Review: Jetstar Platinum Qantas Frequent Flyer MasterCard (Macquarie Bank)
By Chris C., June 14 2016
Disclaimer
Executive Traveller may receive a commission when you apply for these credit cards via our links.
The information provided on this page is purely factual and general in nature. You should seek independent advice and consider your own personal circumstances before applying for any financial product.
Notes
The Good
- Earns one Qantas Point per dollar
- High annual points-earning cap
The Bad
- Travel insurance limited to trips of 30 days
Added Value
- Save on Jetstar credit card fees, purchases on board
Introduction
Delivering a well-rounded balance of Qantas frequent flyer points, travel insurance and fees, the Jetstar Platinum MasterCard from Macquarie Bank could be the perfect fit in your wallet.
For starters, no monthly points tiering means you won't earn fewer points for spending more, as happens on some other cards: there's just a single annual cap which lets you spend as it suits your schedule, not the bank's.
Jetstar Platinum MasterCard: fast facts
- Grade/tier: Platinum
- Card type: MasterCard
- Loyalty program: Qantas Frequent Flyer or Jetstar Dollars
- Qantas Points earned per $1: 1.0
- Points capping: Earn up to 100,000 points per year
- Or, Jetstar Dollars earned per $1: $0.02
- Jetstar Dollars cap: Earn up to $2,000 JQ$ per year
Fees, charges and interest:
- Annual fee: $149
- Supplementary cardholder fee: $39
- Interest rate on purchases: 19.99% p.a.
- Interest-free days on purchases: Up to 55
- Interest rate on cash advances: 21.99% p.a.
- International transaction fee: 3.0%
- Minimum income requirement: $30,000 p.a.
- Minimum credit limit: $6,000
Earning points for free flights:
Despite Jetstar's typical no-frills brand, the airline's Platinum MasterCard delivers Qantas Points at premium rates: trumping all of the Big Four banks and many smaller lenders.
Every $5,000 spent earns enough points for a one-way upgrade from flexible economy to Qantas business class on short routes like Sydney-Melbourne, up to a maximum of $100,000 spent per year.
Max out that cap and you'll have enough points for four one-way business class upgrades on routes between Australia's east coast and either Singapore or Hong Kong when booked on flexible economy or premium economy fares.
Alternatively, opt for the 'Jetstar Dollars' rewards option to earn one Jetstar Dollar for every $50 spent on the card, up to a maximum of $2,000 Jetstar Dollars each year.
Inclusive travel insurance:
Book your return international ticket using the Jetstar Platinum MasterCard to receive free travel insurance coverage on trips of 30 days or less, and on domestic journeys to Tasmania and Norfolk, Christmas, Lord Howe and Cocos Islands.
You're also covered if using Jetstar Dollars or Qantas Points earned via the card to book your flight, although most other premium cards will cover you on longer trips of 60 days and longer rather than this card's more restrictive 30-day cap.
Thrown into the mix is transit accident insurance, purchase security insurance, extended warranty protection and a global car hire excess waiver, while other domestic coverage is limited to interstate flight inconvenience insurance.
Airport lounge access:
Access to airport lounges isn't a perk offered on this card, although when booking Jetstar flights, cardholders are exempt from the airline's usual 'booking and service fees' of $8.50+ per passenger, per flight.
You'll also save 10% on food and beverage purchases on board Jetstar Australia (JQ) flights, although not on Jetstar's overseas franchises such as Jetstar Asia or Jetstar Japan.
Jetstar Platinum MasterCard: the verdict
Overall, this card gets the balance of fees, points and travel insurance just right for most spenders.
Earning a solid point per dollar spent wherever MasterCard is accepted, it's among the best points-earning cards in Australia, either as your go-to everyday card or for use as a 'backup' to a higher-earning American Express product.
There's of course the annual 100,000-point cap to contend with, but compared to similar cards like the HSBC Qantas Platinum Visa and the Woolworths Money Qantas Platinum Visa which slash points after spending just $2,500/month, a higher annual cap is the clear winner.
Also read: ANZ Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum card review
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Disclaimer
Executive Traveller may receive a commission when you apply for these credit cards via our links.
The information provided on this page is purely factual and general in nature. You should seek independent advice and consider your own personal circumstances before applying for any financial product.
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
26 May 2012
Total posts 149
Does it cover travel insurance for trips on all airlines or just Jetstar flights?
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2432
It's our understanding that you're covered on all airlines, but it's always important to check the insurance PDS to see if and when you are and aren't covered under your particular circumstances.
11 Mar 2012
Total posts 314
Keep an eye out for sign up deals. I've grabbed this for $0 in the first year and 40k QFF points if I spend $3,000 in the first 60 days.
Good one to hang onto for 6 months and then dump.
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