35,000 Points - HSBC Platinum Qantas Credit Card ~ $400 Cash Value - Till 31 Dec 2013

[Disclosure: I receive no commission from this card.]

The HSBC Platinum Qantas Credit Card may be the best Qantas card on the market right now.  But it ends in 2 weeks, so now is the time to apply for it if it's of interest to you.

35,000 Points for the HSBC Platinum Qantas Card

I recently applied for the Velocity Escape and Gold cards, so I'll be passing on this deal.  (Plus $60,000 may be a tad steep for some folks.)  But the HSBC Qantas card has never had such a high signup bonus until this year, so you may want to think seriously about getting it, especially if you are loyal to Qantas or want to build up your points with them.

As with almost all Aussie cards, it has a fee, which is $199.  But the perks and points that come with the card more than outweigh the fee.

If you don't already belong to the Qantas frequent flyer program, perhaps due to the $82.50 signup fee, you can always join by getting the free Woolworths Everyday Rewards card and then the $82.50 fee is waived if applying via your Everday Rewards account.  That is what I did a few years ago since I would never pay $82.50 to join an airline program! 

What are the card terms? 

CONDITIONS

• $199 signup fee, $199 fee after 1st year. 
• 35,000 points for 1 eligible purchase within 90 days.  (I have researched extensively what the 'eligible' purchase is and there is no further description on the HSBC website.  Apart from cash advances and the like, which are never deemed eligible purchases, when you call in to activate your card you should ask the HSBC agent about 'what' is an eligible purchase.)
• Also, when redeeming for a flight you get one free checked bag ($30 value).  
• Comes with 2 complimentary passes to the Qantas lounge.  Depending on how valuable these are to you (normally $65/person) this card rises in value. 
• Earn up to 2 Qantas Points for every $1 spent on your card for Qantas purchases.
• Earn up to 2 Qantas Points for every $1 spent on your card overseas.  (You are also charged 3% for overseas purchases, which I feel negates any benefit you get from the double points you earn for these overseas purchases.)
• Must have an income of $60,000.
• Sample redemption 36,000 miles, on a return flight leaving in a fortnight:
• Perth to Hobart (36,000 points + $81 fees) Paid ticket costs $743.
• Cairns to Launceston (36,000 points + $78 fees) Paid ticket costs $627.
• Adelaide to Townsville (36,000 points + $90) Paid ticket costs $631.

CONCLUSION

If you want to stock up on your Qantas points, get this card while the offer is on up to 31 December 2013.

Click to apply now


FULL TERMS

• 35,000 bonus Qantas Frequent Flyer points when you apply by 31 December 2013, are approved and make an eligible purchase within 3 months of applying¹
• 0% p.a. balance transfer for 6 months² from non-HSBC credit cards on application (reverting to the variable cash advance rate, currently 21.99% p.a.)
• As a Qantas Frequent Flyer member you'll get:
  • 2 Qantas Frequent Flyer points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases³ overseas
  • 1 Qantas Frequent Flyer point for every $1 spent on eligible purchases³ in Australia
• 2 Qantas Club lounge passes every year at no extra cost⁴
• Insurance package⁵ including Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, Guaranteed Pricing, Transit Accident and International Travel Insurance
  Eligibility criteria and conditions apply (read the PDS available at zurich.com.au or by calling 1800 648 093)
• Annual fee $199
• Additional cardholder fee $0 
• Available to new, approved customers who apply for the HSBC Platinum Qantas Credit Card by 31 December 2013. Other fees and charges apply.