Credit Card for frequent flyer points while overseas?

[ProggerPete]

Hi folks,
I'm wondering what people think the best credit card for travel is. I know the 28 degrees card offers fantastic value for cash advances, but I'm wondering if I should pair it with a points earning card for when I'm able to pay by credit card.

I've noticed the Bankwest Qantas Platinum Card, but at $140 / year, 8000 sign up bonus and 1 point per dollar I figure I'll need to push 8k through it while overseas before it's offering reasonable value. I'm likely to make only 1 trip a year so chances are I won't use that amount.

Are there any other worthy contenders out there or should I just skip the points and use the 28 degrees card for everything.

Cheers,
Pete

 

[ChrisFlyer]

The HSBC Qantas Platinum Visa earns 2 points per $1AUD on all spend overseas, and 1 points/$1 in Australia - worth a look!

 

[burmans]

Hi folks,
I'm wondering what people think the best credit card for travel is. I know the 28 degrees card offers fantastic value for cash advances, but I'm wondering if I should pair it with a points earning card for when I'm able to pay by credit card.

Are there any other worthy contenders out there or should I just skip the points and use the 28 degrees card for everything.

Cheers,
Pete

Only my opinion but I think the 28 degrees for everything may be easier (though of course if you are combining for cash advance and credit that means you need to keep a positive balance). For most cards the 3% or so they charge on Forex fees wipes out the value of the FF points. The upper end Citibank cards have a high earn but aside from this their attraction has waned somewht recently and I for one can't justify their annual fees.

 

[casanovawa]

Yeah +1 for me in thinking that any forex fees usually take me over my approx 1 cent or less cost i like to stick to for my QFF points... I use the citibank debit card without forex fees...

QFF no doubt like to get everyone fixated on playing the points earning game but i usually only do it when it actually benefits me... Everyones' situation, goals and earn/burn ratios will be different though...

 

[greenfrog86]

Hi folks,
I'm wondering what people think the best credit card for travel is. I know the 28 degrees card offers fantastic value for cash advances, but I'm wondering if I should pair it with a points earning card for when I'm able to pay by credit card.

I've noticed the Bankwest Qantas Platinum Card, but at $140 / year, 8000 sign up bonus and 1 point per dollar

Cheers,
Pete

The Bankwest card is good if you need a 1:1 MC option in your wallet more generally...

You can use it here, all online spend in another currency and then for purchases when traveling. So not too bad all around if you use it for more than just your one trip

 

[ProggerPete]

Cheers for the replies folks. I'm with Casanova in that I definitely don't want to be spending more than 1c/point. If there aren't any cards that can give me that while travelling I'll stick to the 28 degrees card.

 

[greenfrog86]

Cheers for the replies folks. I'm with Casanova in that I definitely don't want to be spending more than 1c/point. If there aren't any cards that can give me that while travelling I'll stick to the 28 degrees card.

I don't follow... Where's the cost?

The Bankwest card doesn't charge FX fees, just like the 28 Degrees card. In terms of annual fee I'm saying if it is your main 1:1 card then you should be able to justify it. Marginally more expensive than the woolworths EDR card (if you were to actually pay the annual fee) and you get superior service, platinum insurances and no FX fees...

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I don't follow... Where's the cost?

The Bankwest card doesn't charge FX fees, just like the 28 Degrees card. In terms of annual fee I'm saying if it is your main 1:1 card then you should be able to justify it. Marginally more expensive than the woolworths EDR card (if you were to actually pay the annual fee) and you get superior service, platinum insurances and no FX fees...

Exactly! The bankwest plat qantas card is IDEAL for the traveler, insurance, no fx fees, bonus points for signing up. very nice. Well worth it at $140

 

[ProggerPete]

I've already got a Macquarie plat visa which is a 1:1 card, came with a nice sign up bonus and no fees. I'll churn once they want a fee. (Previously I had the QantasCU card which was also free and came with bonus miles.) So for me the only use I'd have is overseas spend.

To get 1c/point value out of the card I'd need to push 6k through it that I couldn't have pushed through my existing card and this is unlikely to happen. For someone who travels more regularly it could easily be worth it.

 

[greenfrog86]

I've already got a Macquarie plat visa which is a 1:1 card, came with a nice sign up bonus and no fees. I'll churn once they want a fee. (Previously I had the QantasCU card which was also free and came with bonus miles.) So for me the only use I'd have is overseas spend.

To get 1c/point value out of the card I'd need to push 6k through it that I couldn't have pushed through my existing card and this is unlikely to happen. For someone who travels more regularly it could easily be worth it.

Unfortunate timing then. I don't think any product that earns points for OS spend will work for you until you dump your other card