• expired

Qantas AmEx Ultimate: 100,000 Qantas Points ($5,000 Spend in 3 Months), $450 Travel Credit, $450 Annual Fee

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This offer was available only by referral until 11 March but is now available on Amex's website until 18 March.

Referral solicitation removed — Mod.

Card benefits include:

  • a $450 Qantas travel credit each year (for Qantas flights booked via Amex Travel)
  • 2 Qantas lounge passes after you book a flight with Qantas directly
  • 2 Amex lounge passes (for Melb and Syd international)
  • travel insurance
  • Qantas Wine premium membership
  • 4 free supplementary cards

Annual fee: $450

New Amex cardholders only. You must not have held a card issued by Amex Australia in the last 18 months.

Referral Links

Business Explorer Card: random (3)

Referrer: 40,000 Reward Points

Centurion Personal Charge Card: random (8)

Referee gets 200,000 MR points. Referrer gets 150,000 MR points.

Related Stores

American Express
American Express
Qantas
Qantas

closed Comments

      • Did you get the full 100k?

        I signed up end of January and have spent 7k on the card but only received 50k bonus points labelled "Welcome Bonus".

        • Yup i got the 100k bonus.

          • @Navigator87: Strange, they're claiming I signed up for a 50k/$3k deal. I can't find evidence of it! They've lodged an 'investigation'.

            • @Durshu: I've just had the exact same experience! Did they end up crediting you the remaining points?

              • @cheapestfella: After much arguing with the help chat they made a ticket, I was then given the remaining points after an "investigation". They were claiming the offer I signed up for was for 50k points, even though a 50k point deal didn't exist.

    • Do you get the points credited after the first statement issued/paid, or is it just credited shortly after meeting the spend?

      • +1

        I got mine credited on the day I hit ~$4.5k spend - statement hasn't closed yet.

        • Fantastic, thank you!

  • How long has it taken from everyone to get a response back after you submit an application for this card?

    • applied on a fri night and had a call on sat morning asking for additional info, was approved on Mon

      • Congrats! Looks like I'll need to give them a call and follow up

        • If you need to call, probably means you got rejected

          • @Moo Deng: I applied last Wednesday so you're probably right =(

  • Rejected again - 2nd time trying for this. Applied Sat, had a call Monday to confirm details and rejected on the phone with "letter to advise why" - which will be a typical generic one.

  • Rejected! I was going to keep this card ongoing but got rejected even though I have a great credit score with high income. Churned 2 cards in the last 18 months, guessing that's the reason.

    • I churned from BOM to this after a week of cancelling BOM CC

  • I applied this morning around 3am online. I got a call this morning around 9:30am asking for some more details. I wss rejected over the pjone. 100k income, two mortgages, ni current credit cards. Good credit score, though I i just refinanced both mortgages 3 months ago. Would that be a reason I got rejected? I would really love to get approved for this card, so is it worth fighting and asking them to reconsider ? Do they even do that . They didn't give me a reason for declining, just saying the reason will be outlined in a letter they're sending out.

    I wanted my wife to get it as well, but she's 3 months into maternity leave. On the same salary. There's no chance she will get approved, will she?

    • From what I've read, to not get auto declined, you need to have no credit checks within the last 6 months or so?

      • +1

        Well this guy already got more than the other rejectees here with the follow up phonecall asking for more details. So wouldn't it have been one of the given details that was the dealbreaker? Otherwise churning would've simply resulted in a silent letter in the mail.

    • If you are really intent on pursuing it you can take it up wtih Amex and then, if necessary, try escalating to AFCA.

      If you do involve AFCA please let us know how it goes.

  • +4

    Just confirming the $450 travel credit refund still works as of yesterday

    • Please explain? My application was approved yesterday and card on it's way.

      • +1

        Check out the earlier pages of comments. Card has annual fee of $450 but you get a $450 qantas travel credit (which you need to use through the amex travel site). Book a flight using the credit then cancel it and you get the money credited back into your account (rather than travel credit)

        • +1

          You can cancel flight bookings without a penalty?

          • +1

            @Fuzor: Yes if you cancel within 24 hours of booking

          • +2

            @Fuzor: Yes, as long as you cancel within 24 hours, and possibly also during business hours. I cancelled an hour after booking, using the big blue 'Cancel Reservation' button on the Amex Travel website. The next day the $450 travel credit was refunded as actual dollars onto my Amex card, and the full fare I paid never left 'pending' status.

          • +1

            @Fuzor: Be careful.. not within 24 but rather same calendar day before midnight (probably Sydney time).

            • @Save 50 Cent: You know if it's possible to do it before get the card or have to way for the card to come??

              • @Skullz: I don’t think you can even log in before the card arrives. You’ll need it to activate your account.

    • Tempted to try it given the Amex travel prices aren't great, but one heck of a gamble with $450…

      • I got charged 2nd year's annual fee over the weekend and immediately used this trick to cash out. Received the credit in my account yesterday. It's worked for me 2 years in a row now.

        • Well just did a booking today with the credit and cancelled 30 mins later, T&C's are pretty clear about the credit being forfeited but here's hoping…

          • @GS9891: I don't think anyone has had this trick go backwards on them so I think you'll be fine

            • @sim777: Yeah that's why I decided to try it, but surprised they allow it given how clear the terms are again about the credit being forfeited in these scenarios. WIll report back when/if it works.

              • +1

                @GS9891: *Update: Had the $450 credit applied to the card same-day, just waiting for the pending payment from the original ticket purchase to clear and guess I'll be good then.

                • +2

                  @GS9891: *Update 2: Pending charge vanished after 5 days and the travel credit stayed applied, seem to be in the clear, 100,000 points for nothing best card ever!

  • Interesting twist on this whole caper: I just got my $450 annual travel credit allocated almost a month before I expect the annual fee to hit my statement. How? I got the Qantas Ultimate this time last year by accepting an offer to upgrade my Discovery, so this year's travel credit was applied on the anniversary date of the Ultimate upgrade being approved. However my statement date, which is inherited from the Discovery, is three weeks later. So, as it stands, I have received and already redeemed the anniversary travel credit, cancelled the flight, received my credit as a cash refund to my Amex card, and can theoretically cancel the card or downgrade to a free one without being charged the annual fee in 3 weeks time. In reality I’m definitely going to keep the (now free) Ultimate card for the higher points earn and lounge passes, but hypothetically I could now cash out $450 ahead. Anyone else in a similar boat?

    • Yeah, I received the travel credit within a couple of days of initial activation also. I assume if you cancel the card after activating/using it though, the annual fee will be calculated into a final payout figure even if not charged yet.

  • Does it work if I have amex explorer?

    • Item 1 in the T&C's:

      This offer is only available to new American Express Card Members. If you previously held a David Jones American Express Card and have not held any other American Express Card(s) in the past 18 months, you will be eligible for the offer. All other Card Members who currently hold or who have previously held any Card product issued by American Express Australia Limited in the past 18 months are ineligible for this offer.

  • Hi, I've signed my dad up for amex qantas for the 100k points but I've used my own Qantas frequent flyer number when applying. Will this not earn me points if the 5k is spent? If not, am I able to transfer by opening an Qantas frequent flyer in his own name? Thanks in advance

    • +1

      The QFF number might be rejected due to a name mismatch, but you should be able to update it if the credit account itself is approved/opened, the points will just be stuck on AMEX's end then until a valid one is provided.

      • thank you ~

  • I haven't received any comms from them since my application, I called them up and got told that my application has been rejected and a letter in the mail will be sent to me. Weird as I don't have any debts or bad credit history.

    • May be they saw you would not be a profit customer for them?

      • Most likely, I only had one card with them many years ago.

    • It does seem to be a bit random, always had great credit myself and was rejected last year despite never having an AMEX before, applied 9 months later in January and got it this time though.

      Also did you choose a low credit limit manually or just select to let them choose one? From hearsay seems to be better odds if you let them set it (they'll give you something crazy like $25k as they want you in debt).

      • I chose the limit and didn't know it was a thing. It sucks because I wanted to apply for ANZ black card because my 12 months is up instead chose this.

        • Eh just give it a month and go for the ANZ, should be fine.

  • Can i get bonus points if i have amex essentials which is fee free and didn’t had bonus points when i signed up.

    • Item 1 in the T&C's:

      This offer is only available to new American Express Card Members. If you previously held a David Jones American Express Card and have not held any other American Express Card(s) in the past 18 months, you will be eligible for the offer. All other Card Members who currently hold or who have previously held any Card product issued by American Express Australia Limited in the past 18 months are ineligible for this offer.

  • +3

    Confirming the $450 travel credit refund hack still works as of 9 March. Got the $450 back after 2 days.

    • +1

      Confirmed it worked for me too. Booked a domestic Qantas flight yesterday total cost $515.

      Today $450 travel credit refunded. Happy days.

      • I booked flights for $472 using the $450 credit at 11:30pm on Tuesday night 11/3/25. I then cancelled 30 minutes later. I still have not yet got the $450 credit and the $472 payment is still pending. This is 23 hours later on Wednesday. I did it for my personal AMEX and also my wifes.

        • Someone above you said it took 2 days

        • at 11:30pm on Tuesday night 11/3/25

          AEST? Considering any bookings need to be cancelled by 11:59 PM on the same day they're made to qualify for the free refund, that's playing it risky, but if you got the 'you can cancel this booking for free if you do it now' pop-up when cancelling, should still be okay hopefully.

          Credit seems to take 1 - 2 days to appear for most, and the pending charge can take up to a week to vanish also.

          • @GS9891: Update: Yes, Melbourne time. By 6am the credit in both accounts came in. Being less than 31 hours later. Interesting point you made about being 11:59pm being the cutoff. Many posts have said it needs to be cancelled within 24 hours. For future users, how do you know 11:59 is the cutoff, does it mention it somewhere? Thanks

            • @ridgeydidgey: Should've read the earlier posts that stated to be safe book and cancel during business hours. I booked mine at 9.00am and cancelled 30 Min later. Refund was in my account the next morning.

            • @ridgeydidgey: The same pop-up that mentions it's free when you start the cancellation process also mentions 11:59pm as the free refund cutoff.

              • @GS9891: Awesome, thats great for everyone to know.

                On the AMEX travel site it says: Change your mind? Cancel your ticket free of charge before 23:59 (AEST/AEDT) on the same day the booking is made. Thereafter, your tickets are non-refundable and if you choose to change your tickets, you may incur an airline-imposed change fee (described in the table below) and any difference in fare plus taxes.

  • Like another previous comment I received the Qantas points before the second statement was issued. Good on ya AMEX

  • FYI, my application got rejected and I received a letter that mentions I can access my credit info. I logged into Equifax and I have 7 open accounts, two Citi ready credit that were closed back in 2023 and Latitude credit card that was closed in March 2024. Definitely check your info and make sure your credit info doesn't have open accounts that are closed.

  • So i am into my 2nd year of having this card now. I now been allocated another 450$ travel credit. Looking at my current transaction history, they still not apply the 2nd year annual fee of 450$ yet.
    I can claim this travel credit and then cancel the card before the fee hit?

    • +1

      Can't see why it wouldn't. Seems to work for everyone at least in the first year, even before the fee is charged, so why not the second.

      Though of course the T&C's very clearly say the credit will be forfeited, so feel bad for the first guy who may get caught out one day in the the future if this loophole is closed.

    • when is the annual fee charged? I was approved and have been using the card for over a week, I just checked and I have the travel credit but havent been charged the annual fee.

      Are you doing the hack of using travel credit and refunding or are you going to travel?

      • Usually right after the first statement.

        • are all qantas flights refundable if canceled before 11:59pm on same day?

          • @cheap4321: Yeah that's the one nice feature of the Amex travel portal, but the least they can do as all return flights seem to have a $100~ surcharge on them compared to booking via Qantas direct.

            • @GS9891: @GS9891 was checking this, all the Qantas flights say tickets are not refundable? is this same day refund an Amex travel specific thing? So just book any Qantas flight and it will be refundable same day?

              • @LaughD1eme: Yes, the T&C's state no refunds, but as long as it's cancelled by 11:59PM same day they do actually refund (the popup when cancelling will state it as others have posted).

  • has anyone used the 450 credit hack on accommodation - seems to be able to use in to book accommodation with free cancellation. Thanks

    • +2

      Why not just do it on flights and get the full refund like everyone else has done?

  • Trying to give my referral link to a friend but the link says its only 70k points and not 100k? Did I do something wrong or is the offer now gone?

    • Referral offer ended March 11, they're better off just signing up without referral for the 100K now which ends March 18.

  • Man this spend is getting out of control

  • +1

    Got the paper rejection letter on this one recently - good income, good credit, no AMEX for a few years. So I must be flagged as a churner. Jumped to the ANZ Black for 90k points on $250 annual fee after cashback, approved instantly. One of the best points per annual fee dollar cards on the market atm.

    AMEX is becoming not worth the hassle.

    • FYI, my application got rejected and I received a letter that mentions I can access my credit info. I logged into Equifax and I have 7 open accounts, two Citi ready credit that were closed back in 2023 and Latitude credit card that was closed in March 2024. Definitely check your info and make sure your credit info doesn't have open accounts that are closed.

      It is probably this, check your credit report.

      • I’ll have a look and report back. I’m thinking if I had phantom cards open ANZ / HSBC would’ve taken issue too.

        • Checked - no lines of credit open that I didn’t know about, all credit enquiries are for cards that I have, had (all closed) or attempted to get plus a home loan refinance. There was one enquiry by AMEX prior to this that I don’t remember… that may have pushed them over the edge. Either way, I don’t see why I was rejected, I’ll just chalk it up to AMEX doing AMEX things.

          Edit: equifax rating “excellent”

  • -1

    May i ask for the requirements if i spend $5000 on Costco, then wait about 1 month then return the thing is that still considering that completed the requirements?

  • Costco usually don't check what card you paid with when you return so you can put it on a debit card

  • Applied yesterday and called them today to check on the status. They have rejected my application. They must have correctly assessed that I am a card churner. Waste of time applying to them and getting a credit check against me. I won't apply for AmEx again.

  • +6

    Confirmed flight booking/refund of travel credit as cash works as of yesterday.

    New card issued a couple of weeks ago, booked a flight yesterday, cancelled 15 mins later after booking confirmed, travel credit applied to card as cash this morning.

  • Am i doing something wrong? I'm getting charged the full amount. It says: Your Card will be charged $934.90 AUD today. A credit of $450.00 AUD for your Annual Travel Credit will be applied to your Card Account within three business days of your booking confirmation.
    Its a Qantas/Jetstar flight.

    • +1

      Where's the confusion? You pay for the full fare, but a $450 credit will show up on your statement yeah. And if doing the cancellation trick, you can cancel before 11:59 PM on the day of purchase and the pending charge for the airfare will vanish within a week or so, while the $450 credit will remain.

      • -2

        I thought the whole point was to book using points and get it as $450 actual money when i refund

        • +1

          You can't book with points on Amex's portal. But you can book, cancel by 11:59 PM and ergo have the pending charge cancelled within a week with the free refund they offer same-day, and still get the $450 credited to your CC which is in effect actual money yes.

    • Book qantas only if you just want the refund for credit. Why bother with jetstar

  • Just cancelled my recently booked flight, when doing so there was a note saying any used flight credits will be forfeited. Will confirm how it goes.

    • +1

      Yeah it says that but should still be credited within 1 - 2 days.

      • +1

        The credit landed. Thanks.

  • Applied last Monday, conditionally approved. Still no formal approval.

    • Got rejected by paper mail. Called asking for a review only to be told rejection was done by the system and that a manual review is not possible. They also said to delete old credit cards from my credit file and apply again in 90 days.
      Never had any problem with any bank in my life, so I'll skip Amex in the future.

  • +1

    Still working it seems. Booked the flight 4 days ago, cancelled 10 mins after booking.
    $450 credited the next day, but I'm still waiting for the pending charge (for the flight booking) to be removed.

    • +2

      Update: Pending charge has also been removed. Just the $450 credit remains.

      • yeah, I can confirm the same. just a bit weird for me (not sure if someone else noticed or experienced the same), the available credit was about ~$150 less than the initial one, and no other payments made.

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