Qantas has confirmed it will introduce a new chip-enabled card to its Frequent Flyer program which will unlock a range of new enhancements to the loyalty scheme.
The "next generation" card, available to Australian-based members from the third quarter of 2013, will have in-built pre-paid functionality in partnership with Mastercard called "Qantas Cash". It will enable members to transfer money onto the card for use at 35 million locations where Mastercard is accepted and earn points on eligible transactions.
The new offering will also double as a travel money card, with members able to use it to withdraw cash and foreign currency in Australia and overseas.
Qantas Loyalty chief executive Lesley Grant expected the enhancements would make the card "indispensable" for many people.
"The Qantas Cash feature will tap into the rapidly expanding area of electronic payments as people shift from cash to cards, and let members earn points from these transactions," she said.
"This new generation card will open the door to a lot of other uses through smart chip technology and the ability to integrate it with mobiles, meaning the sky is really the limit."
The Frequent Flyer program currently has more than nine million members.
