Card advice for a newbie/numpty - AMEX Ultimate card any good?

[Andy060]

Hi,

I've had my ANZ frequent flyer card for a few years now, never really paying much attention to how many points I was earning.

I've just recently found this website and become a member - now I have to find a new card!

At the moment, I'm leaning towards the AMEX Ultimate. With 30,000 points, a free domestic trip each year and domestic international insurance it seems like a good deal. It does have an annual fee of $450, but I'm thinking that the extras cover the cost. I was also looking at the Virgin velocity card, but I really want to concentrate on spending money on just one airline's frequent flyers.

Does anyone have dramas using an AMEX card rather than a Visa? I know it used to be a problem, but does it make any difference nowadays? Are there any good Visa card deals around at the moment?

Any help would be greatly appreciated - I've spent the majority of my night shift in front of the computer and I don't think I can read another 'terms and conditions' page right now!

Cheers

 

[DeKa]

Look at Woolworths Everyday Rewards MasterCard if you want Qantas points. The problem with Amex is surcharges.

 

[TonyHancock]

If you are paying for QF flights on it (2.5 points per dollar spent) then it is a very good card. At 1.5 QF points per dollar it is still a good card. I'd also look at the Citibank Business Gold Visa card (1.25 QF points per dollar spent) as a back up.

 

[Andy060]

I hadn't heard about the surcharges with AmEx, so cheers for the heads up!

Think I might go with the Citibank gold - half price fee for the first year, plus it still has international insurance. Pity it doesn't have bonus point on sign up, though.

Thanks for the help!

 

[casanovawa]

I find plenty of places these days don't seem to charge AMEX surcharges... Certainly when i use it at the 2 big grocery retailers or many service stations it costs me nothing, but quite a few other times i use it it doesn't seem to attract surcharges either...

 

[Andy060]

Casanovawa, do they usually warn you in advance if it will incur a fee?

Just wondering if it's worth having one and then using a backup Visa if there's going to be a fee...

 

[wafliron]

I find plenty of places these days don't seem to charge AMEX surcharges... Certainly when i use it at the 2 big grocery retailers or many service stations it costs me nothing, but quite a few other times i use it it doesn't seem to attract surcharges either...

A lot of day-to-day merchants don't have surcharges, but unfortunately it seems most "big ticket" merchants do.

Came across the worst example I've seen yet today - People Telecom charge a 4.125% surcharge for Amex!

 

[Moopere]

I had a bit of apprehension before getting my first Amex this year. Hitting non acceptance or surcharges is pretty annoying, but I have naturally sorted this out now by selective shopping and can do 95% or more of my every day business using Amex without a surcharge. I don't even think about it any more.

For that last 5% of places that are not yet with the program I keep a low limit EDR card (MC) handy.

 

[puppysparkes]

Overall it's not a bad card. The inbuilt insurance is more comprehensive than the HSBC Platinum Qantas card and the Qantas Staff Credit Union Platinum card. For the most part there are few retailers who add a surcharge. I do find that a lot of cafe's and restaurant's tend to add a surcharge of 2-3%. It's this reason that I've applied for the Qantas Staff Credit Union Platinum card as an alternative. The benefit is 2 points per dollar on QF, no fee for the first year ($199) and 30000 QFF points to entice you, compared to 20000 points offered by HSBC and same annual fee.

 

[casanovawa]

I always just ask if their is an AMEX surcharge, if there is i use my VISA if there isn't the AMEX has a lot better earn rate (my ANZ gets 1.5 QFF points per $1)... I should probably check dockets to see if any surcharge got applied, but my biggest earn would be on things like groceries and fuel anyway...

 

[Perilous_Asteroid]

I always just ask if their is an AMEX surcharge, if there is i use my VISA if there isn't the AMEX has a lot better earn rate (my ANZ gets 1.5 QFF points per $1)... I should probably check dockets to see if any surcharge got applied, but my biggest earn would be on things like groceries and fuel anyway...

Sometimes I see a little sign about the AMEX surcharge at the register, but my theory is, if they don't see me holding the card and don't tell me about it, I'm not saying anything either..

 

[Deleted member]

I use Amex charge card (Plat) 1.5 Points per $1.00 spend. Yes it's $900.00 pa but even in spite of the reduced travel insurance. It's still good for me. I have 28 Deg for o/s travel. , and a jet star MC ( earning QF points) for the non Amex options. Still use my Amex for everything possible. Including paying my tax. But I think it's horses for courses

 

[TonyHancock]

My current QF earning card combo is:

Amex Plat Charge Card - All Australian non Qantas purchases where Amex is accepted - 1.5 points per dollar
Amex Ultimate Card (Fee waived at the moment because of Plat Charge) - All Australian Qantas purchases only - 2.5 points per dollar
Citibank Business Gold Visa - All Australian non Qantas purchases where Amex is not accepted - 1.25 points per dollar
HSBC Qantas Visa Platinum - All non Australian purchases only - 2 points per dollar spent.

 

[amaroo]

The issues:-

Some merchants surcharge fees
Merchants that don't accept
I keep forgetting I've got a free flight a year......had it since it came out & I've never used the free flight benefit

Since reading the ATO thread I'm happy I got it.

 

[Deleted member]

BTW. The free flight IMHO is rubbish, I give it (now) to my daughter, and it still costs extra cash with bags etc , so not FREE. As far as I am concerned.

 

[JetLagged]

The problem with Amex cards in general are, apart from the surcharges mentioned, is that a number (and seemingly increasing number) of merchants where we live or travel to don't accept Amex in the first place (sometimes on their website only e.g. health insurer BUPA, or pharmac_; sometimes instore as well), and this includes quite many government agencies and utilities (can't pay rates, gas supply etc.) So then we use the ANZ Qantas Visa. And, of course, the 28 degrees card when overseas.

 

[serfty]

BTW. The free flight IMHO is rubbish, I give it (now) to my daughter, and it still costs extra cash with bags etc , so not FREE. As far as I am concerned.

I beleve a basic luggage allowance is inclded with the AMEX flights on DJ.

See this thread: http://www.australianfrequentflyer..../virgin-australia-flight-thru-amex-38514.html

 

[timmmb]

The issues:-

Some merchants surcharge fees
Merchants that don't accept

Didn't like my work Amex for these reasons. Had to use 'petty cash' so often.

Glad we went to Visa.

 

[DeKa]

Didn't like my work Amex for these reasons. Had to use 'petty cash' so often.

Glad we went to Visa.

Can't you pay on your own card in that circumstance?
I love it when a work supplier either surcharges Amex or won't accept it. That's the only time I can put work related expenses on my own card to earn points (with proof of surcharge or non acceptance).

 

[rweir]

My current QF earning card combo is:
HSBC Qantas Visa Platinum - All non Australian purchases only - 2 points per dollar spent.

Are you getting reimbursed for these purchases? If not, how do you deal with HSBC charging a few % forex fee, which in almost all cases is more than the points are worth?