Which is better QF Cash or VA Global Wallet?

[Deleted member 29185]

I've just been giving myself a headache reading a number of post in each of the existing fora for these two (relatively) new offerings.

Has there been a discussion on which is better? If not, which is better?

 

[samh004]

Depends where you want to earn your points doesn't it?

I believe when both first launched Qantas was ahead as they didn't charge fees until after a year of inactivity, and had lower fees in general. VA has since come in line?

VA offers virtual cards, QF doesn't... but then I haven't had a need for a virtual card yet and I've been using the QF product since it launched last year!

 

[markis10]

Depends on how you judge better? Time to load, acceptance of card at outlets, activation of new cards, ease of administration of account and changing pins etc etc. For me, the VA product is ahead in the form of better loading times (although Qantas have improved with their direct deposit facility) and the fact I can change PIN and activate/barr cards easily enough. I do however like the extra bonus points for gift cards via QF Cash.

 

[samh004]

Depends on how you judge better? Time to load, acceptance of card at outlets, activation of new cards, ease of administration of account and changing pins etc etc. For me, the VA product is ahead in the form of better loading times (although Qantas have improved with their direct deposit facility) and the fact I can change PIN and activate/barr cards easily enough. I do however like the extra bonus points for gift cards via QF Cash.

Where have you had problems?

I haven't encountered any, even as far as LRE... touch wood!

 

[markis10]

Where have you had problems?

I haven't encountered any, even as far as LRE... touch wood!

Hungry Jacks at Fortitude Valley using paypass, online at Virgin Australia as a direct charge (went through when I went via paypal) and a couple of other outlets, shows as declined insufficient funds.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

For me, I use both airlines so which points I want is neither here nor there, either would be fine. I'm mainly thinking about one or the other (perhaps both) for my upcoming January holiday to UAE/Maldives/Sri Lanka/Singapore, which I'm assuming I'll just use a CC for most payments but will need cash for some purchases. In the past I would just take an amount of the foreign currency in cash with me, but I'm thinking it might be easier (perhaps) to load cash onto one of these to withdraw at an ATM OS. Isn't that what these cards are aimed at and are there advantages or disadvantages over just prearranging the folding stuff and taking it with me?

 

[markis10]

For me, I use both airlines so which points I want is neither here nor there, either would be fine. I'm mainly thinking about one or the other (perhaps both) for my upcoming January holiday to UAE/Maldives/Sri Lanka/Singapore, which I'm assuming I'll just use a CC for most payments but will need cash for some purchases. In the past I would just take an amount of the foreign currency in cash with me, but I'm thinking it might be easier (perhaps) to load cash onto one of these to withdraw at an ATM OS. Isn't that what these cards are aimed at and are there advantages or disadvantages over just prearranging the folding stuff and taking it with me?

In that case neither card would be recommended, get a Citi Plus account and save mega $$$, being able to pull $10/20 out of a Singapore ATM with no fees not only is an obvious saving, your reducing left over currency by having more flexibility.

 

[RooFlyer]

In that case neither card would be recommended, get a Citi Plus account and save mega $$$, being able to pull $10/20 out of a Singapore ATM with no fees not only is an obvious saving, your reducing left over currency by having more flexibility.

Here here. Absolutely no question of the virtue of Citi Plus over the others. I dislike accumulating cards, but this was a no-brainer. There is a thread about fees / no fees for Citi Plus around the world, but even if there is a fee, you'll very likely get the FX very close to spot rate, rather than losing 3-4% (I forget) with almost every other card.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

In that case neither card would be recommended, get a Citi Plus account and save mega $$$, being able to pull $10/20 out of a Singapore ATM with no fees not only is an obvious saving, your reducing left over currency by having more flexibility.

I did note you recommended that on the VA thread but it was a number of months ago. Thanks. So why have either GW or QFC? Is it just for points? I thought their main claim to fame was that you could load foreign currency?

I dislike accumulating cards,

This is a bugbear of mine too. I dislike the growing number of cards we seem compelled to carry. I'm starting to feel like a pack horse. I really don't want to expand my collection of wallet stuffers and I thought the VAGW or QFCC may have resolved the need for yet another bloody card! Given the size of the chip, how hard would it be to make one card with a slot to load whichever chip you want to use. Problem solved!

 

[RooFlyer]

I did note you recommended that on the VA thread but it was a number of months ago. Thanks. So why have either GW or QFC? Is it just for points? I thought their main claim to fame was that you could load foreign currency?

<snip>

The beauty of the Citi Plus card - which is an A$ debit card that you can use in Oz if you want, is that all transactions are charged local currency and FXed into A$, but the A$ you pay is very close to spot (usually within 0.5% in my recent experience all over Europe). So no need for the complicated loading of multiple currencies, keeping tabs on how much is each and then trying to spend down each one at the end of the relevant trip. One currency - A$, and use it like you would a savings account card in Australia.

To your question "why have GW or QFC"? I answer - no reason to have either, at least for overseas use. I got rid of my QFC card. The points you earn on o/s earn are pretty expensive.

I store the card with my Passport - it only comes out with trips abroad and replaces one of the other cards (eg Medibank) that comes out when I travel.

 

[Colin 2905]

Hungry Jacks at Fortitude Valley using paypass, online at Virgin Australia as a direct charge (went through when I went via paypal) and a couple of other outlets, shows as declined insufficient funds.

One of the things that I've noticed is that restaurants (including some fast-food outlets) will pre-authorise an extra 20%, to allow for a tip, which has caught a few people out. eg; You have $110 left on your card, attempt to eat $100, but the pre-authorisation is for $120, and fails.

EDIT: Or you have $150 left on your card, eat $100 (which is pre-auth'd $120, leaving you with only $30 available at that point), and then go and attempt to spend another $40, thinking that you're still good for $50.

As for which card is better...... they both suck, except for the occasional domestic bonus points on offer.

Another vote for the Citibank solution.

 

[samh004]

So why have either GW or QFC? Is it just for points? I thought their main claim to fame was that you could load foreign currency?

I'd imagine there's a large percentage of people who can't get credit cards, and that's where both of these products become useful, with the addition of points earning over other similar products from Australia Post etc...

I don't dispute the advice you're getting that either card isn't what you need for the job you're describing, but for some it may be their only choice, like me for example

 

[Bundy Bear]

The foreign exchange rates on either card are terrible so I wouldn't bother.
I sometimes use the Virgin card as my other cards are tied to Qantas so nice to have a few extra points on those sub $10 purchases. The other advantage of the Virgin card is that I receive an email every time I use it so I know how much money is left on the thing, Qantas I have to guess.

I only use the Qantas one when a points promotion turns up generally it sits at home doing nothing.

 

[samh004]

The other advantage of the Virgin card is that I receive an email every time I use it so I know how much money is left on the thing, Qantas I have to guess.

I treat it like my bank account, so I generally know how much is sitting on it after a purchase as all my money is sitting on it... and it's not a lot