Gift Cards. I don't get how to get best value from them.

[Mike Fewster]

OK, I can buy a gift card for, say, Bunnings, from a supermarket and use an Amex card to buy it and so get Amex points. How am I better off than just using my Amex card to buy directly at Bunnings? (I am a Qantas FF member)

 

[aaronjames000]

OK, I can buy a gift card for, say, Bunnings, from a supermarket and use an Amex card to buy it and so get Amex points. How am I better off than just using my Amex card to buy directly at Bunnings? (I am a Qantas FF member)

Because with cards such as the Amex platinum edge, when you purchase from Woolies for example, you can get 3ppd (and an extra 1ppd if you are local champion) instead of 1ppd (when buying directly at bunnings)... and if you buy things like Wish cards from an online portal such as through RACQ, you can also get 5% off (as well as 3ppd)

 

[kcoulson]

I use my David Jones Amex card to buy (2.25 points per dollar) Bunnings giftcards, thereby getting flybuy points and Qantas points - compared to 1 point for $1. There are often deals (flybuys) on giftcards too (e.g. 10 points per $1 spent recently). Especially for high value items, worth it!

 

[andye]

For external giftcards (eg Bunnings Rebel DJ etc but not WISH or ColesGroupMyer) you also get the supermarket points (Flybuys/EDR points).

The main benefit though as said is using a card with a supermarket multiplier (eg PlatEdge DJAmex). I'm not sure if the Amex Local Champion program is still running but it wasn't too hard to end up champion at the supermarket for an extra point/$

 

[robd]

For external giftcards (eg Bunnings Rebel DJ etc but not WISH or ColesGroupMyer) you also get the supermarket points (Flybuys/EDR points).

The main benefit though as said is using a card with a supermarket multiplier (eg PlatEdge DJAmex). I'm not sure if the Amex Local Champion program is still running but it wasn't too hard to end up champion at the supermarket for an extra point/$

Yes, Local Champion is still running. Fortunately, I don't think anyone frequenting my local Dan's or Woolies is playing along, so it's been easy for me to maintain my Champion status for months.

 

[andye]

For high-value items you did ought to weigh up the extra benefit in points versus the extended warranty you get on some cards.

The other Giftcard trick is to but discounted supermarket giftcards via Entertainment Book (and other sources) and use them to buy groceries and external giftcards

 

[zainman]

Example:

Buy Dick smith gift card at coles this week. Get triple flybuy points, and 3 membership reward points on your AMEX DJ. Also get 10% extra value loaded as part of another promo which is also running this week at coles.

So you spend $100 and get a $110 value gift card to be used at Dick Smith. 300 Flybuy points, 300 AMEX membership reward points. Any other stackable promotions? Maybe if you use a Coles group gift card that's been purchased at a discount (through Union shopper/nat seniors etc) but you would miss out on the triple AMEX points.

 

[andye]

Example:

Buy Dick smith gift card at coles this week. Get triple flybuy points, and 3 membership reward points on your AMEX DJ. Also get 10% extra value loaded as part of another promo which is also running this week at coles.

So you spend $100 and get a $110 value gift card to be used at Dick Smith. 300 Flybuy points, 300 AMEX membership reward points. Any other stackable promotions? Maybe if you use a Coles group gift card that's been purchased at a discount (through Union shopper/nat seniors etc) but you would miss out on the triple AMEX points.

If you buy WISH e-gift cards at Ent Book you get the 5% discount and the triple points as the Ent Book redirects to the Woolworths portal.
You do need to pay for an Entertainment Book subscription but it should be pretty easy to recoup the cost
I didn't know about the Coles promo-can you please expand?

 

[Mattg]

Don't forget about Qantas gift vouchers. If you pay any amount towards a QF flight booking with a gift voucher, then the credit card fee is waived. Also, QF often runs promos where you can get 10 bonus points per $1 spent on QF vouchers in the lead-up to Christmas. A nice little earner there.

 

[chelzmalee]

Anyone who shops online with David Jones - noticed this one yesterday

Buy gift card online thru Qantas Mall - 2 pts per dollar, pay with AMEX, min 1 point per dollar, then access DJs thru Qantas Mall to purchase goods, 5 points per dollar. Min 8 pts per dollar.

 

[burmans]

Anyone who shops online with David Jones - noticed this one yesterday

Buy gift card online thru Qantas Mall - 2 pts per dollar, pay with AMEX, min 1 point per dollar, then access DJs thru Qantas Mall to purchase goods, 5 points per dollar. Min 8 pts per dollar.

I think I can better that, DJ's cards currently 10% off at Entertainment Book!

 

[Dr Ralph]

I think I can better that, DJ's cards currently 10% off at Entertainment Book!

Currently? Normally I think.

 

[andye]

Anyone who shops online with David Jones - noticed this one yesterday

Buy gift card online thru Qantas Mall - 2 pts per dollar, pay with AMEX, min 1 point per dollar, then access DJs thru Qantas Mall to purchase goods, 5 points per dollar. Min 8 pts per dollar.

You can mix the mall with other methods.

I would go Ent Book to buy WISH card 5% discount + 3MR points with Edge. Buy physical DJ Gift Cards at WW to get EDR points. Use DJ giftcard at mall. Nearly 9 pts/$ and 5% off

EDIT: Hadn't seen Burman's post-that would win. 10% discount and 5pts and whatever points you get from paying for the DJ Gcs at Ent Book portal (not sure if they take Amex or only Visa/MC)

 

[andye]

I understand you can use up to 5 DJ giftcards per transaction at Qantas Mall

 

[clazman]

Note that if you buy a QF voucher the number of names on the voucher reflect the number of people on the booking

 

[Kerrodt]

Anyone who shops online with David Jones - noticed this one yesterday

Buy gift card online thru Qantas Mall - 2 pts per dollar, pay with AMEX, min 1 point per dollar, then access DJs thru Qantas Mall to purchase goods, 5 points per dollar. Min 8 pts per dollar.

Has anyone actually done this with success? The terms and conditions for DJ's on the online mall seem to exclude all of this.
This is from the t&c's at the online mall site:

David Jones terms and conditions
Qantas Points are not awarded on gift card/voucher purchases, purchases made using a gift card/voucher, on items that have been refunded, on taxes and delivery charges. Qantas points are also not awarded on all products from the following brands; CHANEL, Apple, Dior, Country Road, Witchery, Trenery

 

[exceladdict]

Don't forget about Qantas gift vouchers. If you pay any amount towards a QF flight booking with a gift voucher, then the credit card fee is waived. Also, QF often runs promos where you can get 10 bonus points per $1 spent on QF vouchers in the lead-up to Christmas. A nice little earner there.

Only risk with this is not getting complimentary insurance via your credit card for your holiday, of course depending on your PDS. BW is only $500 spend which is nice.