Which credit card ?

Discussion in 'Money Management & Banking' started by hillsguy, 8th Jan, 2018.

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  1. hillsguy

    hillsguy Well-Known Member

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    OK - looking for some help on credit card choice.

    We pay our monthly balance in full each month ... really looking for best card that will build up points for either flights or towards vouchers.

    Don't mind paying annual fee as long as there is a benefit.

    We currently using Visa Debit from ING. Since they removed the 2% rebate last year we now are looking to change.

    Appreciate any input as we work thru our choices.
     
    hillsguy, 8th Jan, 2018
    #1
  2. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    Does your homeloan come with a credit card?
     
    Scott No Mates, 8th Jan, 2018
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  3. hillsguy

    hillsguy Well-Known Member

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    No home loan ... PPOR paid off ;-)
     
    hillsguy, 8th Jan, 2018
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  4. Peppas

    Peppas Well-Known Member

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    You could cycle through the different points deals, particularly those with no first year annual fee, ie ANZ black (I think?) has a 75k Qantas points bonus with no annual fee on the first year. Cancel before the first year ends, or when you've had the bonus points paid out and move onto the next deal. Theres various websites that go through the different available deals... Anyways, just one way to build up points.
     
    Peppas, 8th Jan, 2018
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  5. Morgs

    Morgs Well-Known Member Business Member

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    Depends on what sort of perks you are after (as an example which airline) and there are always deals floating around for new cardholders.

    We fly with Virgin frequently and use them for business class upgrades so this works well for us. Complimentary return domestic flight each year to offset the $375 fee (though you may be able to negotiate) and 60,000 velocity points on sign up (provided you hit minimum spend).

    Check out AMEX Platinum Velocity Card

    Also have as part of wealth package card Mastercard (CBA) for when AMEX isn't accepted.
     
    Morgs, 8th Jan, 2018
    #5
  6. Jamie Moore

    Jamie Moore MORTGAGE BROKER - AUSTRALIA WIDE Business Member

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    This is the card I have for business - no complaints and a decent promo.

    Had a couple of dodgy overseas transactions on it that were intercepted by their fraud team quite quickly too.

    Cheers

    Jamie
     
    Jamie Moore, 8th Jan, 2018
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  7. The Y-man

    The Y-man Moderator Staff Member

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    @hillsguy

    How much do you put through the cards a year?

    Also, on a relatively regular basis
    1. do you do any international travel?
    2. do you purchase things in foreign currencies?

    The Y-man
     
    The Y-man, 8th Jan, 2018
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  8. hillsguy

    hillsguy Well-Known Member

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    International bus class upgrades would be priority 1 if we had a choice.

    We would put $7K - $9K per month on card.
     
    hillsguy, 8th Jan, 2018
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  9. The Y-man

    The Y-man Moderator Staff Member

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    Worth looking at Citi. The points you'll get with that spend will make pay for the fees as well as still get gift cards etc.

    As with many other cards, carries free international travel insurance etc + 2 x priority pass lounge visits p/a for main cardholder.

    The Y-man
     
    The Y-man, 8th Jan, 2018
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  10. Wukong

    Wukong Well-Known Member

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    NAB has a promo of 100000 qantas points at the moment. Though, It caps out $1 to 1 point at 60k spend. The balance of spend we just use our CBA wealth package. CBA Amex is good when we travel, no charges for international spend.
     
    Wukong, 8th Jan, 2018
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  11. hillsguy

    hillsguy Well-Known Member

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    Challenge is always with Amex and 'sorry we do not accept Amex' line from merchants ...

    Thanks heaps for the input ... keep it coming.
     
    hillsguy, 8th Jan, 2018
    #11
  12. The Y-man

    The Y-man Moderator Staff Member

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    After many years I have just come to a sad conclusion ~ I read the fine print...
    No points for the biggest spends of a property investor - RATES!! :eek:

    So far, it looks like this is the case for all Visa/MC?

    The Y-man
     
    The Y-man, 8th Jun, 2018
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  13. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    I've not heard this. I'm curious to know if this applies to Westpac?

    I'm going to go and read some fine print.
     
    wylie, 9th Jun, 2018
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  14. Marg4000

    Marg4000 Well-Known Member

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    We always put our rates on the C.C. until the Council slapped on a CC surcharge that negated the points earned. Double whammy if you don’t get points.
    Marg
     
    Marg4000, 9th Jun, 2018
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  15. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    The surcharge is less than $5 per property (under $20 per year) so I still pay them on the card to give me more control and flexibility over our cashflow.
     
    wylie, 9th Jun, 2018
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  16. The Y-man

    The Y-man Moderator Staff Member

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    The altitude conditions say:
    4.4 When will you not earn points using an Altitude card issued by Westpac? While points are earned when you purchase goods and services, please note that points are not earned in respect of the following amounts that may be charged to your card account: • government charges (other than GST payable in connection with the purchase of goods or services on which you earn points)

    https://www.westpac.com.au/content/...credit-cards/Altitude_Rewards_Terms_and_1.pdf

    Check you points balance for a month where you paid rates.

    The Y-man
     
    The Y-man, 9th Jun, 2018
    #16
  17. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    Well... you learn something every day. I'll still likely pay them using credit, depending on cashflow. Sometimes it is a bit of a juggling act.

    But I really did think I was earning points.

    I'm glad to have this answered without having to go back and check points balances because doing that could make my head explode. :D:p

    I used to get to a couple of hundred thousand points and buy vouchers for the family for Christmas. To be honest, it becomes a bit of a burden, having the voucher when you may not actually need anything.

    Lately, each time I get enough points I trade them for a $50 credit.
     
    wylie, 9th Jun, 2018
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  18. The Y-man

    The Y-man Moderator Staff Member

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    After all this, was going to ditch my high-fee CC, but in the process found out:
    1. paying half the advertised rate (special deal)
    2. I didn't realise how expensive travel insurance is!! - makes the annual fee worthwhile

    The Y-man
     
    The Y-man, 9th Jun, 2018
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  19. TMNT

    TMNT Well-Known Member

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    I've never had to use travel insurance but many do say to read the fine print.
    Apparently credit card travel insurance is quite good for free. But it's not fully comprehensive
     
    TMNT, 12th Jun, 2018
    #19
  20. radson

    radson Well-Known Member

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    Its good for Coles, Woolies, BP etc. We use it extensively and have used the points for upgrades over 10 times with VA and SQ.
     
    radson, 12th Jun, 2018
    #20
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