American Express is offering 55,000 bonus Qantas Points to new Card Members taking out a new Qantas American Express Ultimate card.
To receive the 55,000 bonus Qantas Points, you need to apply online, be approved and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months. This offer is available to new Card Members only.
This is the top of the line card in the Qantas line up from American Express. It comes packed full of features, such as an annual $450 Qantas Travel Credit, two Qantas Club lounge invitations, and a range of insurances.
Qantas American Express Ultimate
As the name suggests, the Qantas American Express Ultimate card is the ultimate Qantas Card from American Express. It offers a high earn rate, together with a range of benefits, such as a $450 annual Qantas Travel Credit.
While it comes with an annual fee of $450, this is offset by the annual Qantas Travel Credit, and other features of the Card.
Earning Points
Points are earned directly in the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. The earning structure is
- 1.25 Qantas Points per dollar on eligible purchases, except for spend at government bodies in Australia
- 0.5 Qantas Points per dollar at government bodies in Australia
- An additional 1 Qantas Point per dollar on selected Qantas products and services
The Card has no cap on the amount of Qantas Points you earn each month, so you do not need to worry about going over some limit and seeing your earnings cut.
Card Perks
The Qantas American Express Ultimate Card is a premium card, and as such comes with a range of useful features. As you may expect from a Qantas card, these features are largely aimed at travellers, and Qantas customers.
Annual $450 Qantas Travel Credit
As mentioned, the Card provides an annual Qantas Travel Credit of $450. This needs to be redeemed through American Express Travel and can be used towards travel on the Qantas domestic or international network. This can be done online through American Express Travel
You do need to be aware of a couple of rules around the use of the voucher. Firstly, you can only apply the credit to one transaction – so make sure you are spending over $450. Secondly, the Qantas Travel Credit has an expiry one year after it was issued. This may not be a problem for many people, but it could be easily forgotten.
Airport lounge access
Card Members will receive two complimentary Qantas Lounge invitations each year. To receive the passes, you must first purchase a selected Qantas service. Selected Qantas products and services include Qantas flights with a QF flight number purchased with Qantas direct or some travel agents, and Qantas Frequent Flyer and Qantas Club membership joining and annual fees.
In addition, Card Members can access the American Express lounges at Sydney International Airport or Melbourne International Airports. Card Members receive two entries per year, and they can be useful if you do not otherwise have access to a lounge.
Qantas Wine Premium Membership
Card Members are entitled to a complimentary Qantas Wine (previously Epiqure) Premium Membership. As a Premium Member, you can earn 3 Qantas Points per dollar when buying wine, or food, through Qantas Wine.
This normally has a price tag of $99, so it represents a reasonable saving.
Travel Insurance
As a premium card, the Qantas American Express Ultimate Card comes with a comprehensive Travel Insurance policy which is activated when you book for travel using your Card. This includes
- Medical Emergency Expenses Cover
- Travel Cancellation Cover
- Baggage, Money and Documentation Cover
- Travel Inconvenience Insurance
Purchase Protection
Qantas American Express Card Members can also access Purchase Protection and Refund Protection for eligible Card purchases. Purchase Protection is a feature designed to protect you if your new items are stolen or damaged. Refund Protection is also available should a store refuse to accept the return of a recent, unused purchase
Eligibility
To be in the running for the 55,000 bonus Qantas Points, you will need to apply for the Qantas American Express Ultimate Credit Card online, be approved and spend $3,000 within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
If you have held a directly issued American Express card in the previous 18 months, then you are not eligible for the bonus. This does not affect you if you have only held a bank-issued American Express companion card. These include cards such as those from ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, NAB or Westpac.
In order to apply, you will need a minimum income of $65,000 per year.
Card feature Summary
| Card Features | |
|---|---|
| Basic Details | |
| Card Name | The Qantas American Express Ultimate Card |
| Annual fee | $450 |
| Interest Rate | 20.74% p.a. interest rate on purchases |
| Interest Free Period | Up to 44 days |
| Point Earning | |
| Loyalty program | Qantas Frequent Flyer |
| Points Earning |
|
| Bonus Points | |
| Points earn rate(Cap/Tier) | Uncapped |
| Other Benefits | |
| Travel benefits |
|
| Included Protections |
|
| Other Fees/Charges | |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 3% |
| Additional Card Fee | $0 |
Final Words
This is the top of the line Qantas card from American Express. While it comes with a hefty $450 annual fee, the annual Qantas Travel Credit will offset this cost. In addition, Card Members get access to a range of benefits from the Qantas American Express Ultimate, including the strong Qantas earn rate on spend, the 4 complimentary lounge passes each year, and the Qantas Wine Premium Membership