Qantas Business Card: Benefits and Requirements 2024
Qantas works in partnership with several major Australian banks to offer business credit cards. These cards all have their own features and fees, but offer ways to earn Qantas rewards and travel perks like lounge access.
This guide covers an overview of the Qantas corporate cards available to business customers in Australia. If your business would be better served with a debit card, a non-bank alternative such as Wise and Revolut may fit your needs. We’ll touch on these options, too. Let’s dive right in.
What is the Qantas corporate card?
Qantas is Australia’s largest airline, and works in partnership with many Australian banks to offer business credit cards which typically come with ways to earn Qantas rewards and other travel perks. Qantas cards have variable annual fees and interest rates, and other fees may also apply depending on how you use the card on a day to day basis.
This guide walks through some key points about Qantas credit card options for different partner banks, and also introduces Wise and Revolut as alternatives with business debit cards which may suit you, particularly if you trade or travel internationally.
Key features: Qantas business card
- Qantas offers business credit cards in partnership with banks and the American Express network
- Cards are available on the Visa, Mastercard and American Express network
- Annual fees from 89 AUD to 450 AUD apply depending on which card you pick
- Transaction and service fees may apply, including foreign transaction fees which can vary depending on the card
- If you’d rather a debit card for your business, which has low fees and which is great for overseas spending, a provider like Wise or Revolut may suit you better
| Qantas pros | Qantas cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Lots of different card options through different banks
✅ Major networks are represented, including Visa and Mastercard ✅ Cards offer Qantas rewards and other travel perks ✅ Variable selection of annual fees to meet your individual needs |
❌ Annual fees apply to all cards
❌ No debit card options available |
Is Qantas card debit or credit?
Qantas corporate cards are credit cards issued through Qantas and in partnership with major banks including Commbank, Bendigo Bank, Westpac, ANZ and NAB. There are also Qantas business credit cards which are issued directly by the American Express network.
Who is the Qantas corporate card for?
Qantas is an airline – not a bank – but it does offer corporate credit cards in partnership with many major Australian banks. Qantas business credit cards appeal to customers who travel a lot, and who want to get travel perks such as lounge access or complimentary travel insurance. Different cards are issued by different banks – but all the Qantas partner banks are legit and safe to use.
Qantas business card alternatives in Australia
Qantas offers business credit cards only. If you’d prefer a debit card – and particularly if you need to spend for your business in foreign currencies – a multi-currency account from a provider like Wise or Revolut may be a good fit instead.
Debit cards are usually cheap to use, and with a multi-currency account you can also cut out foreign transaction fees to bring down the cost of overseas spending. Here’s a quick overview of a couple you may want to consider:
| Provider | Currency account | Monthly fee | ATM withdrawals | International transfer fee | Exchange rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise |
|
None | Some free withdrawals monthly before a fee applies | From 0.33% | Mid-market rate |
| Revolut |
|
21 AUD – 79 AUD | 2% fee | 10 AUD – some no fee transfers monthly |
|
*Details correct at time of research – 11th October 2024
Wise
Wise Business offers an account which can hold and exchange 40+ currencies, with a linked debit card for spending and withdrawals. You can use your card in 150+ countries globally, and order expense cards for your team if you need to. There’s no fee to spend a currency you hold in your account, and if you don’t have the currency you need, the card can automatically convert for you with the mid-market rate and low fees from 0.33%.
Accounts also offer ways to get paid by customers, marketplaces and PSPs with local and SWIFT account details in a selection of currencies.
Key features:
- No ongoing card or account fees, no foreign transaction fees
- Hold and exchange 40+ currencies, receive payments with local and SWIFT account details
- Currency exchange uses the mid-market rate
| Wise pros | Wise cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Multi-currency account with no ongoing fees
✅ Debit card, with optional expense cards for team members ✅ No foreign transaction fee for overseas spending ✅ Some free ATM use monthly before fees begin |
❌ Card order fees apply
❌ Some service and transaction fees may apply depending on how you use your account |
Revolut
Revolut Business has 3 different account options for Australian customers, which all offer a linked debit card you can use for international and local spending. Expense cards are available for team members, and accounts can hold 25 currencies. All account tiers offer some no fee weekday currency conversion before fair usage fees apply – exactly what no-fee transactions you get depend on the account tier you select.
Key features:
- 3 different account options, with fees from 21 AUD a month
- Hold and exchange 25 currencies, get paid in foreign currencies with SWIFT details
- Some no fee weekday currency conversion before fair usage fees apply
| Revolut pros | Revolut cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Choose different account types depending on your needs
✅ All accounts hold and exchange 25 currencies ✅ Some no fee currency exchange with the Revolut exchange rate offered with all accounts ✅ Add team members to your account and order expense cards for them |
❌ Monthly fees of 21 AUD or more
❌ Fair usage and out of hours fees may apply on currency conversion |
How does the Qantas business card work?
Qantas corporate cards are not issued by Qantas, but by banks and the American Express network. You’ll need to apply to the bank you’re interested in directly to get the card you want, and will be subject to eligibility and credit checks.
Qantas corporate cards are offered on 3 major networks – Visa, Mastercard and American Express. The network your card is issued on will depend on the bank you go through. Cards are typically contactless and compatible with popular wallets like Apple Pay.
Qantas corporate card fees
Qantas offers 7 different credit cards which come from major banks, or direct from the network if you want an AmEx card. The fees you pay will vary depending on the card you pick, so it’s important to read through the card terms and conditions before you sign up.
Here we’ve rounded up some of the important costs to consider – read your own card’s fee schedule carefully before transacting.
| Qantas business card fee | |
| Annual fee | Fees vary: 89 AUD – 450 AUD depending on the card you pick |
| Foreign transaction fee | Fees vary and may be waived for some cards. Where foreign transaction fees apply they’ll usually be around 3% |
| ATM fee | Fees vary, and can include a cash advance fee for credit card use |
| Other fees | Business credit cards may incur interest or penalty fees, depending on usage |
*Details correct at time of research – 11th October 2024
Qantas business exchange rates
Qantas corporate cards are billed in AUD. This means that when you spend in a foreign currency, the spending is converted back to AUD using the network exchange rate. Some cards also add a foreign transaction fee which can be around 3% of the purchase or withdrawal cost. You’ll need to check your own card’s fee sheet to see if a foreign transaction fee applies to your card, but where this does apply it pushes up the costs of all overseas spending.
If you’re looking for a cheaper way to spend in foreign currencies, a business debit card which has a linked multi-currency account, from a provider like Wise or Revolut, may be an attractive option.
Qantas business card limits
Qantas business credit cards have their own limits which are based on your credit score, business type and needs. You’ll be able to find details of your credit limit in the documents you were provided when you ordered your card.
What are the requirements for getting a Qantas business card?
Because Qantas corporate credit cards are issued by different banks, you’ll find there are different requirements depending on the card you prefer. In most cases you must be over 18, with a registered business and a residential address in Australia. You’ll be asked to give personal and business information as part of your application, and you’ll usually go through a credit checking process. This will determine if you’re eligible for a card, and if so, what the credit limit on the card will be.
How to activate your Qantas corporate card
Check with the card issuer if any activation step is required once you receive your card in the mail. If this is required you can usually activate your card online, or by phone, in just a few simple steps.
How to use a Qantas business card?
Most Qantas business cards can be used to make contactless and chip and PIN payments, cash withdrawals and mobile payments by adding them to a wallet like Apple Pay. You can spend and make withdrawals anywhere your card’s network is accepted, but remember that extra fees may apply when you transact internationally.
How to top-up your Qantas card
Qantas business cards are all credit cards, so there’s no need to top up or add any balance in advance of spending.
Instead your card has a credit limit which is set based on your credit score and the provider’s rules. You can spend to that limit monthly and then you’ll get an invoice to settle up at the end of the month. Pay your bills in full to avoid interest.
How to withdraw money from Qantas card
Use your physical Qantas credit card to withdraw from an ATM when you need it. Bear in mind that several fees may apply here including a cash advance fee and interest which are paid to the card issuer, and an ATM fee which goes to the ATM terminal operator.
How to use Qantas business overseas?
Qantas business credit cards are issued on major global networks including Visa and Mastercard. You can use your card anywhere the network is accepted, including for overseas payments. Fees may apply. While card foreign transaction fees may vary – or be waived for some cards – these are usually around 3% where they’re used. This means your foreign currency spending may cost more than you expect.
Supported currencies
Qantas credit cards are billed in AUD. This means that when you spend in a foreign currency in person or online, the spent amount is converted back to dollars with any applicable foreign transaction fee, to be added to your monthly bill.
Conclusion: is the Qantas corporate card worth it?
Qantas corporate cards are all credit cards, and all have annual fees to pay. In return you get opportunities to earn Qantas rewards and other travel perks like lounge access and insurance. To decide if a Qantas card is worth it for you, you’ll need to weigh up the costs, including the annual fees, interest and foreign transaction fees against the benefits and rewards.
If you’re looking to keep costs down, a debit card can be the cheaper way to manage your business spending. Compare the options for Qantas corporate cards against low cost business debit cards from services like Wise and Revolut to see what works best for your business.
FAQ
- Is a Qantas business card free?
Qantas corporate cards all have annual fees, and transaction and service fees may also apply. If you want a card with no ongoing fees, consider a debit card from non bank providers like Wise and Revolut instead.
- Is Qantas a Visa or Mastercard?
Qantas cards are issued in partnership with banks and the American Express network. Cards may be AmEx, Visa or Mastercard, depending on the specific card you pick.
- Can foreigners in Australia use Qantas?
Different Qantas cards have their own eligibility rules, but you may be eligible for a card as a foreigner as long as you have a registered business. Check the terms for the card you prefer directly with the provider.
