There are plenty of offers available this month which will make membership with Qantas all the more worthwhile for both frequent and leisure flyers. Travellers can save $89.50 on their Qantas Frequent Flyer membership fee when they sign up for a Qantas Cash card (to be referred to as Qantas Travel Money from May onwards). The new prepaid Mastercard will double up as a frequent flyer card while charging no fees on purchases, cash out, monthly fees and Bank or BPAY loading. Users can load the card up with up to 10 foreign currencies and even lock in the exchange rates if they are deemed to be favourable. 1.5 Qantas points can be earned for every $1 spent in foreign currency on eligible purchases while spending in Australian dollars will earn you 1 point for every $4. The limits are as follows:
- AUD $50 – minimum amount you can load on the QTM
- $350 – maximum cash out over the counter
- AUD $20,000 – maximum amount you can load on the QTM in one 24-hour period
- AUD $30,000 – maximum amount you can load on the QTM in one 7-day period
- AUD $60,000 – maximum amount you can load on the QTM in one 30-day period
- AUD $3,000 – maximum you can withdraw from ATMs in one 24-hour period
- AUD $15,000 – maximum value of point of sale transactions in one 24-hour period
- AUD $100,000 – maximum amount you can load/reload within a 12-month period
Qantas Cash and Frequent Flyer card (courtesy of Qantas)
Travellers opting for credit cards are in for a bigger treat with the American Express Westpac Altitude Black Bundle and the ANZ Frequent Flyer Black Visa. The former includes the Altitude Black Mastercard (issued and serviced by Westpac with an annual card fee of $250) which will score owners 80,000 Qantas Points and the American Express Westpac Altitude Black Card (issued and serviced by American Express with an annual card fee of $199) which is a further 40,000. The card bundle requires a minimum spend of $3,000 purchases per card within the first 90 days of being issued and includes an annual fee of $50 for Qantas Rewards. Each $1 spent will generate 1.25 Qantas Points and is uncapped. You must apply by April 2 2019.
Westpac Altitude Black Mastercard® and American Express Westpac Altitude Black Card (courtesy of Westpac)
ANZ’s Frequent Flyer Black Visa not only allows you to accrue 120,000 Qantas Points but also credits $150 back on your card if you apply before March 31 2019. 75 bonus Qantas Status Credits are also up for grabs if you book and travel on two new Qantas flights by June 30 2019. With this card you must spend $7,500 on eligible purchases and $1 will generate 1 Qantas Point, capped at $7,500 per month and reduced to 0.5/$1 thereafter. The annual card fee is $425.
ANZ’s Frequent Flyer Black Visa (courtesy of ANZ)
Signing up for the Qantas Wellbeing app is another great way to build up points as part of your daily routine. Activities such as walking, jogging, cycling, swimming and golf can earn you up to 1,500 points during the 28-day trial. For every friend you successfully invite to join the app you will receive a further 150 points with a maximum of 20 referrals. Points may also be accrued when shopping with partner companies such as rebel, Adidas, New Balance and Snap Fitness. You may opt to sign up for Qantas Health Insurance after the trial period finishes or continue to use the app without at a reduced rate. Here are the numbers you need to know:
- 13,500 – maximum points for using the Qantas Wellbeing App in 1 year
- 25,000 – maximum points on signing up for Qantas Health Insurance
- 3,228 – maximum points early on the premium (yearly)
As a guide, that is enough points for a one-way flight from Sydney to Johannesburg plus the associated taxes and fees.