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.

Frequently Asked Questions about Frequent Flyer Credit Cards

A frequent flyer credit card can be a good way to earn some extra points, but they are usually more expensive than non-rewards credit cards. Here are some of the potential pros and cons:

Pros

  • Earning points: The main benefit of a frequent flyer credit card is that you can earn points on your eligible everyday spending. These points are added to your frequent flyer account and can be redeemed for things like flights, upgrades, shopping and more.
  • Extra features: Frequent flyer credit cards can also come with extra features like complimentary insurance and airport lounge access.
  • Bonus offers: Many cards offer bonus frequent flyer points for new customers. You will usually need to spend a certain amount within the first few months of having the card to receive the points.

Cons

  • Higher annual fees and interest rates: Frequent flyer credit cards usually charge higher annual fees and interest rates than non-rewards credit cards. This means they will be more expensive, particularly if you don’t pay off your balance in full each month.
  • Points conditions: You will only earn points on your eligible spending and providers may put caps on the number of points you can earn. The value of the points you earn can also vary across different frequent flyer programs.
  • Temptation to overspend: A frequent flyer credit card may encourage you to spend more to get more points, which can lead to overspending.

Most everyday purchases will be considered eligible purchases, but this can vary depending on the frequent flyer program you’re with. There are some purchases that won’t be eligible to earn points on, as outlined by the credit card provider. Some common examples include interest payments, fees and charges, cash advances and balance transfers.

There’s generally no maximum credit limit when it comes to a frequent flyer credit card. Instead most providers set minimum credit limits (i.e. $3,000 – $12,000). The credit limit you can access will depend on your income, credit score and overall financial situation.

This will depend on the frequent flyer program your credit card is partnered with and the program’s own partner airlines. The two main programs you can join in Australia are Qantas and Velocity, but there are also many international programs.

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a frequent flyer program is its partner airlines. If you have a particular airline which you use frequently it might make sense for you to sign up with a program that has the airline as a partner. You can usually find which partner airlines a program has by checking its website.

This will depend on your credit card provider and the frequent flyer program you’re a member of, but generally your points balance will be updated once per month.

You can usually redeem your frequent flyer points through the program’s website, which oftentimes has a dedicated online store (e.g. Qantas Marketplace or the Velocity Rewards Store). The points can typically be redeemed to book or upgrade flights, book hotel accommodation or rental cars or buy retail goods (such as appliances, wine or gift cards).

Canstar Credit Card Star Ratings and Awards

Looking for an award-winning credit card product or to switch providers or brands? Canstar rates products based on price and features in our Credit Card Star Ratings and Awards. Our expert Research team shares insights about which products offer 5-Star value and which providers offer outstanding value overall.

Canstar rates a range of financial products, covering banking, insurance and investment. We also reveal which providers have the most satisfied customers in our dedicated Customer Satisfaction Awards.

Credit Card Star Ratings and Awards