CommBank Credit Card Charge Additional Fee to Access QFF Point Program?

hippo2s on 30/04/2024 - 18:56
Last edited 30/04/2024 - 18:59

Just found that CommBank charges credit card holders (mine is a Ultimate Awards MasterCard) $60 per year to essentially turn rewards points to QFF program.

The statement listed item as 'Qantas FF Direct Fee'. I have confirmed this is NOT Qantas FF membership fee, this is a scummy way to take 60 bucks a year from card holders.

Wondering if other CC charge same? I have had Westpac, NAB and ANZ and don't recall ever seeing a fee like this at least not while already a member. I do recall seeing some QFF joining fee which is more often than not waived, for the purpose of having QFF account. But this is the the same as that.

Thoughts?

Financial Credit Card

Related Stores

Commonwealth Bank
Commonwealth Bank

Comments

  • onceupon8 on 30/04/2024 - 19:17

    Yes some banks charge this. As the CBA Ultimate Awards MasterCard has a $0 fee (providing you spend the required minimum amount per month), it's kind of reasonable.

    The question that I'm interested in is, if you accumulate a lot of points (eg 1-2 years worth) and then switch to Qantas rewards and are charged the $60 fee, will all the accumulated points be transferred to Qantas?

    • hippo2s on 30/04/2024 - 20:10

      So you mean accumulate in the banks own points program (free), then switch? Worth a question to customer support I think. But not wouldn't save you money unless they pro-rata the fee?

      Description provided by customer support say it is a non refundable fee.

      #

      This is a non-refundable additional fee charged to your card when you opt-in and each subsequent year on the anniversary of your opt-in.

      #

      So I guess you could accumulate for years then pay it once before you exit.

      Oh but if you don't join QFF the bonus lump sum…gets rewarded as bank's own program?

      • sumyungguy on 30/04/2024 - 21:02

        Note too that the earn rates are different, Commbank Awards vs QFF direct.

  • randomusername2017 on 30/04/2024 - 19:36

    From 10 November 2023… St.George Amplify Qantas Platinum credit card, from $99 to our standard advertised fee, currently $124. We'll also be introducing an annual Qantas Rewards Program fee of $75 at the same time

  • hippo2s on 30/04/2024 - 20:08

    Dang…so yet another thing the banks are adjusting to make the program worthwhile for them. I will have to read the fee details more carefully in my next churn.

    • MELso on 30/04/2024 - 21:38
      +2

      These Qantas FF fees have been a fairly standard part of credit card fees for a while now. While they might not have been separate like the CBA ones, Qantas FF card annual fees have usually cost $50-$75 more than their non-QFF equivalents (and often have less flexibility to boot).

  • Baysew on 30/04/2024 - 20:11
    +2

    Westpac Platinum $175 Fee + $75 Frequent Flyer Fee = $250
    Westpac Black $295 + $75 = $370

    Nab Platinum $250
    Nab Black $395

    ANZ Platinum $240 + $55 = $295
    ANZ Black $370 + $55 = $425

    Bottom line is six of one, half a dozen of the other.

  • Drakesy on 30/04/2024 - 20:12

    Pretty normal now.
    Banks adding dodgy fees, who would've thought.

  • jv on 30/04/2024 - 20:53
    +1

    I just spend my CBA Award points at Myer or Flight centre

  • knobbs on 03/05/2024 - 09:23

    No one used to charge this fee a short couple of years ago, now everyone is in on the cash grab. Not sure if bank or qf inspired or both

    • hippo2s on 04/05/2024 - 20:26

      I doubt Qantas inspired the banks. Adding more fees to access the program will only put people off. But unless there's community uproar nothing will change.

    • gromit on 22/05/2024 - 16:43

      commbank have charged fees on this for a long long time. Corporate Amex have been doing it for decades as well.

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