Comm Bank MCard and Qantas

[Cocitus23]

I have a CBA platinum Mastercard. Yesterday I received from CBA a little legalistic book announcing the change to "Qantas Direct". Lost in the small print is the news that there will be an annual charge for the service, quite apart from the annual charge for the card. But the amount is not mentioned. Questions:
1. Does anyone know what the amount is?
2. Has anyone received a user-friendly letter explaining this change, rather than the fine print booklet?
3. Who is behind the change, Qantas or the Bank, and what is driving them?

 

[ANstar]

The change is being driven by Qantas. They don't want you to have a choice of where to put your points.

 

[NM]

1. Does anyone know what the amount is?

I believe it is to be $10

2. Has anyone received a user-friendly letter explaining this change, rather than the fine print booklet?

I can't remember exactly where I read it, but doubt it was fine-print.

3. Who is behind the change, Qantas or the Bank, and what is driving them?

I assume its Qantas wanting to charge the banks higher rates for QF FF points as Qantas attempts to control the loyalty plans through Direct Sweep programs rather than allowing people to have a choice where their credit card points are spent or hoarding them in the CC program for years and only transferring them to Qantas when they want to spend them. That way Qantas gets earlier and guaranteed payments for the points.

So I think it is Qantas' way of dis-incenting people from transfer cards rather than direct sweep cards.