Balance Transfer Cards That Earn Qantas Points

Balance transfer to a new credit card that earns Qantas Points, meaning you can pay less interest and get rewarded on your spending.

By   |   Edited by Andrew Boyd   |   Verified by David Boyd   |   Updated 17 Oct 2024

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Comparing of 6 balance transfer credit cards that earn Qantas Points

Citi Rewards Card Balance Transfer and Purchase Offer

On Citi's website

This product is provided by National Australia Bank Limited, using certain trademarks under license from Citigroup Inc.

Balance transfer

15 months at 0% p.a.

Purchase rate

15 months at 0% p.a.

Interest-free days

44 days

Annual fee

$199.00 p.a. ongoing

Highlights

What we like

  • Cut your interest repayments with 0% p.a. for 24 months on Balance Transfers (with a 1.5% Balance Transfer fee). The rate reverts to the cash advance rate.
  • Get a discounted first-year annual fee of $49 ($99 p.a. thereafter) and enjoy a low ongoing variable purchase rate of 14.99% p.a.
  • Access to complimentary insurances including Extended Warranty Insurance and Purchase Protection Insurance. See Terms and Conditions here.

Alternatives

  • The card from NAB is pretty good.

Pros

  • 0% p.a. on balance transfers and purchases for the first 15 months.
  • No balance transfer fee.
  • Earn up to 1 Citi reward point for every $1 spent.
  • 10% off Limited Time LUX Exclusive hotel offers (up to $250 per booking) booked by 1 March 2025.

Cons

  • Balance transfer changes to a 22.24% p.a. cash advance rate after 15 months.
  • Fee for an additional card is $90.
Westpac Altitude Platinum Credit Card (Qantas)

On Westpac's website

Balance transfer

N/A

Purchase rate

20.99% p.a. ongoing

Interest-free days

45 days

Annual fee

$119.00 for 1st year

Highlights

  • Receive up to 80,000 bonus Qantas Points. Acquire 60,000 Qantas Points in the first year upon spending $4k+ on eligible purchases within the initial 90 days from new card approval, and an additional 20,000 points after your first eligible purchase in the second year..
  • Initial $119 p.a. annual fee followed by $175 p.a. thereafter (Plus a $75 Qantas Rewards opt-in annual fee).
  • Earn 0.5 Qantas points per $1 spent on eligible purchases.

Pros

  • Receive up to 80,000 bonus Qantas Points when you meet the criteria.
  • Additional savings with the $119 first-year annual fee ($175 p.a. thereafter).
  • Comes with complimentary insurance covers which include overseas medical and purchase security.

Cons

  • Only up to 45 days interest-free on purchases.
Bendigo Bank Qantas Platinum Credit Card

Balance transfer

N/A

Purchase rate

19.99% p.a. ongoing

Interest-free days

55 days

Annual fee

$149.00 p.a. ongoing

Highlights

  • Accrue 0.6 Qantas Points for every $1 spent.
  • Benefit from 180 days of thorough travel insurance.
  • Comes with an extended warranty for eligible purchases and 90-day purchase protection for items stolen or accidentally damaged (terms apply).

Pros

  • Earn 0.6 Qantas Points per $1 spent.
  • Free Qantas Frequent Flyer membership.
  • 180 days of comprehensive travel insurance.
  • Up to 55 days interest-free.

Cons

  • There is no introductory balance transfer offer or purchase rate offer.
  • The 20,000 cap on reward earnings per statement period.
  • ATO spend does not earn points.
Qantas Premier Platinum Credit Card

On Qantas Money's website

Balance transfer

12 months at 0% p.a.

Purchase rate

19.99% p.a. ongoing

Interest-free days

55 days

Annual fee

$349.00 for 1st year

Highlights

  • Get up to 100,000 bonus Qantas Points. Get 70,000 bonus Qantas Points upon spending $3,000 or more on eligible purchases within 3 months from card approval. Plus, an extra 30,000 bonus points if you haven't earned Qantas Points with a credit card in the past 12 months. Terms and Conditions apply.
  • Benefit from 0% on Balance Transfer for 12 months with a 2% Balance Transfer fee. Returns to Cash Advance rate thereafter. No interest-free days are applicable on retail purchases with an outstanding balance transfer.
  • Benefit from the reduced annual fee of $349 p.a. for the initial year. An ongoing annual fee of $399 p.a. is applicable in the 2nd year.

Pros

  • Earn up to 100,000 bonus Qantas Points when you meet the criteria.
  • 0% p.a. for 12 months on balance transfers.
  • Additional savings with the $349 first-year annual fee.
  • Comes with complimentary travel insurance.

Cons

  • The annual fee increases to $399 p.a. after the initial year.
  • There is a 2% balance transfer fee.
Bankwest Qantas World Mastercard

On Bankwest's website

Balance transfer

9 months at 2.99% p.a.

Purchase rate

19.99% p.a. ongoing

Interest-free days

44 days

Annual fee

$270.00 p.a. ongoing

Highlights

  • Uncapped points-earning potential.
  • Up to 12 months of extended warranty insurance and 3 months purchase security insurance (conditions apply).
  • Enjoy complimentary insurances along with this card including overseas travel insurance for you and family members travelling with you.

Pros

  • Earn 1 Qantas Point for every $1 spent, up to $5,000 each month. After that, earn 0.5 points per $1.
  • No fees on foreign transactions.
  • 2.99% p.a. balance transfer rate for the first 9 months.

Cons

  • Annual fee of $270 per year.
  • No lounge pass included.
NAB Qantas Rewards Signature Credit Card

On NAB's website

Balance transfer

12 months at 0% p.a.

Purchase rate

20.99% p.a. ongoing

Interest-free days

44 days

Annual fee

$295.00 for 1st year

Highlights

  • Gain up to 120,000 bonus Qantas Points. Acquire 90,000 bonus points upon spending $3,000 within the initial 60 days from account approval date and an additional 30,000 bonus points upon maintaining your card open for over 12 months. Terms and conditions apply.
  • Benefit from 0% on balance transfers for 12 months with a 3% Balance Transfer Fee.
  • First-year annual fee reduced to $295 p.a. from $395 p.a. (saving you $100).

Pros

  • Complimentary Qantas Frequent Flyer membership fee valued at $99.50.
  • Six complimentary insurances when you make an eligible purchase.
  • Earn 1 Qantas Point per $1 spent on everyday purchases up to $5,000 per statement period then 0.05 pts per $1 spent thereafter (capped at $20,000).

Cons

  • Annual fee of $395 p.a. is quite high.

What is a balance transfer credit card that earns Qantas Points?

A balance transfer credit card that earns Qantas Points allows you to transfer your existing debt from another credit card while also earning Qantas Points on eligible transactions. These cards offer the dual benefit of reducing interest on transferred debt during the 0% or low-interest period while still enabling you to accumulate rewards points for future Qantas flights, upgrades, or other travel-related perks.

Helpful tip: Use our Balance Transfer Savings Calculator to see how much money you could save!

What to consider when earning Qantas Points with a balance transfer credit card

  1. Revert rate: Once the balance transfer period ends, the card's interest rate will revert to the regular purchase rate, which could be as high as 20-25%. It’s important to have a plan to pay off your balance within the introductory period to avoid high interest charges.
  2. Balance transfer fee: Many cards charge a fee to transfer your debt, which is usually a percentage of the amount transferred. Look for a card that minimises this cost.
  3. Qantas Points earn rate: The earn rate is a fundamental aspect of the overall credit card offer and can make a big difference to the number of Qantas Points you accumulate. For example, if you spend $5,000 per month and earn 1 Qantas Point per $1 instead of 0.75 Qantas Points per $1, you earn 15,000 more Qantas Points in a single year.
  4. Points-earning cap: Check if there are any caps or limits on the number of Qantas Points you can earn with your new card, particularly if you’re a big spender.
  5. Bonus Qantas Points requirements: Check how much you need to spend and how quickly in order to get the bonus Qantas Points. Are you able to do this with your normal spending?

Credit Card Compare expert on choosing a balance transfer card with Qantas Points

David Boyd of Credit Card Compare

David Boyd, the co-founder of Credit Card Compare suggests looking for balance transfer cards that align with your financial goals.

If your goal is to manage debt while also maximising Qantas Points, focus on a card that offers a long 0% interest period and generous Qantas Point earning potential.

Cards that offer sign-up bonuses for meeting a minimum spend could also provide a significant boost to your Qantas Points balance, but only if you can comfortably meet the spending requirements.

Balance transfer terms to know before applying

  • Introductory rate: The 0% or low-interest rate that applies to balance transfers for a specific period.
  • Balance transfer fee: A one-time fee charged when transferring a balance, typically between 1-3% of the transferred amount.
  • Revert rate: The standard interest rate that applies once the introductory period ends.

How to do a balance transfer

  1. Calculate your balance: Determine how much you wish to transfer from your current credit card to the new balance transfer card.
  2. Check if you are eligible: Make sure you earn enough and that you can prove it, especially if you are self-employed or run your own business. Check your credit report before applying. You're specifically looking for recent missed payments or defaults that decrease your chances of being approved.
  3. Apply: The easiest way is online. If you need to find documents, you can usually save your progress and come back to the application later when you have what you need.
  4. Transfer your balance: Provide the details of the credit card balance you want to transfer on the application form. The new provider will handle the transfer, and your balance will move to the new card at the introductory rate.
  5. Repay during the 0% period. Ensure you pay off as much of the transferred balance as possible during the 0% interest period to avoid high revert rates.

How to get the most value from using a balance transfer and earn Qantas Points

To maximise your savings and rewards, focus on repaying the balance transfer within the introductory period. While doing so, use the card for everyday purchases that earn Qantas Points, but avoid spending more than you can afford to repay each month.

Taking advantage of promotional offers, like bonus points for reaching a spending threshold, can help boost your Qantas Points balance quickly.

Expert opinion on using a balance transfer card for Qantas Points

Andrew Boyd of Credit Card Compare

Andrew Boyd, the co-founder and credit card expert at Credit Card Compare explains what you should look out for when choosing a balance transfer credit card.

Choosing a balance transfer credit card that earns Qantas Points can be a great way to reduce your debt and earn rewards, but only if you manage it properly. The key is to focus on repaying the transferred balance before the 0% interest offer ends, so you don’t fall into the trap of paying high interest later.

Use the card for your regular spending and pay it off each month to keep earning Qantas Points without accumulating new debt.

Benefits of credit card balance transfers with Qantas Points

  1. Save on interest: Paying no interest on your transferred balance for a set period means you can save on interest charges while paying off your debt faster.
  2. Consolidate debt: If you have multiple debts, you can consolidate them into one balance transfer card, making it easier to manage and track your repayments.
  3. Earn Qantas Points: While reducing your debt, you can also earn Qantas Points for future flights, upgrades, or other rewards, making your credit card work for you even more.
  4. Additional benefits: Common features on this type of card include airport lounge access and complimentary travel insurance.

Help choosing a Qantas Points balance transfer credit card

Expert guidance on choosing a balance transfer credit card that earns Qantas Points.

  • FAQs

  • Pros & cons

  • Why trust us

What is the best balance transfer credit card that earns Qantas Points?

The best balance transfer credit card that earns Qantas Points will depend on your individual needs and preferences. That's why it's important to compare the balance transfer fee, interest rate, and earning potential before deciding.

Do balance transfers earn Qantas Points?

No. There are no credit cards that earn Qantas Points from balance transfers.

Do cash advances earn Qantas Points?

No. There are no credit cards that earn Qantas Points from cash advances.

Pros

Boost your Qantas Points quickly

By triggering the sign up bonus — a feature of many Qantas credit cards — you can earn a significant number of Qantas Points quickly.

Reduce how much interest you pay

The promotional interest rate offered on balance transfers can be significantly lower than the rate on your existing credit card, which can help you pay off your debt faster.

Earn Qantas Points on purchases

Some balance transfer credit cards also offer the opportunity to earn Qantas Points on purchases made with the card.

Cons

Balance transfers do not earn Qantas Points

Credit card balance transfers do not earn Qantas Points and never have. This has always been the case regardless of what card you apply for.

Balance transfer fees may apply

Typically 1-2% of the amount transferred. It's important to take this into account when comparing different cards. Not all cards have this fee. Those that don't tend to have shorter introductory periods.

Sign up bonuses come with strings attached

You'll probably have to use the card to spend a certain amount within a certain period of time before triggering the bonus.

Possible additional fees

Annual fees, foreign transaction fees, and cash advance fees are all worth checking before applying.

Sources

  1. Credit scores and credit reports – Moneysmart
  2. Credit card balance transfers – Moneysmart
  3. Credit card debt-free repayment calculator — Credit Card Compare
  4. Credit card minimum repayment only calculator — Credit Card Compare
  5. Loans and credit cards – ASIC
  6. Managing debt – Moneysmart
  7. Qantas Frequent Flyer — Qantas