Intersting idea. but until the earn rate is revealed, im not going to get too excited.

Friend of mine has 600,000 points right now with QF and can't redeem a business class flight to EU and back. and she was told that, it might be better for her to buy a Premium Economy ticket and then try to upgrade to business. So it's easy for her to earn points, but she can't use it when she wants, so whats the point (no pun intended).

You have to be organized to book In a premium cabin. I have two seats booked in Business Class to Europe for July but I booked them last year. I've done the same for the last few years and never had an issue. Just got to plan ahead. 

I don't seem to have too much of a problem booking with points, I have several flights booked, being first and business all on points. You just need to book in advance, as has been stated.

Great initiative... Might as well have an additional use of the card and if you don't want to use it you don't have to. Being able to store multiple currencies is also a great idea. Now lets see if the points earns at least equal what I get on AMEX and if it does the. I may just have to move across. 

Yes, yes excellent idea. Depends on the point yield of course, but the opportunity to earn points without a credit card is great.

Crediting it with different currencies is really smart, too.

Any details on which bank will be managing the cash card in the background? 

Well, the sample images have "Heritage Bank Limited" on the back of the card.

Heritage Bank also manage the "Cash Passport" card. So maybe the Qantas Cash card will be the same but re-branded?

About the only thing we all need to know is what percentage commision QFF will take in exchange rate cash card, if its under 2% they will make a fortune.

Good idea. Air NZ Airpoints have it but only to NZ residents.

However, if QF starts charging ridiculous annual fees, ATM withdrawal fees, loading fee, awful exchange rate, then I don't see this card is any useful at all. I might just stick with my No Foreign Transaction fees card e.g. 28 Degrees Mastercard, Bankwest Qantas Platinum Mastercard would give me favourable Mastercard wholesale rates, QF points earn (Bankwest), platinum benefits.

In the picture of the card, it says 'Prepaid Platinum'. Are we to assume that this will come with the usual Platinum Mastercard amenities? Is there a difference? Will higher status members be allocated 'Prepaid World' cards?

Can't wait to find out what all these things will mean!

Don't get me wrong, it is a brilliant Idea, but giving Bronze members the benefit of FSC by default, does that not deduct yet another perk from elite status... Bronze cards should include the cash capability but The Q Chip should remain exclusive to Silver, Gold, Platinum and Platinum One, in my opinion :)

anyone agree?

I'm not for that - next-gen checkin's been around for a while and by now it may as well be a standard feature for all Qantas frequent fyers rather than just a perk of the top end. It's also a little value-add which Vigin doesn't have, and in this competitive environment, Qnatas would be wanting to arm up with everything it has, including making next-gen checkin available to everyone.

Now you put it that way, I can see how it would encourage people to join the program. I think I will opt in for the Cash feature :)

I reckon a lot of us will be opting in - all depends on the rates being competitive, of course - I can see huge convenience in this.

But the rates are thing: Qantas could set totally competitive rates and get almost all QFF members using it, or they could make their rates slightly higher on the (probably correct) assumption that they'll still have enough travellers using the card so that the extra revenue will more than offset the slightly lower total userbase compared to competitive rates.

Double dipping at Woolies and Optus definitely floats my boat though :) I would GUESS that the earn rate would be anywhere between 0.5points - $1 to 1point - $1 and that they would add on a small fee for ATM withdrawals, currency exchange etc

looks like a positive 'enhancement' for a change. It is also a good reason for me to start carrying my card.

Just checked out the exchange rates at Heritage Bank and they are crap!! They will need to sharpen the pencil to make it worth while when you compare other banks.