Frequent flyer credit cards

About frequent flyer credit cards

If you’re a frequent traveller, having a credit card that’s linked to a frequent flyer program may offer you a way to earn additional points as well as give you access to other benefits. There are, however, things to consider before applying for a frequent flyer credit card.

How do frequent flyer credit cards work?

Frequent flyer credit cards allow you to earn points on your eligible everyday spending. These cards are linked to airline programs such as Qantas and Velocity frequent flyer. You can earn points per dollar spent using the credit card, with the points then being transferred into your frequent flyer account.

Frequent flyer credit cards can also come with extra perks, such as complimentary travel insurance and airport lounge access. The trade-off is they usually charge higher annual fees and interest rates.

What are the best frequent flyer credit cards?

The best frequent flyer credit card for you will depend on your own personal and financial circumstances. Canstar recognises the credit card providers offering Outstanding Value to consumers as part of our Star Ratings & Awards. The providers who received Outstanding Value Awards for the Frequent Flyer Credit Card category in Canstar’s 2025 Credit Cards Star Ratings and Awards were:

• American Express

• Coles

• Commbank

The credit card products from our Online Partners that received a 5-Star rating can be seen in the table above. You can also change the filters to suit your requirements. The ratings in the table above are updated daily.

What can I redeem frequent flyer credit card points for?

The points you earn when using your frequent flyer credit card can be redeemed for a variety of products and services—depending on the frequent flyer program your credit card is a part of. Some of these products and services are:

• Flights bookings, upgrades and other flight related benefits
• Hotel accommodation
• Car rental
• Retail shopping, wine and gift cards.

It’s important to note that frequent flyer points are generally most valuable when used to book or upgrade flights.

Who is eligible for a frequent flyer credit card?

Like all credit cards, frequent flyer credit cards will have a set of general eligibility requirements that all applicants must meet. These typically include:

• Being 18 years of age or older
• Being an Australian citizen or permanent resident, including being able to supply an Australian address
• Meeting minimum income requirements (which can vary between different lenders and products)
• Becoming/already being a member of the relevant frequent flyer program (e.g. Qantas frequent flyer or velocity frequent flyer).

Eligibility criteria can vary between different credit card providers and products. It’s important to ensure that you fit the criteria of your chosen card before you apply, as a rejected application could potentially lower your credit score.

You can check your credit score for free with Canstar or via the Canstar App.

How to apply for a frequent flyer credit card

You can typically apply for a frequent flyer credit card online, over the phone or at a physical branch. You can also click the ‘Go to site’ button next to your chosen option on the comparison table above (Canstar may earn a fee in this case). You will generally need to supply the following information as part of your application:

• Valid photo identification, such as a driver’s licence or passport
• Details of your employment, including your employment status, salary and pay slips
• Current expenses, including any other debts you may already have
• Any assets you currently have, such as your home, car or savings.

This information helps the provider assess your financial situation and ability to repay the credit card (if you were to accrue interest on it), as part of its obligation to adhere to Australia’s responsible lending laws.

Before you apply though, it’s important to research and compare your options, as this can assist you in finding the right frequent flyer credit card for your needs.

It’s also important to note that making multiple credit applications in a short space of time can hurt your credit score. Take your time when assessing your credit card options and only apply once you’re confident with your decision. You should also read all relevant credit card documentation, such as the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), Key Facts Sheet and Target Market Determination (TMD), for any credit card product you’re considering.

How to compare frequent flyer credit cards

If you’ve decided to apply for a frequent flyer credit card, here are some factors to look at when comparing cards:

• What is the earn rate? This is the number of points you can earn per dollar spent. Some credit cards have different earn rates for different types of spending. It’s also important to check if there are any points caps on the number of points you can earn per statement period.

• Are there any bonus offers? Many frequent flyer credit cards offer bonus points for new customers. However, you will usually need to spend a certain amount within the first few months of having the card. So check whether you’re likely to spend this much and be careful of overspending.

• How much is the annual fee? There are a handful of frequent flyer credit cards with no annual fee, but in general the fee will be higher with a frequent flyer credit card than other credit cards. To work out whether the annual fee is worth the cost, consider the number of frequent flyer points you could earn, the value of these points and any additional features you can get.

• What is the interest rate? Frequent flyer credit cards also tend to charge higher interest rates. So it’s important to keep this in mind if you aren’t able to pay your balance off in full every month.
• Are there any extra features? Your card may offer extra features like complimentary travel insurances, purchase protection and airport lounge access. Check what is available and whether this would help offset the annual fee.

You can use the comparison table above to compare your options from our Online Partners. You can also change the filters to better suit your requirements.

Is it worth getting a frequent flyer credit card?

It depends on how you will use your credit card. If you will regularly use your credit card and will pay it off in full each month to avoid paying interest, the benefits you can get from the card could offset the annual fee or even exceed it. But if you rarely use your card or are likely to carry a balance on your card month to month, the cost of having the card could outweigh the potential benefits.