Qantas Pay Review

While it’s straightforward to obtain foreign currency overseas, a quick trip to an ATM, or a currency exchange bureau, can leave you at the mercy of hidden fees and exchange rates. This is when a travel money card can be your friend. Travel money cards allow you to load up on foreign currency online wherever you are, so you can enjoy your holiday without the worry of sky-high exchange rates and fees.

What is the Qantas Pay card?

Qantas Pay is a prepaid card facility that allows you to lock in exchange rates on multiple currencies before you travel, and earn Qantas Points on eligible purchases at home and overseas. However, you must be an Australian resident to use Qantas Pay.

What can I use Qantas Pay for?

You can use Qantas Pay like any other travel money card. Load your card up using Australian dollars via the Qantas Pay app or website with your debit card, bank transfer, BPAY and Apple Pay/Google Pay. From there you’re free to spend online or in store, anywhere that Mastercard is accepted.

You can load up to ten foreign currencies onto the Qantas Pay card: AED, CAD, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, SGD, THB and USD. You can also lock in exchange rates on these currencies before you fly, to avoid currency fluctuations.

Foreign currency exchange rates vary from time to time. Cardholders benefit from locked in rates that apply when you make a transaction or incur a fee in a currency loaded on your card.

Travellers should note that although the “Credit” button is used when making a purchase or a withdrawal at an ATM, this card is not a line of credit. The card cannot go into a negative balance.

Features of Qantas Cash Card

Please note these features are current at the time of writing. You should check the product provider’s website and product information at the current time.

• Global use: Use the card wherever MasterCard is accepted in over 210 countries and territories. Withdraw cash from millions of ATMs around the world displaying the MasterCard logo.
• Rewards points: Earn Qantas Points on all eligible purchases overseas and in Australia.
• Boost your points: Spend with Qantas Frequent Flyer program partners using Qantas Pay and you’ll earn Qantas Points for eligible purchases from both the program partner and Qantas Pay.
• Online shopping: Shop online at international retailers.
• Security: Chip and PIN protected. Suspend your card if it is lost or stolen. Protected against fraudulent transactions with MasterCard Zero Liability.

Does it cost to use the Qantas Pay card?

Unlike some prepaid cards, Qantas Pay doesn’t charge foreign transaction or account fees, making your holiday money travel further.

The only fees Qantas charges are an international ATM fee and a small load fee of 0.5% of the total load amount (when using a debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay).

• Initial load fee: $0 (no fee)
• Currency conversion fee: $0 (no fee)
• Reload fee for bank transfers/app: $0 (no fee)
• Debit card load fee (including Apple Pay and Google Pay): 0.5% of the total load amount
• Transaction fee for purchases: $0 charged by Qantas, but some merchants may charge their own fee
• ATM fee (overseas): NZD 2.50 AED 6.50, USD 1.95, EUR 1.50, GBP 1.25, THB: 70, JPY 160, CAD 2.00, HKD 15.00, SGD 2.50

How do I get the Qantas Pay card?

• Join for free: If you’re already a Qantas Frequent Flyer, you can download the Qantas Pay app and sign up today. If you aren’t a Frequent Flyer, you’ll need to register before you can apply for a Qantas Pay card.
• Activate: Activate your card in the Qantas Pay app upon receiving it.
• Load: Add money onto your card via the Qantas Pay app.

Where can’t I use Qantas Pay?

As a MasterCard product, the Qantas Pay card may currently not be used in the following countries and regions due to economic or trade sanctions: Crimea, Donetsk, Iran, Luhansk, North Korea, Sudan, Syria.

If you attempt to use your card or withdraw cash from an ATM in any of these countries, your request will be declined. New Zealand also imposes its own sanctions from time to time; please check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for details on the countries you intend to visit.

Eligibility to apply for Qantas Pay card

To apply for the Qantas Pay card, you must meet the following criteria:

• At least 16 years old
• An Australian citizen
• Member of Qantas Frequent Flyer program