A guide to the Qantas Frequent Flyer Program

How does the Qantas Frequent Flyer program work?

As a Qantas Frequent Flyer member, you’ll earn points for every dollar you spend on eligible transactions, which, depending on the retailers you choose, can include everyday expenses, such as groceries, petrol and even your phone bill. See the Qantas Frequent Flyer Partner list for more info.

When the balance of your points is high enough, you can redeem them for a range of fantastic rewards, such as free flights and upgrades, accommodation and other travel perks, gift cards, premium wines and gourmet food, and more.

You can also choose to put your points towards purchases at the Qantas Store where you can browse through more than 6000 products – including jewellery, fine wine, toys, tech gadgets and homewares – from some of the world’s top brands.

How do you earn points?

Different cards and programs accumulate points at different rates for different transactions, so it’s really important to check the earn rates – that is, how many points you’ll earn per dollar spent – when comparing products.

The dollar value of your points will also depend on how you choose to redeem them, as different rewards offer different rates of return.

Flights are one of the best ways to redeem your points, and domestic flights typically yield a better rate of return than international flights.

How does this program compare to others?

Did you know you can quickly review the rates, features, fees and rewards of a range of credit cards using InfoChoice’s comparison tables?

To compare how much you need to spend to earn rewards using different credit cards, simply use the advanced search option to look for cards linked to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program, then select the Rewards tab at the top left.

We’ve used these comparison tables to give you an indication of how much you might have to spend to get a free return flight from Sydney to Melbourne through four different credit cards and reward schemes.*

 

Fequent Flyer program	Credit Card	Spend Requirement for free return flight to Sydney-Melbourne
Qantas	David Jones American Express Platinum Card	$1500
Rewards program 1	American Express Velocity Platinum Card	$5000
Rewards program 2	Macquarie Black Card with Qantas Points	$16,000
Rewards program 3	Suncorp Clear Options Platinum	$24,686

Remember, before choosing a credit card, it’s important to consider how any annual fees and charges might offset the rewards.

*These are approximations only, based on the card’s point-earning capacity, and do not include bonus offers or point capping.

How can you earn the most points?

It goes without saying that the higher the earn rate, the more quickly you’ll accumulate points on eligible everyday purchases made with your credit card.

However, there are other ways you might be able to boost your balance, including:

– Linked cards:  If you have more than one credit card linked to your Qantas Frequent Flyer account, make sure you know what the different earn rates are. You may find one card offers a better return.

– Uncapped vs capped points: Some Qantas Frequent Flyer cards may set a limit on how many points you can earn each month. Make sure this limit is well above your average expenditure, so you aren’t reducing your point-earning potential.

– Bonus offers: Some Qantas Frequent Flyer credit cards run promotions awarding bonus points to new customers when they meet certain spending requirements – for example, charging $3000 to the card within the first 90 days.

– Additional cardholders: Some credit cards allow you to request a supplementary card for your partner or family member. If they’re also charging everyday expenses to their card, you’ll be earning points twice as fast. Note that there may be a fee for additional cards.

How can you get the most out of a credit card?

When choosing a credit card, it’s important to look for one that has the features, benefits and conditions that will work with your lifestyle and spending habits to help you get more for your money.

Here are some things to consider when comparing options:

– Spend requirements: Cards offering bonus points can be a great way to earn easy points, especially if you know you’ve got some major expenses coming up, such as annual insurance premiums or a holiday. However, there’s no point spending money just to earn points, so make sure any spending requirements fit within your budget.

– Annual fees: Qantas Frequent Flyer cards can have annual fees of $450 or more, while others may waive the annual fee for the first year or when you meet certain spending requirements. Make sure you know how much you’ll be charged for having the card, and that this cost is outweighed by the other benefits.

– Interest charges: Qantas Frequent Flyer credit cards may have higher interest rates for purchases, ranging from around 19.49% p.a. to 20.99% p.a., so make sure you can comfortably pay off the balance by the due date, or the interest charged may negate the perks.

– Other fees: Remember to consider any international transaction fees, late payment or exceeding-your-limit fees, and charges for cash advances.

– The extras: Don’t forget about the bonus offers! Make sure you get your money’s worth and more by taking full advantage of any complimentary extras, including free travel insurance and flight upgrades.

How do you get a Qantas Frequent Flyer card?

You can either sign up for a credit card that is directly linked to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program, or you can choose a rewards credit card that allows you to opt in to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program.

Be sure to compare the extra features of different cards carefully, as some may offer a treasure trove of complimentary bonuses, such as free airport lounge access, international travel insurance, flights, upgrades, hotel stays, extended warranty cover and purchase protection insurance.

To find the card that will best support your lifestyle and spending habits, don’t forget to consider the annual fee, interest rate and other costs when weighing up the features and benefits.

Ready to earn points towards travel perks and other great rewards? Start comparing frequent flyer credit cards online now.

Last Updated: 15th December 2017