Frequent flyer bank cards reward you with free flights, upgrades and different journey perks only for doing all your on a regular basis spending. There’s a card for the whole lot: you’ll be able to select from fundamental, no-frills choices to playing cards that dish out huge factors and massive options.
Loads of frequent flyer bank cards include epic sign-up bonus factors to kickstart your rewards stash, and a few have steadiness switch options if you wish to shift your debt to a brand new card for 0% curiosity and to pay it off sooner.
Or, when you’re simply saying “present me the factors!”, search for bank cards that pay out the best variety of frequent flyer factors for each greenback you spend.
We’ve made it straightforward by summarising the options of every card proper right here. You may click on the cardboard to see the cardboard’s full particulars on the financial institution’s web site, and apply from there too.
Right here’s the highest frequent flyer bank cards for April 2022
Take a look at our high frequent flyer offers for this month. Click on ‘go to supply’ for a full rundown of the cardboard’s options, and to use.
Citi Premier Qantas Credit score Card – 100,000 bonus Qantas Factors
Take pleasure in a hefty 100,000 bonus Qantas Factors while you apply for a brand new Citi Premier Qantas Credit score Card by April 28, 2022 and spend $4,000 on eligible transactions inside the first 90 days from card approval. Increase earned factors with 1 Qantas Level per $1 spent on eligible transactions on-line and internationally, and 0.5 factors per $1 on home spend elsewhere. So as to add extra the attractiveness of this card, Citi now presents a half low cost on annual charge which saves you $175 for the primary 12 months while you meet the annual spend requirement of $48,000, presently $375. There’s additionally 0% p.a. curiosity on steadiness transfers for six months with no steadiness switch charge. Add as much as 4 extra cardholders at no further price. The Citi Premier additionally gives cashback and reductions with taking part service suppliers and retail companions, plus complimentary lounge passes and journey insurance coverage.
ANZ Frequent Flyer Platinum Credit score Card – 70,000 bonus Qantas Factors
Huge on rewards, the ANZ Frequent Flyer Platinum Credit score Card offers you 70,000 bonus Qantas Factors while you spend $2,500 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months. It has nice earn potential too, doling out 0.75 Qantas Factors per $1 spent on eligible purchases as much as $3,000 per assertion interval, then 0.5 Qantas Factors per $1 spent on eligible purchases above $3,000 per assertion interval. ANZ can be waiving the $295 annual charge for the primary 12 months.
Citi Rewards Credit score Card – Velocity Factors Supply – 60,000 bonus Velocity Factors
Offering distinctive worth and suppleness, Citi Rewards Credit score Card is presently providing a considerable welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus Velocity Factors to new cardholders. To get the bonus factors, you’ll have to use by 29 June 2022 for a brand new card, get authorised and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases inside 90 days from approval. That is on high of the Citi reward Factors earned on on a regular basis purchases. Earn 1 Citi reward Factors per $1 spent on eligible transactions made abroad in addition to on eligible home spend (capped at $10,000 spend per assertion interval). Take pleasure in extra the spend and earn privilege with out worrying the annual charge within the first 12 months, saving you $149. Plus, you’ll admire extra this card when you’re trying to consolidate debt as this additionally presents 0% p.a. for 15 months with no steadiness switch charge.
ANZ Frequent Flyer Black – As much as 130,000 bonus Qantas Factors and $255 again
The ANZ Frequent Flyer Black bank card delivers as much as 130,000 plus cashback when you hit the correct targets. You may earn 100,000 bonus Qantas Factors and $255 again to your new card while you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months from approval and a further 30,000 Qantas Factors while you hold your card for over 12 months. You’ll earn 1 Qantas Level per $1 on eligible purchases per assertion interval as much as $7,500, then 0.5 Qantas factors thereafter, and get a bonus level while you purchase chosen Qantas services and products. This card additionally has first-class advantages like two Qantas Lounge invitations per 12 months, Worldwide and Home Journey Insurance coverage, and buy safety insurance coverage, entry to invite-only occasions by way of Exclusives by ANZ, and a 24/7 private concierge service. The annual charge is a bit larger at $425 p.a. as a result of this can be a premium card with above-average rewards.
Qantas American Categorical Final – 100,000 bonus Qantas Factors plus $450 Qantas Journey Credit score
The Qantas American Categorical Final Credit score Card is a premium card that serves up a great deal of journey advantages and factors. New cardholders may obtain 100,000 bonus Qantas Factors after they apply on-line, are authorised, and spend not less than $3,000 on their new card inside the first 3 months. Earn as much as 1.25 Qantas Factors on on a regular basis purchases, 0.5 Qantas Factors on authorities spend, and a further 1 level per $1 on eligible Qantas services and products with no factors capping. Annually you’ll obtain a $450 Qantas Journey Credit score for eligible home or worldwide Qantas flights when booked by way of American Categorical Journey, which compensates for the $450 annual charge.
Qantas Premier Platinum Credit score Card – 80,000 bonus Qantas Factors
With the Qantas Premier Platinum Credit score Card, you’ll get 80,000 bonus Qantas Factors while you apply for a brand new card by 29 June 2022, and spend $3,000 or extra on eligible purchases inside 3 months of card approval. Their rewards program is stable too, supplying you with 1.5 factors per $1 spent on worldwide purchases, 1 level for home spending (as much as $10,000 per assertion interval, then reverts to 0.5 factors) and a bonus level while you purchase chosen Qantas services and products. This card has another good perks, like a concierge service, discounted flights for as much as 8 companions, lounge entry and a lowered annual charge for the primary 12 months, plus 0% p.a. on steadiness transfers for 18 months.
American Categorical Qantas Enterprise Rewards Card – 120,000 bonus Qantas Factors
When you’ve obtained a enterprise and also you’re on the lookout for alternatives to earn essentially the most of your transactions, it’s best to benefit from this huge welcome provide of 120,000 bonus Qantas Factors from the American Categorical Qantas Enterprise Rewards Card. Apply by 18 Could 2022, get authorised, and spend $3,000 within the first 2 months from card approval to obtain the bonus Qantas Factors. Take pleasure in TRIPLE Qantas Factors for your enterprise on eligible Qantas flights and a pair of Qantas Factors on Qantas services and products. This can be a cost card with no pre-set spending restrict which ensures better cost flexibility.
Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Credit score Card – Bonus Factors – As much as 100,000 Velocity Factors
The Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Credit score Card dishes out some good rewards and a lowered annual charge of $64 for the primary 12 months, $129 thereafter. You may stand up to 100,000 bonus Qantas Factors as a brand new applicant, with a number of situations: you’ll unlock 25,000 Factors monthly while you spend $1,500 or extra on eligible transactions within the first 4 months from card approval. The earn fee is respectable too, at 0.66 Velocity Factors per $1 spent as much as $1500 monthly, then 0.5 Velocity Factors thereafter. This card additionally comes with a steadiness switch provide of 0% p.a. for 18 months. Take pleasure in $129 Virgin Australia Present Voucher, yearly and free journey insurance coverage.
Discovering the Finest Credit score Card Provides on Frequent Flyer Playing cards
Frequent flyer factors (and the redemption packages they’re hooked up to) could be a complicated world to dive into, however they’re additionally a number of the finest perks a bank card can provide.
You’ll earn rewards factors only for doing all your day-to-day spending, and convert these factors into journey freebies and privileges, and even retail merchandise.
Now certain easy methods to discover your finest card? We’ve obtained you coated. Under is a simple information on frequent flyer factors, how they work, and easy methods to discover the bank card that’ll provide the most bang to your buck.
When you’re prepared to match, you’ll be able to take a look at our checklist of the highest frequent flyer bank cards for this month, or use our comparability device to kind frequent flyer playing cards by totally different options, and verify what number of factors you would possibly earn in a 12 months based mostly in your regular spending habits.
Step 1: Issues to look out for when evaluating frequent flyer bank cards:
- The frequent flyer program it’s hooked up to
- Whether or not the factors might be transferred to different frequent flyer packages
- Introductory bonus factors you get for signing up
- Any expiration dates in your factors
- The earn fee (factors you earn per greenback spent)
- Caps on the factors you’ll be able to earn
- Annual charges
- Different bonus options of the cardboard
Let’s check out some intimately.
Introductory Bonus Factors
Some frequent flyer playing cards offer you bonus rewards factors on sign-up, as much as the tune of 120,000 factors (or much more). However there’s a small catch – you’ll want to fulfill the eligibility standards to get your factors, which normally means spending a minimal quantity in your card inside a sure timeframe. Verify the quantity required and be sure you can meet it – it’s usually within the neighborhood of $3,000 spent inside 90 days of approval, however might be roughly.
What number of factors you would earn
Rewards factors are handed out for the {dollars} you spend on eligible purchases. Some issues gained’t earn rewards factors, like Bpay transactions, money advances (the place you withdraw cash out of your bank card) and a few authorities funds.
Most instances, rewards additionally gained’t apply on steadiness transfers, the place you progress your steadiness remaining from one bank card to a brand new one which has 0% or low curiosity utilized to the transferred quantity. Verify the cardboard’s PDS and the TMD to ensure.
We clarify all about steadiness switch bank cards in our information to utilizing steadiness transfers to assist pay down debt.
The quantity of factors you’ll be able to earn is determined by a number of issues:
- The earn fee. That’s what number of factors per $1 you spend. 1 frequent flyer level per greenback is pretty normal, though some playing cards provide 0.5 or 0.75 factors per $1.
- Tiered factors. Generally the earn fee adjustments relying on what you purchase and the place. For example, a card would possibly pay 1 level per $1 for eligible purchases as much as a specific amount monthly, after which it drops to 0.5 factors per $1 after that. You would possibly earn extra factors for worldwide purchases, or for purchasing merchandise by way of an affiliate enterprise or airline.
- Factors caps. Some playing cards put a restrict on the quantity of frequent flyer factors you’ll be able to earn in a 12 months (for example, 100,000 factors yearly). Nevertheless, in some instances, factors which can be earned for purchases made with specific companies are uncapped factors and don’t rely in direction of your whole factors rely. So you would earn, for instance, 125,000 factors in a 12 months even when the cap is 100,000, as a result of 25,000 have been earned from uncapped purchases at sure shops.
- Membership standing. Relying on the cardboard, it’s possible you’ll earn standing factors along with your spending that transfer you up into extra prestigious tiers, probably providing extra factors per $1, and unlocking extra journey options like further checked baggage, flight upgrades and lounge entry.
To take advantage of factors out of your spending, you’ll be able to take into consideration how a lot you spend in your card every month, and select a proposal with uncapped factors or a better spending tier so that you don’t lose out on beneficial rewards by hitting the factors incomes restrict.
Additionally, take into account the stuff you purchase usually. When you use your card for grocery store spending, search for a card with the very best earn fee on these purchases. Or, when you use your card for journey, discover a card that rewards spending on flights, lodging and automobile leases.
Annual charges and ongoing prices (and the trifecta candy spot)
The balancing act of discovering an incredible frequent flyer card for you is weighing up the annual charge, the earn fee and the introductory provide.
Tremendous helpful tips about annual charges:
- A card with a giant introductory provide is more likely to have a better earn fee, but additionally a better annual charge.
- A card with a reasonable introductory provide will normally have a decrease earn fee, and a decrease annual charge to go well with.
Discovering a card that hits your trifecta candy spot means trying on the worth you’ll get from the frequent flyer rewards, and deciding if it outweighs the annual charge.
For instance, when you earned 45,000 factors per 12 months on a Qantas frequent flyer bank card that provided 1 level per $1 spent, and had an annual charge of $350, you would need to weigh up in case your factors earn was well worth the barely larger yearly charge.
Contemplating 36,000 factors can get you to Christchurch and again from Sydney utilizing Qantas factors (plus any regular taxes and airline charges), and including in every other perks the cardboard presents like free journey insurance coverage, the cardboard may fit out properly in your favour even with a better annual charge.
And naturally, that instance doesn’t embrace any bonus provide factors while you join.
On that time, some playing cards provide lowered annual charges for the primary 12 months, or decrease ongoing annual charges when you spend a minimal quantity per 12 months. Verify for the newest frequent flyer bank card annual charge offers utilizing the ‘annual charge’ toggle on our one-click comparability device.
The curiosity you’ll be charged
If you use your bank card and don’t repay the steadiness (the quantity you owe) earlier than the due date or inside any interest-free durations the cardboard presents, you’ll must pay curiosity on the steadiness.
It’s additionally known as the acquisition fee, and frequent flyer bank cards are inclined to have larger buy charges as a result of they’re a high-value card.
Verify the acquisition fee and be sure you’re assured you’ll be able to carry on high of your repayments so that you’re not slugged with excessive curiosity prices, as a result of that may scale back the worth of your journey rewards.
Expiration dates on frequent flyer factors
Some frequent flyer factors by no means expire, however some expire inside a sure timeframe, or when you don’t use your card for a specified period of time. It’s typically straightforward to maintain your account lively since you’ll be incomes factors each time you spend in your card.
| Frequent Flyer program | Factors expiry coverage | Easy methods to hold factors lively |
|---|---|---|
| Velocity Factors | Sure, after 24 months of inactivity |
|
| Qantas Factors | Sure, after 18 months of inactivity in your account |
|
| American Categorical Journey Factors | No expiry, however factors can be misplaced if all playing cards linked to this system are cancelled |
|
At all times verify the superb print of the frequent flyer program for expiration insurance policies, and any conditions the place they might cancel the rewards program.
Step 2: Unpacking the very best frequent flyer program for you
Every frequent flyer bank card is linked to a selected frequent flyer program which you could redeem the factors by way of.
Right here’s a snapshot of the frequent flyer packages out there that cowl Australian and worldwide airways:
- Qantas – Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Virgin – Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer
- Jetstar – Jetstar Frequent Flyer
- Singapore – Airways Singapore Airways KrisFlyer
- Cathay Pacific – Marco Polo Membership
- Etihad – Etihad Visitor
- Emirates – Skywards
- Malaysia Airways – Enrich
- British Airways – British Airways Government Membership
- American Airways – AAdvantage Frequent Flyer
- United – Mileage Plus
As you’re evaluating playing cards, you’ll discover most hyperlink up with Qantas Frequent Flyer, Virgin Velocity Frequent Flyer or American Categorical packages. Nevertheless, you should still use your frequent flyer factors for different airways inside the identical community, like Singapore Airways Krisflyer, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Air New Zealand Airpoints, Emirates Skywards and Etihad Visitor.
Becoming a member of a frequent flyer program
If you apply for a bank card hooked up to a frequent flyer program, you’ll must develop into a member to begin incomes and spending factors.
Most packages are free to affix, or offer you alternative to affix totally free by way of different partnerships.
For instance, becoming a member of Qantas Frequent Flyer normally prices $99.50, however some bank cards provide free membership, or you’ll be able to be a part of through your Woolworths On a regular basis Rewards card.
Earlier than you apply, it’s a good suggestion to verify the small print on the cardboard to learn the way and when the factors you earn are transferred to your frequent flyer account. Some playing cards provide direct switch, others switch factors on the finish of every month, whereas others solely provide guide switch on the cardholder’s request – with a minimal switch quantity required.
Take a look at how one can maximise your points-earning potential in your chosen card. This will likely imply utilizing your card with sure companions inside the journey trade, equivalent to inns and automobile rent corporations, or with sure retailers.
Sure, it’s a bit tedious, however studying a bit about your frequent flyer card can actually give your factors incomes a lift.
What are you able to redeem frequent flyer factors on?
It’s an incredible concept to verify the frequent flyer program and its retailer, so can select one that gives the stuff you need (and, it’s extra enjoyable while you’ve already chosen the reward you wish to get totally free!).
Sometimes, you should utilize frequent flyer factors for:
- Journey. That features flights, upgrades, inns and lodging, and automobile rental.
- Procuring. Go to this system’s on-line rewards retailer to search out and redeem your factors at fashionable shops.
- Present playing cards. You may redeem frequent flyer factors for reward playing cards, however sometimes you’ll get extra worth utilizing them for journey.
- Enjoyable eating extras. Some packages provide freebies and reductions on eating. For instance, Qantas Factors might be redeemed on Qantas wine.
When you don’t have sufficient factors to cowl the whole price of the acquisition, many playing cards provide points-and-pay, the place you’ll be able to pay money to cowl any shortfalls in your factors.
Step 3: Trying out your card’s different options
Many bank cards provide a bunch of different options moreover rewards factors, and frequent flyer playing cards – particularly the fancier, dearer ones – are sometimes choc-full of them.
Options you would possibly discover on a frequent flyer bank card:
- Complimentary journey insurance coverage (may very well be home, worldwide, or each)
- Airport lounge entry
- Airport transfers
- Journey credit score
- Concierge companies
- Reductions with partnering companies
- Cashback presents
- VIP entry to occasions
All the additional ‘dazzle’ on a card may help offset the upper annual charge, particularly when you like to journey, dine and luxuriate in social occasions.
When you’re after factors to spend on retail, you would possibly wish to have a look at the very best rewards-earning bank cards, that are linked to financial institution rewards packages (not particular frequent flyer memberships) and have decrease annual charges.
Different presents to look out for
Introductory presents are one huge good thing about frequent flyer bank cards, however you can too search for reductions on annual charges and any cashback presents.
Some playing cards waive the annual charge for the primary 12 months, or when you hit a minimal spend yearly.
There are additionally cashback or journey credit on provide, the place you’ll have a nominal quantity paid again to your account, or earn a journey voucher to spend annually. Each options assist offset any ongoing charges on the cardboard.
Some lenders provide 0% curiosity on steadiness transfers, which is the place you progress the debt from a bank card to at least one that gained’t cost curiosity for a sure timeframe.
Earlier than you ask, you gained’t earn factors while you switch a steadiness. Which implies combining a steadiness switch (the place the aim is to repay debt) with a card that’s about incomes rewards on huge spending will not be the very best mixture.
When you’re eager to get forward of your bank card steadiness, use our one-click comparability device to discover a steadiness switch card that may show you how to most.
FAQs
What’s an ‘eligible transaction’ for incomes factors?
An eligible transaction normally means common spending on on a regular basis gadgets, like groceries, consuming out and reserving tickets (together with flights). Usually, you gained’t earn factors on money advances (the place you withdraw cash out of your bank card) and any balances transferred from a unique card.
Usually, you gained’t earn factors on authorities transactions both, like paying your charges invoice.
The bank card’s PDS will define which transactions are eligible for incomes factors.
Are all frequent flyer factors price the identical quantity?
No, every frequent flyer program has their very own worth system. For instance, a $100 Bunnings reward voucher will price 23,170 Qantas Factors, or 21,800 Velocity Factors.
If you wish to get essentially the most out of your factors, you’ll be able to search the totally different rewards packages and select the one with the higher factors redemption on stuff you’re almost definitely to purchase.
Can I add extra cardholders?
Including members of the family to the account is an effective strategy to bump up your factors earnings sooner, however not all playing cards permit extra cardholders, and a few make you pay.
The extra cardholder charge is perhaps minimal, like $10 per 12 months, however may additionally require a charge to affix the membership program.
At all times verify the phrases for including further cardholders to ensure it’s not going so as to add ongoing bills that outweigh the advantages.
How do I select my card as soon as I’ve selected my Rewards Program?
If you recognize which frequent flyer program you wish to be a part of, you’ll be able to examine the playing cards hooked up to your program by utilizing our one-click comparability device:
Examine all Qantas Frequent Flyer bank cards.
Examine all Velocity Frequent Flyer bank cards.
Or, you’ll be able to examine bonus factors for all rewards playing cards, together with non-frequent-flyer packages, on our bonus factors comparability web page.
When you’re nonetheless unsure, you’ll be able to examine all bank cards providing frequent flyer factors and click on every card to learn its execs and cons.
Can I earn factors on authorities funds, like my ATO invoice?
Most bank cards don’t provide factors on authorities transactions, and those who do are most frequently enterprise bank cards. Nevertheless, some American Categorical frequent flyer playing cards provide factors on funds to authorities our bodies.
As all the time, verify the cardboard’s particulars to search out out.
