Card suggestions

[FromTheRail]

Am new to the country and and just getting round to getting some CC's for points collecting.

Myself and my wife are on decent 6 figure salaries, we are looking at collecting points for travel back to the UK (redemptions and upgrades), but not specifically with Qantas. We would like to use one a OneWorld carrier so the ability to transfer points to a OW carrier is essential. We will have payments due to the ATO and have a GST bill due soon. Uncapped points earning potential is a must as a lot will go through the cards.

Currently we are thinking using a combo of the Westpac Altitude Black and Amex Plat Edge.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[Mwenenzi]

Amex to SPG (Starwood) to AA or other airlines works for some. No fuel surcharge on an AA award on QF flight
https://catalogue.membershiprewards...newSearch=true&inav=au_menu_rewards_mr_travel
Starwood Preferred Guest - Hotel Offers and Loyalty Program spg.com

For upgrades the general rule is you can only upgrade a flight marketed (flight number) and operated (metal) by the airline of your freq flyer programme (no codeshares). All subject to the t&c's of your FFP and your paid ticket. Low cost tickets are often not eligible for upgrades.
However as is the way with FFP's there are some upgrade exceptions
- on AA/BA/IB with higher priced economy fares using AA/BA/IB upgrade instruments
- on some BA tickets with Asia Miles

Anyway forget about upgrading a QF flight with QF points. A straight out business award with AA miles is less than the QF points upgrade
If starting from zero AA may be better than QF. Do you have BA avios?

 

[FromTheRail]

I knew about the upgrades, but if was using MH or CX, it could be done

Still have about 90k avios, a few Qmiles and that's about it

 

[PLANT]

Read as many COVE posts as you can

 

[DaveB]

Citi have the best Visa/MC cards going for points pooling as comparable cards force you to use either QF or VA. A fee free for life offer on the Signature card runs out tomorrow, though they did extend this offer originally ending in December. Citi though no good for ATO spend.
I use the Westpac Altitude and Edge for other spend pooling all points with past points allocations going to EY (thru VA), SQ, VA and CX.

 

[FromTheRail]

Have been reading up some more and have come up with this list:

Usual Australia spending - 1st Amex Plat Edge then Westpac Altitude Black Mastercard 2nd

Australian ATO spend - Westpac Altitude Black Mastercard (have heard the Diners attached MC works fine even though its through Citi)

Overseas spend - 28Degrees Mastercard

Overseas ATM - CitiBank Plus Debit


I've noticed the CitiBank Rewards Signature offer has been extended again to 28th February, but i can't see fitting in with my needs just now apart from it being another free card and it being a Visa.

 

[DTM1]

you should note that any spend on the Westpac Black Mastercard only earns at 0.6 points per $. You are better of using the Black Amex, which earns at 1.5 points per $. Even for ATO payments, I find the black amex good, although the transaction fee is double that of the mastercard. However, if you are chasing the points, the amex is way better, even taking into account the additional fee. Also bear in mind that the transaction fee is deductible, so it's not as much as it would appear.

 

[FromTheRail]

However, if you are chasing the points, the amex is way better, even taking into account the additional fee. Also bear in mind that the transaction fee is deductible, so it's not as much as it would appear.

Handy to know, still getting my head around a new tax system

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Overseas spend - 28Degrees Mastercard

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Personally I would use the Citibank Signature for International VIS/MC spend as the points gained to me is worth more than the extra fees charged.

• International: 4 reward points per $1 spent

 

[legroom]

Personally I would use the Citibank Signature for International VIS/MC spend as the points gained to me is worth more than the extra fees charged.

• International: 4 reward points per $1 spent

I'd second this option.

I do carry the 28 degrees but only for emergencies.

I switched to Signature from Select last month and already missing the Select (5 pts per overseas $).

 

[FromTheRail]

Personally I would use the Citibank Signature for International VIS/MC spend as the points gained to me is worth more than the extra fees charged.

• International: 4 reward points per $1 spent

I'd second this option.

I do carry the 28 degrees but only for emergencies.

I switched to Signature from Select last month and already missing the Select (5 pts per overseas $).

Interesting to hear real world views, looks like I will get it as I will be spending abroad throughout the year and domestically its $1 to 1 (or .75) FF point/mile

Updated list:

Supermarkets & Fuel - 1st Amex Plat Edge - 2nd CitiBank Signature

Other Australia spend - 1st Westpac Altitude Black Amex - 2nd Westfield XS - 3rd CitiBank Signature

Australian ATO spend - Westpac Altitude Black Amex (% & cost of fees unknown)

Overseas spend - CitiBank Signature (3.5%) or 28 degrees (fee free but no points)

Overseas ATM - CitiBank Plus Debit



Amex Platinum Edge:
$1 spend = 2-3 Amex MR = 2-3 KrisFlyer Miles = 2-3 Velocity points = 2-3 Asia Miles

Westpac Altitude Black Amex:
$1 spend = 3 Westpac Points = 1.5 KrisFlyer mile - 1.5 Velocity point = 1.5 Asia Miles

Westpac Altitude Black MC:
$1 spend = 1.25 Westpac Points = 0.625 KrisFlyer mile = 0.625 Velocity point = 0.625 Asia Miles

Citi Signature Rewards:
$1 AUS spend = 1.5 Citibank rewards points = 1 KrisFlyer mile = 1 Velocity point = 0.75 Asia Miles
$1 non-AUS spend = 4 Citibank rewards points = 2.66 KrisFlyer mile = 2.66 Velocity point = 2 Asia Miles



Please correct me if I have any of the above wrong or if you have any other suggestions

 

[legroom]

I'd suggest for supermarkets the 2nd option should still be Alt Black AMEX rather than Signature.

Have you looked at XS card as Alt Black AMEX substitute ?

Have one ready when AMEX is declined, use Signature only when XS is not accepted.

 

[Cynicor]

Depending on how much you value the points, I would still be using my 28 degrees ideas rather than the Citi. This is a personal choice, but the fees normally work out closer to 3.5% I have found.

 

[FromTheRail]

I'd suggest for supermarkets the 2nd option should still be Alt Black AMEX rather than Signature.

I did have that originally but then thought if they don't take the Amex Plat Edge then they are not going to take the Westpac Amex

Have you looked at XS card as Alt Black AMEX substitute ?

Have one ready when AMEX is declined, use Signature only when XS is not accepted.

I have just looked into that one, it does involve effort to make it work but is a benefit, i'm guessing Westfield doesn't count as a supermarket so should be bought on the Westpac Amex?

If anyone has any advanced methods that they are willing to share pm me and discretion is assured, will have an approx 100k ATO tax/gst bill to pay per year and would like to make the most of it!

above list updated

 

[legroom]

Depending on your non-AMEX spending pattern, Citi Select would give you better points per $ ratio:

Signature: 1 KF / AM (DOM), 2.66 KF/AM (INT)

Select: 1.33 KF / AM, 3.33 KF / AM (INT)

I was tempted by the fee-free Signature but right now, I am tempted to go back to Select as my non-AMEX spend is still more than I had envisaged.

 

[prozac]

I am also one who uses Amex Plat Edge for supermarket and petrol, whilst Westpac Altitude Black (Amex and Mastercard) for everything else. This covers me for all my purchase situations and the Westpac Black card gets you extra 3 points (really 1.5 pts) when used overseas.

You get more sign up bonus points if referred by an existing Amex holder (15k instead of 10k).

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I am also one who uses Amex Plat Edge for supermarket and petrol, whilst Westpac Altitude Black (Amex and Mastercard) for everything else. This covers me for all my purchase situations and the Westpac Black card gets you extra 3 points (really 1.5 pts) when used overseas.

.

I use those plus a free Reserve for

• 3 points[SUP]4[/SUP] per $1 spent at restaurants in Australia listed here
• 2 points[SUP]4[/SUP] per $1 spent on:
  • Airlines, accommodation, major cruises and tour operators paid directly or through
    travel agents listed here

For a number of bills I pay by PAYPAL linked to my Westpac Black Amex.


Name of the game is to use the card that earns the most points....which my wife continues to find a challenge!!!

It also varies from time to time due to various bonus offers that Amex may offer (which is why any serious point runner should have at least one direct issued Amex card in their quiver!!!)...or Everyday Rewards may have

This last week was a good week as I spent about $2000 for 10,000 points by promos plus base card spend.
Citibank also has promos, but more rarely.

 

[legroom]

The update list is skewed against QFF points (which may well be the OP's preference).

Another person may like to subsitute Westpac Black with EARTH Platinum for QFF earn.

 

[prozac]

I use a free Reserve for

• 3 points[SUP]4[/SUP] per $1 spent at restaurants in Australia listed here
• 2 points[SUP]4[/SUP] per $1 spent on:
  • Airlines, accommodation, major cruises and tour operators paid directly or through
    travel agents listed here

Problem with the Amex restaurant list is that many of them surcharge for using Amex.

 

[FromTheRail]

The update list is skewed against QFF points (which may well be the OP's preference).

Another person may like to subsitute Westpac Black with EARTH Platinum for QFF earn.

It is, as am not keen to go down the purely QFF route just now, I like to have the flexibility of what FF program I can transfer points to, plus the ability to store points and transfer during bonus promotions (if you have them here??)

Depending on your non-AMEX spending pattern, Citi Select would give you better points per $ ratio:

Signature: 1 KF / AM (DOM), 2.66 KF/AM (INT)

Select: 1.33 KF / AM, 3.33 KF / AM (INT)

I was tempted by the fee-free Signature but right now, I am tempted to go back to Select as my non-AMEX spend is still more than I had envisaged.

I was also tempted with the better earn rate but just now I don't know if it will be worth $700 a year, but it is something to keep an eye on for the future.