The best cards to earn Qantas frequent flyer points

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 14 years ago

The best cards to earn Qantas frequent flyer points

By Leah McLennan
Qantas has made changes to the way travellers with certain credit cards earn frequent flyer points.

Qantas has made changes to the way travellers with certain credit cards earn frequent flyer points.Credit: Jim Rice

Ten thousand points and counting.

Just 190,000 to go before I get that round the world ticket.

If, like me, you need to know the best credit card for collecting Qantas frequent flyer points so you can take off on a dream holiday, then read on.

Loading

Qantas has made changes to the way travellers with certain credit cards earn frequent flyer points.

If you want to keep earning points you may need to switch cards or lock in a "direct earn" option on your existing credit card in order to keep generating Qantas frequent flyer points when using your card.

And the airline has extended the deadline for the transfer of points from any card provider for "a limited time".

If you have one of these cards then nothing has changed and you will be able to continue earning Qantas frequent flyer points:

-Westpac Earth, Earth Gold and Earth Platinum

Advertisement

-National Australia Bank Qantas Visa

-ANZ Frequent Flyer Visa, Visa Gold, Visa Platinum, Business One Visa Rewards

-Qantas American Express Classic, Premium and Ultimate cards

-Frequent Flyer Diners Club Card, Diners Club Rewards Business and Corporate Cards

If you have one of these cards and you want to keep earning Qantas frequent flyer points then you need to take some action:

-Westpac Altitude (Qantas says contact Westpac about switching to Altitude Qantas)

-National Australia Bank Ant Rewards, NAB Gold Ant (Qantas says contact NAB about switching to the NAB Qantas Platinum or Gold Card accounts)

-ANZ Rewards Visa, ANZ Rewards Diners Club Card (Qantas suggests you contact ANZ about switching to a direct earn card, such as ANZ Frequent Flyer Visa)

-Diners Club Rewards (Qantas says you will need to respond to the Diners Club offer to participate in a new Diners Club Rewards program)

-Commonwealth Awards (Qantas suggests you contact the bank to opt in to Commonwealth Awards' new Qantas frequent flyer direct option)

Are rewards credit cards just a waste of time?

Independent consumer organisation Choice says on average you need to notch up at least $2000 in purchases per month on rewards credit cards to get any positive return after deducting the annual fee.

Australians on average spend $1200 on their credit cards per month, according to Choice.

In general, Choice says the more you splurge, the more you benefit. Spend $5000 a month and you get frequent flyer points worth about $1200 per year, even after deducting the annual fee.

These are the credit cards recommended by Choice for those who want to earn Qantas frequent flyer points on their credit cards:

For the $1000 monthly spending level the best overall card for earning Qantas points is:

-Westpac Earth (all spending on American Express)

Choice says for spending $1000 each month you get points worth about $118 per year, after deducing the annual fee.

For the $1000 monthly spending level the best Visa/Mastercard for earning Qantas points is:

-ANZ Frequent Flyer Visa

With this card you get points worth about $98 per year after the annual fee, if you spend about $1000 per month.

For the $2000 monthly spending level the best overall card for earning Qantas points is:

-Westpac Earth Platinum (all spending on American Express)

You get points worth about $328 per year, after the annual fee, for a spend of about $2000 per month.

For the $2000 month spending level the best Visa/Mastercard for earning Qantas points is:

-ANZ Frequent Flyer Visa

Choice says you get Qantas points worth about $242 per year, after deducting the annual fee, for the $2000 monthly spend.

For the $5000 monthly spending level the best overall cards are:

-Westpac Earth Platinum (all spending on American Express)

You get points worth about $1,196 per year, after the annual fee, for you monthly spend of $5000.

-and NAB Qantas Platinum (all spending on American Express).

The card has a value for monthly spend of $1,156 per year after the annual fee.

For the $5000 monthly spending level the best Visa/Mastercard is:

-Commonwealth Bank platinum Qantas Frequent Flyer Mastercard.

You get Qantas points worth about $764, after the annual fee, when you spend around $5000 per month.

Sign up for the Traveller newsletter

The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.

Most viewed on Traveller

Loading