Qantas Frequent Flyer is the most popular frequent flyer program in Australia, and its millions of members highly value Qantas Points.
Earning Qantas Points through credit card spending is a primary method for many Qantas Frequent Flyer members. If you frequently use American Express, Visa, or Mastercard for your daily expenses, there are numerous high points-earning options available.
How to use our highest earning comparison table
For all the cards and offers listed on this page, we are looking at two things:
- Direct Earn Rates: Cards that directly earn Qantas Points on eligible spend.
- Effective Earn Rates: Cards that earn points in a flexible rewards program, which can later be transferred to Qantas Frequent Flyer at varying rates.
The 'effective earn rate' standardises the number of Qantas Points you could earn from different flexible rewards programs, considering earning rates for spend and transfer rates to Qantas Frequent Flyer. These rates are already calculated as ‘effective earn rates,’ making it easier to compare these cards to ‘direct earn’ Qantas Frequent Flyer cards.
What to consider in a Qantas co-branded credit card
In addition to the card’s usual earn rates, consider the following:
- Unique benefits: Look for shopping perks or complimentary insurance.
- Sign-up bonuses: Check for new customer offers with rewarding sign-up bonuses.
- Other transfer partners: Consider the other transfer partners of flexible rewards programs, apart from Qantas.
- Annual fees and terms: Review the annual fees and overall terms and conditions.
- Mobile payment capabilities: Ensure the card supports Google and Apple Pay.
A large sign-up bonus might offset a lower earn rate or a higher annual fee, so keep that in mind. Each card offer and other information on this page should be current. However, offers may change over time.
Why doesn’t Qantas have more flexible points program partners?
In 2009, Qantas Frequent Flyer decided to work primarily with its bank partners to offer ‘direct earn cards’ only. This strategy allows it to have more control over its members.
As a result, most members can only earn Qantas Points directly on participating cards rather than points into a flexible rewards program. There are a few exceptions for some cards that offer Qantas Points transfers. These cards may offer transfer bonus promotions, increasing their effective earn rates.
The exceptions are:
- The $1,450 p.a. Platinum Card from American Express and the $1,750 p.a. Business version allow transfers from Membership Rewards Ascent Premium, offering 1 Qantas Point per 2 Membership Rewards Points transferred.
- Westpac Altitude Business Platinum and Business Gold accounts allow transfers from Altitude Rewards, providing 1 Qantas Point per 2 Altitude Points transferred.