An Overview of Qantas Credit Cards

If you travel often, taking flights for business or leisure, you could benefit by choosing a credit card that links to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. You can earn points on every dollar you spend on your credit card and earn extra when you book flights or shop with Qantas program partners. There are over 400 companies affiliated with the program, meaning you have a wide range of options for earning points, plus you earn every time you use your credit card so can generate rewards with day-to-day purchases and payments.

As a member of Qantas Frequent Flyer you can use your online account to keep tabs on your points and access Qantas online store, which offers over 1,000 choices for reward redemption. You can redeem points for flights, upgrade your seat, book accommodation and travel accessories and car rentals. You can also choose from a huge variety of non-travel related products and services such as technology, home and garden wares, fashion and beauty products, sports and outdoor equipment, food and wine, entertainment, and gift and shopping vouchers to spend with Qantas’ partners. The Qantas online store also features a rolling program of offers, prizes and special offers for members.

The rate you earn points depends on the card you choose, and the program is tiered so the more frequently you fly the greater the benefits you can enjoy. When you join the program you have Bronze status and as you take more flights you are promoted through Silver, Gold and Platinum membership. Higher status provides access to extra privileges including bonus points earning, priority check-in and seating, extra baggage allowance on Qantas flights and admission to The Qantas Club.

As with any credit card, it is important to consider all the features before selecting one linked with the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. It is important that way you earn points should match your spending habits, and the rewards available should be the flights, products and services you really want to use. To get the most out of this type of credit card you need to be flying and spending often, regularly clearing your balance in full and not paying too much on interest and fees. If you are this type of cardholder, and can find a card that suits your finances, a Qantas credit card could be a very beneficial and rewarding choice.

Qantas Credit Cards: A Q&A

Q: Why get a credit card linked to Qantas Frequent Flyer? A: If you often take flights it makes sense to use a frequent flyer credit card, and if you fly with Qantas or their program partners this type of card is the best choice. You can earn and redeem points on many of your travel expenses and on everyday shopping and payments. If you are a frequent traveller and use your credit card a lot, particularly overseas, you can harness this spending for points and rewards.

Q: Does it cost anything to join? A: Yes, separate to any credit card fees, Qantas do charge a fee to enroll into the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. From time-to-time there are credit cards that offer you free entry into the program if you’re a newcomer, so look out for those cards. Once you pay your fee to become a member and get your membership card, you will able to earn points using your Qantas-linked frequent flyer credit card.

Q: Are Qantas points a legitimate way to save money? A: Yes, Qantas allow you to 'spend’ your points and save money to get a cheaper flight. Obviously if you’re travelling for business or for personal reasons, saving money on your travel expenses helps. You can also pay for Qantas flights partly with your money and your points – it’s called 'Points and Pay’.

Q: What if I don’t want to travel? A: You can spend your points earned with your Qantas credit card on a multitude of other things. Qantas have a very widely stocked Awards Store. There’s everything from food processors to aftershave, iPods and home cinema equipment to fashion and beauty products, all the goods you’d expect to find in a big retail department store.

Q: How do Qantas know how many points I’ve earned on my credit card? A: Almost all credit cards transfer points earned over to your Qantas account automatically on a monthly basis so there’s no extra admin to care of.

Q: How can I find out how many points I have? A: Also, on your Qantas credit card statement your bank shows you how many points you’ve earned from that month’s spend. Qantas members can login online at any time to check how many points they have.

*Q: How do I maximise my Qantas earning points potential? A: Some of the entry level frequent flyer cards put a cap on how many points you can earn per month, so make sure you review that to see if it fits your typical spending habits. Most cards let you earn 1 point per dollar you spend, but you’ll be doing well to get that earn rate from a Visa or MasterCard. AmEx cards typically let you earn points at a higher rate. Also, make sure your credit limit is sufficiently big, i.e. if you spend $3,000 per month on your household bills or through your business but you only get a credit limit of $2,000 then there’s $1,000 worth of spending and points that you will miss out on earning.

Your membership status also changes some aspects of your points earning potential. When you first become a member you have Bronze status, then, as you fly more often, can progress through Silver, Gold and Platinum. With higher status you have the chance of earning bonus points when you fly.

Q: How long does it take to get bonus points? A: If you apply for a Qantas frequent flyer credit card offering promotional bonus points for signing up, these bonus QFF points usually take a little while to get added to your points total, i.e. after you’ve gone through the steps of applying for the credit card, being approved, receiving it and paying your first monthly statement. You can find a range of credit cards with bonus points offers here.

Q: What can I redeem my points for? A: The Qantas Frequent Flyer program has a massive selection of ways to use your points. You can book flights and upgrades, choose many other travel services such as hotels and rentals, retail products and gift vouchers.

Q: Which airlines are affiliated with the program? A: With the Qantas Frequent Flyer Program you can fly with a huge choice of the world’s finest airlines: Qantas International, Qantas Domestic, Jetstar, Aer Lingus, Aeropelican, Air Niugini, Airnorth, Air Pacific, Air Vanuatu, Alaska Airlines, Alitalia, American Airlines, Brindabella Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, China Eastern, Dragon Air, El Al, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, JALways, JAL Express, Japan Transocean Air, Jet Airways, LAN, LAN Express, LAN Peru, LAN Ecuador, LAN Argentina, Malev Hungarian Airlines, Mexicana, Royal Jordanian, Siberia Airlines and South African Airways.

Q Where can I fly to? A: You can choose to fly to more than 1,000 domestic and international destinations.

Q: How many points do I need for a flight? A: You can redeem your points for a one-way, return or multi-destination flight with Qantas or an airline partner; the number of points required varies depending on the flight. The Qantas Frequent Flyer website features a calculator to work out what is required for individual flights. As a guideline:

• A one-way Economy class flight from Sydney to Melbourne requires 8,000 points, or 12,500 including taxes.
• A one-way Business class flight from Brisbane to Perth requires 36,000 points, or 40500 including taxes.
• A one-way Economy class flight from Brisbane to Singapore to London requires 64,000 points.
• A one-way First class flight from Melbourne to Hong Kong requires 90,000 points.
• Return Premium Economy Class flights from Sydney to Los Angeles require 72,000 points.

Some services fees may also be applied.

Q: Do my points expire? A: Your Qantas Frequent Flyer points expire if you do not use your account for a period of 18 months. As long as you earn or redeem points at least once every 18 months, your account will remain active and your points valid. You can check your account activity in your online Activity Statement. 60 days before expiry, your account will show that you have points due to expire.