Qantas isn’t just about flying anymore — the airline also offers Qantas Money, a financial product designed to make spending at home and overseas easier while rewarding you with Qantas Points. But what exactly is it, and should you use it as part of your travel or everyday spending strategy?
What Is Qantas Money?
Qantas Money is the brand name for financial services provided by Qantas, including credit cards and the Qantas Pay prepaid card. The Qantas Pay card is neither a credit card nor a debit card. Instead, it is a reloadable prepaid Mastercard that works in Australia and overseas.
With Qantas Pay, you can:
- Load Australian Dollars or up to 10 different foreign currencies
- Spend in-store, online, or through digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay
- Avoid annual or account fees
How to Use Qantas Pay
1. Load Funds
- Add money using a debit card, bank transfer, BPAY, Apple Pay, or Google Pay
2. Spend Anywhere Mastercard Is Accepted
- Tap, insert, or pay online
- Works at millions of merchants globally
3. Manage Currency
- Through the Qantas Money app or website, you can convert between currencies in real-time
4. Earn Qantas Points
- Earn points on eligible purchases, adding value for frequent flyers
Points Conversion in AUD
The Qantas Pay card earns Qantas Points on eligible purchases, generally at a rate of:
- 1 point per $1 AUD spent overseas
- A smaller rate on domestic transactions
These points can be redeemed for:
- Flights on Qantas and partner airlines
- Upgrades, hotels, and car hire
- Gift cards or retail items in the Qantas Store
Given that the value of Qantas Points is usually estimated at around 0.6–1.0 cents per point, spending with Qantas Pay can provide meaningful rewards, especially when used frequently overseas.
Should You Use Qantas Pay?
Pros
- No annual or ongoing account fees
- Load multiple currencies for international travel
- Backed by Mastercard, widely accepted worldwide
- Earn Qantas Points on eligible purchases
Cons
- You must preload funds — unlike a credit card, you can’t “buy now, pay later”
- Exchange rates for currency conversion may not always be the best
- Not ideal for those who prefer cashback or credit card reward schemes
Conclusion
Qantas Money, through the Qantas Pay prepaid Mastercard, offers Australians a flexible and fee-free way to manage spending locally and overseas while earning Qantas Points.
If you’re a frequent traveller or part of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program, it can be a valuable tool. However, for those seeking better FX rates or credit card-style perks, alternatives may be worth considering.
FAQs
1. Is Qantas Pay a credit card?
No. It’s a prepaid Mastercard you load with your own money.
2. Can I use Qantas Pay overseas?
Yes. You can load up to 10 currencies and use it wherever Mastercard is accepted.
3. Does Qantas Pay have fees?
There are no annual or account fees, though FX conversion rates apply.
4. How many Qantas Points can I earn?
Typically 1 point per $1 spent overseas, with lower earn rates domestically.
5. Is Qantas Pay worth it?
It’s worth it if you travel often, want a prepaid alternative to credit cards, and value Qantas Points.
* The information is not intended to be and does not constitute financial advice or any other recommendation of any sort offered or endorsed by Gate.
