QANTAS: Tier accelerator to fast track you to Gold status

The tier accelerator program is fairly hush-hush status challenge Qantas offers to members of other airline loyalty programs. If you’re a Virgin Velocity Gold or Platinum frequent flyer or hold equivalent status with another major airline, you might be eligible for this golden ticket .

Qantas runs the tier accelerator program so you can turn your competitor status into Qantas Gold status. But, unlike Virgin’s public status match or other airlines’ splashy promos, Qantas keeps this scheme a little close to its chest. You won’t find a consumer facing webpage.

What is the ‘Tier Accelerator‘

The Qantas Tier Accelerator is a program that allows eligible Qantas Frequent Flyer members to earn Status Credits more quickly, helping them to achieve a higher membership tier faster. Members can participate by meeting specific criteria and completing certain activities within a designated timeframe.

Here’s your 2PAXfly guide to Qantas’ well-kept loyalty secret.

Why have a Qantas Tier Accelerator?

The Tier Accelerator is Qantas’ way of wooing high-tier flyers away from rival airlines. It’s more of a status challenge rather than a straight status match.

Instead of simply flashing your Virgin, Singapore Airlines, or Etihad Gold card and getting matched to Qantas Gold status in return, you’ll be asked to prove yourself worthy with some actual flying.

Instead of assembling 700 Qantas Status Credits for Gold membership, like ordinary frequent flyers do, under the tier accelerator program you only need 200 Status Credits within three months. That’s the accelerator part of the program.

Why Qantas Gold is worth it

Qantas Gold sits at the sweet spot of the frequent flyer pyramid. You get over the odds benefits for not really that much loyalty. And for many, the benefits are the important comforts of premium status, like lounge access, some more luggage, and better priority for reward seats and upgrades. Here is a list of the benefits:

• Access to Qantas Club and international Business Class lounges worldwide
• Priority lanes for check-in, boarding and security
• Extra checked baggage allowances
• Free seat selection
• Better reward seat availability
• Higher priority for upgrades
• A 75% points bonus on Qantas and Jetstar flights

And because Gold maps to Oneworld Sapphire, you’ll also unlock perks on that alliances other airlines like Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, Finnair and British Airways. Access to Qantas partner, Emirates lounges is another bonus.

The airlines that qualify

Qantas doesn’t publish an official list. But from what we know, eligible airlines generally include the following status tiers:

• Virgin Australia Velocity Gold or Platinum status
• Air New Zealand Gold/Elite
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Elite Gold
• Etihad Guest Gold or Platinum
• United MileagePlus Premier Gold or Platinum

Put broadly, if you’re high-tier frequent flyer with a competing airline, you’re in with a shot. Airlines where your status won’t count for this program are those that are already part of the Oneworld alliance, or a significant partner airline like Emirates.

The challenge tp meet: 200 Status Credits in 3 months

To earn Qantas Gold using the Tier Accelerator program you will need to:

• Accumulate 200 Status Credits within three months of enrolment
• Earn those credits on Qantas flights (partner flights don’t count)
• Double Status Credit promotions don’t apply either

You need to accumulate thos 200 status credits the old fashioned way by flying promotion free on Qantas marketed flights with Qantas flight numbers on Qantas metal. The sort-of exception is those Finnair wet-leased aircraft flying to Asia. Although, being wet-leased, they are technically Qantas metal.

You can aquire those 200 status credits in Economy or Business flights whether domestic or international. A single overseas trip in Business would almost certainly do it. You can use the Qantas online calculator to check.

Once you have accumulated thos 200 Status Credits and the qualifying three months is over, then you will be awareded your Gold Frequent Flyer Status.

How to apply

Because Qantas doesn’t advertise Tier Accelerator, and it doesn’t have a web page, you’ll need to first contact Qantas by phone or email. Here is the suggested process:

• Call Qantas Frequent Flyer on 13 11 31 (in Australia) or +61 2 9433 2329 (international)
• Or email: frequent_flyer@qantas.com.au
• Provide proof of your current competitor status (card, account screenshot, etc.)
• Be prepared to demonstrate loyalty and value — pull together your flying history, especially premium cabins. You will need to sell yourself as a worthy acquisition to Qantas
• Politely but if requered, firmly ask about the Qantas Tier Accelerator program

Qantas decides on who it will accept on a case-by-case basis. They’ll want to see that you’re a flyer worth poaching — not another freeloader with status from one or two random flights. Look at it from their point of view and prepare your case as a worthwhile asset for them to acquire.

2PAXfly Takeout

The Qantas Tier Accelerator is not a well publicised weapon in the frequent flyer arsinal. If you’re holding status with Virgin Australia or another rival,airline this could be your easiest way into the Qantas Gold status and the road to easier and quicker points redemptions, upgrades, baggage allowance and other status perks.

But remember, Qantas isn’t giving away status for free. You’ll need to fly — and they’ll want to see you as a long-term, desireable and profitable recruit.