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
- Free travel, golf insurance
- Bonus points on international spend, Qantas purchases
- 20,000 bonus points on sign-up
The Bad
- Reduced points earn after $3,000/month
- No points on any government payments
Added Value
- Low $49 annual fee
Introduction
Qantas Money's new Qantas Premier Everyday Mastercard credit card is a more affordable alternative to the higher-tier Qantas Premier Platinum Mastercard, while still promising perks like travel insurance aside an annual fee of only $49.
Issued by Citibank on behalf of Qantas Money, 20,000 bonus Qantas Points are also on the table for eligible new applicants, although heavier spenders won't be impressed with the card's everyday frequent flyer earning rates, which drop as low as 0.4/$1: and with no points at all on some common transactions.
Qantas Premier Everyday Mastercard: fast facts
- Grade/tier: Entry-level
- Card type: Mastercard
- Loyalty program: Qantas Frequent Flyer (direct earn)
- Qantas Points earned per A$1 spent:
Foreign currency transactions (most overseas spend): 1.0
All payments in Australian dollars (including any international charges), up to $3,000 per month: 0.75
Exceeding $3,000 per month: 0.4
Bonus points on selected Qantas products and services*: 1.0
All government transactions (such as ATO payments, rates, car registration and more): No points - Points capping: No cap, although tiered earn rates apply as above
* This includes Qantas flight bookings made directly with Qantas or selected travel agents, Qantas Club membership payments, buying Qantas flight vouchers, purchases from the epiQure wine store and more, awarded in addition to the applicable everyday Australian earn rate.
Fees, charges and interest:
- Annual fee: $49
- Supplementary cardholder fee: $25 per card (up to four cards)
- 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%
- Minimum income requirement: $35,000
- Minimum credit limit: $4,000
Earning points for free flights:
Your journey begins with 20,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply by April 29 2018, are approved and spend at least $3,000 within 90 days of approval: more than enough for a return economy flight or a one-way business class ticket on many short domestic routes like Sydney-Melbourne.
As you continue to spend on the card, you'd reel in enough points for a one-way economy flight on the same route for every A$8,000 spent in foreign currencies, or every $10,667 of everyday spend within Australia: provided you charge less than $3,000 monthly to take advantage of the card's higher 0.75/$1 earning rate.
Alternatively, spending $17.375 in a single month would also deliver the 8,000 Qantas Points you need to book that flight, reflecting the reduction in earn rate on monthly charges beyond $3,000.
Unfortunately, no points at all are earned on government spend and "government-related transactions", a list that includes payments to the ATO, Australia Post, and for charges such as council rates, car registration, road tolls, government parking stations and street parking meters, fares on public transport, fines and court related costs.
"Transactions made in operating a business" are also excluded from earning points, being a personal card.
Complimentary travel insurance:
A rarity for entry-level cards, the Qantas Premier Everyday Mastercard includes international travel insurance, which can be activated on overseas journeys by charging the full cost of your return international flight to the card, or at least $500 off fares when the overall ticket price is higher.
However, the cover extends only to trips of 30 days or less, doesn't cover you on one-way bookings and a $500 excess is payable on most approved claims, so do check that the level of cover meets your needs before relying on this insurance.
Alternatively, if you use your Qantas Points to book your overseas flights, you may also be covered if all of those points were earned via your Qantas Premier card: but if, like most people, you earn some of your points from flying, some from activities like shopping, and some from your credit card, you may not be covered. (Refer to the policy documents for the full details and exclusions.)
Interstate flight inconvenience insurance is included too when using your card to book a return domestic holiday of 14 days or less, or using your Qantas Points to book the same: again, provided all of those points were earned via your Qantas Premier credit card.
Also impressive for an entry-level card is the presence of global hire car excess cover of up to $3,000 (absent from even some Black-level cards in Australia), plus golfer's insurance, covering theft or accidental damage to your golf clubs: but it must be said that exclusions apply when your clubs are left "unattended in a public place", the definition of which includes airports and golf courses.
While this package of cover isn't as comprehensive as on some higher-tier Platinum and Black cards, for a basic card that costs just $49/year, it's hard to beat.
Airport lounge access:
Complimentary airport lounge access isn't offered with this card, although you can earn one extra Qantas Point per dollar spent on Qantas Club lounge membership over and above the card's usual Australian earn rate.
That's a total of 1.75 Qantas Points per $1 spent if your total monthly spend sits below $3,000, or a total of 1.4 Qantas Points per $1 spent if you've spent over $3,000 in a month.
Alternatively, the higher-tier Qantas Premier Platinum Mastercard provides two complimentary Qantas lounge visits per year and gives up to two Qantas Points per dollar spent on Qantas Club membership, but attracts a higher annual fee of $149 in the first year and $299 thereafter.
Qantas Premier Everyday Mastercard: the verdict
As far as entry-level cards are concerned, the Qantas Premier Everyday Mastercard pairs an acceptable earning rate of 0.75 Qantas Points per $1 spent on most Mastercard purchases in Australia, with extra perks like travel and golf insurance too aside an affordable annual fee of $49.
Certainly, you could earn more points by using other cards – most of which have higher fees, or are American Express cards which aren't as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard – but for relatively low spenders or those new to earning points from their credit cards, there are worse ways to start your frequent flyer journey.
That said, it pays to consider your other options, too. The HSBC Platinum Qantas Visa clocks in at $199/year, but offers a higher earning rate of one Qantas Point per dollar spent up to $2,500 per month and 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent on your next $10,000 of monthly spend, plus 60,000 bonus points on sign-up.
For a lower annual fee of $150, Westpac's Altitude Platinum Visa also provides 60,000 bonus points (subject to minimum spend requirements) and 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent, uncapped as of April 4 2018.
If your goal is to turbocharge your frequent flyer points, also consider the Qantas AMEX Ultimate Card, which gives 1.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent on most everyday purchases, uncapped.
Its annual fee is certainly higher at $450, but the card includes a $450 Qantas Travel Credit every year: so if you'd have otherwise spent $450 on Qantas flights, the card practically becomes 'free', and all the while, you'd be earning points at a much higher rate.
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.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 May 2017
Total posts 84
I don't know about anyone else, but I found the application process for this and the platinum card was much too time consuming. Turned me off this product.
06 Feb 2018
Total posts 3
Yes, last year when I applied for the qantas premier platinum card, it took 3 weeks to get approval. This is the worst credit card application process I have ever experienced.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Sep 2012
Total posts 382
Welcome to the world called “powered by Citibank”. The worst.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Oct 2016
Total posts 65
I didn't find the application process too bad, but my card has shown up and I have had a complete nightmare getting the account to appear on the qantas money website or the app despite the best efforts of the nice people on the other end of the phone line.
29 Jan 2012
Total posts 182
Given the topic verdict, I feel Qantas should stick to the business of aviation and not financial products. Much better deals can be acquired elsewhere with a far greater benefit to the travelling public. This product appears to be all about Qantas's need to profiteer.
If Qantas wishes to impress, provide a standout product which will benefit the user and stand apart from the competition. Qantas can achieve this, but it would of course, impact on its bottom line. Pity, as Qantas could have done really well with their cards if they only put a little more into them.
10 Jul 2017
Total posts 32
dont rate this card at all. stick to the st george card instead
06 Jul 2017
Total posts 1
Current offer is no annual fee for the first year,
and earn 40,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $2,000 per month for your first two months.
Apply before 30 June 2018.
11 Apr 2018
Total posts 29
I signed up as seems reasonable to me and the 40k points will help . I get nothing with current Mastercard anyway. Looking to go to USA next year for < 30 days and have always paid for Travel Insurance (covermore) previously but as using this card to pay for fares is the provided insurance sufficient coverage in your view -allowing for $500 excess of course
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2432
Hi Flashman181, we can't provide readers with personal financial advice which is what your question seeks - you'll need to make up your own mind as to whether the insurance coverage provided by this card sufficiently and adequately meets your own needs and requirements. The policy documents for this cover are available via the Qantas Money website, and any questions concerning Qantas Money's product should be directed to Qantas Money or the insurance provider.
11 Apr 2018
Total posts 29
Ok thanks Chris that is fine
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
07 Jul 2017
Total posts 1
Worst experience ever!....was looking to change out my CBA Diamond card for this one and got the brush off with a generic rejection letter and useless overseas call centre with no idea or capability to respond to simple questions....goodbye Qantas if this is the best you can do!
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