• long running

CBA Ultimate Awards Card: Spend $3000/M for 25k/M Awards Pts (or 17.5k/M QFF Pts $90 1Yr Fee) for 4Mo, $0/M Fee with $4k/M Spend

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CBA Ultimate Awards Card: Spend $3000/M for 25k/M Awards Pts (or 17.5k/M QFF Pts $90 1Yr Fee) for 4Mo, $0/M Fee with $4k/M Spend
Go to Deal
themadman on 03/03/2025 - 11:13 commbank.com.au (942 clicks)
Last edited 03/03/2025 - 18:12 by 1 other user

Looks to be similar to this popular deal from 2023, although the required spending is a bit higher now.

EDIT FOR CLARIFICATION: My primary interest in this is as a 0 fees overseas travel card, with the QFF points being a nice bonus. As mentioned in the comments, there are better options if you're purely interested in points.

"Earn 25,000 CommBank Awards points or 17,500 Qantas Points each month when you spend $3,000 or more per month for the first 4 months on a new Ultimate Awards credit card. Ongoing eligibility, exclusions and offer Ts&Cs apply."

Important note from the T&C's

"Offer commenced 1 March 2025 and is only available on new Ultimate Awards credit cards applied for. Offer not available to customers who currently hold, or have held, any activated Awards card types in the 18 months prior as a primary cardholder or customers who switch from other card types."

What you’ll get

  • Choose to earn CommBank Awards points or opt-in to earn Qantas Points1 for $90 per year2.
  • Earn up to 3 Awards points or 1.2 Qantas Points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases, up to and including $10,000 in a statement period3
  • Earn unlimited Awards points or Qantas Points each year
  • Cashback benefits for eligible cardholders through CommBank Yello Cashback Offers4 in the CommBank app
  • No monthly fee* if you spend at least $4,000 on your Ultimate Awards credit card in your statement period
  • Pay no international transaction fees for purchases you make overseas or online5
  • Access to international travel insurance when you spend at least $500 in a single transaction on prepaid travel using your card and activate before you travel6
  • Enjoy two complimentary airport lounge passes each calendar year with Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide and up-to-date travel information7
  • No additional cardholder fee to share your card with someone else8
  • Up to 44 days interest-free on purchases
  • Priceless.com offers and experiences
  • Complimentary access to book flights and hotels for eligible customers via Travel Booking (Provided by Hopper)14. Search for Travel Booking accessible via the CommBank app (search Travel booking in the search bar) or click here
  • The Touch CardTM feature by Mastercard is a unique squared tactile notch to help blind and partially sighted cardholders identify their cards with just a touch
Financial Credit Card Frequent Flyer Qantas Frequent Flyer Reward Points

Related Stores

Commonwealth Bank
Commonwealth Bank
Qantas
Qantas

Comments

  • Pcoder on 03/03/2025 - 11:21
    +27

    $12,000 spend for only 70,000 QFF or Equivalent of 50,000 VFF. Not a deal

    • themadman on 03/03/2025 - 11:29
      +1

      I'm not a points guru, care to explain? :) What would be the best currently?

      To add some context, I'm going overseas in a month or so, and heard some good things about the CBA awards cards.

      • wangasm on 03/03/2025 - 11:41
        +3

        The Qantas Amex Ultimate is probably the best at the moment considering how easy it is to get the $450 fee credited back. But if you are planning to spend a lot on international transactions for 4 months then I guess this CBA Ultimate could be better.

        • jedimaster on 03/03/2025 - 12:29

          can you enlighten me how to get the $450 fee credited back?

          • kokita on 03/03/2025 - 12:33

            @jedimaster: The annual fee for Qantas Amex is $450. But you will get $450 Qantas credit per year for Qantas flights.

          • wangasm on 03/03/2025 - 12:36
            +2

            @jedimaster: There is discussion of it on the first page of the linked deal
            Basically there is a loophole where you book a Qantas flight on the Amex Travel site using your travel credit, you can then cancel it within 24 hours to receive a full refund, but they will still credit you the additional $450 to your card.

            • WhatsTheBigDeal on 03/03/2025 - 13:16

              @wangasm: Wait what?! :O

              • spiderbite88 on 03/03/2025 - 16:27
                +3

                @WhatsTheBigDeal: As someone who tried this last month, be CAREFUL. It's NOT within 24 hours (that's the US site) Australian AMEX requires cancellation the SAME DAY. So don't do what I did and book at 8pm and cancel the next day at 8am. Book in the morning, then cancel at night on the same day.

                • WhatsTheBigDeal on 03/03/2025 - 16:31

                  @spiderbite88: Thanks for the heads up! I'm still trying to find a worthwhile price on Qantas to places I want to go, still have a few months to go until expiry but I'll keep this in mind as a last resort!

                • Save 50 Cent on 03/03/2025 - 21:55

                  @spiderbite88: I just tried this. Booked and cancelled within 10 minutes. I will report back in a couple of days.

      • Pcoder on 03/03/2025 - 11:47

        Westpac is $6,000 for 90,000 QFF, ANZ is $5,000 for 90,000 QFF. Just very poor value compared to others.

        Fee also seems large at $35/month or $420/year unless you spend more than $4,000, which most months a lot of people won't.

        Only real positive is no Forex Fees. This could really only work out if you spend over $4,000 each month easily and a lot of the spend is in foreign currencies.

        • archkesha on 03/03/2025 - 19:11

          If you churn, your fees will be $140 max. Close the card after 4 months. While ANZ, AmEx etc are better deals, there aren't too many deals around with the waiting periods increase to 18 or 24 months by most providers. CBA cards are not run by Citi (NAB). This means that if you've been rejected by one of the many cards in this group, you will be auto-rejected if you apply for any other Citi run products. With the CBA card you won't be. Overall, this is a pretty OK deal

      • costas60 on 03/03/2025 - 11:54

        @themadman
        With this card any transaction overseas has zero transaction fees. Used in in Europe last year and also on transactions online from overseas no fees.
        If you are on a wealth package no minimum monthly spend

        • tunzafun001 on 03/03/2025 - 12:08

          Can you see a T&C anywhere around the wealth package? I have a wealth package, fee is still applied.

          • netsurfer on 03/03/2025 - 12:11

            @tunzafun001: Page 4 of the wealth package fact sheet

            Screenshot of the relevant section

            Call CBA and request a refund of the monthly fee charges.

            • mandelbrot on 03/03/2025 - 12:24

              @netsurfer: Thanks! Gonna switch cards to this now

              • netsurfer on 03/03/2025 - 12:29

                @mandelbrot: You can do it via the mobile app or Netbank Web site.

                However, since you are currently on another CBA reward credit card, all bonus award points for new card holders are not eligible to you / existing CBA reward card holders.

                • mandelbrot on 03/03/2025 - 12:37

                  @netsurfer: Cheers. I'll probably still switch since it's free and has zero Forex fees. My other cards have this, but good for extra backup

                  • netsurfer on 03/03/2025 - 12:43

                    @mandelbrot: Another thing is the reward points shown on the web / app will temporary disappear when you activate the new card. They get added back a few days later (CBA staff told me by the next billing cycle, but mine took only 2 days). You might want to screenshot the reward points balance before activate the new card (just for your own reference).

        • zfind on 03/03/2025 - 12:28
          +1

          I don’t get the appeal of burning a credit card churn on this when Up! Cards have zero fees and are free. Am I missing something?

  • gembel on 03/03/2025 - 11:28
    +2

    do you have to be a Yello customer to get the bonus points?

    • soan papdi on 03/03/2025 - 12:01
      +1

      Usually the case but with this offer, no yello status is required.

      • sween64 on 03/03/2025 - 13:50

        Good because it took me about 7 weeks to get Yello status via the Smart Access account.

  • foxes28 on 03/03/2025 - 11:28
    +2

    although the required spending is a bit higher now

    $5,000 spend in 90 days vs. $12,000 in 4 months

    How about a lot higher lol

  • djkelly69 on 03/03/2025 - 11:32
    +2

    The spend per month to get the bonus points is kind of a moot point anyway, because I wouldn't be getting this card unless you plan on spending $4k per month on it to avoid the monthly fee.

    IMO this a great keeper card if you will meet the spend each month.

    • netsurfer on 03/03/2025 - 12:04

      Or if you have CBA home / investment loan(s) and paying for the annual wealth package fees, then the monthly fee is waived.

      • tunzafun001 on 03/03/2025 - 12:09
        +2

        It is not…

        Monthly spend fee still applies even if you have a wealth package.

        • netsurfer on 03/03/2025 - 12:18
          +1

          https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/16311260/redir

          Page 4 of the wealth package fact sheet indicates no credit card fee. I did call last month and CBA customer service rep told me no fee. However, when the card was first introduced, it wasn't on the no credit card fee list of cards for wealth package initially, but that got changed, forgot when exactly.

          Call CBA and ask them to refund the overcharged fees. A relative on wealth package have the card for several months now (she did switch after the card is added to no credit card fee list for wealth package), no monthly fee.

          • gromit on 03/03/2025 - 12:30
            +1

            @netsurfer: Interesting, this is definitely a change as previously they specifically excluded the ultimate card from that which stopped me getting it as the point earning capacity of the card is bad to other options so spending the requirement on the card each month came at a considerable points cost.

            • netsurfer on 03/03/2025 - 12:37

              @gromit: You can switch from the mobile app or Netbank Web site. However, the bonus points mentioned in this deal are not applicable to existing CBA reward card holders (regardless of which CBA reward credit card you are currently on). I checked with CBA on this two weeks ago. I still switched anyway as this card waives international transaction fees and I generally get more points with this card than the one I had. There are also some travel related benefits (free lounge pass per year I think).

              Does look like the CBA system is ripping people off for those who switched before this card was added to the list of no credit card fee cards.

        • parisian on 03/03/2025 - 12:20

          definitely not - currently have cba homeloan and wealth package and ultimate card - no fees.

      • djkelly69 on 03/03/2025 - 12:11
        -1

        Yeah I don't think you can get the Ultimate card fee waived with one of those packages.

      • Darkheartz on 03/03/2025 - 12:15

        @netsurfer is correct based on verbal advice from CBA call Centre. I was verbally advised twice recently that recent changes to the Ultimate Awards card means the monthly fee is now waived if you hold the wealth package.

        • tunzafun001 on 03/03/2025 - 13:42

          CBA are just hopeless… Changes every 5 seconds.

          I have the Smart Awards card, as the Ultimate had a fee. Smart didnt.

          Now they are applying a fee to my Smart awards (I told them I have a wealth package, but they said the fee still applies, unless $2k per month is spent).

          Have you got what you are saying documented anywhere?

          • soan papdi on 03/03/2025 - 14:07

            @tunzafun001: Honest question, why stay with them if they're so hopeless?

          • netsurfer on 03/03/2025 - 14:47

            @tunzafun001:

            • Open your CommBank app
            • Click on any of your home loan account(s) with wealth package
            • Click on Manage
            • Scroll down and find the link "Wealth Package benefits"
            • Click on "Wealth Package benefits"
            • Expand Rates & Fees
            • Scroll down to Fees section
            • The last point in that section: "$0 annual fees on one eligible credit card"

            Refer to Wealth Package fact sheet page 4 for the list of credit cards. If the CBA CSR refuses to help you and you don't have a relationship manager to assist you, ask the CSR how to raise a formal complaint. You need to raise one before going to consumer affairs / fair trading.

            Another option is to go to your nearest branch to see if someone can help you sort it out.

            • tunzafun001 on 03/03/2025 - 15:13

              @netsurfer: Cheers mate. Done all of the above. Twice!

              Complaint round 2 is in progress. Been contacted by complaints resolution (like last time). Ensured they will get it sorted (like last time)….never heard from them again and escalated to AFCA (like the last time).

    • gromit on 03/03/2025 - 12:24
      +2

      On the surface it looks like a great keeper, but dig into the points earning and you will find it sucks donkey dongers. The key words are UPTO 1.2 points which is only for international spends, domestic the max is 0.8 QFF per dollar for the specifed locations and everywhere else is 0.4 points.

  • PvsNP on 03/03/2025 - 11:36
    +2

    That's gonna be a lot of Amazon gift cards 😅

  • 6079 Smith on 03/03/2025 - 11:37
    +1

    If you spend $4k a month, frequently spend in FX and collect VA points this is in my opinion the best daily driver on the market

  • beastmodeactivated on 03/03/2025 - 11:45
    +1

    Love the card especially when traveling overseas, even better if part of a wealth package through Commbank to avoid any monthly fees.

    • soan papdi on 03/03/2025 - 15:57
      • Bendigo Ready Credit
      • ING Orange Platinum

      Both are fee free and provide 0% foreign transaction fee and travel insurance. No points but no minimum spend either.

  • 1morphine1 on 03/03/2025 - 11:50
    +3

    Don't forget to check if you are eligible for bonus 20k points too
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/895623

  • ellave on 03/03/2025 - 11:51

    Any other zero international fees and Qantas points offer around better then this? Its tempting purely for the fact I've exhausted other cards and waiting out the 18 months.

    • soan papdi on 03/03/2025 - 11:56

      https://www.commbank.com.au/credit-cards/smart-awards.html?e…

      Smart Awards if your monthly expense is less than $4000

      • tunzafun001 on 03/03/2025 - 12:10
        -1

        Still a $2k spend or a fee. Even if you pay a $395 a year wealth package (that gives you nothing that any other bank gives for free)

        CBA are trash.

        • soan papdi on 03/03/2025 - 12:15

          Agreeing that this is a terrible offer but not many cards on the market that give free overseas txns with qantas. All banks are plain greedy at this point.

    • a1234my on 03/03/2025 - 11:58
      +1

      Tempted but Commbank declined twice, but others is fine.

    • netsurfer on 03/03/2025 - 12:49

      What wasn't mentioned:

      The CommBank Qantas Frequent Flyer (QFF) opt-in fee is $90 per year. This fee is non-refundable and is charged annually on the anniversary of the opt-in date. CBA increased the opt-in fee last year so there is no guarantee it won't increase again in the future.

    • Dalryk on 03/03/2025 - 13:47

      Only other $0-international card I've found with Qantas points is Bankwest. No idea what sort of deals they're offering.

  • ultramagnus88 on 03/03/2025 - 12:10

    Ive signed up to a similar credit card from commbank in the past.

    They didnt enroll me into the program. Id be wary of this, didn't actually give what was advertised despite me fulfilling the conditions.

  • magicpelgrave on 03/03/2025 - 12:15
    +4

    https://www.rwrds.com.au/

    Great little site for people wanting a new CCard

  • botchie on 03/03/2025 - 12:27

    i assume this is for new customers only ?

    • themadman on 03/03/2025 - 12:41
      +1

      As per the post:

      Important note from the T&C's
      "Offer commenced 1 March 2025 and is only available on new Ultimate Awards credit cards applied for. Offer not available to customers who currently hold, or have held, any activated Awards card types in the 18 months prior as a primary cardholder or customers who switch from other card types."

  • Nubbin on 03/03/2025 - 12:30
    -2

    UP card has no international fees

    • foxes28 on 03/03/2025 - 13:19

      It's debit card though

    • timhn on 03/03/2025 - 14:18
      +1

      UP card has no international fees

      And so with many other debit cards out there.

      This is a deal about credit card.

  • festivus4all on 03/03/2025 - 12:36

    Qantas AmEx Ultimate card currently gets you 100K points for 5K spend and gives you 1.25 points which is one of the higher ones, and you get a $450 Qantas voucher to use on Amex's travel portal, and the usual longue passes and travel insurance.

    If people are point hacking the NAB Qantas Rewards Signature Card is 90K points for 3K spend or up 120K if you keep it beyond 12 months (but i would cancel within 12 months) but the bonuses are less but it makes up for it with the lower fee and barrier to reach the 3K. It doesn't have the vouchers but still offers international travel insurance.

  • nicolascage on 03/03/2025 - 13:02
    +9

    CBA has the worst credit card rewards

    • timhn on 03/03/2025 - 14:20

      Couldn't agree more. Few year back, this was a good credit card to have, but they cutback the cashback/bonus points and increased fees make it to bottom of my list (I had it back in 2022-23).

      • gromit on 03/03/2025 - 14:34

        it was never good, even back then the points earning rate on CBA cards is abysmal. The only reason to have it was to churn for bonus points.

  • Hodlman Sachs on 03/03/2025 - 13:24
    -1

    I believe this is the one of few non-Amex card that earns points when making payments to the government directly. Good to pick up if you have a huge government bill to pay.

    • mandelbrot on 03/03/2025 - 14:21

      Still gotta pay cc processing fee though eh?

    • gromit on 03/03/2025 - 14:39

      no, that is the business rewards cards. this one still excludes stuff like paying your tax..

      i.e. (this excludes, for example, BPAY transactions, cash advances, balance transfers and payments to the Australian Taxation Office unless made using a Business Awards card)

      • Hodlman Sachs on 03/03/2025 - 14:47

        The terms specifically exclude ATO but not other government bodies like state and local councils, so technically you can still use it to pay rates and land tax etc. Other banks specifically exclude those too.

        • gromit on 03/03/2025 - 14:52

          interesting, will have to pay my current rates bill with it, from previous years I was pretty sure I never got points, but maybe that has changed too.

          • Hodlman Sachs on 03/03/2025 - 16:27

            @gromit: hmmm definitely complain to the bank if you don’t get the points because it’s not specified anywhere they are not eligible for earning points

  • techdave on 03/03/2025 - 14:48

    It's a decent deal I guess if you are you are using more than $4k/month on the card as it would be pretty much no annual fee.

    However, points eligibility it not as flexible as other card as compared to say Qantas Premiere Platinum (altho that's $1/1qff and annual fee):
    https://www.commbank.com.au/credit-cards/awards/earn-points.…

    It seems like Paypal, school fees, etc.. are ineligible.

  • fremeer on 03/03/2025 - 14:54

    This isn't a great earn rate but some things to consider:

    While it's 3k min spend per month to get the bonus points you want to hit 4k to not pay fees.

    If you opt for Qantas you pay an enrolment fee of $90 so keep in mind.

    It is one of the few points earning cards that have no international transaction costs.

    So it can be a great card for people looking to travel or book things related to travel like international hotels or flights as the min spend is pretty easy to hit then.

    Another useful feature is the rewards program they do have. It can be a useful way to get points in a couple of pretty good rewards programs that aren't normally easy to get points in. Shit house earning but can be better then buying points or keep points or to get to a magic number for a reward flight.

    All in all I would go with a platinum amex over this but not everyone wants to spend the $1450 and try recoup costs over the year

  • Twilight1234 on 03/03/2025 - 16:15

    Fee free if you have home loan + wealth package?

    • Foosa on 03/03/2025 - 20:49

      Yes it is, Ive been using it fee free for more than an year and ultimate is included in the list of cards eligible under the wealth package

  • Jklaro on 03/03/2025 - 17:24

    Is there a minimum yearly income?

  • Seeker888 on 03/03/2025 - 20:18

    Re dragon pass lounge passes, if I’m travelling with friends and have access to a different lounge in Sydney international via status can I drop two of them off at one lounge (sign them in using my boarding pass) then head off to my seperate lounge?

  • Drakesy on 03/03/2025 - 20:56

    Sorry this is a trash deal

    • themadman on 03/03/2025 - 23:17

      RIP. Might be helpful if you explain why? I assume for the same reasons that others have mentioned.

      • Drakesy on 04/03/2025 - 00:24

        Bingo
        $4k spend a month is huge

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