Status could become the new secret weapon for airline credit cards, with Qatar Airways overnight launching two new cards under the banner of its Privilege Club rewards scheme.

And just like the popular HSBC Star Alliance credit card, they put all the perks of frequent flyer status on the table.

It’s a compelling offer: getting access to airport lounges, an additional luggage allowance, priority service and all the other benefits of Gold-grade frequent flyers status without even setting foot on a plane.

We’ll mention up front that these two cards are only available in the USA, and as the first Qatar Airways credit cards for the US market the airline is coming out swinging.

But it shows the direction Qatar Airways is taking, should it choose to issue credit cards in other key markets – and the Gulf carrier has made it clear it considers Australia as a “growth market”, with the prospect of additional flights to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

So what do these new Qatar Airways Privilege Club credit cards have in store?

The Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite card gives you Privilege Club Gold status, which equates to Qantas Gold and Oneworld Sapphire – in turn, this provides access to over 600 lounges around the globe, including those of Qatar Airways, Qantas, Cathay Pacific and all other Oneworld member airlines.

And under the Qatar Airways-Virgin Australia partnership, that also includes the domestic lounges of Virgin Australia when you’re on a VA flight.

What’s more, you can retain that Gold status for another year based purely on credit card spending, and even springboard your way to Platinum status.

The more modest Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Signature card comes with Privilege Club Silver status, which lines up against Oneworld Ruby, but could still be used to fast-track your way to Gold with some additional flights.

Of course, both cards also earn Avios points on everyday spending – with a baseline of one Avios per dollar, and up to five Avios per dollar against Qatar Airways spend – with bonus Qpoints against your Avios earning plus the usual start-up serve of bonus Avios and Qpoints.

As we noted earlier, status could prove a powerful way for airlines to leverage their muscle in the competitive cards market – especially if the card also makes it easier to keep that status based on spending.

Don’t forget: unlike these new Qatar Airways credit cards, the HSBC Star Alliance credit card is available in Australia and serves as your very own fast-track to Star Alliance Gold status, including access to domestic Virgin Australia lounges plus over 1,000 airline and airport lounges around the world!