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Australia’s rewards cards are changing: every major update to credit cards

Track major changes to sign-up bonuses, earn rates and more.

The Reserve Bank’s credit card reforms are barely more than a month away, but Australia’s rewards credit card market is already looking very different. Cardholders have already been given a preview of what’s coming from 1 October 2026.

It’s clear that banks are looking for ways to reduce the cost of rewards as the RBA cuts the consumer credit card interchange cap from 0.8% to 0.3%. But each bank is approaching the situation differently, so some cards might now suit you better than others. Here’s a rundown of the major changes we’ve seen so far.

We’ve included data where available, but we don’t have access to all card history. Only major card changes relevant to rewards points and benefits are included.

ANZ

ANZ was one of the first major banks to make a visible move, cutting the headline bonuses on its range of Qantas cards. Various cashbacks are also gone. But interestingly, it’s also one of the only banks that is preserving the earn and transfer rates (at least as of the time of writing).

ChangesBeforeNow (as of 25 Aug 26)
ANZ Rewards PlatinumUp to 125,000 ANZ Reward Points + $50 back on sign-upUnchanged
2 ANZ Reward Points/$1 on the first $2,000 of eligible spend per statement period, 0.5 points/$1 thereafter

Uncapped
From 28 Oct 26: Eligible spend capped at $25,000 per statement period for points earning.
$149 annual feeUnchanged
ANZ Rewards BlackUp to 180,000 ANZ Reward Points + $100 back on sign-upUnchanged
2 ANZ Reward Points/$1 on the first $5,000 of eligible spend per statement period, 1 point/$1 thereafter

Uncapped
From 28 Oct 26: Eligible spend capped at $50,000 per statement period for points earning.
$375 annual feeUnchanged
ANZ Frequent Flyer PlatinumUp to 75,000 Qantas Points on sign-upUp to 40,000 Qantas Points

20,000 points after $3,500 eligible spend in the first four months, plus another 20,000 points after keeping the card for over 12 months.
0.75 Qantas Points/$1 on eligible purchases up to $3,000 per statement period, 0.5 points/$1 thereafter

Uncapped
From 28 Oct 26: Eligible spend capped at $25,000 per statement period for Qantas Points earning.
$295 annual feeUnchanged
ANZ Frequent Flyer BlackUp to 130,000 Qantas Points on sign-upUp to 80,000 Qantas Points

40,000 points after $6,000 eligible spend in the first three months, plus another 40,000 points after keeping the card for over 12 months.
1 Qantas Point/$1 on the first $7,500 of eligible spend per statement period, 0.5 points/$1 thereafter

Uncapped
From 28 Oct 26: Eligible spend capped at $50,000 per statement period for Qantas Points earning.
$425 annual feeUnchanged

However, ANZ is implementing points caps from 28 October 2026 onwards, sitting at $25,000 or $50,000 per statement month. The move means ANZ is looking to try to retain customers over a longer period, perhaps those who might earn more with their monthly expenses.

One trade-off is that insurance benefits will be slashed. For example, the Rewards Platinum and Black cards will lose domestic and international travel insurance from 9 December 2026. The Frequent Flyer Black and Platinum cards will see some benefits and limits reduced.

For Qantas Points earning on a day-to-day basis, the ANZ Frequent Flyer range of cards is competitive.

ANZ Rewards Black credit card

Bonus points
Up to 180,000 extra ANZ Reward Points + $100 back
Annual fee
$375 p.a.
Earn
Earn 2 ANZ Reward Points per $1 spent on eligible purchases up to $5,000 per statement period, then 1 Reward Point per $1 spent on eligible purchases above $5,000 per statement period

MyCard

MyCard is making changes across several parts of its rewards proposition, including its earn rates, annual fee, and frequent flyer transfer rate.

ChangesBeforeNow (as of 25 Aug 2026)
MyCard PremierUp to 150,000 MyCard Rewards Points or 110,000 Velocity Points on sign-upUnchanged
Earn up to 2 points/$1 on international spend, 2 points/$1 online, and 1 point/$1 on all other transactions.

Capped at 200,000 points per year
From 1 Oct 2026: Earn up to 2 points/$1 on international spend, 2 points/$1 on eligible domestic travel spend, and 1.5 points/$1 on all other transactions.

No points cap
Transfer to Velocity at 2:1From 1 Oct 2026: Transfer to Velocity at 3:1
MyCard Premier QantasUp to 100,000 Qantas Points on sign-upUnchanged
Earn up to 1 Qantas Point/$1 on international spend, 1 point/$1 online, and 0.5 points/$1 on all other transactions.

Capped at 100,000 points per year
From 1 Oct 2026: Earn 0.5 Qantas Points/$1 on all eligible international and domestic spend.

Capped at $7,000 spend per statement period
MyCard RewardsUp to 100,000 MyCard Rewards Points on sign-upUnchanged
$199 annual feeFrom 1 Oct 2026: $249 annual fee
Earn up to 1 point/$1 on international spend and 1 point/$1 on all other transactions.

Capped at $10,000 spend per statement period
From 1 Oct 2026: Earn up to 2 points/$1 on international spend, 2 points/$1 on eligible domestic travel spend, and 1.5 points/$1 on all other transactions.

No points cap
Transfer to Velocity at 2:1From 1 Oct 2026: Transfer to Velocity at 3:1

So while the overall new earn structure looks more generous in some categories, the less-favourable Velocity transfer rate needs to be factored into the overall value. It’s not too bad as far as changes go, especially with sign-up bonuses still quite high (as of 25 August 2026).

MyCard Premier Credit Card (Velocity)

Bonus points
110,000 bonus Velocity Frequent Flyer Points⁹
Annual fee
$300 p.a.
Earn
2 MyCard reward Points per $1 spent on Eligible Transactions online or overseas and 1 MyCard reward Point per $1 spent on Eligible Transactions everywhere else, capped at 200,000 MyCard reward Points over a 12-month period

Qantas Money

The Qantas Money Platinum sign-up bonus has been cut to 40,000 Qantas Points, with another 40,000 points offered only if you haven’t earned Qantas Points from a credit card in 24 months. There are no changes to the Titanium card at the time of writing.

ChangesBeforeNow (as of 25 Aug 26)
Qantas Money PlatinumUp to 80,000 Qantas Points on sign-upUp to 80,000 Qantas Points on sign-up (40,000 points for meeting the minimum spend, 40,000 points if you haven’t earned Qantas Points on a credit card in the last 24 months).
Qantas Money Titanium150,000 Qantas Points on sign-upUnchanged

While no changes have been announced to the earn rates at the time of publication, we’ll update this guide if they do.

Qantas Money Titanium

Bonus points
150,000 bonus Qantas Points
Annual fee
$1200 p.a.
Earn
1.25 Qantas Points per $1 up to $12,500 per statement period and 0.5 thereafter. 2 Qantas Points per whole AU$1 equivalent on international spend (uncapped). 2 additional Qantas Points per whole AU $1 equivalent spent on Qantas spend (uncapped)

Virgin Money

Virgin Money, which is also underwritten by NAB, is trimming earn rates and monthly caps, along with a small bump in the annual fee. The bonus points offers are still the same, but note that some of the sign-up bonuses will be earned in the second year of having the card.

ChangesBeforeNow (as of 25 Aug 26)
Virgin Australia Velocity High FlyerUp to 100,000 Velocity Points on sign-upUnchanged
1 Velocity Point/$1 on the first $8,000 of eligible spend per statement period

0.5 points/$1 thereafter
0.75 Velocity Points/$1 on the first $5,000 of eligible spend per statement period

0.25 points/$1 thereafter
$329 annual fee$349 annual fee
Virgin Australia Velocity FlyerUp to 70,000 Velocity Points on sign-upUnchanged
0.66 Velocity Points/$1 on the first $1,500 of eligible spend per statement period

0.5 points/$1 thereafter
0.5 Velocity Points/$1 on the first $1,500 of eligible spend per statement period

0.25 points/$1 thereafter
$149 annual fee$169 annual fee
Virgin Money Anytime RewardsUp to 60,000 Virgin Money Points on sign-upUnchanged
1 Virgin Money Point/$1 on eligible transactions, uncapped1 point/$1 at major supermarkets and major restaurants or restaurant chains

0.5 points/$1 everywhere else
$149 annual fee$169 annual fee
International transaction fee appliesNo international transaction fee

Westpac

While the Westpac Group (including St.George, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA) is maintaining high sign-up bonuses, there are big changes coming to card earn rates and benefits. We’ve included the Westpac versions of the cards in the example below.

ChangesBeforeNow (as of 25 Aug 26)
Altitude Rewards PlatinumUp to 100,000 Altitude Rewards Points on sign-upUnchanged
Earn up to 2 points/$1 on international spend, 1.25 points/$1 on ‘Everyday spend’, and 1 point/$1 on other eligible purchases.

After $5,000 per statement cycle, earn 0.5 points/$1.
Unchanged
$175 annual card fee

$0 Altitude Rewards program fee
From 30 Sep: $175 annual card fee + $75 Altitude Rewards program fee

$250 total annual cost
Transfer to Velocity, KrisFlyer, or Cathay Asia Miles at 3:1From 30 Sep: Transfer to Velocity, KrisFlyer or Cathay Asia Miles at 4:1
Altitude Rewards BlackUp to 200,000 Altitude Rewards Points on sign-upUnchanged
Earn up to 3 points/$1 on international spend, 2 points/$1 on ‘Everyday spend’ and 1 point/$1 on other eligible purchases.

After $10,000 per statement cycle, earn 0.5 points/$1.
Unchanged
$295 annual card fee

$0 Altitude Rewards program fee
From 30 Sep: $295 annual card fee + $75 Altitude Rewards program fee

$370 total annual cost
Transfer to Velocity, KrisFlyer, or Cathay Asia Miles at 3:1From 30 Sep: Transfer to Velocity, KrisFlyer or Cathay Asia Miles at 4:1
Altitude Qantas PlatinumUp to 100,000 Qantas Points on sign-upUnchanged
Earn up to 0.75 Qantas Points/$1 on international spend, 0.5 points/$1 on ‘Everyday spend’ (including dining) and 0.35 points/$1 on other eligible purchases.

After $5,000 per statement cycle, earn 0.2 points/$1.
From 30 Sep: 0.75 points/$1 international, 0.5 points/$1 on ‘Everyday spend’ and 0.33 points/$1 on other purchases.

After $5,000 per statement cycle, earn 0.2 points/$1.

Dining moves from ‘Everyday spend’ to ‘other purchases’.
$175 annual card fee + $75 Altitude Qantas Rewards program fee

$250 total
From 30 Sep: $175 annual card fee + $125 Altitude Qantas Rewards program fee

$300 total
Altitude Qantas BlackUp to 150,000 Qantas Points on sign-upUnchanged
Earn up to 1.2 Qantas Points/$1 on international spend, 0.8 points/$1 on ‘Everyday spend’ and 0.5 points/$1 on other eligible purchases.

After $10,000 per statement cycle, earn 0.25 points/$1.
From 30 Sep: 1.5 points/$1 international, 0.8 points/$1 on ‘Everyday spend’ and 0.4 points/$1 on other purchases.

After $10,000 per statement cycle, earn 0.25 points/$1.

Dining moves from ‘Everyday spend’ to ‘other purchases’.
$295 annual card fee + $75 Altitude Qantas Rewards program fee

$370 total
From 30 Sep: $295 annual card fee + $155 Altitude Qantas Rewards program fee

$450 total
Altitude Velocity PlatinumUp to 100,000 Velocity Points on sign-upUnchanged
Earn up to 0.75 Velocity Points/$1 on international spend, 0.5 points/$1 on ‘Everyday spend’ and 0.35 points/$1 on other eligible purchases.

After $5,000 per statement cycle, earn 0.2 points/$1.
From 30 Sep: 0.75 points/$1 international, 0.5 points/$1 on ‘Everyday spend’ and 0.33 points/$1 on other purchases.

After $5,000 per statement cycle, earn 0.2 points/$1.

Dining moves from ‘Everyday spend’ to ‘other purchases’.
$175 annual card fee + $75 Altitude Velocity Rewards program fee

$250 total
From 30 Sep: $175 annual card fee+ $125 Altitude Velocity Rewards program fee

$300 total
Altitude Velocity BlackUp to 150,000 Velocity Points on sign-upUnchanged
Earn up to 1.2 Velocity Points/$1 on international spend, 0.8 points/$1 on ‘Everyday spend’ and 0.5 points/$1 on other eligible purchases.

After $10,000 per statement cycle, earn 0.25 points/$1.
From 30 Sep: 1.5 points/$1 international, 0.8 points/$1 on ‘Everyday spend’ and 0.4 points/$1 on other purchases.

After $10,000 per statement cycle, earn 0.25 points/$1.

Dining moves from ‘Everyday spend’ to ‘other purchases’.
$295 annual card fee + $75 Altitude Velocity Rewards program fee

$370 total
From 30 Sep: $295 annual card fee + $155 Altitude Velocity Rewards program fee

$450 total
Insurance changes from 1 October 2026: Purchase Protection Insurance, Extended Warranty Insurance and Overseas Transit Accident Insurance will no longer be offered for new eligible purchases or travel from this date. Travel insurance will no longer include cover for Trip Cancellation, Travel Delay, and Luggage.

Westpac has confirmed that changes to fees, rates and its Rewards Points program take effect from 30 September, followed by changes to complimentary insurance from 1 October.

While sign-up bonuses remain amongst the highest in the market, the cuts to earn rates are fairly significant. Altitude Rewards members should also note the poor transfer rate from 30 September, rising to 4:1 for Velocity, KrisFlyer, and Cathay.

The Qantas and Velocity co-branded card earn rates are mostly the same, with Westpac tweaking card fees and insurance instead. However, ‘dining’ will earn at a lower rate than it does now.

Westpac Altitude Qantas Black

Bonus points
Up to 150,000 Qantas Points
Annual fee
$295 p.a. plus $75 annual Rewards fee
Earn
Earn 1.2 Qantas Points per $1 on international transactions, 0.8 Qantas Points per $1 on everyday spend, and 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 on all other eligible spend up to $10,000 per statement period. Then 0.25 Qantas Points per $1 thereafter

NAB

NAB is making some of the more significant changes to ongoing rewards earning, alongside changes to fees. The sign-up bonuses are still competitive, but keep an eye out for low monthly earning caps and tiered earn rates.

ChangesBeforeNow (as of 25 Aug 26)
NAB Qantas Rewards PremiumUp to 100,000 Qantas Points + $150 cashback on sign-upUnchanged
1 Qantas Point/$1.50 on the first $3,000 of eligible spend per statement period

1 Qantas Point/$3 on the next $3,000

Maximum $6,000 eligible spend per statement period
From 1 Oct: 0.5 Qantas Point/$1 on the first $3,000 of eligible spend per statement period

0.25 Qantas Points/$1 on the next $3,000

Maximum $6,000 eligible spend per statement period

Plus 1 bonus Qantas Point/$2 on international spend, uncapped
$295 annual feeUnchanged
NAB Qantas Rewards SignatureUp to 130,000 Qantas Points + $250 cashback on sign-upUnchanged
1 Qantas Point/$1 on the first $5,000 of eligible spend per statement period

0.5 Qantas Points/$1 on the next $15,000

Maximum $20,000 eligible spend per statement period

Plus bonus Qantas Points on selected Qantas products and services
From 1 Oct: 0.75 Qantas Point/$1 on the first $3,000 of eligible spend per statement period

0.25 Qantas Points/$1 on the next $12,000

Maximum $15,000 eligible spend per statement period

Plus 0.5 bonus Qantas Point/$1 on international spend, uncapped
$420 annual fee$449 annual fee for new applications from 1 October 2026
NAB Rewards Platinum

Becomes NAB Rewards Card
Up to 100,000 NAB Rewards Points on sign-upUnchanged
1 NAB Rewards Point/$1 on everyday eligible purchases

1.5 points/$1 at eligible grocery stores

2 points/$1 on eligible Webjet purchases
From 1 Oct: 1.25 NAB Rewards Points/$1 on the first $5,000 of eligible spend per statement period

0.5 points/$1 thereafter, uncapped

Points Booster changes to provide an additional 1 point/$1 on eligible grocery, petrol, public transport, and travel transactions.
$195 annual feeUnchanged
Transfer to Velocity at 2:1From 1 Oct: transfer to Velocity at 3:1
NAB Rewards Signature

Becomes NAB Rewards Travel Card
Up to 110,000 NAB Rewards Points or 80,000 Velocity Points on sign-upUnchanged
1.5 NAB Rewards Points/$1 on the first $15,000 of eligible spend per statement period

0.5 points/$1 thereafter, uncapped

Plus 1.5 points/$1 at eligible grocery stores and 2 points/$1 on eligible Webjet purchases
From 1 Oct: 1.5 NAB Rewards Points/$1 on the first $10,000 of eligible spend per statement period

0.5 points/$1 thereafter, uncapped

Points Booster changes to provide an additional 1 point/$1 on eligible grocery, petrol, public transport, and travel transactions.

Webjet bonus earn is removed.
$35 monthly fee, waived when you spend $5,000+ per statement periodFrom 1 Oct: $395 annual fee. The $5,000 monthly spend waiver is removed.
No international transaction feesUnchanged
No lounge passesFrom 1 Oct: 2x lounge passes at selected airports (T&Cs pending)
Transfer to Velocity at 2:1From 1 Oct: transfer to Velocity at 3:1

NAB Rewards Signature Card with Velocity

Bonus points
Up to 80,000 bonus Velocity Points
Annual fee
$35 monthly fee, can be reversed when you spend $5,000 or more in a statement period. From 1 October 2026, the monthly fee waiver will end and the monthly fee of $35 will be replaced with an annual fee of $395.
Earn
Earn 1.5 NAB Rewards Points per $1 spent on everyday purchases up to $15,000 per statement period, then 0.5 NAB Rewards Points for every $1 spent, uncapped thereafter². Points earn rates are changing from 1 October 2026. See terms for more information.

CommBank

CommBank is arguably taking the most radical approach. Rather than simply tweaking its credit card rewards, it is replacing CommBank Awards with CommBank Yello from 1 October. Credit card earn rates will soon be based on your Yello tier, which in turn is based on how much you bank with CommBank.

ChangesBeforeNow (as of 25 Aug 26)
CommBank Ultimate Awards

Becomes CommBank Ultimate
$35 monthly fee, waived when you spend $4,000+ per statement periodFrom 29 Sep: $35 monthly fee
The monthly spend waiver will be removed from 1 Jan 2027
Earn up to 3 Awards points/$1 on international spend

2 Awards points/$1 at selected Australian supermarkets, department stores, petrol stations, dining and utilities

1 Award point/$1 on other eligible purchases

Earn rates reduced after applicable spending caps
From 29 Sep: 2 Yello Points/$1 on international spend

0.5-1.5 Yello Points/$1 on other eligible purchases, depending on Yello tier:

Yello: 0.5 points/$1
Yello Plus: 0.75 points/$1
Yello Gold: 1 point/$1
Yello Diamond: 1.5 points/$1

Uncapped
No monthly travel or dining creditsFrom 29 Sep: $25 monthly Travel Credit via CommBank Travel Booking

$10 monthly Dining Credit via Dine in Deals

Credits expire after 12 months
Travel insurance
2x airport lounge passes per year
No international transaction fees
Previous benefits unchanged

From 29 Sep: DoorDash DashPass
$10 DoorDash credit when spending $50+ on an order
Cracked Screen Cover
CommBank Smart Awards

Becomes CommBank Smart
$19 monthly fee, waived when you spend $2,000+ per statement periodFrom 29 Sep: $19 monthly fee
The $2,000 monthly spend waiver will be removed from 1 January 2027.
Earn up to 1.5 Awards points/$1 at selected supermarkets, department stores, petrol stations, dining and utilities

1 Awards point/$1 on other eligible purchases

Lower earn rate after applicable spending cap
From 29 Sep: 2 Yello Points/$1 on international spend

0.5–1.5 Yello Points/$1 on other eligible purchases, depending on Yello tier:

Yello: 0.5 points/$1
Yello Plus: 0.75 points/$1
Yello Gold: 1 point/$1
Yello Diamond: 1.5 points/$1

Uncapped
No monthly travel or dining creditsFrom 29 Sep: $10 monthly Travel Credit via CommBank Travel Booking

$10 monthly Dining Credit via Dine in Deals

Credits expire after 12 months
Travel insurance
No international transaction fees
Travel insurance benefit unchanged

From 29 Sep: DoorDash DashPass
Cracked Screen Cover
3.5% international transaction fee applies from 29 September 2026
Transfer to partner programs2.5 to 1 for Qantas ($90 annual fee applies) or 2 to 1 for Velocity (no fee)From 29 Sep: 3 to 1 for Qantas ($149 annual fee applies), 2.5 to 1 for Velocity ($99 annual fee applies), 2.5 to 1 for Qatar Airways, 2 to 1 for Myer, 3 to 2 for Everyday Rewards

Customers will be able to earn Yello Points through home loans, insurance, personal loans, CommSec, term deposits, travel and dining, as well as credit and debit card spending.

Summing up

Bank/programBiggest changeWhy you might consider it
ANZSign-up bonuses cutEarn rates are unchanged, high monthly earning caps. Good for ongoing Qantas earn
MyCardEarn and transfer ratesGood balance: sign-up bonuses and ongoing earn with MyCard Rewards points/Velocity Points
Qantas MoneySign-up bonus structure change (Platinum)Earn rates are still unchanged
WestpacFees, rewards and insurance changesHigh sign-up bonuses
NABEarn rates, feesGood sign-up bonuses, Rewards Signature has no FX fee
CommBankYello overhaulSignificant banking with CBA beyond credit cards

As always, you need to consider the sign-up bonus, ongoing earn rate, annual fee, transfer rates, insurance and other perks, spending caps and, crucially, how you’ll actually redeem the points. Banks are approaching these changes differently, so pick the card that works for you.

The good news is that competition hasn’t disappeared. There are still strong offers in the market, and after the changes kick in, we could see better promos to lure customers back.

If we missed any important changes, please let us know in the comments below!

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