Best card for FF and low fees?

[Chris]

I currently have an Westpac Altitude Visa (half a FF point per dollar) and Amex (1 point per dollar).

I need both a Visa and Amex because many shops do not take Amex. I also need a interest free period and a second card.

What is currently the best deal for frequent flyer points per dollar spent and low ongoing fees?

Having both cards on the one bill is a bonas.

Hopefully someone has done the research. I would really appreciate the advice.

Thanks
Chris

 

[Evan]

I have Amex rewards maximiser gold credit card - 1.25 points per $

And ANZ gold - 1.0 points per dollar (But thats limited to the first $2500 a month or something, after that it drops back)

Not saying they are anything like the best (but i dont want to change), but still looks better than your current deal.
You pay fee's on both cards, 195 and 140 i think but usually you can scam your way out of the fee's if your lucky, just depends on your spend and other accounts.

Evan

 

[mainly tailfirst]

In terms of points per $, AMEX wins (up to 1.5 points). Assuming you don't factor in AMEX points offers, QP passes and the like - for the best 'value' it is hard to beat 1:1 and no annual fee with the Citibank Gold Visa.

For info on how to get this deal, spend 20 mins and read this thread:
http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...program/citibank-gold-no-annual-fee-7874.html

mt

 

[NM]

I have Amex rewards maximiser gold credit card - 1.25 points per $

That does not sound like a good deal. Amex give me 1.5 MR points per A$ spend on my Amex rewards Maximiser Gold Credit Card.

 

[Evan]

That does not sound like a good deal. Amex give me 1.5 MR points per A$ spend on my Amex rewards Maximiser Gold Credit Card.

Actually your right, so does mine, but i only realised after i had posted.
Rewards maximizer is 1.5 points / dollar

Its a hard choice between the rewards maximizer and the QFF cards if you want purchase protection / travel insurance.

But the flexability of rewards maximiser is better if i happen to want to get some points to *A for some reason instead of QFF, and with first year free they don't seem to mind to much crediting following years free.

Evan

 

[SeaWolf]

The catch with the Rewards Maximiser AMEX is the annual fee. At $192 you need to be turning over enough cash on the card to make sure the rewards you're gaining are of a greater value than the fee on the card.

To give you a rough idea, if I was to fly from Sydney to Hobart, that would cost about $195. On flyer points it's worth 12,000. So, to 'break even' on the card you need to spend about $8,000 a year on it. Then you've at least got back the value of the annual fee in rewards. Spend more than $8000 on the card and you'll actually end up better off (provided you haven't racked up any interest payments).

By way of comparison, the Earth AMEX card earns 1:1 points, but only charges a $49 annual fee. I can't find a flight cheap enough to compare it with, so we'll just round off the Sydney to Hobart one and say it's $200, then divide by 4. A quarter flight from Sydney to Hobart costs $50 (sort of) or 3,000 points. So to 'break even' on Earth, I only need to spend $3000.

But if I want that flight, I'll need to spend $12,000 before I get it on Earth and only $8,000 on Rewards Maximiser. So what it's all about is your spending habits, some of these cards work well if you're turning over a fair bit of cash on them, but they're a rip off if your not. Some cards work well for people not spending much cash on them, but don't offer good value for people who are spending a lot of cash. So you really need to think about you're spending habits before you decide which card is right for you.

Make sense?

 

[Evan]

Seawolf, that makes perfect sense

The QFF AMEX card has similar fees as well, all 'real' Amex cards have high fee's but sometimes you can get the waived if you ask nicely.

For me i always put my hotel bills for work when traveling on there so its rather easy to justify the expense of the fee if i have to pay it and cant get out of it.

If only i could manage to be booked in one chain of hotels for a while i may even earn hotel points but just havn't managed that yet.

mainly tailfirst mentioned citybank gold 1:1 lifetime no fee's card if you can handle dealing with city bank i guess for low spenders that would be the best deal i have heard of.

Evan

 

[Chris]

Thanks for you help.

I will definately check out Citibank Visa and also Amex because I need both cards.

Found a useful comparison of cards and reward program at Cannex
RateCity - The online comparison capital - General Rewards

 

[Chris]

In terms of points per $, AMEX wins (up to 1.5 points). Assuming you don't factor in AMEX points offers, QP passes and the like - for the best 'value' it is hard to beat 1:1 and no annual fee with the Citibank Gold Visa.

For info on how to get this deal, spend 20 mins and read this thread:
http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/citibank-rewards-program/citibank-gold-no-annual-fee-7874.html

mt

Is the free for life offer with Citibank Gold Visa still available? I could not see it on their Web site?

Thanks
Chris

 

[Love2Fly]

Is the free for life offer with Citibank Gold Visa still available? I could not see it on their Web site?

Thanks
Chris

Look's like it is @
Citibank Gold Card
In fact I just signed up through this link.

 

[Chris]

Got it.

Thanks
Chris

 

[chinafin]

I travel twice a year to the Uk& europe.2 months at a time and tour in a Motorhome that I store south of gatwick.
I have a Westpac Altitude Gold & book through Zuji or others with zero creditcard surcharge.
I Also have A Diners card for the wide points flexability ( i have been able with some difficulty to transfer points to Korean Air & Air Nz for reward tickets in the past) & the comfortable lounges at many airports arround the world which I make use of on most trips.
Altitude gives me free comprehensive insurance for up to 3 months per trip.
Broke my leg in Uk in 2003 and insurance ( after a difficult negotiate with the medical service/repatriation subcontractor) paid for upgrade to Business for self & wife(also a nurse) so I could travelhome with leg elevated and with medical supervision & assistance.
Altitude Saving on insurance easilly pays for annual fee twice over.
The points yield at 0.5 airline points per $1 spend & the limited airline choices is worse than some. Points can go into Malaysian Air which suits me as I'm now about to book a free ticket to Uk.
I havnt found an equivalent insurance & points combo.
The above has worked for me in the past but its now time for a review.
Regards
Ken Curry
brisbane

 

[janjan]

The thing I like about the Amex is that your reward points aren't automatically going straight to Qantas unlike the ANZ Gold FF card.

That way, if Qantas does reduce the value of the points, I can transfer the Amex points to another group and fly with one of their airlines:

Asia Miles
Hilton Hhonors®
Malaysia Airlines Enrich
Priority Club® Worldwide
Qantas Frequent Flyer Program
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
Starwood Preferred Guest(sm) Program
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club