Hello :) - Rookie question

[mavsterper]

Hi Everyone,

Firstly thanks for clicking through and happy to know be apart of the community!

I am a novice when it comes to frequent flyer points but looking to get in the game

Basically I want to try and earn as many points possible for an upcoming trip I have planned to Europe next year and hopefully the end goal is to purchase business class tickets for the wife and I for our Honeymoon!

The quickest and best way I've been researching is signing up to credit cards and earning points using the bonus allocations you get for minimum spends.

I have a few big purchases coming up and dont have a credit card always paid using cash or just the conventional way. Use the credit cards and pay them off straight away!

But the idea is to sign up to multiple cards get the points then cancel the cards or stop using them.

What are your thoughts on this?

Also if you can answer any of the questions below that would be fantastic!

-What type of eligible purchases can you do on the credit cards in order to get the minimum spend. e.g I want to purchase my wifes new wedding ring and can this go towards it?
-Cancelling cards after a certain period, will this tarnish my credit score?
-When do the points appear in your account after you have reached the minimum spends threshold?
-Is this a good idea? Or am I being to ambitious?

Thanks for reading my massive post and any help would be appreciated!

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Firstly thanks for clicking through and happy to know be apart of the community!

Welcome aboard!

What type of eligible purchases can you do on the credit cards in order to get the minimum spend. e.g I want to purchase my wifes new wedding ring and can this go towards it?

Basically almost all retail purchases and most bill payments. There are question marks over some payments to government such as rates and taxes.
Also be aware payments through paypal or other payment services where the merchant does not directly process your card payment will not earn points.
Purchasing a wedding ring should definitely earn points.

Cancelling cards after a certain period, will this tarnish my credit score?

AFAIK it is the number and/or frequency of applications (whether succesful or not) which might tarnish your credit score. Cancellations shouldn't affect it.

When do the points appear in your account after you have reached the minimum spends threshold?

Depends entirely on the card - read the terms and conditions. Maybe ask again about any delays beyond that stated in the Ts&Cs with a specific card.

Is this a good idea? Or am I being to ambitious?

It's not a bad idea - although the time scale might be tight. Also be aware that availability of award seats cannot be taken for granted and usually need to be booked in advance. Up to a year in advance!

Once again welcome aboard, and enjoy the game!

 

[JessicaTam]

Hi Everyone,

Firstly thanks for clicking through and happy to know be apart of the community!

I am a novice when it comes to frequent flyer points but looking to get in the game

Basically I want to try and earn as many points possible for an upcoming trip I have planned to Europe next year and hopefully the end goal is to purchase business class tickets for the wife and I for our Honeymoon!

The quickest and best way I've been researching is signing up to credit cards and earning points using the bonus allocations you get for minimum spends.

I have a few big purchases coming up and dont have a credit card always paid using cash or just the conventional way. Use the credit cards and pay them off straight away!

But the idea is to sign up to multiple cards get the points then cancel the cards or stop using them.

What are your thoughts on this?

Also if you can answer any of the questions below that would be fantastic!

-What type of eligible purchases can you do on the credit cards in order to get the minimum spend. e.g I want to purchase my wifes new wedding ring and can this go towards it?
-Cancelling cards after a certain period, will this tarnish my credit score?
-When do the points appear in your account after you have reached the minimum spends threshold?
-Is this a good idea? Or am I being to ambitious?

Thanks for reading my massive post and any help would be appreciated!

Hi @mavsterper and welcome to AFF.

This is the introductions sub-forum, so not the best place to ask about credit cards.

You are better off having a look here: Other Financial Products

If you can't find the answer, then start a new thread there to get the best response.

Happy exploring!

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Hello @mavsterper and welcome to the AFF community

 

[Steady]

Welcome aboard mavsterper

 

[JohnK]

Welcome to AFF @mavsterper.

 

[Lynda2475]

payments through paypal or other payment services where the merchant does not directly process your card payment will not earn points

This is not true, I have my Amex card linked to my paypal account, and I get Qantas points on every single Paypal payment. I understand that BPay payments dont earn points, but Paypal certainly does.

 

[craven morehead]

This is not true, I have my Amex card linked to my paypal account, and I get Qantas points on every single Paypal payment. I understand that BPay payments dont earn points, but Paypal certainly does.

Correct vis a vis Paypal. BPay can still earn full points if you're happy to pay a fee through a third party.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

This is not true, I have my Amex card linked to my paypal account, and I get Qantas points on every single Paypal payment. I understand that BPay payments dont earn points, but Paypal certainly does.

It depends on your bank.
Many class paypal transactions as cash advances.

 

[banana boy]

It depends on your bank. Many class paypal transactions as cash advances.

Really? I've never had a Paypal transaction classified as a cash advance. I imagine if you send money to another Paypal account then that could be deemed a cash advance but purchases to vendors who accept Paypal usually code as the vendor's MCC which won't be a cash advance.

You need to be aware that if your bank doesn't award points for government transactions or count them as eligible spend then doing them via Paypal won't help - for example paying council rates via Paypal won't help if payment of council rates directly is excluded.