Credit Card Earn Comparison Table

[Moopere]

I've been meaning to do this for a long time for myself, but seems equally valid to build up and maintain a table of comparison here for more general use. Note that all the information below should be considered out of date on any given day ... do you own research.

The numbers in the columns against the various airlines are the airline FF points earned per dollar spent once converted from the cards own points scheme. I'll add to this over time, feel free to post new information as things change or new cards a researched

Card

Type

Fee

Interest Free

Points/$ (Domestic)

QF

VA

CX

NZ

SQ

MH

EY

TG

VS

Notes

Links

CitiBank

Select

VISA

$700

55d

2:1

1.33

1

1.33

http://www.citibank.com.au/AUGCB/ICARD/condyn/getEntry.do?file=ripper_content/travel_catalogue&layout=success

Signature

VISA

$199 (1st year) $395 normally

55d

1.5:1

1

0.75

1

http://www.citibank.com.au/AUGCB/ICARD/condyn/getEntry.do?file=ripper_content/travel_catalogue&layout=success

HSBC

Woolies EDR

Master

$89

55d

1:1

1

Amex

Platinum Edge

Amex

$195

55d

3:1 - Supermarkets 2:1 - Fuel 1:1 - Most others 0.5:1 - Insurance, government, Telco's, etc

1+

1+

1+

1+

1+

1+

1+

1+

http://catalogue.membershiprewards.com.au/l2Category.mtw?categoryName=au_frequent_traveller_partners&parentCategoryName=au_travel_rewards_and_accessories&newCategorySearch=true

Corporate Green

Amex

$95+$89 for MR scheme

55d

1:1 (0.5:1 - Insurance, government, Telco's, etc)

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

http://catalogue.membershiprewards.com.au/l2Category.mtw?categoryName=au_frequent_traveller_partners&parentCategoryName=au_travel_rewards_and_accessories&newCategorySearch=true

Virgin Money

Velocity High Flyer

VISA

$289

44d

1.25:1

1.25:1

http://virginmoney.com.au/credit-card/compare-cards/

Velocity Flyer

VISA

$129

44d

1:1

1:1

After $1500 /month drops to 0.5:1

http://virginmoney.com.au/credit-card/compare-cards/

Card

Type

Fee

Interest Free

Points/$ (Domestic)

QF

VA

CX

NZ

SQ

MH

EY

TG

VS

Commonwealth

Diamond

Master

$425

55d

3:1 (Amex) 1.25:1 (MC)

(+$10 annual fee) 1.5 (Amex) 0.625 (MC)

1.5 (Amex) 0.625 (MC)

https://www.commbank.com.au/personal/credit-cards/expect-more/frequent-flyers.html

Platinum

Master

$280

55d

2.5:1 (Amex) 1:1 (MC)

(+$10 annual fee) 1.25 (Amex) 0.4 (MC)

1.5 (Amex) 0.5 (MC)

https://www.commbank.com.au/personal/credit-cards/expect-more/frequent-flyers.html

Gold

Master

$144

55d

2.0:1 (Amex) 1:1 (MC)

(+$10 annual fee) 0.8 (Amex) 0.4 (MC)

1.0 (Amex) 0.5 (MC)

https://www.commbank.com.au/personal/credit-cards/expect-more/frequent-flyers.html

 

[albatross710]

Thanks for making the start in this.

 

[n7of9]

excellent idea! it's always easier to compare info in a table rather than in multiple browser windows

NAB Velocity Rewards PREMIUM, AMEX + Visa, $150 p.a
44 days interest free
1.5:1 (AMEX) = 1.5 VA points
0.5:1 (Visa) = 0.5 VA points
http://www.nab.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/nab/nab/home/Personal_Finance/4/20/5/#tab1

NAB Velocity Rewards, AMEX + Visa, $65 p.a
44 days interest free
1:1 (AMEX) = 1 VA point
0.5:1 (Visa) = 0.5 VA point
http://www.nab.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/nab/nab/home/personal_finance/4/20/6#tab3


AMEX Velocity Platinum, $349 p.a.
44 days interest free
3:1 - Virgin Aust, and restaurants = 3 VA points
2:1 - other travel (airlines, accomm. travels agents) = 2 VA points
1:1 - Most others = 1 VA point
0.5:1 - Insurance, government, Telco's, etc = 0.5 VA point
https://www.americanexpress.com/au/content/velocity-rewards-cards/velocity-platinum


AMEX Velocity Gold, $99 first year, then $199 p.a.
44 days interest free
2:1 - Virgin Aust, supermarkets, petrol = 2 VA points
1:1 - Most others = 1 VA point
0.5:1 - Insurance, government, Telco's, etc = 0.5 VA point
https://www.americanexpress.com/au/content/velocity-rewards-cards/velocity-gold/


AMEX Velocity Escape, free
44 days interest free
2:1 - Virgin Aust = 2 VA points
1:1 - everywhere else = 1 VA point
https://www.americanexpress.com/au/content/velocity-rewards-cards/velocity-escape/

 

[Moopere]

Thanks for the extra info - I'd encourage anyone with an interest who is doing their own research to post a few notes for all to benefit from.

Quick note to mods: Whats the best way to keep this current? I can no longer edit the original table - it it reasonable to copy and paste and edit the original and keep posting the updated table?

 

[wxxnxs]

CX Asia Miles transfer is only for Citi Select card holders only not Signature.

 

[Newk]

Thanks for the extra info - I'd encourage anyone with an interest who is doing their own research to post a few notes for all to benefit from.

Quick note to mods: Whats the best way to keep this current? I can no longer edit the original table - it it reasonable to copy and paste and edit the original and keep posting the updated table?

maybe maintain it as a google spreadsheet and then post a link?

also and I accept that this is likely to be a dumb question but the platinum edge points transferring at 1+? Please explain. I understand the complexity of sometimes going through SPG can make a point worth more, but that doesn't seem to be the answer. Thanks in advance.

and thanks for starting this

 

[Moopere]

maybe maintain it as a google spreadsheet and then post a link?

also and I accept that this is likely to be a dumb question but the platinum edge points transferring at 1+? Please explain. I understand the complexity of sometimes going through SPG can make a point worth more, but that doesn't seem to be the answer. Thanks in advance.

and thanks for starting this

When cards have different earn for different types of purchase its difficult to tabulate - I am open to ideas on this though. For the Plat Edge you earn 3p for supermarket, 2p for fuel, 1p for others except for government/telco/insurance/etc ... I thought 1+ might help indicate that for most stuff 1p/$ is likely, but more (or less I guess) is possible.

I can't properly indicate on-earn either .. for example. Buying some fuel with the plat edge will get you 2:1$, but show your EDR card and you will possibly also earn 2p QFF/litre as well (given the right conditions). Or the case of buying some groceries from Woolies, say $200 worth. Pay with Plat Edge, gain 600 MR points, show EDR barcode gain 170 QFF extra and also gain a fuel discount code which can then be used as above.

 

[Moopere]

Card

Type

Fee

Interest Free

Points/$ (Dom)

QF

VA

CX

NZ

SQ

MH

EY

TG

VS

Notes

Links

CitiBank

Select

VISA

$700

55d

2:1

1.33

1

1.33

Citibank Australia - Rewards Program

Signature

VISA

$199 (1st year) $395 normally

55d

1.5:1

1

1

Citibank Australia - Rewards Program

HSBC

Woolies EDR

Master

$89

55d

1:1

1

NAB

Velocity Rewards Premium

Amex VISA

$150

44d

1.5:1 (Amex) 0.5:1 (VISA)

1.5 (Amex) 0.5 (VISA)

NAB Velocity Rewards Premium Card - NAB

Velocity Rewards

Amex VISA

$65

44d

1:1 (Amex) 0.5:1 (VISA)

1 (Amex) 0.5 (VISA)

NAB Velocity Rewards Card - NAB

Card

Type

Fee

Interest Free

Points/$ (Dom)

QF

VA

CX

NZ

SQ

MH

EY

TG

VS

Notes

Links

Amex

Platinum Edge

Amex

$195

55d

3/2/1/0.5

1*

1*

0.1*

1*

1*

1*

1*

1*

* See link

http://catalogue.membershiprewards....ewards_and_accessories&newCategorySearch=true

Velocity Platinum

Amex

$349

44d

3/2/1/0.5

1*

* See link

https://www.americanexpress.com/au/content/velocity-rewards-cards/velocity-platinum

Velocity Gold

Amex

$99 first year Normally $199

44d

2/1/0.5

1*

* See link

https://www.americanexpress.com/au/content/velocity-rewards-cards/velocity-gold/

Corporate Green

Amex

$95+$89 for MR scheme

55d

1/0.5

1*

1*

0.1*

1*

1*

1*

1*

1*

* See link

http://catalogue.membershiprewards....ewards_and_accessories&newCategorySearch=true

Velocity Escape

Amex

Free

44d

2/1

1*

* See link

https://www.americanexpress.com/au/content/velocity-rewards-cards/velocity-escape/

Card

Type

Fee

Interest Free

Points/$ (Dom)

QF

VA

CX

NZ

SQ

MH

EY

TG

VS

Virgin Money

Velocity High Flyer

VISA

$289

44d

1.25:1

1.25

Virgin Credit Cards | Virgin Money

Velocity Flyer

VISA

$129

44d

1:1

1:1

After $1500 /month drops to 0.5:1

Virgin Credit Cards | Virgin Money

Commonwealth

Diamond

Amex Master

$425

55d

3:1 (Amex) 1.25:1 (MC)

(+$10 annual fee) 1.5 (Amex) 0.625 (MC)

1.5 (Amex) 0.625 (MC)

https://www.commbank.com.au/personal/credit-cards/expect-more/frequent-flyers.html

Platinum

Amex Master

$280

55d

2.5:1 (Amex) 1:1 (MC)

(+$10 annual fee) 1.25 (Amex) 0.4 (MC)

1.5 (Amex) 0.5 (MC)

https://www.commbank.com.au/personal/credit-cards/expect-more/frequent-flyers.html

Gold

Amex Master

$144

55d

2.0:1 (Amex) 1:1 (MC)

(+$10 annual fee) 0.8 (Amex) 0.4 (MC)

1.0 (Amex) 0.5 (MC)

https://www.commbank.com.au/personal/credit-cards/expect-more/frequent-flyers.html

* Changes:

- Added more cards per posts
- Tried to reduce size of table ... not easy and its going to get even bigger
- Made links work properly and also reduced their size
- Highlight p/$ earn higher than 1:1 (as its rare and worth a second look sometimes)

Things of note:

- I didn't realise until writing this up that the velocity earn/$ on both the CBA Diamond and Platinum Amex co-brand is the same! Checked the link and its written up this way ... perhaps an error(?) Worth a check/look as the plat is significantly cheaper than the diamond and the Visa earn in both cases is horrible in any case.

 

[J-G]

- I didn't realise until writing this up that the velocity earn/$ on both the CBA Diamond and Platinum Amex co-brand is the same! Checked the link and its written up this way ... perhaps an error(?) Worth a check/look as the plat is significantly cheaper than the diamond and the Visa earn in both cases is horrible in any case.

This indeed used to be the case, however CBA has "enhanced" the earn rate on the platinum card to 2.5:1 effective 1/10/2013. Combined with a conversion rate of 2:1 CBA:VA, it is an effective 1.25pt/$1. The table should probably updated to reflect this. Also there is a pretty brutal points capping on the platinum card, where as the Diamond can earn up to 1,000,000 points ($333,333 Amex spend).

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

You could also update to indicate which cards provide you with travel insurance. Also international lounge access, which the Citi Select does though Priority Pass.

Are you restricting the list to credit cards or also including charge cards?

The Diner's Club + Mastercard combo has a $389 fee which gets you travel insurance, international lounge access and, as post 20 in this thread http://www.australianfrequentflyer....s/10-airlines-partners-diners-club-38378.html - indicates, the ability to transfer to up to 36 different airlines, including the only ways of earning miles in Australia through credit card spend on Korean Air, South African Airways, SAS, El Al, Southwest and Frontier Airlines.

 

[cove]

Westpac Black Earth and Altitude could fit nicely into the list despite the modest .625 point per dollar on the MasterCard. Points warehousing is the Altitude feature I like the most as points expiring would be a like a dagger to the heart.

 

[Cynicor]

Thank you for making this table, and putting it up for everyone.

 

[n7of9]

Whats the best way to keep this current?

this is what it can look like as a google spreadsheet...this is only a test, i copied your data into it and just spent a few mins fixing it

it's set up as only the owner being able to make changes, but 'anyone with the link' can view it...if you want to upkeep it, PM me your gmail address and i will share it with you and then remove myself as owner

the only thing you can't do is have different colours of text in the same cell

i also think i agreed with your original 1+ on the amex cards which can earn more than 1 point/$ depending on spend...1* see link makes it appear like 1 point is conditional, when in fact it's the 3 points max that are conditional

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AnwT_AB1tiA5dDJJWThfU3c3ZEpDTHBsVW0xZ3h3b3c&usp=sharing

 

[cove]

Is that a picture of "beauty school dropout"?
I must say I appreciate the folks who can create tables like this.
We grew up in the days of the abacus and slide rule so we are a tad behind doing such things.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

With Citibanks negative change to the transfer rates to SQ on some their cards it is becoming a bit of battle to get points from VISA/MC spend to *A which has been my preferred strategy for several years. (Though MR to Malaysia is also currently great value for Amex spend).

So it has become 0.625 per $ on CitiPlat or Westpac Black vs cards that earn 1 QFF point per $.

Temporarily there are some arbitrage bonus deals to boost that QFF earn to 4 QFF points per $. But that is temporary & capped. Still the points runner grabs what one can, when you can.

 

[n7of9]

Is that a picture of "beauty school dropout"?

lol...yep, FRENCHIE

 

[Moopere]

This indeed used to be the case, however CBA has "enhanced" the earn rate on the platinum card to 2.5:1 effective 1/10/2013. Combined with a conversion rate of 2:1 CBA:VA, it is an effective 1.25pt/$1. The table should probably updated to reflect this. Also there is a pretty brutal points capping on the platinum card, where as the Diamond can earn up to 1,000,000 points ($333,333 Amex spend).

Hmm, this is what really annoys me about many programs. Its a given that things have to change I suppose, but it annoys me that as a newbie potential customer looking at the online T&C and general info one would form a view and possibly buy the product only to find that 3 weeks later things change dramatically ... its edging towards bait and switch in my view no matter what the T&C might say about the institutions inherent 'right' to change anything at will without notification or recourse.

My inclination in a case like this is to go with the stated position, even despite misgivings on how things are known to be changing, because otherwise I'll end up in a heap of trouble trying to make sense of it all ... ie; tracking as yet unpublished change data. Thanks for the heads-up though, things like this I'll put into the notes column.

 

[Moopere]

You could also update to indicate which cards provide you with travel insurance. Also international lounge access, which the Citi Select does though Priority Pass.

All useful info, I did think of adding a column for sign-on bonus too. Theres probably even a good use in creating a 'use' case, given some arbitrary spend levels and trying to form a 'value' judgement based upon probable spend and return of points. Having said that though, insurance is a minefield with each set of T&C subtly (or not so subtly) different, lounge access is often a cherry pick of different lounges rather than blanket access, etc, etc, I think it will make the table too large and maybe difficult to maintain.

I _would_ like to find a way to easily demonstrate those cards which are clearly leading the pack, but not sure yet how to do that without creating a monster table thats ultimately too difficult to read.

Are you restricting the list to credit cards or also including charge cards?

All comers that reap points I think. The Amex Green I mention in the table is a charge for example.

The Diner's Club + Mastercard combo has a $389 fee which gets you travel insurance, international lounge access and, as post 20 in this thread http://www.australianfrequentflyer....s/10-airlines-partners-diners-club-38378.html - indicates, the ability to transfer to up to 36 different airlines, including the only ways of earning miles in Australia through credit card spend on Korean Air, South African Airways, SAS, El Al, Southwest and Frontier Airlines.

If you can list out the bennies I'd appreciate it:

Institution:
Name of card:
Annual Fee:
Interest Free days:
Earn (in cards own program):
Effective earn in FF points for the various programs:


That will help a lot. The diners is an interesting card and it should be represented for sure. Not so sure if the table can withstand _all_ the various programs that Diners can transfer too however. I could probably add another 1 or 2 FF columns before the table becomes too wide to be easily read on the forum.

 

[Moopere]

this is what it can look like as a google spreadsheet...this is only a test, i copied your data into it and just spent a few mins fixing it

it's set up as only the owner being able to make changes, but 'anyone with the link' can view it...if you want to upkeep it, PM me your gmail address and i will share it with you and then remove myself as owner

the only thing you can't do is have different colours of text in the same cell

i also think i agreed with your original 1+ on the amex cards which can earn more than 1 point/$ depending on spend...1* see link makes it appear like 1 point is conditional, when in fact it's the 3 points max that are conditional

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AnwT_AB1tiA5dDJJWThfU3c3ZEpDTHBsVW0xZ3h3b3c&usp=sharing

Looks like a good solution. I'll PM you.

 

[Holmesy999]

any update to this?

I am looking to switch from commonwealth bank as I no longer have a loan with them I am paying for the credit card which probably isn't a good deal as I can get elsewhere in terms of points and the annual fee.

Also I am struggling to decide if I stick with qantas or switch to virgin points - looking at the majority of my purchases, my biggest expense is groceries, so the 3:1 on Amex Platinum edge looks good for supermarkets, but it will mean switching to virgin completely. And I can't find a nice mastercard / visa for virgin to supplement the amex (which I will need). To me, the best mastercard deals are with qantas, the best amex deal is with virgin, which puts me in the middle as I need both cards!