Hi - new here & need some help :)

[melissal281]

Hi all,

Am new to this forum (1st post), and after trawling different thread, other websites etc, it seems I've hit a brick wall and my brain hurts! And while I'm at it, please excuse my ignorance to all the different acroynms - I will get there eventually.

I know I'm never going to be a 'real' FF, but one can only hope. After flying 4 times this year, I've realized that I could've been accruing a few points. As a family, we've decided that we will work the system better - change our credit cards over to ones that will accrue points to Qantas Frequent Flyers (if you all deem this is the best option for us

I'll put my questions in point form - will make it easier for ME to understand what I'm asking!

1. After reviewing our CC statements, it looks like we could potentially put through approx $12,000+ per month on our card. That would be about the minimum - could go up to $16-18K. Which would be the best card to swap to?

2. Flights wise, we would take approx 2 international flights per year - 1 personal (that we pay for) and 1 business (incentive trip fully paid for by the company). Personal trip would be the likes of Melb-Denpasar/Thailand. Business would be (for next year) Melb-Hawaii. May make 1 domestic trip per year. Based on that, which program would be better to use - Qantas or Virgin Velocity?

3. Last - I've just accrued 60,000 priority club rewards from our stay in Thailand. I have to option to redeem either 12,000 QFF miles, or 12,000 Velocity points. Which is the better option to take?

I think that will do for now - don't want to scare anyone off answering!!

Thanks in advance for everyone's help - & look forward to chatting

Melissa

 

[markis10]

. Last - I've just accrued 60,000 priority club rewards from our stay in Thailand. I have to option to redeem either 12,000 QFF miles, or 12,000 Velocity points. Which is the better option to take?

Welcome to AFF, it all comes down to what you plan to do with the points, 60000 priority club points can be redeemed for 12 nights accommodation if a property comes up on the points break list that you can use, saving you $1200 if it is $100 a night a cheapest rates, so its worth keeping some PC points in the bank.

 

[JessicaTam]

1. After reviewing our CC statements, it looks like we could potentially put through approx $12,000+ per month on our card. That would be about the minimum - could go up to $16-18K. Which would be the best card to swap to?

Hi melissa28, and welcome. With that sort of spend look at one of the dual card offers around (MC or Visa plus Amex on the one account). The Amex usually has a higher earn. Make sure it does not have a limit on the monthly points earn. (e.g. NAB QF Gold $10,000 spend/points limit vs NAB QF Platinum no limit).

 

[Rebekkap]

Hi melissa28, and welcome. With that sort of spend look at one of the dual card offers around (MC or Visa plus Amex on the one account). The Amex usually has a higher earn. Make sure it does not have a limit on the monthly points earn. (e.g. NAB QF Gold $10,000 spend/points limit vs NAB QF Platinum no limit).

I wouldn't do it that way - the most you'll get, if I recall correctly from last time I checked, is 1 point per dollar on Amex, 0.5 on visa/mastercard.

You're better off getting the Qantas Ultimate Amex, which gives you 1.5 per dollar, and either Woolworths Everyday rewards card at 1 point per dollar, or I think there may be a citibank card that gives you 1.25.


Just make sure you apply for the Amex first as they may not approve you/give you a low, low credit limit if you apply for another card at the same time.

cheers
Rebekka

 

[JessicaTam]

I wouldn't do it that way - the most you'll get, if I recall correctly from last time I checked, is 1 point per dollar on Amex, 0.5 on visa/mastercard.

Amex 1.5 Visa/MC 0.66 pts/$

 

[Rebekkap]

Amex 1.5 Visa/MC 0.66 pts/$

I stand corrected

But that's still not as good an earn rate as two separate cards.

 

[drewbles]

Amex 1.5 Visa/MC 0.66 pts/$

Which one does this? I've seen some intro offers like that, but they tend to revert to 1/0.5 for Amex/MC. Also, the ones that do tend to offer more are their own award points, not direct sweep to QF.

Of course, you could also look at the Virgin Amex with 1.5 and a Virgin High Flyer Visa for 1 per dollar with no cap (and the BOGOF flights as well for domestic, 4 per year, and couple it with the VA Pooling deal), you may be better off with this.

 

[k3nnis]

I guess also depends which airline(s) you want to fly with....

 

[markis10]

Which one does this? I've seen some intro offers like that, but they tend to revert to 1/0.5 for Amex/MC. Also, the ones that do tend to offer more are their own award points, not direct sweep to QF.

Of course, you could also look at the Virgin Amex with 1.5 and a Virgin High Flyer Visa for 1 per dollar with no cap (and the BOGOF flights as well for domestic, 4 per year, and couple it with the VA Pooling deal), you may be better off with this.

The NAB card jessicatam mentioned in her first post:

[h=2]Earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points[/h]Your NAB Qantas Platinum Card account has two cards. The NAB Qantas Platinum American Express[SUP]®[/SUP] Card gives you maximum points earning and the Visa card gives you added worldwide acceptance. Earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points on everyday purchases and redeem them for rewards including flights, accommodation and entertainment.
Plus, earn 1 bonus point for every dollar you spend on your NAB Qantas Platinum Card on selected Qantas products and services, including eligible Qantas flights. (More information)
[TABLE="class: table01, width: 5"]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Card[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]Earn rate per statement cycle[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]American Express[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]1.5 points per $1 spent on eligible purchases[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Visa[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]2 points per $3 spent on eligible purchases

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[JessicaTam]

Thanks for the table, markis10. I just cited that one as an example as it doesn't have an earn limit. Their VA card earn is as Rebekkap ​stated so not as good as QF.

Two separate cards may mean two lots of annual fees and a bit more accounting. I use the 2 in 1 (with another bank) for convenience. YMMV

 

[11sjw]

Two separate cards may mean two lots of annual fees and a bit more accounting. I use the 2 in 1 (with another bank) for convenience. YMMV

Ditto, ANZ though here (Amex 1.5pts/$1 and Visa 0.5pt/$1 with a $295/yr fee).

Welcome Melissal281.

Do you have an airline preference at all? Who do you normally do the international trips with (Star Alliance, Oneworld or other)?

It's easy enough to gear your credit card choices accordingly. Most of them have incentives to get you to take up their cards, eg as per above (ANZ) I'm eligible for 32k points after the qualifying period is complete. Hang on to the hotel points as they'll prove a great way to pay for accommodation.

 

[k3nnis]

Which credit cards allow transfer to hotel programs besides amex MR and diners?