Qantas frequent flyers who are bringing a new member into their family fear not lose their benefits as they take time off from flying. Also referred to as the ‘parental pause’, the recent Status Hold initiative, launched by Qantas allows Silver, Gold and Platinum Frequent Flyers to maintain their status and benefits for up to 18 months even if they are not earning the amount of Status Credits usually required to retain that tier. These benefits include lounge access, bonus points offers, preferred seating options and priority check-in.
Status Hold is available to Silver, Gold and Platinum Frequent Flyer parents who are taking at least six consecutive months off paid employment to spend time with their family. Status Hold is available to both parents and can be applied for twice during a fiver year period.
Parents are eligible is they are:
- A parent of a baby or babies that are due to be born within the next three months or were born in the last six months
- A foster parent who will be caring for a child within the next three months or who has started caring for a child within the last six months
- A parent who will be adopting a child within the next three months or who has adopted a child within the last six months.
Status Hold is not offered to Platinum One members.
In addition to the new Status Hold scheme, Qantas have made a change to their Family Transfers policy to allow members to make an unlimited number of points transfer to family members of up to 600,000 points each year. Previously, members were limited to transferring a maximum of 400,000 Qantas Points each year, with only four transfers of up to 100,000 points each time during that 12 month period. The ability to transfer an extra 200,000 points – the equivalent of a return Business Class Classic Reward Flight redemption from Sydney to Los Angeles (excluding taxes, fees, and carrier charges) – makes a big difference to families who want to travel together but can’t each afford the flights with their individual points.
Qantas says that these recent changes have been in made in response to feedback from members wanting more flexibility with their Frequent Flyer membership. “The Qantas Frequent Flyer program is about rewarding loyalty and someone’s Silver, Gold or Platinum status is a symbol of the loyalty they’ve shown Qantas over the years so we really want to recognise that,” says Qantas Loyalty CEO Lesley Grant.
The Status Hold initiative and the change to Family Transfers policy are just two of many family-friendly Qantas programs including ‘The Joey Club’ – Qantas’ Frequent Flyer program for kids aged up to 10 years of age, priority family boarding (staff will be on hand at the boarding gate ready to collect the stroller and to further assist with pre-boarding the aircraft, additional Baggage Allowance (include a collapsible stroller or push-chair, collapsible cot or bassinet; and car seat or baby capsule) and strong unaccompanied minor offering.
For more information on Qantas Frequent Flyer policies, visit or to apply for the Status Hold, see https://www.qantas.com/fflyer/dyn/flying/status-hold.
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