Earning Points for Paying Tax – AIR050

Matt Graham

 

In 2009, the Australian Tax Office (ATO) began accepting payments by credit card. Many Australians have to pay tax anyway, so they took the opportunity to pay by card and earn frequent flyer points in the process. Since then, the banks have slowly but surely removed this loophole by excluding government payments from earning points. Next week, St George Bank will become the final major Australian bank to stop awarding points for tax payments.

But Australians have made hay while the sun was shining – and few more so than the AFF member who goes by the username “cove”. Cove estimates his family has earned 100 million points by paying taxes with credit cards since 2009. In this episode, Matt finds out how he did it! You’ll also learn how to continue earning points for tax payments, even after St George closes this loophole.

Also in this episode, Qantas has launched a status match and Virgin Australia is now finally out of voluntary administration.

 

 

Episode contents:

  • 1:14 – Fortnightly news round-up
  • 8:18 – Virgin Australia is out of voluntary administration. What’s next?
  • 12:45 – Interview with “cove”
  • 29:07 – How to continue earning points for tax payments in Australia

 

Links:

 

Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up:

Matt Graham
The editor of Australian Frequent Flyer, Matt's passion for travel has taken him to over 70 countries… with the help of frequent flyer points, of course!
Matt's favourite destinations (so far) are Germany, Brazil & Kazakhstan. His interests include economics, aviation & foreign languages, and he has a soft spot for good food and red wine.

You can connect with Matt by posting on the Australian Frequent Flyer community forum and tagging @AFF Editor.
Matt Graham
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