Want to earn Qantas frequent flyer points on your overseas spending? Read this guide to find out how Qantas travel money options can help you get more rewards.
Whether you want a dedicated travel money card, a credit card, debit card or even foreign cash, Qantas has partnered with a range of providers to give you access to money when you go overseas.
Here, we take a look at the features and benefits of these options, how to earn Qantas frequent flyer points with them and what you need to know before you decide to get travel money through the Qantas network.
Qantas Card with Qantas Cash
The Qantas Card with Qantas Cash® allows you to earn Qantas Points on all transactions including local and foreign transactions.
- Choose from 11 currencies on the one card: USD, GBP, EUR, THB, NZD, SGD, HKD, CAD, JPY, AED and AUD
- Ability to load money and convert currencies 24/7 on the secure customer portal.
- Locked-in exchange rates for multiple currencies and low and transparent fees.
- Accepted electronically – at over 29 million locations worldwide, across more than 60 countries.
Travel cards
Qantas has partnered with Heritage Bank Limited to release the Qantas Cash card: a prepaid Mastercard that lets you load up to 11 currencies at a time.
This multicurrency travel card can be used at over 35 million locations around the world and also doubles as your Qantas Frequent Flyer membership card.
Features of Qantas Cash Card
- Frequent flyer rewards. When you use the Qantas Cash Card, you will earn 1.5 points per $1 spent in a foreign currency and 1 point per $2 spent in Australian dollars.
- Flight benefits. Qantas offers fee free flight booking on Qantas.com for trips departing in less than seven days from the booking date. You can also use the card as a boarding pass for some flights.
- 11 global currencies. Preload Australian dollars and then transfer them to any of the following 10 currency options: AED, CAD, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, NZD, SGD, THB and USD. This gives you a chance to lock in competitive exchange rates before you travel and avoid international transaction fees that other cards may charge.
- International ATM withdrawal fee. The Qantas Cash Card charges a fee for all ATM withdrawals outside of Australia. The specific rate varies depending on the currency used, but starts from around AUD$1.95.
- Debit card load fee. There is a 1% charge of the total amount loaded onto the card using an eligible Australian debit card. To avoid this cost, you can choose to add money to the card via BPAY, which doesn’t attract a fee.
- Load limitations. You are required to add at least $50 to the card at a time and you can load up to AUD$20,000 on the card in a 24 hour period.
- Tap-and-go technology. With Mastercard PayPass, you can simply tap your card to make a payment for transactions under $100 in Australia.
- Card to card transfer. Move funds from your account to another Qantas Cash Card by logging into your card account online.
- Safety. The card has 24/7 fraud support, chip-and-PIN technology and a zero liability policy to protect you against unauthorised charges.
Check out our guide to the Qantas Cash Card for more information about this travel money option and ways to apply for it today.
What to watch out for with the Qantas Cash Card
While the Qantas Cash Card has a wide range of benefits, it’s important to keep the following factors in mind if you want to get the most out of this prepaid travel money card.
- ATM fees. You will be charged a fee every time you use the card at an ATM outside of Australia, which could quickly eat into the balance of the card.
- Loading times. The time it takes to load money onto the card varies depending on how you add it. If you use an eligible Australian Mastercard or Visa (the Debit Load option), it will be instant but cost you 1% of the total transferred. If you load via a bank transfer, it will take one business day, and BPAY loads take two to three business days. Make sure you factor these times in so that you know you will have funds available when you use the card.
- Default PIN. You can’t personalise your PIN for this card, which means you will have to memorise it before you can use the card.
Other Qantas cards for travel
You can also earn Qantas Points on your spending overseas by using an Australian frequent flyer credit card. Some of these options – such as the ANZ Frequent Flyer Black and NAB Qantas Rewards Premium – even offer complimentary travel insurance when you book your trip on the card.
Just remember that purchases made on a credit card will attract interest charges if you carry a balance from month-to-month. If you don’t think you can pay the balance in full, you may want to consider a debit card that earns points, such as the Bankwest Qantas Transaction Account.
Either way, it’s important to remember that Australian credit cards and debit cards will still attract a foreign transaction fee for purchases made overseas (or with an international online retailer), which could add 2% to 3% to your total transaction value. Make sure you factor these costs into your budget if you take your everyday credit card or debit card with you overseas, or look for a card that has no foreign transaction fees to make paying with plastic more affordable.
Currency exchange
It’s a good idea to have some cash in the local currency when you go overseas, so that you can make essential purchases when cards or other payment options are not available. So Qantas has partnered with Travelex to give you a chance to earn frequent flyer points when you buy foreign currency.
To earn Qantas points on your currency exchange, just buy your cash at a participating Travelex retail store, or online via Qantas Travel Money or the Qantas website. Then you’ll earn Qantas Points at the following rates:
| Qantas Point | Amount per dollar | |
|---|---|---|
| AUD$51 to AUD$299 | 1 | $5 |
| AUD$300 to AUD$999 | 1 | $3 |
| AUD$1,000 to AUD$9,999 | 1 | $1 |
Keep in mind that Travelex charges a commission of 1% of the total transaction value and exchange rates can vary on a daily basis. By factoring these costs in before you buy your foreign currency, you can get a competitive rate on your purchase, stick to your budget and earn Qantas Points at the same time.
Travel insurance
Qantas has a number of travel insurance options available to help you look after yourself, your family and your belongings when you’re overseas, including:
- Annual multi-trip insurance. A $545 fixed-price option covering unlimited trips in a 12-month period.
- International comprehensive insurance. Coverage for single, international trips, with policies available for people up to 69 years of age as well as people over 70 years of age.
These policies are offered through Qantas Assure, and underwritten by QBE. If you’re an Australian Qantas Frequent Flyer member, you can also redeem points on your travel insurance when you book a domestic or international flight departing from Australia at qantas.com.
When purchasing Qantas travel insurance, make sure you check the details of the policy so that you know how much you are covered for and any additional costs. Coverage for vehicle rental hire, for example, costs an extra $20 for every $500 of the limit on your selected policy, while snow sports coverage costs between $250 and $500 more.
It’s also important to check the excess amount you will pay for each insurance claim. Generally excess costs start from $100, although there may be some exceptions depending on the policy and the level of coverage you require.
Complimentary travel insurance included with Qantas
Qantas credit cards offer complimentary travel insurance to help you save money and provide you with convenient insurance cover.
Compare Qantas credit cards with complimentary travel insurance
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Qantas travel money frequently asked questions
If Qantas now has a debit card, does that make it a bank?
No, Qantas is not a bank. Heritage Bank Limited is the issuer of Qantas Cash. This means that Qantas Cash cardholders’ contractual relationship is with Heritage Bank Limited rather than Qantas. Be sure to refer to the Product Disclosure Statement for additional information.
I have loaded one foreign currency onto the Qantas Cash Card and want to add more. Will the second transaction have the earlier exchange rate or will it be at the latest exchange rate?
The second load of funds will be locked-in to the exchange rate that’s in place at the time of loading, not the exchange rate that was in place when you first loaded funds on the card.
What should I do if my Qantas Cash Card is stolen when I’m overseas?
If your card is stolen Qantas has a 24/7 emergency assistance line to help you. They can give you emergency cash and help you suspend your card to prevent funds being stolen. Any fraudulent transactions on this card are covered by Mastercard’s Zero Liability policy, provided you’ve acted within the conditions of use set out in the Product Disclosure Statement.
Where can I compare travel money cards?
Please see our comparison of a wide range of travel money cards.
I can’t find a travel money card that supports the currencies of the countries I’m visiting. What should I do?
The Qantas Cash card doesn’t charge currency conversion fees on unloaded currencies. So even if you’re travelling somewhere that has a local currency that isn’t supported by the card, you can still use it without the extra cost. The Commonwealth Bank Travel Money card also doesn’t charge currency conversion fees.
I bought foreign currency on the Travelex website. Can I claim Qantas Frequent Flyer points?
Unless otherwise stated, orders from other Travelex websites and affiliated partner websites will not qualify for Qantas Points.
Can I add my partner to my Qantas travel insurance policy?
Yes. Partners, dependent children and other children can be covered by your travel insurance for an additional premium. Make sure you request this in your quote, or ask for an upgrade of your policy before you commence travel.
Hi Sally
I have loaded one foreign transaction into the Qantas ff cash card and about to add another; will the second transaction have the earlier exchange rate or will it be at the latest exchange rate.
Thanks
Hi Roberto,
Thanks for your comment.
The second load of funds will be locked-in to the exchange rate that’s in place at the time of loading, not the exchange rate that was in place when you first loaded funds on the card.
I hope this has answered your question.
Cheers,
Sally
What if I lose my card?
I am going to Europe, Russia, Croatia and Dubai but can’t find a card that has these currencies. Only two of them. Are there any cards that include these currencies.
Thanks Kathy
Hi Kathy,
Thanks for your question. While most travel cards support Euro currency, not many Australian credit cards support the other currencies you’ve listed.
As such, you may like to consider a card that doesn’t charge currency conversion fees on unsupported currencies, meaning you can use your card internationally without the cost of such fees.
At this point, the Commonwealth Bank Travel Money card is the only Australian prepaid travel money card that doesn’t charge currency conversion fees for unsupported currencies.
You can compare other travel money options here.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
Sally
Hi Len,
Thanks for your question.
In the event that you lose your card, you’ll need to notify Qantas immediately. Qantas will then either suspend or close your account. When you get in contact with Qantas, you can either request an emergency fund transfer or a replacement card.
I’ve emailed you the Qantas Cash customer support number for your convenience.
I hope this has helped.
Thanks,
Sally
Does this card carry a fee to deposit money online?
Hi Sue,
Thanks for your question.
No, unless you’re attempting to use a currency that is not supported by the card, there is no fee.
For a full list of the Qantas Cash travel money card fees and charges, please see the Product Disclosure Statement available through the Qantas Cash website.
I hope this has answered your question.
Thanks,
Sally
Hi does this card have a reload fee?
Hi Sue,
Thanks for your question.
No, loading funds onto the Qantas Cash travel money card is free.
I hope this has answered your question.
Thanks,
Sally
Can my wife’s Qantas card be linked to my Qantas card’s account, that way we have a card each, and both operate / draw out of the one account?
Hi Tony,
Thank you for your question.
You can only have one Qantas cash card per account.
I hope this has answered your question.
Thanks,
Sally
Hello,
I am currently in the US and have my qantas cash card,my first purchase the other day rent through with no issues. Yesterday I attempted to make multiple purchases and both we’re declined. I used the correct pin and it didn’t go through. As a result, I paid in cash. I have just been online to my account to see why this was occurring, and have seen that the payments are sitting there as pending ( for one set purchase we attempted it 3 times, so it says that transaction is pending for 3 times. Why is this happening? Will I now be charged 3 times from my card when I paid in cash already?! I need access to my card and need to resolve this as soon as possible, however don’t have access to a phone right at this moment in time to call Qantas help line.
Thanks,
Raana
Hi Raana,
Thanks for your question.
You can get in touch with Qantas through an online message through this link.
All the best and hope you resolve this with Qantas asap.
Cheers,
Shirley
To avoid the monthly ongoing fee. Is it only charged if there are funds in the account? How do you bring the balance back to zero?
Hi Pamplona,
Thanks for your question.
There is no monthly fee for the Qantas Cash. If you’d like Qantas to refund your credit in your Qantas Cash, please get in touch with them directly to request this.
Cheers,
Shirley
Hi,
How do you make online purchases with the Qantas Travel Card if it doesn’t have an expiry date on the card?
Thanks,
Hi Andie,
Thanks for your question.
The Qantas Cash expiry date should be listed on the Qantas Cash side of your Qantas Card.
Cheers,
Shirley
I’m tossing up between the Qantas card and the ANZ and Westpac cards. Which would you recommend?
Hi Mick,
Thanks for your question.
Unfortunately we can’t recommend one card over another. Your decision may be based on the countries you’re travelling to and whether or not you can preload the currency beforehand to save on fees.
You may also want to consider how you’re going to spend your money, if you know that you’ll be withdrawing out of ATMs quite frequently, then you may want to opt for a card that charges less fees for withdrawing out of an ATM.
Cheers,
Shirley
What will the cost be of changing aud into euros here in Australia before leaving for Italy ?
Hi Lia,
Thanks for your question.
There is no load fee for Qantas cash and the currency conversion fee is 3% of the transaction value.
Hope this has helped.
Thanks,
Elizabeth