serves a seasonal seafood-focused menu made with premium local ingredients, while the adjoining wine bar is a top spot for a regional drop and a light snack.

    If you’re after a relaxed bite, Sodafish in Lakes Entrance is your best bet. This floating restaurant sits right atop the water, with a vibrant and fresh menu centred on locally caught seafood. Anything off the menu is delicious, but the whole roasted snapper and locally sourced fish and chips are standouts.

    Or luxuriate with a long afternoon at the nearby Slipway. This waterfront dining precinct hosts a mix of vendors serving casual food, craft drinks and regionally made goods.

    Exploring the great outdoors and local culture

    wild koala in the tree
    Keep an eye out for the locals. (Credit: Tyson Mayr)

    No wellness weekend would be complete without immersing yourself in the beauty and tranquillity of East Gippsland’s outdoors.

    Head to Raymond Island – a small island just off Paynesville – to spot local koalas along the Koala Trail. This two-kilometre stretch is one of the few places where you can see koalas doing their thing in their natural habitat, with more than 200 living on the island. Leave the car in Paynesville; the trail can only be accessed on foot.

    Next, explore the Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail, which starts in Colquhoun and ends in Lakes Entrance. Across 23 kilometres, you’ll spot native flora and fauna (including lace goannas) and pass by remnants of the tramway that once serviced timber workers in the area.

    Finish up your East Gippsland jaunt with a visit to Gunaikurnai Cultural Hub. The centre houses an Aboriginal Art Gallery displaying contemporary works by Aboriginal artists, and a Bush Cafe serving breakfast and lunch classics and excellent cakes. Pick up a slice and a coffee for your trip back to the city.

    Start planning the ultimate wellness escape in Gippsland Lakes at visitgippsland.com.au.