These cards are your ticket to sky-high point earning potential, hefty welcome bonuses, solid ongoing earn rates, and a premium selection of travel-centric perks.
7+
Great
These cards might have slightly less impressive points earning or sign-up bonuses.
5+
Standard
Reliable workhorses for frequent flyers who want a well-balanced card. Enjoy decent point earning potential, competitive rates, and a good mix of practical perks.
0+
Basic
The entry point in the frequent flyer market. Their sign-up bonuses and ongoing earn rates might not be as generous.
9+ Excellent - These cards are your ticket to sky-high points earning potential, hefty welcome bonuses, solid ongoing earn rates, and a premium selection of travel perks.
7+ Great - These cards might have slightly less impressive points earning or sign-up bonuses than the best cards on the market.
5+ Satisfactory - Reliable workhorses for frequent flyers who want decent points earning potential and some mix of perks and benefits.
Less than 5 – Basic - the entry point in the frequent flyer market. Their sign-up bonuses and ongoing earn rates are lower.
How does the Finder Frequent Flyer Score work?
The Finder Score is an easy way you can figure out which frequent flyer credit cards are worth the trip, and which ones aren't worth getting out of bed for.
Here's how the score works:
We analyse over 300 credit cards and assess 8 features, giving a score for each one.
Then we combine these scores using a weighted methodology (because some features are more important than others).
This gives us a final score out of 10: the Finder Score.
In the frequent flyer category we only consider credit cards that:
Link to the Qantas Frequent Flyer or Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer program.
Let you earn points directly based on spending.
Are available to general consumers.
Scores are category-specific. So one credit card could receive a score of 9 in the balance transfer category but a score of 8 in the frequent flyer category.
The Finder Score methodology is designed by our insights and editorial team. Commercial partners carry no weight, and all products are reviewed objectively.
Keep in mind there is no best for everyone, and we encourage you to consider your own financial circumstances when making a financial decision.
Frequent flyer credit cards - score weightings
Feature
Definition
Assessment
Weight
Earn Rate
Points earned for every dollar spent on eligible purchases
Points awarded per dollar (up to 1.5)
28%
Sign-Up Points
Bonus points earned for signing up and meeting spending requirements
Total bonus points offered (up to 150,000)
25%
Purchase Rate
Interest rate on new purchases
Lower rates receive higher scores (up to 23.99% max)
Up to 2.25 Qantas Points per $1 spent on eligible purchases in Australia, uncapped
$450 Qantas Travel Credit each year
2 complimentary Qantas Club lounge invitations each year
Complimentary travel insurance
High $450 annual fee
High 23.99% p.a. interest rate for purchases
3% foreign currency conversion fee
Only offers up to 44 days interest-free on purchases, compared to other cards that offer 55 days
Why we like it
The Qantas American Express Ultimate Card boasts a high bonus points offer and a very high earn rate. Used correctly, it's a points-earning machine. It has some great travel perks too. Just watch out for the higher than average annual fee and the 3% currency conversion fee if you're travelling overseas.
This card has a Finder Score of 9.9 in the frequent flyer category.
Best frequent flyer card for Velocity Points - American Express Velocity Platinum
No pre-set spending limit and up to 51 days cash flow
Complimentary travel insurance
2 complimentary domestic Qantas Club lounge passes per card membership year
$450 annual fee
3% foreign currency conversion fee
Why we like it
The American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card is a frequent flyer-oriented business card. It offers a very good combination of bonus Qantas Points, complimentary travel insurance and a high earn rate. But the annual fee is on the steeper side at $450.
Why you can trust Finder's credit card experts
You pay nothing. Finder is free to use. And you pay the same as going direct. No markups, no hidden fees. Guaranteed.
You save time. We spend 100s of hours researching credit cards so you can sort the gold from the junk faster.
You compare more. Our comparison tools bring you more credit cards from across the market.
2024 Finder Credit Card Awards for frequent flyers
Find out which credit cards have been recognised in this year's frequent flyer awards categories.
The ANZ Frequent Flyer Black Card has been named the Best Frequent Flyer Credit Card – Qantas for the third year in a row. It had big bonus Qantas Points during the analysis period – and a good earn rate, Qantas Club lounge invitations and travel insurance.
The Qantas Premier Platinum and NAB Qantas Rewards Signature Card were finalists in the Qantas credit card category, with both cards scoring highly for bonus point offers during the 12-month period of analysis.
The Virgin Australia Velocity High Flyer won the Finder Award for Best Frequent Flyer Credit Card – Velocity. It had strong scores for bonus point offers, points per $1 spent and annual fee. Other perks include airport lounge passes and a $129 Virgin Australia Flight Voucher.
The Westpac Altitude Velocity Black and American Express Velocity Platinum were finalists in the Velocity credit card category, with bonus point offers and earn rates both key features during the analysis period.
Every year the Finder Credit Card Awards recognise Australia's top credit cards, with expert analysis on rates, fees and offers based on 12 months' worth of data. The awards cover categories including balance transfers, travel and frequent flyer rewards – with separate categories for cards that earn Qantas Points and Velocity Points.
As offers change frequently, these cards might not currently have the most competitive deals but you can use them as a benchmark against current offers.
What's the catch? Frequent flyer credit cards offer a lot of value in travel rewards and perks. But most of them have high annual fees and interest rates. If you usually carry a balance or don't spend much with a credit card, the points and perks probably won't outweigh the card costs.
How do frequent flyer credit cards work?
You can use a frequent flyer credit card just like any regular credit card, but it's linked to your frequent flyer account. So every time you make a purchase with the card, you earn points – usually between 0.5 and 1.25 per $1 spent.
Many cards also come with introductory bonus points, which can give you enough for a free flight. These offers are a popular way to get value from a frequent flyer card in a short amount of time. You can also get value each year with perks like lounge passes, complimentary insurance and travel credit.
Points give me access to money-can't-buy experiences
Finder's head of editorial Sarah Megginson has used frequent flyer points to get flight upgrades and holidays for over 8 years – including a business class trip from Brisbane to LA for her family of 5.
She also uses points to upgrade and save on business class flights in Australia, with Finder analysis showing each 1 Qantas Point used on an upgrade is typically worth between 2 and 8 cents.
Megginson gets around 500,000 Qantas Points a year by collecting them in just about every way she can – including bonus point offers on frequent flyer credit cards.
Depending on the mix of credit cards, Megginson said she would spend around $300 to $800 per year on fees.
"I see the fees as an investment into this lifestyle I'd never have otherwise," she said.
Bottom line? Anyone can take advantage of frequent flyer points – and with the right credit card you can get rewarded for money you were going to spend anyway.
Bonus points offers. You can typically get between 8,000 and 150,000 bonus points when you apply for a new frequent flyer credit card and meet the offer requirements. This can be enough for an overseas flight or great upgrades.
Points per $1 spent. Most frequent flyer credit cards earn between 0.5 and 1.25 points on everyday spending, and some offer more for spending with partnered airlines.
Travel perks. Many cards offer complimentary travel insurance, airport lounge access, flight or travel credit and even status credits to help you reach higher membership tiers.
Cons
Bonus point requirements. Some frequent flyer credit cards split the bonus points offer, so you need to meet a spend requirement in the first few months and keep the card for over a year to get them all.
High card costs. Frequent flyer credit cards typically have high interest rates around 19% to 22% for purchases. And annual fees are usually around $200-$450 or more for cards with good earn rates and perks.
Temptation to spend. If you struggle to stick to a budget and don't pay your balance in full each month, the promise of frequent flyer points could tempt you to overspend.
Travelling is (increasingly) expensive but frequent flyer points can make it more affordable, if you're smart about it. I always take some time to research a card and calculate how many points I could get. Once I've got the card, I make sure I never pay any interest on it.
Frequent flyer credit cards are worth it if you pay off your balance and get enough value for the annual fee you'll pay. You don't have to use every feature, just make sure you take advantage of the perks you value.
Some key points to keep in mind:
Most credit cards offer an interest-free period for purchases when you pay the full balance each month.
Introductory offers can include a reduced or $0 annual fee in the first year.
You can cancel a card at any time if you don't want it any more.
Qantas and Velocity offer other ways to earn points with partners – you could even choose to earn points through both programs.
💡 Travel tip: If you're planning to travel with a credit card, keep in mind that most frequent flyer cards charge a 2-3% international transaction fee for overseas spending. You can compare cards with no foreign transaction fees or take cash and debit cards to help save on costs.
How do I find the best frequent flyer credit card for me?
Rates and fees aside, here are the key questions you can ask to choose a frequent flyer credit card.
How many bonus points can I get?
Introductory bonus point offers can give you between 8,000 and 150,000 frequent flyer points on cards for personal spending (as opposed to business frequent flyer cards). You'll have to meet a spend requirement to get them, so make sure to check that before you apply.
For example, if an offer requires you to spend $4,000 in the first 60 days and you aren't sure you'll spend that much, it's worth looking at other offers. Or, planning how you'll meet the spend requirement and manage the repayments.
How many points can I earn for my spending?
Bonus points offer the biggest value on a frequent flyer credit card but the points you earn per $1 spent also add up over time. A card that earns 1 frequent flyer point per $1 (or more) is competitive, but check if there is a cap on how many points you can earn at that rate.
If you get a rewards credit card that offers point transfers, 1 reward point will usually give you between 0.25 and 0.5 frequent flyer points. So a card that offers at least 2 rewards points per $1 is competitive.
Are there extra features?
A lot of frequent flyer credit cards offer travel extras, including complimentary travel insurance, airport lounge passes, travel credit and concierge services.
To get value from them, you actually have to use them. If you won't, you might want to look at a frequent flyer credit card with a lower annual fee and fewer perks instead.
What are my frequent flyer points worth?
The dollar value of your frequent flyer points depends on what rewards you redeem.
In general, flight upgrades and flight rewards give you the best value and offer an average of around 2 cents for every 1 point redeemed. In comparison, gift card rewards typically offer 0.5 cents per point.
A Finder survey found 15 million Australians are missing out on value by redeeming reward points for cashback on shopping – but flight rewards usually give you more bang for your buck.
Example: Value per 1,000 Qantas/Velocity points
These examples give you an idea of the value of your points for a few domestic and international flights. Keep in mind that the total points needed and value can change based on factors including the fare class, flight sales and carrier charges (which are usually billed separately).
Flight
Cost
Qantas Pts
Velocity Pts
Value/1,000 Qantas Pts
Value/1,000 Velocity Pts
Sydney to Melbourne return (Economy)
$299
16,000
15,600
$18.69
$19.17
Sydney to Melbourne return (Business)
$1,117
36,800
31,000
$30.35
$36.02
Sydney to Los Angeles return (Economy)
$2,891
83,800
89,600
$34.49
$32.27
Sydney to Los Angeles return (Business)
$14,675
216,800
191,000
$67.69
$76.83
These calculations were updated on 2 May 2024 and are based on the point values for Qantas Classic Flight Rewards and Velocity Reward Seats redemptions. For Velocity, we used the points values required for a Tier 2 domestic reward flight. For the international flight, we used the Velocity Points required for a reward flight with program partners United Airlines or Virgin Atlantic.
Flight values are based on the average standard economy and business class fare prices for Qantas and Virgin Australia flight searches on 2 May 2024, for bookings at least 3 months in advance. For domestic economy prices, we selected fares that included baggage.
There are dedicated point-chasers that will switch cards every year or two to make the most of bonus point promotions.
This strategy is sometimes known as credit card churning and can suit people who primarily use credit cards to earn points and pay it off as they go. Otherwise, the cost of annual fees, interest and potential credit score impact won't be worth it.
Point hacking and credit card eligibility
Credit card brands frown on churning, and many bonus point offers exclude people who have recently had a card with the same bank or brand. For example, if you had an American Express card, you'd usually need to wait 18 months after cancelling it before you would be eligible for a bonus points offer on another Amex card.
Here, we've outlined the amount of time you'll need to wait to be eligible for a bonus points offer with different providers.
Provider
Exclusion period (months)
American Express
18
ANZ
12
CommBank
12
NAB
18
Westpac
12
Qantas Money
12
Bankwest
24
HSBC
12
St.George
12
Bank of Melbourne
12
BankSA
12
Note: Citi and Virgin Money don't list a specific timeframe for previous or existing customers.
Some banks apply this exclusion period to each type of rewards card. For example, NAB applies an 18-month exclusion period to NAB Qantas Rewards cards, separate to NAB Rewards cards. And ANZ has a 12-month exclusion period for ANZ Frequent Flyer cards, separate to ANZ Rewards cards.
In these cases, you'd still be eligible for a frequent flyer credit card offer with NAB or ANZ, even if you had a NAB Rewards or ANZ Rewards card.
Most Australian banks consider government transactions (such as ATO bills) ineligible to earn points. Currently, most of the cards that allow you to earn points on ATO bills and government transactions are issued by American Express – or designed for business spending, rather than personal use.
Sometimes, other credit cards have promotional offers that let you earn status credits. But the most common way to earn status credits – and reach higher frequent flyer membership tiers – is by flying with the program's main airline or a partner.
When you earn frequent flyer points with your credit card, they're transferred to your linked frequent flyer account – usually once a month. To redeem your points, log in to your frequent flyer account and follow the prompts to redeem your rewards.
Keep in mind that you can use your frequent flyer points to redeem flight rewards with a partnered airline. For example, Qantas belongs to the oneworld Alliance, so you can use your Qantas Points to redeem flight rewards with partners including British Airways, American Airlines and Cathay Pacific.
If the points have already been transferred to your frequent flyer account, you won't lose them by closing your credit card account. But it can sometimes take a few weeks for the frequent flyer points to appear in your account, so make sure they have been added before you cancel your card.
Frequent flyer points usually expire if you don't redeem them, but how long you have to redeem them is different for each program.
With Qantas and Velocity Frequent Flyer, your points won't expire while you're earning or redeeming them to keep the account "active". If you don't earn or redeem points for 18 months with Qantas or 24 months with Velocity, they will expire because of "account inactivity". You can check the conditions for other programs to avoid losing points.
No, frequent flyer points are worth different amounts across programs. At the time of writing, you can redeem a $100 David Jones gift card for 20,010 Qantas Points or 19,500 Velocity Points. So in this example, you'll get slightly more value if you redeemed your Velocity Points for the $100 gift card.
Most frequent flyer credit cards let you add at least 1 additional cardholder to your account. This means they can spend money and earn points through your account, which can help you get frequent flyer rewards faster.
Just keep in mind that you're the only one legally responsible for the credit card – and some cards have additional cardholder fees that are charged each year.
Richard Whitten is a money editor at Finder, and has been covering home loans, property and personal finance for 6+ years. He has written for Yahoo Finance, Money Magazine and Homely; and has appeared on various radio shows nationwide. He holds a Certificate IV in mortgage broking and finance (RG 206), a Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification and a Tier 2 General Advice Deposit Products (RG 146) certification. See full bio
Richard's expertise
Richard has written 530 Finder guides across topics including:
From transfer rates to bonus point offers, find out how converting credit card rewards to Velocity Points works so you can boost your frequent flyer balance.
Earn KrisFlyer miles on your everyday spending and get introductory bonus points with a credit card linked to the Singapore Airlines frequent flyer program.
Find out if there are any credit card offers that let you earn Qantas Frequent Flyer Status for your eligible spending and learn more about how to reach Silver, Gold or Platinum Qantas status.
From flights and hotel stays to travel packages, gift cards and merchandise, here’s how to make the most of 100,000 Velocity Points based on your lifestyle and goals.
Hello There
I have question about frequent flyer credits cards. I would like to find out how much I would per month and as I am beginner, which one would suit me the best? I am also plainning holiday for 3 people this year and I would like to use the card for travel
Finder
AmyJanuary 29, 2024Finder
Hi Amy,
Finder provides factual information and general advice, so it’s important you consider your own circumstances when comparing and choosing a credit card. In terms of earning points, you can get an estimate of the number of points you’ll earn each month by multiplying the card’s points per $1 spent rate by your average monthly credit card spending. For example, if a card earned 0.5 points per $1 and someone spent $1,000 on a credit card each month, that would equal 500 points per month (0.5*1000 = 500). When using a credit card for travel, keep in mind that most frequent flyer credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee, which typically adds 2-4% to each transaction you make overseas (or online with businesses based overseas). Make sure to also check the annual fee, interest rate details and other features that you’re interested in. You can use the comparison table, as well as individual card review pages to find out more about different options currently available. I hope this helps.
CooperAugust 7, 2023
hi,
I am looking at getting my card that allows me to earn qantas points, I would prefer to stay with a debit card, however i cannot earn points on my debit card. What would be the best card to start earning points.
Thanks
Thanks for your reply. What is your general advice/review on CBA ultimate awards?
Finder
ElizabethJuly 12, 2023Finder
Hi Ilan,
We’ve laid out all details on our review page which you might find helpful reading in regards to seeing if it will work for your own personal situation. On the page you can find a general “verdict” which lays out a balanced view of the card, some pros and cons, and of course the details in regards to costs and features.
Hope this helps,
Elizabeth
IlanJune 28, 2023
Hello, my wife and I have the ANZ Qantas Black card. We got this card initially as part of their Breakfree package when we got our home loan. We make sure to use the card for most household expenses. We have since refinanced our mortgage to another bank and hence don’t get the card for free anymore. We are also looking at purchasing another property so want a card with a lower minimum credit limit. We do not need 15k. What card would you recommend for say a 10k limit with similar benefits (insurances, lounge access and not a crazy fee)? The CBA Ultimate Awards looks tempting. Thanks in advance!
Finder
AmyJune 28, 2023Finder
Hi Ilan,
Please be aware Finder can only give general information not personal advice. In regards to minimum credit limits, there are plenty of frequent flyer credit cards that offer minimum limits of $3,000 to $10,000, including the Qantas Premier Platinum and Qantas American Express Ultimate, which were highly commended in the Best Frequent Flyer Credit Card – Qantas category of the 2023 Finder Credit Card Awards. You can view details of the minimum limits and extras such as lounge access or insurance on Finder’s review pages or the bank websites. Finder’s mortgage calculator also factors in credit limits and may help when considering your options. I hope this helps.
SarjNovember 25, 2019
Hi there! Are there any cards that do a pre-approval without impacting on your credit score? After submitting all financial details, relevant papers etc, it would be great to know if any of the firms offer a pre-approval without a hard lodgement on your credit file.
Thanks
NikkiNovember 27, 2019
Hi Sarj,
Thanks for your comment and I hope you are well. As of this writing, we don’t have a page that offers a pre-approved credit card as well as one that will not impact your credit score.
Hope this clarifies!
Best,
Nikki
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You pay nothing. Finder is free to use. And you pay the same as going direct. No markups, no hidden fees. Guaranteed.
You save time. We spend 100s of hours researching credit cards so you can sort the gold from the junk faster.
You compare more. Our comparison tools bring you more credit cards from across the market.
Hello There
I have question about frequent flyer credits cards. I would like to find out how much I would per month and as I am beginner, which one would suit me the best? I am also plainning holiday for 3 people this year and I would like to use the card for travel
Hi Amy,
Finder provides factual information and general advice, so it’s important you consider your own circumstances when comparing and choosing a credit card. In terms of earning points, you can get an estimate of the number of points you’ll earn each month by multiplying the card’s points per $1 spent rate by your average monthly credit card spending. For example, if a card earned 0.5 points per $1 and someone spent $1,000 on a credit card each month, that would equal 500 points per month (0.5*1000 = 500). When using a credit card for travel, keep in mind that most frequent flyer credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee, which typically adds 2-4% to each transaction you make overseas (or online with businesses based overseas). Make sure to also check the annual fee, interest rate details and other features that you’re interested in. You can use the comparison table, as well as individual card review pages to find out more about different options currently available. I hope this helps.
hi,
I am looking at getting my card that allows me to earn qantas points, I would prefer to stay with a debit card, however i cannot earn points on my debit card. What would be the best card to start earning points.
Thanks
Hi Cooper,
Please keep in mind that Finder only provides general advice and factual information. But you can compare Qantas Frequent Flyer Credit Cards on Finder’s comparison page. You could also consider the Qantas Travel Money Card as a prepaid debit card option, or the Bankwest Qantas Transaction Account. I hope this helps.
Thanks for your reply. What is your general advice/review on CBA ultimate awards?
Hi Ilan,
We’ve laid out all details on our review page which you might find helpful reading in regards to seeing if it will work for your own personal situation. On the page you can find a general “verdict” which lays out a balanced view of the card, some pros and cons, and of course the details in regards to costs and features.
Hope this helps,
Elizabeth
Hello, my wife and I have the ANZ Qantas Black card. We got this card initially as part of their Breakfree package when we got our home loan. We make sure to use the card for most household expenses. We have since refinanced our mortgage to another bank and hence don’t get the card for free anymore. We are also looking at purchasing another property so want a card with a lower minimum credit limit. We do not need 15k. What card would you recommend for say a 10k limit with similar benefits (insurances, lounge access and not a crazy fee)? The CBA Ultimate Awards looks tempting. Thanks in advance!
Hi Ilan,
Please be aware Finder can only give general information not personal advice. In regards to minimum credit limits, there are plenty of frequent flyer credit cards that offer minimum limits of $3,000 to $10,000, including the Qantas Premier Platinum and Qantas American Express Ultimate, which were highly commended in the Best Frequent Flyer Credit Card – Qantas category of the 2023 Finder Credit Card Awards. You can view details of the minimum limits and extras such as lounge access or insurance on Finder’s review pages or the bank websites. Finder’s mortgage calculator also factors in credit limits and may help when considering your options. I hope this helps.
Hi there! Are there any cards that do a pre-approval without impacting on your credit score? After submitting all financial details, relevant papers etc, it would be great to know if any of the firms offer a pre-approval without a hard lodgement on your credit file.
Thanks
Hi Sarj,
Thanks for your comment and I hope you are well. As of this writing, we don’t have a page that offers a pre-approved credit card as well as one that will not impact your credit score.
Hope this clarifies!
Best,
Nikki