Qantas to launch own-brand Platinum credit card next week
By David Flynn, May 30 2017
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.
Qantas will launch its own-brand credit card next Monday, June 5, as the airline seeks to become a power player in the Australian financial services industry.
It's estimated that 35% of all credit card spending in Australia is already done using a co-branded Qantas credit card under a partnership with banks, American Express and retailers such as Woolworths and David Jones.
But the new Platinum-grade MasterCard will carry only the Qantas brand and give the airline a larger slice of those plastic-generated profits.
The launch comes as Qantas celebrates the 30th anniversary of its frequent flyer program, which is now closing in on 12 million members across half of all Australian households and which the airline describes as a 'lifestyle brand' as much as a loyalty program.
Qantas has already teased card perks such as a high earning rate for frequent flyer points, 'exclusive travel benefits' such as special deals on Qantas airfares and lounge access, and the curiously-worded 'uncapped earning potential'.
So, in the lead-up to Monday's launch, we're asking Australian Business Traveller readers for some of the specific details you'd like to know about the new Qantas premium credit card.
Leave your questions and queries as a comment below and we'll do our best to put these to the representatives of Qantas Loyalty and card issuing partner Citi during the media briefing.
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.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
27 Nov 2014
Total posts 51
* Will there be status credit benefits?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 May 2011
Total posts 233
Will it work with ApplePay and AndroidPay?
Will it have the same security features like CBA cards have such as transaction lock/international transaction lock/online transaction lock?
What are all the fees (not just the sign up fee)?
Additional card holders?
Will there be one for businesses later on?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Sep 2014
Total posts 50
Qantas should really come out swinging and support both Apple and Android pay, the former being a further slap to the big banks.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
16 Dec 2015
Total posts 41
And pay Apple a percentage of every transaction in the process for adding zero value to the payment process?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Sep 2014
Total posts 50
This argument is tired and given that major banks in the other major Western countries have gotten on board it's time to let it go. Also, the banks do not pay Apple a percentage rather the company obtains a cut of the fee that merchants pay, and by merchants I mean consumers in some instances.
30 May 2017
Total posts 1
1. Will there be any international transaction fees?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Mar 2015
Total posts 59
-Will it have 1$ for 1 point earn rate
21 May 2017
Total posts 3
It appears all QF are doing is watering down the existing benefits of the loyalty program
02 Dec 2015
Total posts 30
Generous sign up points bonus (ie. 100000 QF points) plus no annual/ reduced annual fee the first year.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Aug 2016
Total posts 54
uncapped points earning
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1029
How much does it cost?
What would any online banking type interface be like?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 May 2017
Total posts 1
Will it have lounge access?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jan 2014
Total posts 320
What steps are QF taking to ensure those who switch to their card they won't see reduced benefits over time, something they are very good at.
Qantas
02 Sep 2015
Total posts 37
It would be nice to earn status credits instead of points.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
19 May 2015
Total posts 4
Earn rate at the ATO and other government agencies ?
Etihad - Etihad Guest
06 Apr 2012
Total posts 125
- Is there an interest free period (for repayments) ?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Sep 2011
Total posts 77
As it's issued by Citibank how will it be any different than Citi's Emirates card? It's already evident it won't work with Apple Pay for that very reason
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
03 Jul 2011
Total posts 187
Any plans to allow access via Andriod Pay, Samsung Pay or ApplePay ?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Jun 2015
Total posts 105
Will this be like the cx elite credit card which waives the annual fee for any status holding members. Ie cx silver and above. It also comes with loinge access go many lounges around the world including australia. Will this new card offer similar benefits
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Mar 2016
Total posts 3
Will we be able to earn points paying bills like ATO activity statements?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
07 Dec 2014
Total posts 170
It may well have Qantas' brand, but I'm betting its simply a white-label Citi product, just like Virgin Money cards are.
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
21 Jan 2016
Total posts 193
Judging from last information in the article, I still think the new Qantas card will be issued in association with Westpac Australia and will have the most of the features of Westpac NZ Airpoints Platinum Mastercard card like travel insurance, discounted Qantas Club membership, earning Qantas FF Points on the $ amount spent, Status credits, etc.
Westpac has spent alot time in developing the Air NZ Airpoints Mastercard credit/debit card programme. Air NZ is happy with the product that Westpac has given them.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Jun 2015
Total posts 105
This and the other ausbt article mentioned said it would be a Citibank card not westpac.
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
21 Jan 2016
Total posts 193
I am aware that currently QF uses Citibank as one of its bank partners but Westpac could have been in discussions with QF over the QF branded Mastercard card.
There has been no mentioned that will Citibank will be the QF Mastercard Card bank partner. At the moment, it is only speculation that Citibank is going the QF Mastercard Card bank partner. All will be revealed on 5 Jun 17.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2432
Qantas has confirmed that Citibank Australia will issue the card and that it will be a Mastercard. This is known as a 'white label' arrangement, similar to how Citi also issues Suncorp, Virgin Money and Bank of Queensland cards.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
07 May 2016
Total posts 18
I am so excited about the Qantas Master card. My problem is Citi bank, their service is in Philippines. Staff there has no idea how the credit card works in Australia. Sometimes they mixed up rules for Citi bank US and Citi bank Australia. It was terrible experience, I have to close my card as result. Can Qantas solve this issue?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 May 2014
Total posts 24
Is Travel Insurance is included and what are the spend requirements / restrictions.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jun 2011
Total posts 88
Assuming the card comes with insurance, does it offer the pretty decent level of travel insurance provided by other platinum credit cards?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jun 2011
Total posts 88
What if any bonus points are provided when the card is used for Qantas flights? Does this bonus extend to other Qantas offerings like health insurance?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Jun 2015
Total posts 105
If i use the card to purchase flights will you waive the credit card fees?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
16 Dec 2015
Total posts 41
Will Qantas be getting access to the details of transactions made using the card? If so, will this data then be fed into the Qantas Frequent Flyer program to provide targeted promotions and advertising?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
29 Jul 2016
Total posts 5
wondering if i'll be able to transfer points across from an existing Westpac altitude black card?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 May 2017
Total posts 77
offer hotel program status like Velocity HH Diamond etc
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
11 Mar 2015
Total posts 191
first of all what is sign up bonus ?
23 Aug 2012
Total posts 29
Will it be available for non Australian citizien and overseas Platinums?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jun 2015
Total posts 38
- Sign on bonus
- $1:1 point at least on ALL transactions including insurance premiums and ATO transactions.
- Extra bonus for QF transactions
- Associated hotel elite status
- Free lounge access
- Waived or reduced annual fee for Gold/Platinum/P1 members
- No International fees - especially on AUD transactions abroad.
- Companion Qantas Awards (similar to BA Amex companion certificates)
- Fare discounts
- 55 day interest-free period
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Jun 2015
Total posts 46
Have they released it yet?
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2560
Yes, see https://www.executivetraveller.com/new-qantas-premier-credit-card-plays-on-points-travel-perks for details.
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