Frequent flyers have had their wings clipped with news that Qantas and Virgin Australia would be grounding all international flights as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Both airlines have, however, announced that frequent flyers needn’t worry about losing their status while they are grounded.
Qantas released a statement on its website, explaining that as the impacts of Coronavirus are unprecedented and continue to evolve daily, they value the importance of preserving the travel benefits that frequent flyers earned through your loyalty.
“To give you one less thing to worry about right now, if you are eligible, your Qantas Frequent Flyer status will automatically be extended for 12 months, accurate as at 19 March 2020”.
Qantas
Eligible Qantas Frequent Flyer members with a membership year anniversary date between March 2020 and February 2021 will automatically retain their current status, even if they have not already retained in their own right.
Who is eligible for a complimentary 12-month status extension? All Platinum One, Platinum, Gold and Silver Qantas Frequent Flyer members who have not earned the required Status Credits to retain in their own right.
This includes members on Status Hold, members who have received complimentary Gold membership, or complimentary Platinum membership from a Platinum One member.
Virgin Australia is also giving Velocity customers a 12-month extension of their status credits PLUS a bonus top-up of status credits over the next three months. This will play out as 210 status credits for Platinum members, 105 for Gold members, 60 for Silver members.
“In this changing environment, the safety and needs of our members and guests are key, and we are pleased to be able to offer this 12-month Status extension in addition to the Status Credit gift,” Virgin Australia said.
“Thank you for your continued loyalty and your ongoing support of the Virgin Australia Group,” Virgin Austalia concluded.