Best Credit Cards For Qantas Points in April 2024
- Compare the top credit cards for earning Qantas points, with bonus sign up offers of up to 150,000 points.
Featured offer: American Express Qantas Ultimate Card
Get 60,000 bonus points when you apply online by 28 May 2024, are approved and spend $3k on eligible purchases in the first three months. New members only, T&Cs apply.
Find out moreFind out moreBest Qantas point credit card comparison
The table below shows credit cards that earn Qantas points. By ‘best’ cards we mean the cards with the highest earn rate on everyday spending. That’s how this table is ordered, but you should consider other aspects of the cards (e.g. rates and fees) when deciding which is best for you.
Qantas American Express Ultimate Card | |
|---|---|
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | Up to 1.25 (or 2.25 on eligible Qantas purchases and 0.5 on spending with government bodies in Australia)* |
| Bonus sign up points | 60,000 bonus points when you apply online by 28 May 2024, are approved and spend $3k on eligible purchases in the first three months. New members only, T&Cs apply. |
| Annual fee | $450 |
| Purchase rate | 23.99% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
Qantas Premier Titanium | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | Up to 1.25 (or 2.25 on Qantas spending and 2 on international purchases) |
| Bonus sign up points | 150,000 when you spend $5k within 3 months of approval (apply by 1 May 2024). |
| Annual fee | $1,200 |
| Purchase rate | 19.99% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
HSBC Premier World Mastercard Qantas Option | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | 1 point per $1 spent (up to $120k) plus an extra 0.5 points per $1 in the first 12 months (up to $120k). |
| Bonus sign up points | n/a |
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Purchase rate | 19.99% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
Qudos Bank Visa Platinum Credit Card | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | Up to 1 (or 2 on spending with Qantas) |
| Bonus sign up points | n/a |
| Annual fee | $199 |
| Purchase rate | 19.49% p.a. (4.99% for the first 5 months) |
| Visit provider | |
Qantas American Express Premium Card | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | 1 (or 2 on on eligible Qantas purchases and 0.5 on spending with government bodies in Australia) |
| Bonus sign up points | 20,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online, are approved and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within 3 months of Card Membership. New Amex card members only. T&Cs apply. |
| Annual fee | $249 |
| Purchase rate | 23.99% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
Bankwest Qantas World Mastercard | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | 1 (capped) |
| Bonus sign up points | n/a |
| Annual fee | $270 |
| Purchase rate | 19.99% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
HSBC Platinum Qantas Credit Card | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | 1 (capped); bonus rate of 1.5 points per $1 spent applies in first year |
| Bonus sign up points | n/a |
| Annual fee | $299 ($0 in first year) |
| Purchase rate | 19.99% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
G&C Mutual Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | 1 (capped) |
| Bonus sign up points | 50,000 when you spend $5k on eligible purchases in the first 90 days. Plus a further 10,000 bonus points each year. |
| Annual fee | $299 |
| Purchase rate | 19.99% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
NAB Qantas Rewards Signature Card | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | Up to 1 (capped) |
| Bonus sign up points | Up to 120,000 bonus points: 90,000 when you spend $3k in the first 60 days and another 30,000 if you keep your card for 12 months. |
| Annual fee | $395 ($295 in first year) |
| Purchase rate | 19.99% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
Qantas Premier Platinum | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | Up to 1 (or 2 on Qantas spending and 1.5 on international purchases) |
| Bonus sign up points | Up to 80,000 bonus points: 60,000 when you spend $3k in the first 3 months, plus an another 20,000 if you haven’t earned Qantas Points with a credit card in the last 12 months. |
| Annual fee | $399 ($349 in the first year if you apply by 1 May 2024) |
| Purchase rate | 19.99% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
BOQ Specialist Signature Credit Card - Qantas Points | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | 1 (capped; or 1.5 on international purchases) |
| Bonus sign up points | 20,000 points when you use your card 10 times in the first two months. |
| Annual fee | $400 |
| Purchase rate | Not advertised |
| Visit provider | |
ANZ Frequent Flyer Black | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | Up to 1 |
| Bonus sign up points | Up to 130,000: 100,000 when you spend $5k in the first 3 months, plus another 30,000 when you keep your card for 12 months. |
| Annual fee | $425 |
| Purchase rate | 20.99% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
Commbank Ultimate Awards credit card with Qantas Points | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | Up to 0.8 (or 1.2 on international purchases) |
| Bonus sign up points | n/a |
| Annual fee | Up to $480: $35/month (waived if you spend $4k during statement period), plus $60 Qantas Points opt-in fee. |
| Purchase rate | 20.99% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
Qantas American Express Discovery Card | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | Up to 0.75 (or 1.75 on eligible Qantas purchases and 0.5 on spending with government bodies in Australia) |
| Bonus sign up points | n/a |
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Purchase rate | 23.99% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
Qantas Premier Everyday | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | Up to 0.75 (or 1.75 on Qantas spending and 1 on international purchases) |
| Bonus sign up points | Up to 8,000: 2 bonus points on top of the standard earn-rate for every $1 spent on eligible purchases in the first 4 months. |
| Annual fee | $49 (increasing to $99 from 11 April 2024) |
| Purchase rate | 19.99% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
Bank Australia Platinum Rewards Visa Credit card | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | 0.75 (or 1.75 on Qantas spending in Australia) |
| Bonus sign up points | n/a |
| Annual fee | $189 |
| Purchase rate | 18.24% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
Regional Australia Bank Visa Platinum Rewards Credit Card | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | 0.75 (capped; or 1.75 on spending with Qantas) |
| Bonus sign up points | n/a |
| Annual fee | $195 |
| Purchase rate | 19.99% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
ANZ Frequent Flyer Platinum | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | Up to 0.75 |
| Bonus sign up points | 75,000 when you spend $2.5k in the first 3 months. |
| Annual fee | $295 (includes $55 annual Qantas Rewards Program fee |
| Purchase rate | 20.99% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
BankSA Amplify Signature Qantas | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | 0.75 (capped) |
| Bonus sign up points | 90,000 points when you spend $6k on eligible purchases in the first 90 days. T&Cs apply. |
| Annual fee | $370 |
| Purchase rate | 19.49% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
Bank of Melbourne Amplify Signature Qantas | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | 0.75 (capped) |
| Bonus sign up points | 90,000 points when you spend $6k on eligible purchases in the first 90 days. T&Cs apply. |
| Annual fee | $370 |
| Purchase rate | 19.49% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
St.George Amplify Signature Qantas | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | 0.75 (capped) |
| Bonus sign up points | 90,000 points when you spend $6k on eligible purchases in the first 90 days. T&Cs apply. |
| Annual fee | $370 |
| Purchase rate | 19.49% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
Westpac Altitude Black Qantas | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | 0.75 (capped) |
| Bonus sign up points | Up to 120,000 bonus points: 90,000 when you spend $6k in the first 120 days and an extra 30,000 points after your first eligible purchase in year 2 with the card. |
| Annual fee | $370 (reduced in first year for existing Westpac customers) |
| Purchase rate | 19.99% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Credit Card | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | Up to 0.67 (capped) |
| Bonus sign up points | Up to 70,000 bonus points: 60,000 when you spend $2k in the first 60 days and another 10,000 if you keep your card for 12 months. |
| Annual fee | $250 ($150 in the first year) |
| Purchase rate | 19.99% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
CommBank Smart Awards Credit Card - Qantas Points | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | Up to 0.6 |
| Bonus sign up points | Up to 30,000: 10,000 each month you spend $1.5k or more per month for the first three months. Offer commenced 1 March 2024. T&Cs apply. |
| Annual fee | Up to $228: $19/month (waived if you spend $2k during statement period) |
| Purchase rate | 20.99% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
Bendigo Bank Qantas Platinum Credit Card | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | 0.6 (capped) |
| Bonus sign up points | n/a |
| Annual fee | $149 |
| Purchase rate | 19.99% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
Bankwest Qantas Platinum Mastercard | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | 0.6 (capped) |
| Bonus sign up points | 50,000 points when you spend $3k on eligible purchases within 90 days and keep the account open for 15 months. |
| Annual fee | $160 |
| Purchase rate | 19.99% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
BankVic Qantas Visa Credit Card | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | 0.5 (or 1 on Qantas flights) |
| Bonus sign up points | n/a |
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Purchase rate | 18.95% p.a. (8.99% for first 6 months) |
| Visit provider | |
Suncorp Clear Options Platinum Credit Card - Qantas Points Offer | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | 0.5 (capped) |
| Bonus sign up points | 40,000 bonus points when you enrol to earn Qantas Points and spend $4,500 in the first 3 months. |
| Annual fee | $178 (includes $49 fee each year to earn Qantas points) |
| Purchase rate | 20.74% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
BOQ Specialist Platinum Credit Card - Qantas Points | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | 0.5 (capped; or 1 on international purchases) |
| Bonus sign up points | n/a |
| Annual fee | $150 |
| Purchase rate | Not advertised |
| Visit provider | |
BankSA Amplify Qantas Platinum | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | 0.5 (capped) |
| Bonus sign up points | Up to 70,000: 60,000 points when you spend $3k on eligible purchases in the first 90 days, and an extra 10,000 points after your first eligible purchase in year 2. T&Cs apply. |
| Annual fee | $199 ($174 in first year) |
| Purchase rate | 19.49% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
Bank of Melbourne Amplify Qantas Platinum | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | 0.5 (capped) |
| Bonus sign up points | Up to 70,000: 60,000 points when you spend $3k on eligible purchases in the first 90 days, and an extra 10,000 points after your first eligible purchase in year 2. T&Cs apply. |
| Annual fee | $199 ($174 in first year) |
| Purchase rate | 19.49% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
St.George Amplify Qantas Platinum | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | 0.5 (capped) |
| Bonus sign up points | Up to 70,000: 60,000 points when you spend $3k on eligible purchases in the first 90 days, and an extra 10,000 points after your first eligible purchase in year 2. T&Cs apply. |
| Annual fee | $199 ($174 in first year) |
| Purchase rate | 19.49% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
Westpac Altitude Qantas Platinum Credit Card | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | 0.5 (capped) |
| Bonus sign up points | Up to 80,000: 70,000 when you spend $4k on eligible purchases within 90 days of card approval, and an extra 10,000 points after your first eligible purchase in year 2. T&Cs apply. |
| Annual fee | $250 ($174 in first year) |
| Purchase rate | 19.99% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
Citi Premier Qantas Card | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | 0.5 (capped; or 1 on international purchases) |
| Bonus sign up points | Up to 70,000 points: 50,000 when you spend $6k within 90 days and another 20,000 when you keep your card for 12 months. |
| Annual fee | $350 in first year, reduced to $175 in subsequent years if you spend $48k in the previous year |
| Purchase rate | 21.49% p.a. |
| Visit provider | |
Citi Prestige Qantas Card | |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | 0.5 (capped; or 1 on spending with select national retailers and 1.5 on international purchases) |
| Bonus sign up points | 100,000 points when you spend $7.5k in the first 60 days. |
| Annual fee | $749 |
| Purchase rate | 21.49% p.a. |
| Visit provider |
| Qantas points per $1 spent on everyday purchases | Bonus sign up points | Annual fee | Purchase rate | Visit provider | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Qantas American Express Ultimate Card | Up to 1.25 (or 2.25 on eligible Qantas purchases and 0.5 on spending with government bodies in Australia)* | 60,000 bonus points when you apply online by 28 May 2024, are approved and spend $3k on eligible purchases in the first three months. New members only, T&Cs apply. | $450 | 23.99% p.a. | |
Qantas Premier Titanium | Up to 1.25 (or 2.25 on Qantas spending and 2 on international purchases) | 150,000 when you spend $5k within 3 months of approval (apply by 1 May 2024). | $1,200 | 19.99% p.a. | |
HSBC Premier World Mastercard Qantas Option | 1 point per $1 spent (up to $120k) plus an extra 0.5 points per $1 in the first 12 months (up to $120k). | n/a | $0 | 19.99% p.a. | |
Qudos Bank Visa Platinum Credit Card | Up to 1 (or 2 on spending with Qantas) | n/a | $199 | 19.49% p.a. (4.99% for the first 5 months) | |
Qantas American Express Premium Card | 1 (or 2 on on eligible Qantas purchases and 0.5 on spending with government bodies in Australia) | 20,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online, are approved and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within 3 months of Card Membership. New Amex card members only. T&Cs apply. | $249 | 23.99% p.a. | |
Bankwest Qantas World Mastercard | 1 (capped) | n/a | $270 | 19.99% p.a. | |
HSBC Platinum Qantas Credit Card | 1 (capped); bonus rate of 1.5 points per $1 spent applies in first year | n/a | $299 ($0 in first year) | 19.99% p.a. | |
G&C Mutual Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card | 1 (capped) | 50,000 when you spend $5k on eligible purchases in the first 90 days. Plus a further 10,000 bonus points each year. | $299 | 19.99% p.a. | |
NAB Qantas Rewards Signature Card | Up to 1 (capped) | Up to 120,000 bonus points: 90,000 when you spend $3k in the first 60 days and another 30,000 if you keep your card for 12 months. | $395 ($295 in first year) | 19.99% p.a. | |
Qantas Premier Platinum | Up to 1 (or 2 on Qantas spending and 1.5 on international purchases) | Up to 80,000 bonus points: 60,000 when you spend $3k in the first 3 months, plus an another 20,000 if you haven’t earned Qantas Points with a credit card in the last 12 months. | $399 ($349 in the first year if you apply by 1 May 2024) | 19.99% p.a. | |
BOQ Specialist Signature Credit Card - Qantas Points | 1 (capped; or 1.5 on international purchases) | 20,000 points when you use your card 10 times in the first two months. | $400 | Not advertised | |
ANZ Frequent Flyer Black | Up to 1 | Up to 130,000: 100,000 when you spend $5k in the first 3 months, plus another 30,000 when you keep your card for 12 months. | $425 | 20.99% p.a. | |
Commbank Ultimate Awards credit card with Qantas Points | Up to 0.8 (or 1.2 on international purchases) | n/a | Up to $480: $35/month (waived if you spend $4k during statement period), plus $60 Qantas Points opt-in fee. | 20.99% p.a. | |
Qantas American Express Discovery Card | Up to 0.75 (or 1.75 on eligible Qantas purchases and 0.5 on spending with government bodies in Australia) | n/a | $0 | 23.99% p.a. | |
Qantas Premier Everyday | Up to 0.75 (or 1.75 on Qantas spending and 1 on international purchases) | Up to 8,000: 2 bonus points on top of the standard earn-rate for every $1 spent on eligible purchases in the first 4 months. | $49 (increasing to $99 from 11 April 2024) | 19.99% p.a. | |
Bank Australia Platinum Rewards Visa Credit card | 0.75 (or 1.75 on Qantas spending in Australia) | n/a | $189 | 18.24% p.a. | |
Regional Australia Bank Visa Platinum Rewards Credit Card | 0.75 (capped; or 1.75 on spending with Qantas) | n/a | $195 | 19.99% p.a. | |
ANZ Frequent Flyer Platinum | Up to 0.75 | 75,000 when you spend $2.5k in the first 3 months. | $295 (includes $55 annual Qantas Rewards Program fee | 20.99% p.a. | |
BankSA Amplify Signature Qantas | 0.75 (capped) | 90,000 points when you spend $6k on eligible purchases in the first 90 days. T&Cs apply. | $370 | 19.49% p.a. | |
Bank of Melbourne Amplify Signature Qantas | 0.75 (capped) | 90,000 points when you spend $6k on eligible purchases in the first 90 days. T&Cs apply. | $370 | 19.49% p.a. | |
St.George Amplify Signature Qantas | 0.75 (capped) | 90,000 points when you spend $6k on eligible purchases in the first 90 days. T&Cs apply. | $370 | 19.49% p.a. | |
Westpac Altitude Black Qantas | 0.75 (capped) | Up to 120,000 bonus points: 90,000 when you spend $6k in the first 120 days and an extra 30,000 points after your first eligible purchase in year 2 with the card. | $370 (reduced in first year for existing Westpac customers) | 19.99% p.a. | |
NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Credit Card | Up to 0.67 (capped) | Up to 70,000 bonus points: 60,000 when you spend $2k in the first 60 days and another 10,000 if you keep your card for 12 months. | $250 ($150 in the first year) | 19.99% p.a. | |
CommBank Smart Awards Credit Card - Qantas Points | Up to 0.6 | Up to 30,000: 10,000 each month you spend $1.5k or more per month for the first three months. Offer commenced 1 March 2024. T&Cs apply. | Up to $228: $19/month (waived if you spend $2k during statement period) | 20.99% p.a. | |
Bendigo Bank Qantas Platinum Credit Card | 0.6 (capped) | n/a | $149 | 19.99% p.a. | |
Bankwest Qantas Platinum Mastercard | 0.6 (capped) | 50,000 points when you spend $3k on eligible purchases within 90 days and keep the account open for 15 months. | $160 | 19.99% p.a. | |
BankVic Qantas Visa Credit Card | 0.5 (or 1 on Qantas flights) | n/a | $0 | 18.95% p.a. (8.99% for first 6 months) | |
Suncorp Clear Options Platinum Credit Card - Qantas Points Offer | 0.5 (capped) | 40,000 bonus points when you enrol to earn Qantas Points and spend $4,500 in the first 3 months. | $178 (includes $49 fee each year to earn Qantas points) | 20.74% p.a. | |
BOQ Specialist Platinum Credit Card - Qantas Points | 0.5 (capped; or 1 on international purchases) | n/a | $150 | Not advertised | |
BankSA Amplify Qantas Platinum | 0.5 (capped) | Up to 70,000: 60,000 points when you spend $3k on eligible purchases in the first 90 days, and an extra 10,000 points after your first eligible purchase in year 2. T&Cs apply. | $199 ($174 in first year) | 19.49% p.a. | |
Bank of Melbourne Amplify Qantas Platinum | 0.5 (capped) | Up to 70,000: 60,000 points when you spend $3k on eligible purchases in the first 90 days, and an extra 10,000 points after your first eligible purchase in year 2. T&Cs apply. | $199 ($174 in first year) | 19.49% p.a. | |
St.George Amplify Qantas Platinum | 0.5 (capped) | Up to 70,000: 60,000 points when you spend $3k on eligible purchases in the first 90 days, and an extra 10,000 points after your first eligible purchase in year 2. T&Cs apply. | $199 ($174 in first year) | 19.49% p.a. | |
Westpac Altitude Qantas Platinum Credit Card | 0.5 (capped) | Up to 80,000: 70,000 when you spend $4k on eligible purchases within 90 days of card approval, and an extra 10,000 points after your first eligible purchase in year 2. T&Cs apply. | $250 ($174 in first year) | 19.99% p.a. | |
Citi Premier Qantas Card | 0.5 (capped; or 1 on international purchases) | Up to 70,000 points: 50,000 when you spend $6k within 90 days and another 20,000 when you keep your card for 12 months. | $350 in first year, reduced to $175 in subsequent years if you spend $48k in the previous year | 21.49% p.a. | |
Citi Prestige Qantas Card | 0.5 (capped; or 1 on spending with select national retailers and 1.5 on international purchases) | 100,000 points when you spend $7.5k in the first 60 days. | $749 | 21.49% p.a. |
More in our Qantas credit cards guide:
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Top Qantas credit card sign-up points bonus
Qantas Premier Titanium Credit Card - 150,000 bonus points
It’s perhaps not surprising that one of Qantas’s own-branded credit cards has the top sign up bonus we could find. 150,000 bonus points is about as good as it gets as a sign-up sweetener, and the earn rate on spending is generous too (up to 1.25 points per $1 on everyday purchases).
Just remember you’ll pay a high annual fee of $1,200 for this card, with a purchase rate of 19.99% (up to 55 interest-free days apply).
Top Qantas credit card for ongoing points earning
American Express Qantas Ultimate Card - up to 1.25 points per $1 on everyday spend*
The AMEX Qantas Ultimate Card is tied with the Qantas Premier Titanium Card for highest earn rate per $1 spent (up to 1.25 on everyday purchases*). But it comes with a considerably lower annual fee of $450, compared to $1,200 for the Qantas Premier Titanium.
Watch for the high rate on purchases at 23.99% p.a., with up to 44 interest-free days which is lower than what many other cards offer.
Top low fee Qantas credit card
HSBC Premier World Mastercard - $0 annual fee
Considering the $0 annual card fee, the HSBC Premier World Mastercard offers a lot. It has one of the better earn rates on Qantas points (1 point per $1 spent) capped at a generous $120,000 per year spend. Plus, there’s a bonus rate of 1.5 points per $1 spent in the first year.
For your $0 fee, you also get complimentary travel insurance.
The purchase rate is 19.99% p.a., with up to 55 days interest free.
Top low rate Qantas point-earning card
Qudos Bank Visa Platinum Credit Card - 4.99% for the first 5 months
As a general rule, genuinely low rate credit cards don’t offer perks like Qantas points. However, the Qudos Bank Visa Platinum Credit Card comes with an intro offer of 4.99% on purchases and balance transfers for the first 5 months.
This reverts to 19.49% p.a. with up to 55 interest-free days, which also happens to be one of the lower ongoing rates on Qantas earning cards. Just don’t mistake this for a low rate credit card if you will be revolving a balance.
Top Qantas business credit card
American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card - up to 1.25 points per $1 on everyday spend
There's also a wide range of options when it comes to business credit cards that earn Qantas points. The American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card has the highest earn rate of the cards we analysed, although the earn rate reduces to 0.75 points per $1 spent once you exceed 500,000 points in a year. Overall the total points-earning potential is uncapped.
There’s a $450 annual fee, but no further fee for adding up to 99 extra employee cards. Because it’s a charge card, there's no interest charged on purchases, but the balance must be cleared in full within the cash-flow period (up to 51 days).
How to choose the best Qantas credit card
The obvious but potentially wrong answer to this question is that the best Qantas credit card is the one that offers the most points. That could either be points per dollar spent or bonus sign-up points or, ideally, a combination of the two.
But chasing points could potentially mean signing up for an expensive card that you may not get full value from (although some people will).
It’s a good idea to look for a credit card that strikes the right balance between cost and what you get in return. In many cases, this means a middle-of-the-road card, with good points-earning potential and a relatively low fee.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the factors to consider.
What to look for in a Qantas credit card
Sign up bonus
Most Qantas credit cards offer some form of incentive to encourage you to take out the card initially. There is almost always a minimum spend requirement for the offer but it tends to be achievable for most cardholders based on the average credit card spend in Australia.
Earn rate on purchases
An important thing to be aware of is that not all earn rates on Qantas credit cards are created equal. Some cards offer more points for certain kinds of spending, with a reduced rate on other purchases. You often can’t earn points at all on the likes of BPAY payments and cash advances.
Annual fee
Think of this as the main cost of being able to earn Qantas points on your credit card, although some cards have a separate rewards program fee. All other things being equal, the lower the annual fee, the better. There are even a couple of no annual fee credit cards that offer Qantas points.
Extra cardholder fee
Having an extra cardholder (e.g. a spouse) can help you earn more Qantas points on your credit card, but in some cases there will be a fee per extra card.
Foreign exchange fees
Customers attracted to Qantas points often use their credit card when travelling overseas. If that’s you, consider the card’s foreign exchange fee which applies to international spending (including purchases made in Australia from overseas merchants).
CommBank and Bankwest both offer Qantas credit cards with no international transaction fees.
Extra perks
Most Qantas cards offer other credit card rewards, including:
- complimentary credit card travel insurance
- discounts at partner retailers, airlines, restaurants and hotels
- travel or flight vouchers, or even cash back to your credit card
There are also some Qantas credit cards that will get into an airport lounge for free a couple of times per year.
Traps to avoid when earning credit card Qantas points
Credit cards are notorious for offering incentives that reward you for spending. If this is money you would be spending anyway, this can work out well for you. But there is a risk you can end up with a lot of Qantas points but also expensive credit card debt. Below are some tips to consider to help you use your card responsibly, while also maximising your Qantas points.
Brad Kelly, Money.com.au's credit card expert
1. Don’t change your (good) spending habits to chase Qantas points
It can be remarkably easy to convince ourselves that spending more money is justified “because I’ll get points”.
The trouble is, the points you earn rarely make up for the extra money you spend. In fact, in some cases you’ll need to spend yet more money while redeeming your points, as points + pay is sometimes required.
If you’re looking for a Qantas credit card, consider a card that’s a good match for your current good spending habits (some offer higher points for shopping at certain retailers you may already use).
2. Don’t go nuts with international spending to boost your Qantas credit card points
Have you ever noticed how some Qantas credit cards offer a higher earn rate on international spending? Sounds great, but what you also need to be aware of is there will likely be a foreign exchange fee added to the cost of those purchases.
This is usually 2-3% and in many cases will comfortably cancel out the benefit you get from the extra points.
3. Watch for point-earning limits on Qantas credit cards
You need to pay very close attention to the caps and earn limits that apply to cards you’re considering. Some providers (including AMEX) are introducing limits on how many Qantas points you can earn at the highest rate.
These caps are usually fairly generous and most average spenders won’t get near them, but you still need to be aware of what you’ll actually be getting beyond the headline offer card providers advertise.
How I maximise my Qantas credit card points
My wife and I have a Westpac Altitude Qantas Platinum Credit Card and use it for most of our spending. Our strategy is to keep as much of our cash savings in our home loan offset account and then use that money to clear the credit card in full each month. We save on home loan interest and usually earn enough Qantas points to pay for something worth a few hundred dollars once a year. We usually do this when the Qantas store has a sale on.
Sean Callery, Editor of Money.com.au
What’s the best way to redeem Qantas credit card points?
The conventional wisdom is that paying for travel (i.e. booking flights) is the best way to use Qantas points. It is an airline after all.
But while this is broadly true (at least if you’re looking at the equivalent $ value of your points), it is only a useful rule of thumb if you actually need to book a flight with Qantas or a partner airline.
Another way of looking at it is that the best way to use your Qantas credit card points will be to pay for something you actually need and would be spending cash on anyway. You can convert Qantas points into a gift card for most major retailers, for example.
That way, you will definitely be saving yourself money and getting value from those points. You can always then use the money you’ve saved to pay for the flight or wine, or whatever else Qantas is advertising via its store.
Is a credit card from Qantas itself better than a card from another provider?
Qantas has a range of credit cards offering points in return for spending. But these cards are no different to Qantas point-earning cards offered by any other provider when it comes to the features and costs that may apply.
In fact, Qantas’s credit cards are issued by major bank NAB. Qantas simply rebrands these cards and sells them through its Qantas Money business.
You should assess all credit cards that earn Qantas points (whether Qantas-branded or otherwise) using the same overall criteria before deciding which one is a good match for you.
Written by
Editor
Sean Callery
Reviewed by
Credit Cards Expert
Brad Kelly
