New to CBA reward points - questions

[Bell21]

completely new to cba reward points and not confident in cba call centre expertise (the one hour+ hold didn't appeal to me either so thought i'd try the brain trust)

A family member who knows nothing about points told me that they have 2M CBA points (accrued over many years) and they were going to redeem it for flight centre or at myers and i told them that was a very poor use of points esp given CBA's transfer partners (I was interested how the CBA could have such a unique range of transfer partners but such a poor way to earn points) - a few questions so i can assist them

1) I believe points don't expire if the card is active?

2) they have their points split between mastercard diamond awards and visa standard awards, so assume only implication is different transfer rates if transferring to VFF?

3) if they switched their accounts from general rewards to automatic QF awards, does that mean only new points becomes QF points or all accrued points? (assuming only new points)

4) are transfer times to QF and VFF within eg 1 to 2 days?

thanks all.

 

[Mattg]

Yeah, CommBank Awards is a pretty rubbish program. The main saving grace is the unique list of airlines you can transfer points to (albeit at poor rates in most cases).

To answer your questions (as far as I can):

1. Correct, CBA points don't expire with an active account.

2. Yep.

3. I don't know the answer to this, sorry. But I suspect not.

4. Also don't know sorry.

Hopefully someone else will chime in with more info.

 

[Bell21]

thanks matt. I finally managed to get through to the CBA

they confirmed that all points in your account, new or already accrued, become qantas points (isn't this what we love about the ins and outs of the points game - such a coughpy program to earn points in, but an interesting feature if you have points)

transfer time to VFF is a few days - QFF is at end of statement period once switch is made to QFF points.

lastly, cba told me that transfer rate to VFF is same irrespective of cba rewards program (ie 2:1) - i was speaking to their awards team, but this feels like it might not be correct as i understood 2:1 with Diamond and 2.5:1 for less premium cards.

 

[Mattg]

lastly, cba told me that transfer rate to VFF is same irrespective of cba rewards program (ie 2:1) - i was speaking to their awards team, but this feels like it might not be correct as i understood 2:1 with Diamond and 2.5:1 for less premium cards.

Wouldn't be the first time someone got conflicting info from the CBA call centre!

Every time I call up (it's been at least six times now over the past few years), I'm given slightly different information about which frequent flyer programs you can transfer points to and the transfer rates.

 

[Bell21]

that's what I thought!

I just hope the info re qff points re all being transferred including accrued points is correct, as that would be fantastic!

 

[jkbaus]

this AFF article has transfer rate info

Overview of CommBank Awards Transfer Partners - Australian Frequent Flyer

As of October 2024, you can transfer Commonwealth Bank Awards points to around 15 frequent flyer and loyalty programs. Please note that this list is

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Pointhacks has details on transfer partners and rates.

Earn Awards Points on spending with the CommBank Diamond Awards Credit Card

The Commbank Diamond Awards credit card comes with a large choice of airline partners, as well as complimentary overseas travel insurance.

www.pointhacks.com.au