Qantas Cash Card

[PaulyB]

Card would not work at *any* retail outlet on a recent trip to NZ. Will now transfer NZ balance back into my bank account, drain the outstanding Sterling balance and wave this "facility" good-bye.

Expensive - if it worked - too much hassle when it doesn't.

Did you complain at all? I'd be interested to know what you were told
Thanks!

 

[BD1959]

Did you complain at all? I'd be interested to know what you were told
Thanks!

Hi PaulyB,

No I didn't. Was only there 48hrs so just switched to a visa card and put it all down to one of life's little enhancements!!

Regards,

BD

 

[PaulyB]

No I didn't. Was only there 48hrs so just switched to a visa card and put it all down to one of life's little enhancements!!

Funny I knew we had a mistake somewhere....

 

[chelzmalee]

I use this card for domestic stuff but wouldn't take it international.

I have my health insurance, house insurance, rates etc all coming off it. FF points for money I'm already spending. And before anyone asks - I don't earn enough to qualify for GOOD credit cards with points, so it's better than nothing IMHO

 

[OATEK]

We recently used the QCash card in Paris, Vienna, Athens and Rhodes at ATMs with no trouble. But I have avoided using it as a CC based on many of the reports on here. And Samh004, my 3,000 pts came through almost exactly 28 days after the load without trouble.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I haven't had any issues except for trying to use the QCC onboard a JQi flight for some snacks so I used another card instead. When I tried to purchase duty free on a QFi flight last night I was told by the F/A that QCCs don't work because the transaction is offline so only actual credit cards will work.

 

[eminere]

I haven't had any issues except for trying to use the QCC onboard a JQi flight for some snacks so I used another card instead. When I tried to purchase duty free on a QFi flight last night I was told by the F/A that QCCs don't work because the transaction is offline so only actual credit cards will work.

That's correct, you can't use the card for offline transactions such as inflight purchases; this is also highlighted on the web site FAQs.

 

[Jacques Vert]

I use this card for domestic stuff but wouldn't take it international.

I have my health insurance, house insurance, rates etc all coming off it. FF points for money I'm already spending. And before anyone asks - I don't earn enough to qualify for GOOD credit cards with points, so it's better than nothing IMHO

We recently used the QCash card in Paris, Vienna, Athens and Rhodes at ATMs with no trouble. But I have avoided using it as a CC based on many of the reports on here. And Samh004, my 3,000 pts came through almost exactly 28 days after the load without trouble.

I have used it for one WDL at an ATM in Singapore and for 2 on-line (from Aus) purchases in Finland and Russia. All without issue.

I normally use the Citibank Plus to avoid the FX fees but will consider QCC when I have a double points offer.

The other advantage of the QCC is, of course, that you can lock in your exchange rate when the little Aussi battler is doing well (for ~5% and lost interest). In my case the rate then usually gets even better but at least I have a sort of insurance in case it goes the other way. YMMV

JV

 

[PaulyB]

I'm just doing an update to my own question.

I spoke directly with QFF and ended up with Loyalty who resolved the issues perfectly and quicjkly. I am also hoping I have stirred up a hornet's nest.

Thanks for your inputs
Paul

Hello all

I was very interested to see this and also this:


I don't want to drag this thread through a recently terrible run we had during a 5 month trip to Thailand (just returned last week). In summary (and as a warning) it turned out that one of the "acquirers" - had a glitch in their system which meant we were not able to use the card at retail outlets. It worked fine at the ATM and also online.

While it wasn't a QANTAS Cash problem, per se, they are the retailer but the complaints section seem to think that the lost time dealing with the customer services over 4 of the 5 months (the first month was perfect), trying to identify the problem and the incredible number of lost points was not their fault and so were not willing to offer a credit back on at least a % of points and ATM expenses each time we withdrew. I would love a little bit of that "goodwill".

In fact, the complaints department has been truly dismal and disappointing not only in the quality of the responses but also the process of handling and communicating the but that is another conversation.

I have resisted ranting but it is difficult! Anyway - my question is this. They have suggested I go to the Financial Ombudsman Service if I am unhappy but I actually would rather go higher up in QANTAS. Does anyone have a suggestion as to who to approach? Or indeed is a new thread here the place to start? It won't take much prompting but you really don't have long enough to read it...

Hope you have a suggestion
Thanks
Paul

 

[FrankC]

I'm just doing an update to my own question.

I spoke directly with QFF and ended up with Loyalty who resolved the issues perfectly and quicjkly. I am also hoping I have stirred up a hornet's nest.

Thanks for your inputs
Paul

Hi Paul

Do you mind sharing who/ how you contacted them (like online/ phone etc)
And what resolution was provided?

Cheers

 

[Walter_Plinge]

Did you complain at all? I'd be interested to know what you were told
Thanks!

Re NZ I used the card extensively over two weeks in October 2014. Never a problem.

Currently using the card in the US. Only occasional irritant is some gas pumps requireda zip code. Then you have to pre-pay inside and, if you underfill, go back inside for refund. 80% of the time it's fine at gas pumps. For other purchases sometimes the PIN is required, sometimes a signature, other times nothing. No consistency here.

 

[PaulyB]

Do you mind sharing who/ how you contacted them (like online/ phone etc)
And what resolution was provided?

Hi Frank
It would probably be unfair to say who specifically but I initially rang Qantas FF Customer Care (as distinct to Qantas Cash). I was actually looking for the best person to send a letter to. The person I spoke to there was incredibly helpful as well and wanted to refer me to QANTAS Cash but I explained that I had already gone as far as I could go there. On explaining the situation, she opened a case there and then and I sent my letter in to that case. Within 24 hours I had a very sympathetic person from Loyalty calling with an offer of points and cash which totally covered my request and probably them some. Best of all she listened and was in a position to follow up.

Hope this helps
Paul

 

[FrankC]

Hi Frank
It would probably be unfair to say who specifically but I initially rang Qantas FF Customer Care (as distinct to Qantas Cash). I was actually looking for the best person to send a letter to. The person I spoke to there was incredibly helpful as well and wanted to refer me to QANTAS Cash but I explained that I had already gone as far as I could go there. On explaining the situation, she opened a case there and then and I sent my letter in to that case. Within 24 hours I had a very sympathetic person from Loyalty calling with an offer of points and cash which totally covered my request and probably them some. Best of all she listened and was in a position to follow up.

Hope this helps
Paul

Thanks Paul for sharing

I wasn't asking for a particular person, but the info that you provided
So next time when we have issue with Qantas Cash, and are going nowhere with them, we now know an alternative way to be heard

Cheers

 

[drross]

another 10k bonus point offer for foreign currency load to the card. Easy points, just have to work out the exchange rates

 

[SydneySwan]

another 10k bonus point offer for foreign currency load to the card. Easy points, just have to work out the exchange rates

I think you might want to replace 'easy' with 'expensive' when you have checked out the exchange rate.

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

I think you might want to replace 'easy' with 'expensive' when you have checked out the exchange rate.

+1...
When this card was first launched, I thought that we were onto a real winner. The margin b/w XE.com rates and QCash conversion rates were quite reasonable - I was watching the AUD/USD rate closely at the time, and I bought a swag of USD at 90c, when the XE rate was about 91c. Given the way the AUD was falling relative to USD at that time, the 1%(ish) premium seemed very reasonable for the 'insurance' of locking in the rate.
But now that the initial market penetration push has passed, I notice that the conversion margin has bloated out to over 4% (and even more on some currencies). As I write (type...), the XE rate is 78.98, and the QCash rate is 75.07; a margin of about 5%. (Although keep in mind that the QCash appears to be set daily.)
From now on I think that my only use of the card will be for amateur hedging purposes - locking in a rate for some known future need for a currency at a time when I 'feel' that the rate will deteriorate during the intervening time. A punt I know...

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

If you have activate a new QCC or a replacement one, and your ID is not accepted online, use your full name as in passport, ie, First and Middle and Surname, if that is how your Australian passport shows it.
I was doing something else, and online proof of ID would not work, First name and Surname only is not enough, if your passport has a middle name, use that.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

+1...
When this card was first launched, I thought that we were onto a real winner. The margin b/w XE.com rates and QCash conversion rates were quite reasonable - I was watching the AUD/USD rate closely at the time, and I bought a swag of USD at 90c, when the XE rate was about 91c. Given the way the AUD was falling relative to USD at that time, the 1%(ish) premium seemed very reasonable for the 'insurance' of locking in the rate.
But now that the initial market penetration push has passed, I notice that the conversion margin has bloated out to over 4% (and even more on some currencies). As I write (type...), the XE rate is 78.98, and the QCash rate is 75.07; a margin of about 5%. (Although keep in mind that the QCash appears to be set daily.)
From now on I think that my only use of the card will be for amateur hedging purposes - locking in a rate for some known future need for a currency at a time when I 'feel' that the rate will deteriorate during the intervening time. A punt I know...

If you wish to do amateur hedging, contact your bank who will provide you with a much better rate and flexibility.

If your bank is no use, talk to an international bank like Citi or HSBC who can open a multi currency account for you.

While there are products like Citibank Plus in the marketplace, this card represents very poor value.

 

[Sdtravel]

It is a shame the exchange rates arent as good anymore
As previously mentioned they used to beat the banks but now they dont

I just got am email from ANZ for my old travel card. Fee free refill. Their rate is better than QCC. I need to get some USD so now have to decide. A few extra USD or some QF points....

 

[CMA222]

I was under the impression the Qantas Cash Card is essentially for using pre-purchased foreign currency in a travel / transaction card. It can be used for on-line purchases and in person over the counter. For that intended purpose, for me, the alternative is to buy foreign cash and here are the rates from 12 June 2015 (I have not attempted to compare other travel money cards' rates):

	UAE	US$	SIN$	YEN	HK$	GBP	NZ$	EUR	Thai
QCash	2.6412	0.7385	0.9852	89.8668	5.6888	0.4721	1.0531	0.6509	24.2832
Westpac	-	0.7320	0.9812	90.14	5.7212	0.4741	1.0549	0.6475	23.87
CBA	2.5655	0.7413	0.9802	90.0700	5.6388	0.4726	1.0572	0.6503	24.3800
AusPost	-	0.75	0.99	90.44	5.74	0.48	1.06	0.65	23.95
TMonOz	2.5337	0.7544	0.9895	88.9425	5.5172	0.4772	1.0477	0.6574	23.8306

Travel Money OZ is really shopfront Flight Centre with back end AMEX
CBA and Westpac charge commission on top of the above rates.

I have been critical of Qantas Cash operations but looking at comparable rates for the intended purpose QC seems to be competitive, if you are not trying to be an FX trader.

Plus QC provides QFF points.