Pay.com.au

[Dylanle]

Hello all,


I’m a newbie here and just starting to learn about points strategies. I came across Pay.com.au and was wondering if it’s really worth using.


From what I see:

• $1 spent = 2 PayRewards = 1 Qantas Point (or about 0.67 Asia Miles with Cathay).
• But there’s a 1.8% fee (so 1.8 cents per $1 spent).

Does anyone here use it? Is the cost per point reasonable compared to other ways of earning? Or are there better alternatives?


Thanks in advance!

 

[andye]

Hello all,


I’m a newbie here and just starting to learn about points strategies. I came across Pay.com.au and was wondering if it’s really worth using.


From what I see:

• $1 spent = 2 PayRewards = 1 Qantas Point (or about 0.67 Asia Miles with Cathay).
• But there’s a 1.8% fee (so 1.8 cents per $1 spent).

Does anyone here use it? Is the cost per point reasonable compared to other ways of earning? Or are there better alternatives?


Thanks in advance!

I have used processsors (with Amex Charge so higher earn) but only when I (and accountant) can justify as deductible business expense.
Some people are happy to acquire points at that surcharge.
Other reasons might be: urgent need for points for Points Club/+, need to hit credit card spend target, maybe transient cashflow problem

 

[flyguy77]

Spending 1.8c per point is way too much.

The main winner here is pay. com - the vast majority of people would be losing money chasing this dream Business/First Class reward seat availability that rarely exists and comes with additional fees anyway.

As an example - A return Business Class reward seat to Europe in the Qantas system requires 360,000 plus points plus most likely $1000+ in fees.

So if paying 1.8c per point that's already about $7500 for something that's often advertised as 'free' - and good luck finding seats or taking a family. You might as well just pay for flights and pick whatever date you want using the full range of airlines.

I'm amazed these companies suck so many people in and personally I think they are very deceptive in the way they advertise.

They also share the same ownership group as AFF & Point Hacks which makes for an 'interesting' relationship in regard to the content on those websites...

 

[pangwen]

As others have noted, the 1.8% fee for points is somewhat steep and would be reserved for when you're absolutely desperate for a small amount points quickly - to achieve PC/PCP requal, or you're very close to a redemption and need something urgently etc.

That said, pay.com.au is an option for paying bills with CC that only accept bank transfer (just don't elect to 'turbocharge' your earn with PayRewards). There is a fee of 1.1-1.32% (inc. GST) for payment with MC/Visa, which is in the realms of the CC surcharge you would face at a bricks-and-mortar store. If you're ok with paying that level of surcharge when out, this may be for you.

I would imagine most people on this forum aim to minimise their cost of acquiring points, so even 1.1% may still be a bit much to swallow.

 

[flyguy77]

Just to add

Pay. Com values points at a ridiculous 3.5c each for the purpose of their calculations.

Calculator - pay.com.au

Work out how many PayRewards you could be earning. Don’t forget, if you use your credit card you can stack both PayRewards and your credit card points!

pay.com.au

I think that tells you all you need to know about their business & how they are making a fortune off the uneducated general public.

 

[moa999]

They've also been running a huge number of ads on YT with the CEOs of a few clients putting all their bills through the system.

Must be some profitable businesses to be able to let someone else have a 2% cut

 

[ChrisFlyer]

They also share the same ownership group as AFF & Point Hacks which makes for an 'interesting' relationship in regard to the content on those websites...

You're a bit like a broken record with that. We get it, you don't seem to like them or the owners.

Nonetheless, I use Pay for my own business, but it makes sense because the GST component is neutralised via input credits, and the company tax deduction on the transaction fee reduces the net cost per point (it ends up being 1.26c per Qantas or Velocity point after input credits and 30% company tax deduction). If you were doing the same without input credits or deductions, it's 1.98c per airline point with those programs, which is a bit harder to justify. I use those points in ways that provide more value than the price paid, so it works for me, but YMMV. Kind of the same prospect as paying a credit card surcharge in a store to use a credit card. If a store charges 1% for MC/Visa or 3% for AMEX, I use MC/V even though the points earn on AMEX is higher, because 12-25% more points isn't worth paying 200% more. If you're paying a fee to get something, make sure the thing you're getting is worth it.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Nonetheless, I use Pay for my own business, but it makes sense because the GST component is neutralised via input credits, and the company tax deduction on the transaction fee reduces the net cost per point (it ends up being 1.26c per Qantas or Velocity point after input credits and 30% company tax deduction). If you were doing the same without input credits or deductions, it's 1.98c per airline point with those programs, which is a bit harder to justify. I use those points in ways that provide more value than the price paid, so it works for me, but YMMV. Kind of the same prospect as paying a credit card surcharge in a store to use a credit card. If a store charges 1% for MC/Visa or 3% for AMEX, I use MC/V even though the points earn on AMEX is higher, because 12-25% more points isn't worth paying 200% more. If you're paying a fee to get something, make sure the thing you're getting is worth it.

Like ChrisFlyer selectively and only for business expenses where the fees charged are tax deductible, and only normally where I cannot pay the business directly , or they have a higher CC fee themselves.

Mastercard fee of 1% Visa fee of 1.20% AMEX fee of 2.10%

I also tend to you use it more if they have a bonus point promotion that I can use to generate more points cost effectively. That rarely can also mean paying the additional fee if the extra points stack up.

I do not use Amex, with the rare exception where Amex has ha a points promotion to made the numbers work (This is rare, but I have used it 2 or 3 times).

Now having said the above the trend at present is CC providers are paying less and less points, and/or are bringing in monthly caps. So with that Pav.com.au may become useless to me.

I do not have any significant payment till Jan 2026, so will then assess if I use pay.com.au again then or not.

​

 

[flightsonpoints]

I use pay.com.au for all my business transactions + use amex plat, you have to think outside the box when using these points. I have a massive spreadsheet with calculations with all possible programs for redemption possibilities / value. The points game has never been better you just have to put in the time and have the tools to find the value for you. People have become lazy and expect to log in and book their flights to anywhere in First class and then complain that there's no seats..... I guess with this behaviour theres a lot more seats for people who put in the time....

 

[lovetravellingoz]

The points game has never been better

In terms of earn, I would strongly disagree, at least for someone with my circumstances. But, we are all different of course.

Points used to very cheap $$ wise to acquire. It was just time to get them, and often that was easy. Today one is basically buying FF points

I used to consider the cost of a FF redemption to mainly just be the Taxes & Charges, and the extra Fuel Fine if there was one. These days the cost of point acquisition is often considerable, and can be actually more than a buying a fare outright. Particularly if you factor in buying fares from any airline.

The last few years the cost of getting a point laned ins program has greatly increase

you just have to put in the time and have the tools to find the value for you. People have become lazy and expect to log in and book their flights to anywhere in First class and then complain that there's no seats..... I guess with this behaviour theres a lot more seats for people who put in the time....

In terms of burn. So far, I have not had an issue getting the flights I want. Mainly J with the occasional F. But then I abandoned QFF as a main FF program long ago, and that was one of best decisions I ever made.

However, having said that one gets less bang for your points these days too.

Overall my points stashes are shrinking.


The last few years the cost of getting a point landed in a program has greatly increased. It is now more points to redeem that flight as well.