Best mid-tier Amex + Visa/MC combo to direct spend towards.

[dumadiscount]

Wondering if anyone has a view on the best mid-tier long term Amex + Visa/MC card combo? ie not-churning.
Currently thinking of abandoning QFF earning cards and moving to a mid-tier card like Amex Explorer + a non-QFF Visa/MC long term (located in Brisbane)
Situation:
- Take 4-5 domestic trips with work and currently bank these to QFF, thinking of switching to Virgin (free to choose airline). I think the key is, I will never get status on Qantas. I understand it's easier to book rewards without status on Krisflyer/Velocity?
- Annual CC spend modest, perhaps $100k pa, paid in full every month. This include groceries, big ticket purchases such as minor renovations and school fees.
- Would like to accumulate points for use to subsidise unplanned family holiday (family of 5) approx every 2 years. Likely destinations SE Asia, Pacific Islands, West Coast USA.
Currently thinking mid-tier Amex Explorer would work to build flexible point currency, and subsidise with a flexible Visa/MC that accumulates points towards Krisflyer/Velocity.

Wondering:
1. People's experience their Amex Explorer as a long term card; and
2. What a good complimentary Visa/MC card would be that could b used in conjunction with Amex Rewards for Velocity/Krisflyer transfers; and
3. What's the best Hotel program to that compliments Amex rewards? I also have choice of hotels when travelling. I am currently focused on Accor as can use currency for direct discounts on SEQ accom.

PS I have churned 500k QFF points previously but I'm a little over switching cards so often, the key is I don't want to waste my spend on a sub-optimal card/s or point currencies.

Thanks!

 

[lilkid28]

I use Explorer as main card. For Visa/MC, I use ANZ Qantas FF Black as there's no AF as part of mortgage. I also have the Coles MC (no forex fee)

 

[dumadiscount]

I use Explorer as main card. For Visa/MC, I use ANZ Qantas FF Black as there's no AF as part of mortgage. I also have the Coles MC (no forex fee)

Thanks, I have an ANZ home loan. Did you get the ANZ Qantas FF Black as part of your home loan or after the fact? Would be great if I could get if fee free. I am paying them enough in interest!

 

[edgecrusher]

Re the second card - this is high tier, but consider the Citi Prestige.

$350 first year, $700 second, sign up bonus converts to $1500 in supermarket cards and much more value in points. 2:1 velocity 2.5:1 KrisFlyer - amongst others.

You get priority pass - the highest version allow spend at eateries plus the lounge access.
1 airport transfer to the value of $100 per year
4 x 4th night free hotel bookings.

With Mastercard world elite bonuses you can get status with Wyndham and GHA discovery - two programs a lot of other cards don’t cover.

The kicker is that if you use their pay all system, you can set up $20,000 of transfers each month for 20,000 Citi points. Devils advocate - you could use these extra points to offset your annual fee - eg 7 months of pay all can be converted to flybuys for $700 at coles, you still have 100,000 points.

 

[asterix]

Re the second card - this is high tier, but consider the Citi Prestige.

$350 first year, $700 second, sign up bonus converts to $1500 in supermarket cards and much more value in points. 2:1 velocity 2.5:1 KrisFlyer - amongst others.

You get priority pass - the highest version allow spend at eateries plus the lounge access.
1 airport transfer to the value of $100 per year
4 x 4th night free hotel bookings.

With Mastercard world elite bonuses you can get status with Wyndham and GHA discovery - two programs a lot of other cards don’t cover.

The kicker is that if you use their pay all system, you can set up $20,000 of transfers each month for 20,000 Citi points. Devils advocate - you could use these extra points to offset your annual fee - eg 7 months of pay all can be converted to flybuys for $700 at coles, you still have 100,000 points.

The PayAll 0% fee is set to end in October.

 

[edgecrusher]

The PayAll 0% fee is set to end in October.

Yes, but all Payall transactions set up (not payed) before that time are at 0% you can set up recurring transactions for 24 months.
You can also forward date the start dates of those transactions….

 

[levelnine]

For the VISA/MC, have a look at St George's offerings. They have great conversion rates to SQ/VA & good everyday earning rates: Rewards credit cards

 

[lilkid28]

Thanks, I have an ANZ home loan. Did you get the ANZ Qantas FF Black as part of your home loan or after the fact? Would be great if I could get if fee free. I am paying them enough in interest!

Apply it with a good sign up bonus, then link to home loan to get it fee free