QANTAS: Domestic sale. Does this mean a Double Status Credits and Points promotion is on its way?

Qantas has launched its biggest domestic sale, so far of 2026. They are claiming it has more than two million discounted Economy and Business Class seats across 101 routes and 60 destinations.

Economy fares start at $99 one way, but only on selected dates through to August 2027 — including Christmas, New Year, school holidays, Easter and ANZAC Day.

The $99 routes include Brisbane–Western Sydney, Melbourne–Western Sydney, Launceston–Melbourne, Gold Coast–Sydney, and Adelaide–Melbourne.

Business Class starts at $269 one way between Brisbane and Gladstone or Rockhampton, while Melbourne and Brisbane to Western Sydney, plus Sydney to Brisbane and the Gold Coast, starts at $299.

A useful sale — especially for forward bookings

Cheap Qantas fares can be much harder to find around school holidays and other peak periods, so anyone with firm travel plans over the next year should probably have a look at these sale fares now.

As always, the headline fares will only be available on selected flights and dates, and they will be the first fares to go.

But is Double Status Credits next?

This is where things get more interesting for frequent flyers.

A large Qantas fare sale is sometimes followed by a Double Status Credits or Double Qantas Points promotion. There is no guarantee that it will happen this time, but Qantas has already run major bonus Status Credits offers during 2026.

That creates the usual dilemma. Although the Double Status and Points promotion will give you what it says in the headline: double points or status, it also comes at a cost. You won’t get that doubling at these sale fare rates. You will pay a premium. So, notionally, it might be cheaper to travel more on these cheap fares than wait for the ‘Double’ promotion.

It may be best to book now and lock in the cheaper fare, rather than wait and see whether Qantas launches another loyalty promotion after the sale ends.

It’s a case of researching your fare costs and making your decision. Just as a sort of guide, fares during ‘Double’ promotions are closer to flexible fares during sales. Hope that helps.

Mind you, a cheap airfare in the hand, is probably worth it.

2PAXfly Takeout

This is a substantial domestic sale because it stretches through to August 2027 and includes peak travel periods.

But be careful. Some of those headline cheap fares are either the first or last flight out. So, just remember that while saving money, you might have to get up very early, or wait hours for your hotel room to be available at your destination. Alternatively, as the last flight out, you might risk flight cancellation, since early disruptions tend to roll through a day, adversely affecting later flights to a greater extent.

If paying less to fly is your game, then this sale is for you. If, like me, you like to retain or improve your status, then it’s possible that holding off for the potential Double Status Credits or Double Points promotions and paying a higher price may be preferable.

But then again, the ‘Double’ promotions might be over for this year. Whatever you decide, you only have seven days until 25 August to buy these domestic sale airfares.