Qantas to launch own-brand Platinum credit card next week

By David Flynn, May 30 2017
Qantas to launch own-brand Platinum credit card next week
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

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.

ajd
ajd

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

27 Nov 2014

Total posts 51

* Will there be status credit benefits?

* Will there be any travel benefits for non-Qantas services e.g. accommodation?
* What's the future of Qantas Cash?
* Will the card be usable as a replacement for the QFF card in airport checkin?

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?


Android Pay and Samsung Pay do not require any sharing of the MSF, which is why they enjoy support from issuers that Apple Pay does not here in Australia.

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?

2. If you're a Gold or above how will the already included lounge benefit be compensated?  Ie. You won't want to pay a large annual fee for lounge membership when you already have it. 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

15 Mar 2015

Total posts 59

-Will it have 1$ for 1 point earn rate

-Will it be totally uncapped points earn
-Will it have fee free international transactions 

21 May 2017

Total posts 3

It appears all QF are doing is watering down the existing benefits of the loyalty program

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 

minimum of $1 to 1 point earn ratio
don't care about sign up bonus or benefits 

would be a very cool perk if it offered the ability to get status credits of reward seats, even for a cash price

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 319

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.


Obviously Qantas can sweeten the deal by providing more points (or a cheaper charge per point for Citi to offer), and could provide lounge access etc etc, but its still Citi customer service sitting behind it. 

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 2431

Krisdude:

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. 

Presently use ANZ card and have had no problems with claims.

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? 

What other types of insurance is provided? Eg Product protection.

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

Spouse / partner tier level 
Lounge access not applicable for QF PL and Gold
Offer corporate rates for flights 20% off?
Needs to be compelling and beat AMEX

Emirates Airlines - Skywards

11 Mar 2015

Total posts 190

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 2561


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