Virgin Flyer Visa - Earning Points on Government Spend (Rates, ATO etc)

[Obi-run Kenobi]

Has anyone had success earning points on Government Charges on the Virgin Flyer Visa through services like B2Bpay or Reward Pay?

T&Cs say you can't use the card for ATO or council rates, so I'd love to know if anyone has found a workaround for this.

[...]Eligible Transaction means any purchase excluding [...] government related transactions. Government related transactions include transactions with government or semi-government entities, or relating to services provided by or in connection with government (for example but not limited to transactions made at Australia Post, payments to the Australian Taxation Office, council rates, motor registries, tolls, parking stations and meters, fares on public transport, fines and court related costs). [...]

I have a bunch of council rates and ATO payments that would easily meet the min spend of this card.

Advice appreciated!

 

[pangwen]

Has anyone had success earning points on Government Charges on the Virgin Flyer Visa through services like B2Bpay or Reward Pay?

T&Cs say you can't use the card for ATO or council rates, so I'd love to know if anyone has found a workaround for this.



I have a bunch of council rates and ATO payments that would easily meet the min spend of this card.

Advice appreciated!

Rewardpay will not work - the service is only for Australian AMEX cards.

 

[Obi-run Kenobi]

Rewardpay will not work - the service is only for Australian AMEX cards.

Thanks - B2Bpay, in that case...?

 

[theblank]

Thanks - B2Bpay, in that case...?

pay for a hotel/flight booking way in the future that is 100% refundable.
I would use Agoda for that, because most hotels on charge you on checkin, and airlines tend to give credits.

 

[Obi-run Kenobi]

pay for a hotel/flight booking way in the future that is 100% refundable.
I would use Agoda for that, because most hotels on charge you on checkin, and airlines tend to give credits.

Oh, that's gold!

I'm assuming that Velocity/Virgin Money don't come asking for their points back when the hotel refund hits?

 

[Aus ATC]

Easy Bill Pay works with Virgin Flyer cards for points / bonus points - you can then pay your Govt bills through that service.

 

[Obi-run Kenobi]

Easy Bill Pay works with Virgin Flyer cards for points / bonus points - you can then pay your Govt bills through that service.

Thanks for the tip! I hadn't heard of that one before, so I'll give it a try. First glance it looks good and the fees seem very reasonable.

 

[RisingPhoenix]

Easy Bill Pay works with Virgin Flyer cards for points / bonus points - you can then pay your Govt bills through that service.

Thanks for that, does the credit card treat it as a cash advance though?

 

[Aus ATC]

Not a cash advance - it is a purchase. Points, interest free period apply. You just have to cover the 0.8% surcharge (after the first $1000 per month). If you do need cash though, you can make a charge to your card through EBP, then transfer it back to your bank account - takes a couple of days, but better than 2% and no interest free period (and no points)

 

[theblank]

I'm assuming that Velocity/Virgin Money don't come asking for their points back when the hotel refund hits?

you obviously need to wait to get the Bonus points in you FF account before you do the refund.
I never heard of anyone having points reverted, but if it was me I wouldnt abuse the process, only for a top up to get me over the line.

 

[NJSteve]

Thanks for the tip! I hadn't heard of that one before, so I'll give it a try. First glance it looks good and the fees seem very reasonable.

Yak Pay also offers a similar service, been using them since they launched in September I believe. Rates seem to be slightly better than Reward Pay/ Bill Pay at 1% for VISA and their customer service are super nice - works for us