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Qantas Credit Cards
The best Qantas frequent flyer credit cards can give you as many as 150,000 Qantas Points on sign-up, plus perks like lounge passes and status credits.
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A Qantas Frequent Flyer credit card gives you an easy way to earn Qantas Points for the money you're going to spend anyway. The average Aussie cardholder could earn about 2,500 points per month just for their everyday spend on a card that earns 1 point per $1 spent. Add on 100,000+ bonus points and you've got your travel plans sorted.
Compare Qantas Frequent Flyer Credit Cards
When you get a new Qantas credit card, you can usually take advantage of thousands of sign-up bonus points. Don't forget to check the details of these offers when comparing cards.
*The use of the terms "best" and "top" are not product ratings and are subject to our disclaimer. There is no perfect order or perfect ranking system for the products we list on our Site, so we provide you with the functionality to self-select, re-order and compare products. The initial display order is influenced by a range of factors including conversion rates, product costs and commercial arrangements, so please don't interpret the listing order as an endorsement or recommendation from us. We're happy to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions, but we'd like you to make your own decisions and compare and assess products based on your own preferences, circumstances and needs.
What is the best credit card for Qantas Frequent Flyer Points?
With so many competitive cards on the market, there isn't one best credit card for earning Qantas Points. And everyone has different spending habits and wants different perks. In the table below, we've highlighted some different examples of Qantas credit cards for you to compare.
| Feature | Card | Current Offer | Annual Fee & Purchase Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonus Points | Get up to 130,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $3,000 within 60 days and pay the second year's annual fee. |
| |
| Bonus Points & Status Credits |
| Earn 100,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months. Plus, 75 bonus Status Credits and an interest-free balance transfer offer. |
|
| Bonus Points & Cashback | Collect 120,000 bonus Qantas Points and $200 back when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months. |
| |
| $0 Annual Fee | Earns 0.75 Qantas Points per $1 spent on everyday purchases, 0.5 point / $1 with government bodies in Australia and an additional 1 point for Qantas spend. |
|
How do Qantas Frequent Flyer credit cards work?
A Qantas credit card gives you a way to earn more frequent flyer points on the ground, offering a set number of points per $1 spent on everyday purchases. These points are added to your Qantas Frequent Flyer account, where you can redeem them for flights, upgrades, gift cards and other rewards. As well as points per $1 spent, Qantas Frequent Flyer credit cards regularly offer thousands of bonus points when you sign up for a new card and meet the introductory offer's spending requirements.
Depending on the card, you could also enjoy other travel perks, such as airport lounge access, complimentary travel insurance and concierge services. A key point to note: you must be a Qantas Frequent Flyer member to earn Qantas Points with these credit cards. If you're not already a frequent flyer, some cards offer complimentary Qantas Frequent Flyer membership.
How to get complimentary Qantas Frequent Flyer membership and save
What are eligible purchases that earn points?
You can only earn Qantas Points on eligible transactions, which usually covers everyday expenses including groceries, petrol and travel bookings. Transactions that typically don't earn points include balance transfers, cash advances and government payments (such as paying your ATO bill). Check the credit card's product disclosure statement for a complete list of the transactions that do and don't earn points.
Different types of Qantas credit cards
When you're comparing credit cards that earn Qantas Points, there are heaps of options available. We've broken down the costs and benefits of the different tiers of Qantas cards to give you an idea of what's available.
| Tier | Points per $1 | Annual Fee | Common Perks & Features | Example Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 0.5 - 1 | $0 - $49 | Purchase insurance, modest bonus points offer | |
| Platinum | 0.5 - 1.5 | $50 - $249 | Bonus points on sign-up, overseas travel insurance, limited lounge access | |
| Black | 1 - 2 | $250 - $499 | Large bonus points offer, travel credits, lounge access, overseas travel insurance | |
| Premium | 1.25 - 2+ | $500+ | Status credits, extra-large bonus points offer, travel credits, lounge access, flight discounts, hotel perks overseas travel insurance |
As you can see, there are Qantas credit cards available across the entire credit cards spectrum. Ultimately, the best card for you will be one that fits your budget, gives you enough value for how much (or how little) you spend, and offers perks you'll actually use.
How can I find the best credit card for earning Qantas Points?
If you want to earn more Qantas Points as you spend and find the credit card that offers you the best value, these are the factors to consider:
Bonus Qantas Points offers
Some Qantas Frequent Flyer credit cards offer thousands of bonus Qantas Points on sign up. It is typical for bonus point offers to vary between 20,000 and 140,000 Qantas Points, depending on the card. You need to meet specific conditions to get the points, so here are some key details to compare:
- Spend requirements. Most credit cards require you spend a certain amount in a set period to collect the bonus points. For example, you may need to spend at least $3,000 in the first 3 months to get the bonus points. Some cards also offer bonus points when you keep the account open for at least 12 months and pay a second-year annual fee. So make sure that the offer's spend requirement fits with your budget and that you're not just spending for the sake of earning points.
- Eligibility. Bonus points are generally only available to new customers, so you may be unable to take advantage of a Qantas credit card offer if you already have a credit card with the same provider.
- Application deadline. Frequent flyer credit card bonus points offers are only available for a limited time, which means you need to apply before an offer's end date if you want to earn the additional points.
Earn rate
The earn rate refers to how many points you collect per $1 spent on eligible purchases. This rate has a huge influence on the overall value of this type of card, so make sure you look at the following details when comparing different options.
- Qantas Points per $1 spent. The number of Qantas Points you earn with a credit card can be as little as 0.25 or as much as 2 points per $1 spent. The higher this earn rate, the more frequent flyer points you will receive for your credit card spending. Generally, 1 Qantas Point per $1 can be considered a competitive earn rate. Some Qantas credit cards earn a higher rate for certain transactions, such as overseas purchases and spending on Qantas products and services.
- Points caps and reduced earn rates. Some lenders reduce or cap the number of points you can earn each month up to a set spending limit. For example, you may earn 1 Qantas Point per $1 up to $10,000 per statement period and then 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 after that. If your monthly spending is often higher than the points cap amount, look for an uncapped card or one with a cap that is above what you think you'll spend each month to maximise your earn potential.
Rates and fees
- Annual fee. Standard annual fees for Qantas Frequent Flyer credit cards range from $49 to $499 or more. Some cards may also offer a reduced or $0 annual fee for a promotional period (such as the first year) or for the life of the card. If the card has an annual fee, make sure the cost doesn't cancel out the value of the Qantas Points you earn that year. You can compare frequent flyer cards that don't charge an annual fee here.
- Standard interest rates. Qantas Frequent Flyer credit cards typically have high purchase interest rates, ranging from 19.49% p.a. to 20.99% p.a. If you don't pay your balance off in full each month, interest charges could quickly offset the value you're getting from your Qantas Points.
- Promotional interest rates. Some Qantas credit cards come with a 0% interest on purchases or a 0% balance transfer offer during the introductory period. This can be a good way to cut interest costs while earning points in the first few months of having the card, but be aware that the promotional rates won't last.
- Other fees. Some other common costs you could expect include international transaction fees, late payment fees and cash advance charges. Similar to when you're considering the annual fee, you should make sure these charges don't end up costing more than the value you get from earning Qantas Points.
Example: How many Qantas Points would you need to earn to offset a credit card's annual fee?
Let's say you've got a Qantas Frequent Flyer credit card with a $300 annual fee. Based on our Qantas Frequent Flyer Points analysis, you could balance out the card's annual fee by earning 16,000 Qantas Points and redeeming them for a return flight from Sydney to Melbourne (valued at an average of $321).
The amount you'd need to spend on your card would vary depending on the earn rate. If your card offered 1 Qantas Point per $1 spent, you'd need to make $16,000 worth of eligible purchases within a year to offset the annual fee. This works out to be around $1,333 per month in credit card spending. On a card with a lower earn rate of, say 0.5 Qantas Points per $1, you'd need to spend $32,000 per year, or around $2,666 per month to earn enough points for this reward flight.
Other features
- Complimentary extras. Qantas credit cards can come with a range of other perks, including airport lounge passes and Qantas Club lounge invitations, complimentary travel insurance, complimentary flights or travel credit, hotel stays, extended warranty coverage and purchase protection insurance. These benefits can help you get extra value from your card, especially if you're paying a higher annual fee.
- Interest-free days. If you pay off your credit card in full by the due date on each statement, you can make interest-free purchases for up to a set number of days in your statement period. This can give you more flexibility with repayments and help you avoid paying more for using your card.
- Additional cardholders. Many Qantas credit cards let you request a supplementary card for a partner or family member. This means they get an additional card that's linked to your account and can use it to make purchases and earn rewards for your account. Just make sure you factor their spending into your repayments and check whether or not another annual fee is charged for additional cardholders.
How to use your Qantas Points and what rewards you can redeem
How to apply for a Qantas Frequent Flyer credit card
If you've compared your options and decided a Qantas rewards credit card is right for you, you can apply online using the following five steps:
- Go to the online application. Once you've chosen your card, click on the "Go to site" button and you will be taken to a secure online application page.
- Read through the terms and conditions. Check the fine print and Key Facts Sheet to make sure you understand all of the card details and any requirements you need to meet for an introductory offer.
- Fill out the application form. Remember that you will need to provide personal details including your full name, date of birth, street address, Australian driver's licence number or passport number. If you haven't already signed up to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program, you'll need to do this and share your membership details to start earning Qantas Points with the credit card.
- Submit the application. You should get a response from the issuer within a few minutes, either on the webpage or via email. Once you receive conditional approval, follow the instructions from the credit card company to complete the application process and get your credit card.
There is a wide range of credit cards that allow you to earn Qantas Points for your everyday spending. So if you're looking for a way to get more frequent flyer points and perks, you can get started by comparing Qantas credit cards and introductory offers to see if there's one that suits your needs.
Pros and cons of Qantas credit cards
There are many credit cards on the market that earn Qantas Points so it's important to consider your financial situation and how you intend to use the card. Then you can weigh up the points, perks, fees and features to find the right card for you.
Pros
- Earn points for your spending. The most obvious perk of these cards is that you'll earn Qantas Points for spending the money you spend. Earn rates can range from 0.5 to 2+ points per $1 spent.
- Perks and benefits. Depending on the tier of the card, Qantas credit cards can come with complimentary travel insurance, airport lounge passes, bonus status credits, travel credits and exclusive offers.
- Promotional offers. When you apply for a new credit card, you'll usually be given the opportunity to earn thousands of bonus points when you meet the spend criteria.
Cons
- Higher interest rates. These cards typically charge higher ongoing interest rates on purchases than other types of cards. This can get expensive if you regularly carry a balance from month to month.
- Higher annual fees. The majority of cards charge an annual fee and these can be hefty on some of the more premium ones. Ensure this cost doesn't outweigh the value you get from the points and perks.
- Points caps. Some Qantas credit cards only allow you to earn a certain amount of points each month. If you regularly spend more than this threshold, you might not be maximising your points potential.
Frequently asked questions about Qantas credit cards
Want to know more about Qantas Frequent Flyer credit cards? Here, we've answered some of the most common questions we get about these cards. If you have your own question about Qantas credit cards, get in touch with us using the comment box below.
Which Qantas credit card earns the most points?
As of 21 December 2020, the Qantas American Express Ultimate Card has the highest direct earn rate for Qantas Points in Australia at 1.25 points per $1 spent, uncapped, on everyday purchases. It charges a standard $450 annual fee and offers as yearly $450 Qantas Travel Credit as well as thousands of bonus points. The Qantas Premier Titanium also earns 1.25 Qantas Points per $1 spent on everyday purchases, but this is capped at $12,500 / month.
Who can apply for a Qantas credit card?
Every card has different eligibility criteria. However, frequent flyer and rewards cards typically charge higher interest rates and fees than lower cost options. This means the minimum income requirements are higher and you'll need to have a clear credit file without bankruptcies or judgements.
How long does it take to get bonus Qantas Points from a credit card?
To collect bonus Qantas Points from an introductory offer, you usually have to meet a spending requirement within the first few months you have a card. For example, you might need to spend $3,000 in the first 3 months.
The bonus points will usually be added to your frequent flyer account within 8 to 12 weeks of meeting this spend requirement. Check the fine print for each offer to find out exactly what you have to do to get them and when the points will be credited to your Qantas Frequent Flyer account.
Can I earn bonus points for signing up to a Qantas credit card and then cancel it?
Assuming you meet the criteria for the bonus points, once they are credited to your account, you can cancel your credit card at any time. Just remember that cancelling a card could attract fees and any credit activity – including applications and cancellations – could also affect your credit history. Taking these factors into account, a good strategy can be to apply for a card that maximises your bonus points earnings and offers ongoing benefits that make it worth keeping the card. You can compare frequent flyer cards and their bonus points offers on Finder.
When will the Qantas Points that I've earned be credited to my frequent flyer account?
The points you earn on a direct-earn Qantas credit card will be credited to your Qantas Frequent Flyer account at specific, regular intervals. Usually, Qantas Points are calculated at the end of each credit card statement period. They will then be credited to your account within several days of the end date for that statement period.
How much would I have to spend on a Qantas credit card to get a free flight?
This depends on the amount of points per $1 your card earns and where you want to fly. But as an example, you could get a one-way economy Classic Flight Reward from Sydney to Melbourne for 8,000 points. Now, let's say you have a credit card that earns 1 Qantas Point per $1 spent and usually spend $2,000 per month on it. At this rate, it would take you 4 months to redeem a reward flight between Sydney and Melbourne.
Alternatively, you can use the Points Plus Pay option to book your flight with a combination of points and cash. You need at least 5,000 Qantas Points for a Points Plus Pay flight with Qantas, or 3,500 Qantas Points for a flight with Jetstar.
Do Qantas Points expire?
Qantas Points only expire if you do not earn or spend Qantas Points for 18 consecutive months. Check out Finder's guide to points expiry for more information and how you can avoid having your points expire.
Does Qantas have its own credit card?
Yes, there are three credit cards from Qantas Money that you can compare. Other banks and credit card issuers in Australia also offer cards that are linked to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program.
Pictures: Getty Images
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