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Qantas Unites United Airlines, Virgin Australia, and Breeze Airways in a Jaw-Dropping 2026 Loyalty Program Overhaul!
In 2026, Qantas unites United Airlines, Virgin Australia, and Breeze Airways to deliver a jaw-dropping loyalty program overhaul. This groundbreaking change marks a significant shift in the way frequent flyers earn and redeem rewards. By joining forces, these leading airlines are enhancing the frequent flyer experience, offering more flexibility, faster status progression, and increased earning opportunities. With the introduction of new perks, members can now earn status credits more easily and enjoy exclusive benefits that were previously unavailable. These changes promise to make loyalty programs even more rewarding, ensuring that travellers can enjoy better rewards with less effort. As Qantas leads the charge, the 2026 overhaul will undoubtedly set a new standard for airline loyalty programs, making it easier for frequent flyers to reach their desired status and unlock a world of travel perks.
Qantas Frequent Flyer: Major Overhaul for Flexibility and Enhanced Rewards
In one of the most significant changes to its loyalty program, Qantas Frequent Flyer is rolling out an overhaul designed to increase flexibility and reward everyday spending.
Key Changes
- Status Credits on the Ground
For the first time, Qantas members will earn up to 140 Status Credits annually through activities beyond flying, including credit card purchases and spending with a wide range of retail partners. This means that frequent flyers will have more opportunities to build status without solely relying on flights, giving them a head start on the status ladder. This change follows record member engagement during a trial in 2025. - Status Credit Roll‑Over
One of the most anticipated changes is the rollover of unused Status Credits, allowing members to carry over up to 50% of unused credits to the next membership year. The rollover benefits are capped at:- 100 Credits for Silver Members
- 350 Credits for Gold Members
- 500 Credits for Platinum and Platinum One Members
This introduces more flexibility, allowing members to maintain or enhance their status more easily from year to year.
- Simplification of the Program
In response to feedback, Qantas is retiring sub-programs such as Points Club and Green Tier to simplify the membership structure. By streamlining the process, the airline aims to make the core status pathway more transparent and easier for members to navigate. - Lifetime Status Enhancements
Lifetime Gold members will now be able to bank up to five years of Platinum Status after surpassing a milestone of 25,000 lifetime Status Credits. This feature will help long-term loyal members gain better access to exclusive perks over time, starting in 2027.
Impact for Travellers
These changes significantly expand the ways members can earn and retain status, while also rewarding daily spending. The ability to roll over unused credits and earn on the ground will likely boost member engagement and encourage loyalty, ensuring Qantas remains a leader in the Australian airline loyalty space.
United Airlines MileagePlus: A Co-Brand Card-Centric Loyalty Overhaul
United Airlines has taken its MileagePlus loyalty program to new heights in 2026 with a co-branded card strategy that heavily rewards credit cardholders.
Key Changes
- Cardholder-First Incentives
Members holding a United Airlines co-branded credit or debit card will now earn up to twice the miles per dollar on United flights, compared to those who do not hold a card. Additionally, cardholders will receive a 10% discount on award flight bookings when redeeming miles for tickets. These changes, effective from April 2, 2026, are aimed at boosting credit card adoption and rewarding frequent spenders. - Reduced Benefits for Non-Cardholders
For non-cardholders, MileagePlus members without a co-branded card will see reduced mileage accrual rates. Moreover, those booking basic economy tickets will no longer earn miles unless they have a co-branded credit card.
Impact for Travellers
This shift pushes frequent flyers to integrate United’s co-branded credit card into their spending habits, providing an easier way to earn status credits through daily purchases. For those who already hold a card, the ability to earn miles more quickly can significantly reduce the time needed to achieve elite status.
Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer: Record-Breaking Bonus Status Credits in 2026
Virgin Australia has revamped its Velocity Frequent Flyer program by launching its largest bonus Status Credit promotion in early 2026. This program is designed to help members reach higher tiers faster.
Key Changes
- Historical Bonus Status Credits Campaign
Velocity’s promotion, running from 12 January to 31 March 2026, offers up to 125 bonus Status Credits to members who book and fly at least two eligible flights. This bonus is in addition to regular Status Credits, making it easier for frequent travellers to accelerate their tier progression. This incentive is available for flights booked within the specified promotion window. - Tier Unlocking Simplification
The program has also simplified tier unlocking, allowing members to reach Silver, Gold, Platinum, or Platinum Plus status faster, with fewer complex requirements. This helps streamline the process for members and faster rewards.
Impact for Travellers
This promotion provides an excellent opportunity for frequent travellers to quickly boost their status and unlock exclusive benefits, such as lounge access and priority services, in record time. For members seeking higher-tier rewards, this is a valuable opportunity to gain more in less time.
Breeze Airways: Breezy Rewards Loyalty Redesign – Enhancing Perks and Point Accumulation
Breeze Airways, known for its affordable and flexible service, has introduced a new tiered loyalty program in 2026 to offer enhanced rewards for leisure travellers.
Key Changes
- New Multi-Tier Elite Structure
Breeze’s new Breezy Rewards program includes four distinct status levels: Breezy 1, Breezy 2, Breezy 3, and Breezy Club. Members now earn BreezePoints based on spending (flights, fares, and add-ons) and advance through the tiers by accumulating points. This change simplifies the process for members to progress through the program and earn additional perks. - Earn and Redeem Enhancements
Members can now earn up to five times the BreezePoints per dollar spent on eligible flights and fare add-ons. Points can be redeemed for future flights, priority boarding, confirmed upgrades, and complimentary Wi-Fi at higher tiers, providing more travel benefits early on.
Impact for Travellers
This redesign enhances the loyalty experience for passengers looking for meaningful rewards without having to commit to frequent flying. Breeze’s program now allows members to access perks earlier in their loyalty journey, making it an attractive option for affordable leisure travel enthusiasts.
2026 Airline Loyalty Program Trends: A Comparison
Impact Summary for Travellers
| Airline | Key 2026 Change | Impact for Travellers |
|---|---|---|
| Qantas Frequent Flyer | Ground earning, rollover, more benefits | More paths to status and rewards, enhanced flexibility |
| United MileagePlus | Card‑centric earning boost | Big benefit for co‑brand card holders, higher status acceleration |
| Velocity Frequent Flyer | Record bonus status credits | Faster status progression, quicker rewards access |
| Breezy Rewards | New tier structure & perks | Enhanced benefits & points value for leisure travellers |
Conclusion: Loyalty Programs Revolutionized for 2026
The loyalty program changes introduced by Qantas, United Airlines, Virgin Australia, and Breeze Airways in 2026 reflect the airlines’ efforts to meet evolving customer expectations. The flexibility introduced through ground earning, status credit rollover, and streamlined tier unlocking will help members progress through the system faster and with more benefits. Whether it’s earning more status credits through credit card spend, unlocking faster rewards via bonus credits, or enjoying enhanced travel perks from the outset, these changes are designed to make frequent flying more rewarding and accessible than ever before.
These enhancements will not only benefit loyal travellers but also help airlines maintain competitive edge in a fast-evolving aviation industry. With simplified programs and more ways to earn
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