Head-to-head
Amex Qantas Ultimate vs Westpac Altitude Qantas Black
Rates & conditions verified 9 September 2026
Rates can change without notice. Last verified: 9 September 2026 (AEST). Please confirm details on the bank’s official page.
Two direct-earning Qantas cards with very different personalities: Amex's strong uncapped-style earn rate and travel credit against Westpac's bigger sign-up bonus on a Mastercard that's accepted everywhere.
American Express Qantas American Express Ultimate
Best for high spenders who value a strong ongoing earn rate, the annual travel credit and lounge perks
Condition: Sign-up bonus after meeting a minimum spend in the first months; new Amex customers only
- Strong everyday Qantas Points earn rate
- Annual Qantas travel credit
- Lounge invitations included
Westpac Altitude Qantas Black
Best for bonus hunters who want a larger points haul on a widely-accepted Mastercard
Condition: Sign-up bonus split across two years, each tranche after a minimum spend
- Larger sign-up bonus
- Mastercard acceptance
- Big-four bank backing
At a glance
| Feature | American Express Qantas American Express Ultimate | Westpac Altitude Qantas Black |
|---|---|---|
| Bonus points | 120,000 pts | 150,000 pts |
| Everyday earn rate | 1.25 pts per $1 | 0.8 pts per $1 |
| Earn cap | 100,000 Qantas Points earned in a calendar year (everyday rate), then 1 pts per $1 | $10,000 spend per statement cycle, then 0.25 pts per $1 |
| Annual fee | $450 | $295 |
| Rewards program fee (on top) | — | $155 |
| Lounge access | 2 × Qantas Club a year | 2 × Qantas Club a year |
| Foreign transaction fee | Not stated | 3% |
| Condition to earn it | Sign-up bonus after meeting a minimum spend in the first months; new Amex customers only | Sign-up bonus split across two years, each tranche after a minimum spend |
The verdict
The trade is ongoing earn versus upfront bonus. Amex's everyday earn rate is markedly higher, and the travel credit can offset much of its fee for regular flyers — but Amex acceptance still trails Mastercard, and the earn advantage only compounds if your spend actually goes on the card. Westpac counters with a bigger two-year bonus and no acceptance worries, at a lower earn rate with a monthly cap. High ongoing spend favours the Amex; a points sprint favours the Westpac. The bonuses, fees and earn tables are on each review.
FAQs
Which card earns Qantas Points faster on everyday spend?
The Amex Qantas Ultimate has the higher everyday earn rate of the two — see the earn-rate tables on each review for the current bands and caps. The Westpac card's advantage is its bigger sign-up bonus, not its ongoing rate.
Does Amex acceptance matter in Australia?
Less than it used to, but it still trails Mastercard at smaller merchants and some billers. If a meaningful slice of your spend can't go on Amex, the effective earn gap narrows — some cardholders pair the Amex with a no-fee Mastercard for those merchants.
Related guides
Information verified 9 September 2026. Rates are variable and subject to change. Confirm current rates and conditions on each provider's website before applying. This is not financial advice.