Earn bonus points on Gift Vouchers - new and improved for Xmas.

[markis10]

I guess if you conservatively value QFF points at 1 cent each, you'd need to buy around $3,000 in vouchers to earn back the $300 annual travel insurance cost. Or just buy travel insurance on individual trips as you need it as you'd still save the $30.00 card fee when redeeming the vouchers for international tickets.

Still, it's a big minus for me - takes the shine off at least.

Travel Insurance pays for itself in my case even before its tax deductible, I have negotiated rates with the hire car companies that have a excess matching the maximum payable under the policy and save over $300 a year as a result, I am a heavy car renter but it has its advantages!

 

[serfty]

For the last four years most of my overseas itineraries have been based on booking originating outside of Australia, so it is rare for me that CC cover applies in any case.

Some years my travel has been such that an annual policy is worth while, other years no, and I have made do with itinerary specific cover.

 

[Austman]

For the last four years most of my overseas itineraries have been based on booking originating outside of Australia, so it is rare for me that CC cover applies in any case.

But Qantas vouchers can only be used for domestic trips or international trips that originate in Australia, where Credit Card free international travel insurance would usually apply.

 

[medhead]

The use of Qantas Vouchers can invalidate the free credit card travel insurance provided by Zurich Insurance.

I've just received written confirmation of this from Zurich. Even if you purchase the Qantas voucher with the same credit card, your free travel insurance benefit may become void.

The reason, according to Zurich is that the ticket must be purchased with the card. Purchasing a voucher is not purchasing a ticket. Some cards require that the ticket is fully purchased using the card, others might have minimum percentage requirement.

Free travel insurance that can be affected includes cards issued by the following:

ANZ Aussie
Bank of Melbourne
Bank of Queensland
BankSA
Bankwest
Citibank
Card services
Commonwealth Bank
Diners Club
HSBC
St. George
Suncorp Bank
Virgin Money
Westpac


For Citibank cards (mine) they quote the following:



This is a big minus in using the vouchers for me. I'll buy some for domestic travel only.

You know I read that and think they're just wrong. Not saying you shouldn't accept their written advice or anything. But the condition you quoted says that the cost of the ticket must be charged to the card. I'm sorry but that is not the same as purchasing the ticket with the card, as this case demonstrates.

Anyway, nothing you can do about it short of taking them to court. Certainly not worth doing that given the cost of a purchased TI policy.

 

[Austman]

Agree. But is it worth the risk/hassle?

I asked what if I purchased an international Qantas sale ticket with my CC and then cancelled. Qantas don't refund but generate a voucher that can be used against other higher or equal value fares. Would TI apply when using that voucher. Here is their reply to that question:

In regards to vouchers, though the initial ticket may have been purchased by the eligible Citibank card, the issuing of the voucher, then its subsequent use would not count (as satisfying the purchase requirement).

() part I added.

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

How does QANTAS AMEX CARD look at it ??

 

[Isochronous]

What about NAB Platinum? I notice NAB wasn't on Austman's list.

 

[medhead]

Agree. But is it worth the risk/hassle?

I asked what if I purchased an international Qantas sale ticket with my CC and then cancelled. Qantas don't refund but generate a voucher that can be used against other higher or equal value fares. Would TI apply when using that voucher. Here is their reply to that question:



() part I added.

Definitely not worth the hassle. Something to do if you had deep pockets, proceed on the assumption insurance was valid (bit hard since you've asked the question). If ever needing to claim and they rejected it, off to court.

What about NAB Platinum? I notice NAB wasn't on Austman's list.

I'm not sure about the platinum. But the nab gold card used to be a percentage of total cost qualification, before there was a platinum card. I haven't checked but I don't think that has changed. (happy to be corrected)

 

[oz_mark]

Westpac

There may be variations on policies, but my Westpac policy says:

Overseas travel insurance is a benefit available to current Westpac cardholders, their spouses and dependent child/children provided that the person is up to and including 80 years of age when they become eligible for the cover as outlined below. Cardholders, become eligible for this Overseas travel insurance when, before leaving Australia on an overseas journey, they have a return overseas travel ticket, and A$500 of their prepaid travel costs (i.e. costs of their return overseas travel ticket; and/or airport/departure taxes; and/or their prepaid overseas accommodation/travel; and/or their other prepaid overseas itinerary items) have been charged to the cardholder’s eligible credit card account.

 

[Austman]

There may be variations on policies, but my Westpac policy says:

Quite correct oz_mark - so check your card's policy.

Sorry! I said "The use of Qantas Vouchers can invalidate the free credit card travel insurance". I guess "might invalidate" would have been a better choice of words.

Mine card is Citibank - and Zurich quoted Citibank's conditions. They also said that it would be their claims assessor at Zurich that would invalidate the insurance.

 

[Austman]

You can check your CC card's Zurich Travel Insurance policy here:

Credit and Debit Card Insurances

Edit: I checked some of the policies and Citibank is not alone in wanting the whole ticket purchased.

I'm not sure if other insurers would say a voucher is not a ticket...

 

[QF WP]

I pulled the trigger this afternoon and bought up.

One disparity I have noticed between the screen prints of the confirmation page and the subsequent email from QF (within 10 mins) is the validity date.

The screen print shows valid until 05 December, yet the attachment to the email shows 19 December...:?::shock:

Aaah, QF, you never cease to amaze me

 

[medhead]

I pulled the trigger this afternoon and bought up.

One disparity I have noticed between the screen prints of the confirmation page and the subsequent email from QF (within 10 mins) is the validity date.

The screen print shows valid until 05 December, yet the attachment to the email shows 19 December...:?::shock:

Aaah, QF, you never cease to amaze me

Twas the same last year

 

[Hvr]

Twas the same last year

And all through the year.

 

[ric_melb]

Would like the advice of the experts. Purchased 2x$200 vouchers today, using my name as the purchaser, and recipient.
But only received one $400 voucher. No big issue, but I would really like a variety of vouchers.
Appreciate advice on what I seem to be doing wrong.

 

[defurax]

Would like the advice of the experts. Purchased 2x$200 vouchers today, using my name as the purchaser, and recipient.
But only received one $400 voucher. No big issue, but I would really like a variety of vouchers.
Appreciate advice on what I seem to be doing wrong.

Was it 2 separate transactions or 1 voucher for 2 passengers at 200$ each?

 

[ric_melb]

Thanks defurax, initially i specified 2x$200 vouchers, but used my name as each passenger, which seems to have produced the result of one voucher.
Would you be suggesting that I do a separate transaction per voucher, for example, creating one debit to my credit card per voucher?

 

[oz_mark]

Do you have a voucher for two passengers, with you listed as both passengers?

The only option I got was for the number of passengers on the voucher, not for the number of vouchers.

 

[AndyGoodyear]

Thanks defurax, initially i specified 2x$200 vouchers, but used my name as each passenger, which seems to have produced the result of one voucher.
Would you be suggesting that I do a separate transaction per voucher, for example, creating one debit to my credit card per voucher?

But as the remaining credit from a voucher used will be issued on a new voucher, would you need more than one voucher as the recipient of both? I can see why QF have done this.

 

[defurax]

Thanks defurax, initially i specified 2x$200 vouchers, but used my name as each passenger, which seems to have produced the result of one voucher.
Would you be suggesting that I do a separate transaction per voucher, for example, creating one debit to my credit card per voucher?

My understanding of the T&Cs is that you have in your possession a voucher valid for two passengers (I guess the system lets you put your name twice in the form since travellers name can be changed when making the flight booking). If I were you I would contact QF and ask if they can generate 2 vouchers of 200$ each.