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Qantas looks set to to release a black edition of its Premier credit card following up the successful 2017 launch of the Premier platinum card.
The airline has conducted a series of invitation-only workshops to sound out current Qantas Premier platinum cardholders on the appeal of a more exclusive Qantas Premier black card aimed at high-spending high flyers.
According to an Australian Business Traveller reader who attended one of the closed-door sessions, the focus group polled cardholders on everything from additional perks which a Qantas Premier black card should deliver through to its appearance and how the card itself could convey a 'luxury feel'.
Approached for comment by Australian Business Traveller, a spokesperson for Qantas said the airline was "always testing concepts and ideas with our customers" but had no further information to share "at this stage."
Qantas' entry into the direct credit card space opened up a rich seam in the financial services market, where the airline estimates that over one-third of all credit card spending in Australia – which totalled $303 billion in 2016 – is already done on a Qantas-branded credit card.
Trumping the Qantas Premier platinum card with a Qantas Premier black card would seek to deliver an ever greater share of those profits into the coffers of the Qantas Loyalty group, and cracking the 'black formula' will be central to Qantas' uber-platinum play.
Black cards – which are already issued by major banks and American Express – typically partner higher annual fees with a higher earn rate of frequent flyer points per dollar, more generous access to airport lounges, free hotel room upgrades and in some cases complimentary airport limousine transfers.
We've got no doubt that Australian Business Traveller readers would be in Qantas' crosshairs for its Premier black card – this is, after all, a premium audience of high-earning and high-spending high flyers..
So it begs the question: what would you want to see from a Qantas Premier black card, compared to the current Qantas Premier platinum card and other black cards on the market?
Disclaimer
Executive Traveller may receive a commission when you apply for these credit cards via our links.
You should seek independent advice and consider your own personal circumstances before applying for any financial product.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
05 May 2016
Total posts 587
A sign up bonus of over 100k points
05 May 2016
Total posts 587
I forgot the key thing I'd like which is bonus status credits perhaps similar to what was offered on the ANZ Black a while back where you'd get 75 status credits if you booked a return flight on QF using the card and flew it within set timeframes.
13 Feb 2015
Total posts 61
Points schmoints...
05 May 2016
Total posts 587
I've had success spending points to get premium seats less than a weak out sometimes. Yes it may be more difficult than we'd like but it can be done.
Status Credits are definitely valuable.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Feb 2015
Total posts 309
I tend to agree. Very few QF seats in business to be able to use your points on. I have always had more luck with Emirates, Cathay or BA using QF points.
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
31 Oct 2016
Total posts 73
Status points. 100%.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Jun 2018
Total posts 9
They could also raise the $10K cap for full points to maybe $15K. Over a 12 month period, it would amount to something useful.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Jul 2016
Total posts 12
status credits and upgrades based on spend using the card
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Dec 2017
Total posts 50
-100+ SCs after the relevant qualifying flight(s)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jan 2014
Total posts 272
Annual status credits bonus rather than the sign up deals, this would also assist QF in stopping churn to other cards for sign up deals.
08 Jan 2015
Total posts 2
1 Status credit per $1500.00!
08 Jan 2015
Total posts 2
maybe more generous 1 SC per $1000.00 spent
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Sep 2016
Total posts 13
29 Jan 2012
Total posts 108
Totally agree: perks unique to the QF brand and not the same old gimmicks offered by competitors. Make the card unique and charge accordingly - customers will pay extra for value added! We need to remember that most customers using this product will be either QF Gold or Platinum customers anyway.
Lets look at:
Last minute airport upgrades at reduced pricing on QF flights.
Automatically increased baggage allowances when travelling on QF flights.
Last minute flight changes with nil penalties for same day flights given availability.
Reduced Qantas Club yearly fees for those who are not already eligible.
No extra charge Premium seating in economy cabins.
Just to name a few!
10 Apr 2012
Total posts 5
Your last statement summed it up... it needs to be enough of a lure to take me away from Amex etc...
05 May 2016
Total posts 587
Also would be good if benefits reflected your status with QF. If you're already a SG then no joining fee for QANTAS Club wouldn't be of benefit, so having a different benefit instead for those members would be nice.
18 Apr 2015
Total posts 68
Noooooooooo to more stock-standard Qantas Lounge Passes. I completely understand the merit of having them attached to certain cards, but what is their benefit for Qantas Club/Gold or P/P1 members. UNLESS you give the cardmember options. A. Choose X. lounge passes per year or B. Choose X status credits or C. some other perk - how about Qantas First Lounge additional guest pass?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Jan 2017
Total posts 16
A metal card instead of plastic would be so boss!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Dec 2017
Total posts 19
I think mviy hit the nail on the head! Linking benefits to status tier in a fluid way is something only Qantas could do. They could target each tier with meaningful perks. There is not many perks they can offer WP that we don’t already have but a big one would be the ability to earn 50% more SC’s on all QF coded flights paid for with the card. Overnight it would be the number one Black Card in the market with zero churning!
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1042
The issue is the fee. The $400 fee on the ANZ card compared unfavourably with the QF own card.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Jun 2018
Total posts 9
I don't follow why Qantas needs a new Black card if they already have over a third of the market. Are they trying for the other two thirds?
13 Feb 2015
Total posts 61
Yes, of course!
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 3050
That, and the 'one third' figure covers all Qantas-earning credit cards in Australia, not just those of Qantas Money. While chasing the other two thirds of the market, Qantas would also be chasing much of the existing Qantas-earning market too, given the data insights that spending on a Qantas Money card provides to Qantas Loyalty (same as spending on Qantas Cash).
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Nov 2014
Total posts 361
In terms of points awarded, I don't think it can get much higher as overall, this card is managed by Citi. So Citi has struck a deal with QF on this one that they probably pay less per point compare to other banks. But Citi will still be limited by the interchange fee cap of 0.8%, so I don't think we can go much more on this.
17 Oct 2017
Total posts 13
I think if they paired it with a high points earning Amex possibly even issued directly from Amex it would be great.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Nov 2014
Total posts 361
QC is already giving people unlimited lounge access plus increased baggage allowance for about $400/yr. But it's not quite QF gold which gives you access to all OW lounges when you fly any OW airlines. So for a QF black card they can offer some perk similar to QC but not quite QF gold. Of course that may affect the QC membership. But being a black card, there will certainly be increased income requirements so not everyone is eligible to this card while QC is available to anyone.
11 Jan 2012
Total posts 20
1:1 points earn on 'government payments' would be attractive to a certain element!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Oct 2016
Total posts 11
QF also needs to make their card usable with Google Pay with NFC. I know it's an issue with the issuer (Citibank?) but this limitation is very frustrating.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Dec 2014
Total posts 55
It needs to have Apple Pay
24 Feb 2017
Total posts 14
Ability to earn SC/Points on Jetstar flights when booked using this card (and no booking fees) without paying for the bundle thingamebob.
I jest of course (i.e a High end card giving perks for budget travel), but it would be nifty - at least on some card.
13 Jun 2017
Total posts 10
- No overseas transaction fee
28 Sep 2017
Total posts 7
Full points earn on all government spend is what I would be keen too see
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Dec 2014
Total posts 6
Apple Pay/Google Pay
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
13 Jan 2017
Total posts 74
Seems a bit silly, self defeating and redundant to offer lounge passes. Very frequent flyers would already have status for lounges and for less frequent flyers Qantas would be shooting themselves in the foot sabotaging the QC revenue stream and existing members. The unwashed hordes and lounge capacity limitations (Aka SIN and BNE) are complained about bitterly every day on AusBT. Besides you can get these from a myriad of competing cards.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Jun 2018
Total posts 2
No international fees like the CBA Amex. Also, they better offer the sign up deals to those who already have the platinum card.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
13 Jan 2017
Total posts 74
Oh and I left proper full travel insurance like Diners and ANZ not the silly registration business with CBA.
15 Nov 2017
Total posts 2
I closed my Qantas platinum card because of bad experiences. My card was suspended whilst overseas, even though I had told them I was going. The sign up process was so involved (they couldn't understand an Australian tax free superannuation pension) in comparison with other cards. The website and app were clunky. Overseas call centre, very difficult to get service.... I could go on. by the way, I have never had one second's trouble with other credit cards and I so wanted this one to be right. No black for me!
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 1
In addition to mviy's wishlist, I would like a card with no foreign transaction fees. Only a few cards offer this feature which I find saves quite a bit of money.
15 Mar 2018
Total posts 37
It is fine to offer all sorts of perks, but unless the lounges, available seats, boarding channels etc change, you end up with people paying for first or business class, or having earned P/P1 having to queue with others who while travelling in other parts of the aircraft have access to the same facilities.
31 Jul 2012
Total posts 21
Min. Income of $100k for a start.
04 May 2018
Total posts 30
Wonder who is financing it. If its Citibank then for me forget it and I don,t care what they offer. I'm not supporting an American institution
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