Qantas and MasterCard have today released the new Qantas Frequent Flyer membership card, expanding its uses to include storing foreign currency, accessing cash worldwide via ATM withdrawals, and earning points on spending in Australia and overseas.

Members will start receiving the chip-enabled cards from tomorrow, with almost 500,000 Qantas Frequent Flyers pre-registering to be among the first.
Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said the new inbuilt features, particularly Qantas Cash™, would make the new generation card indispensable for the millions of Australians who already carry a Frequent Flyer card in their purse or wallet.

“The feedback from our members since we first announced this new Qantas card has been fantastic. The concept of a single card to check-in for your flight, access lounges, store foreign currency and make purchases at home or overseas has really struck a chord,” Mr Joyce said.

“When you consider all the different things it does, this really is the Swiss Army knife of cards.”

Using the card’s Qantas Cash functionality, members can load funds, choosing up to nine different currencies and lock in exchange rates. Members can use the card to make purchases anywhere MasterCard is accepted electronically and earn points on all eligible spend* at a rate of 1 Qantas Point per $1 spent in foreign currency or 1 Qantas Point per $2 spent in Australian dollars.

MasterCard Australian SVP & Country Manager, Andrew Cartwright, said the company was proud to be partnering with Qantas on such an innovative and new card.

“There is no doubt Australians are moving away from cash to electronic payments and MasterCard is determined to lead that trend with advance payment technology,” said Mr Cartwright.

“It makes sense to combine everyday spend and travel with fast check-in functionality, Qantas Cash gives convenience and security for those heading abroad – as well as for use here at home.”

Australian actress and songstress, and Qantas Frequent Flyer, Jessica Mauboy was the first to receive the new Qantas Card, handed to her by Mr Joyce as she prepares to travel for work in Los Angeles.

“I am really excited to use my new Qantas Frequent Flyer card and have already activated Qantas Cash to load US dollars for my next trip to LA.  The ease of being able to move money around, use it to make purchases overseas and withdraw cash both here and in the US is great.  It’s my new ‘go to’ card,” said Ms Mauboy.

Qantas Loyalty Chief Executive Officer Lesley Grant said the new card was expected to attract new people to Qantas Loyalty as well as encourage existing members to take full advantage of the program’s benefits.

“There is a broadening understanding among our members that the Qantas Loyalty program now extends well beyond travel, with members able to engage with the program in so many ways,” said Ms Grant.

“The more useful the Qantas Loyalty program becomes the more we can drive growth. Last financial year we exceeded our membership target by 200,000 to reach 9.4 million members and we are on track to reach 10 million in this financial year.”