Optimum points earn strategy

[Isochronous]

For someone who leans towards flying QF and oneworld, is it fair to say the following would be the optimum points earning strategy?

Amex Platinum Edge CC

• Supermarkets - 3pt/$
• Petrol - 2pt/$

Amex Platinum Charge Card

• Restaurants in Australia - 3pt/$
• Airlines, accommodation, cruises, tours - 2pt/$

BankWest Qantas World MC (1pt/$)

• Foreign spend - Visa exchange rate, no fees
• ATO - lower CC surcharge, 1pt/$
• Generally where merchants impose an Amex surcharge

I'm wondering if there's a better option than BankWest 1:1 for the following spending categories that only earn 0.5 points from Amex:

• Utilities which are gas, water and electricity providers • Insurance offered by companies other than American Express

• Telecommunication providers which includes goods and services purchased from phone, mobile and internet service providers

• Government bodies including the Australian Taxation Office, Australia Post, federal/state and local government bodies

Does ANZ Black Amex earn at 1.5/$ on those quoted categories?

 

[TomVexille]

Remember to buy wish cards with the Plat Edge to pay for petrol so you get 3pt/$ there as well.

 

[Isochronous]

Remember to buy wish cards with the Plat Edge to pay for petrol so you get 3pt/$ there as well.

Good point. Just have to always refuel at Woolworths Petrol.

 

[TomVexille]

Good point. Just have to always refuel at Woolworths Petrol.

And can get 5% off if purchased through the entertainment book.

 

[Austff]

Use paypal to get more points for using amex & no surcharge .

 

[zainman]

Good point. Just have to always refuel at Woolworths Petrol.

Or just get the DJ AMEX which earns 3 points per dollar on both Supermarket & Fuel. And then use it to buy gift cards at 5% off. I convert them to SPG to AAdvantange.

 

[Isochronous]

Or just get the DJ AMEX which earns 3 points per dollar on both Supermarket & Fuel. And then use it to buy gift cards at 5% off. I convert them to SPG to AAdvantange.

Does it convert to QFF as well? What other airlines?

 

[Isochronous]

And can get 5% off if purchased through the entertainment book.

But is an entertainment book purchase considered a supermarket spend for 3x?

 

[TomVexille]

But is an entertainment book purchase considered a supermarket spend for 3x?

Entertainment book portal re-directs to the Woolies website, so you actually buy from Woolworths.

 

[burmans]

And can get 5% off if purchased through the entertainment book.

Some would have done even better with the BigW 7.5% off just expired.

 

[andye]

Other options:

Amex Business Accelerator: 2 points per $ on everything except govt/utilities/insurances but capped at 100K MR points (i.e 50K extra above a 1 point/$ Amex).

Diners: effectively (via SPG) 1.78 AA/Alaska miles per $ where accepted (and double points at IHG) but you do have to put up with DC service

 

[andye]

Good point. Just have to always refuel at Woolworths Petrol.

You can buy Coles/Myer cards at Coles for 3 points per $ on petrol at Shell/Coles Express (no online giftcard discounts for Coles anymore though)

 

[andye]

....Does ANZ Black Amex earn at 1.5/$ on those quoted categories?

The bank-issued Amexes will earn full rate on insurance, utilities and Australia Post

The number of cards that pay out for ATO (and the various levels of capping) seems to change every few days

 

[zainman]

Does it convert to QFF as well? What other airlines?

SPG converts to a number of airlines, perhaps QF too but why would you convert to QFF when you can convert to AA?

 

[medhead]

Amex platinum edge is no good for Qantas earning. I think it does convert to enrich, but not Qantas.

 

[jlien]

Amex platinum edge is no good for Qantas earning. I think it does convert to enrich, but not Qantas.

With the OP being a platinum charge holder, I assume the edge is a companion card. There's a chance that his edge sweeps into his charge's ascent premium account. Therefore transferable to QFF at 1:1

 

[medhead]

With the OP being a platinum charge holder, I assume the edge is a companion card. There's a chance that his edge sweeps into his charge's ascent premium account. Therefore transferable to QFF at 1:1

Thanks. Worth noting that requirement for others reading the thread.

 

[andye]

No way to transfer Amex Business Accelerator or Diners to QF either but both accumulate well to SPG with potential OW transfer options of BA/CX/JAL/QR/AA/AB (AS & EK too)-some worthwhile, others less so

 

[Isochronous]

Some would have done even better with the BigW 7.5% off just expired.

But BigW wouldn't be considered supermarket spend...?

 

[andye]

The BigW giftcard offer via Ent Bòok was processed on the WW everydaygiftcard site so counted as WW spend. Despite the name the BigW card works like a wish card