Replacement for platinum charge card?

[k3nnis]

Ok. But I think the earning rate is different?

If the Citi Select looks a bot expensive, go for the Citi Signature card. Effectively the same benefits at a 1/3 of the annual fee.

 

[wxxnxs]

If the Citi Select looks a bot expensive, go for the Citi Signature card. Effectively the same benefits at a 1/3 of the annual fee.

Signature card is $395 a year, more than half of the Select's annul fee. The earning ratio is $1:1.5 point.

 

[Moopere]

I must say that Virgin earning cards seem to be that little bit better. The only thing Velocity lacks is ASAs. I have found these to be a game changer.

I think the real world equivalent to QF ASA's with DJ are Flexi upgrades to business which are quite a cheap way into the J cabin in terms of both points and money (and earn SC's and FF points too, ala QF ASA's, but only at the Flexi rate).

DJ's named product "ASA's" are extremely poor value as you've no doubt seen

 

[GCC]

Thanks for all the thoughts.

I'm going to see if I can get the CBA diamond or Plat card with direct earn to QFF - no fee and the travel insurance seems very straightforward and was rated by Choice as one of the best credit card insurance policies.

I will combine this with a Diners business card at $157 per annum. So the plan will be to channel as much spend as possible through the Diners, to provide the same flexibility of redemption as current Amex plat. All other spend on CBA - with points going straight to QFF.

 

[WA flyer]

Wouldn't the EDR be better than CBA with it's 1:1 earn for your non Diners spend?

 

[Moopere]

Wouldn't the EDR be better than CBA with it's 1:1 earn for your non Diners spend?

I would have thought so. As a result of this thread I had another look at the CBA Plat/Diamond, pretty underwhelming and a large per annum cost ... but even if the card were free the attached mastercard only earns CBA Awards at 1.25:1$ and I think its still 2:1 CBA awards : QFF points when transferred....if this is right the EDR card will be a better performing (and cheaper) card.

 

[TonyHancock]

I know this is about a replacement for the Amex Plat Charge Card, but I suspect there will be a few out there, like myself, that want to maximise their QF earn. The Amex plat charge card was useful because it at least let me keep my options open.

So the question is where does that leave us if we are going to move away from the plat charge card, particularly with the Ultimate card disappearing from the website. :shock: If it goes or suffers significant enhancements that drop the earn rate I believe I'll have to stick with the charge card.

As it stands the Citibank business gold visa gives me 1.25 points per $ spend. The HSBC card gives me 2 points per $ on my overseas spend.

I can't see the other Citibank cards giving me a better earn for QF. Am I missing something? (Given that I frequently do!!)

 

[GCC]

I think its still 2:1 CBA awards : QFF points when transferred....if this is right the EDR card will be a better performing (and cheaper) card.

Good point - I had kind of forgotten all about EDR - and as I haven't got one will still get 16000 QFF points. I was thinking of CBA mainly for the travel insurance, as it is a very straightforward T&C as far as I can see - spend $250 on the card and insurance is activated. No reason we couldn't have CBA Platinum just for purpose as it will be fee free.

 

[BlackisBack]

You mentioned CBA so have a look in the CBA card thread about a possible use of a clause in T and C to get 3 QFF points per dollar in first 3 months. This would be a great lark if you had some very large payments coming up.

Newk, I tried looking this up in the T&C but couldn't find anything. So I just rang CBA-Awards. The girl on the other end said there was no such thing (getting 3 QFF points per dollar in the first 3 months). Can you please let us know where you saw/heard about this??

 

[greenfrog86]

Good point - I had kind of forgotten all about EDR - and as I haven't got one will still get 16000 QFF points. I was thinking of CBA mainly for the travel insurance, as it is a very straightforward T&C as far as I can see - spend $250 on the card and insurance is activated. No reason we couldn't have CBA Platinum just for purpose as it will be fee free.

It is actually $1000 of prepaid expenses for the CBA Awards cards (all levels) now...

Newk, I tried looking this up in the T&C but couldn't find anything. So I just rang CBA-Awards. The girl on the other end said there was no such thing (getting 3 QFF points per dollar in the first 3 months). Can you please let us know where you saw/heard about this??

I don't have personal experience, but I think the person who posted this was suggesting that the T&Cs indicate that within 3 months of getting a card you can elect to join the QFF program for future points earn with your CBA card.

If you have earned points (Commonwealth Awards Points) in the first three months, then when you elect to join the direct earn QFF program, your existing Commonwealth Awards Points (earned at the rate of 3 per dollar spent on Amex) can be transferred to QFF as part of processing your application to join the 'QFF direct earn' option for you card...

Therefore for the first three months, you can 'game' the terms and conditions and boost your effective QFF points rate

 

[flycop]

I think I'm just to use to getting 1.5 earn now that I struggle to lose it along with bonus points on AMEX cards.

I'm thinking of keeping my Platinum charge card and asking for the Velocity Platinum AMEX card instead of the Reserve card.

At least then I will have the best of both worlds. 1.5 earn for Velocity (bonus points with Virgin spend) and Membership Rewards for restaurants, travel and bonus partners.

When I first got the Platinum charge card I asked if I could have the Velocity card instead of the Reserve and AMEX agreed... BUT they were going to charge me for it! ($100). I think now though I have enough ammunition to ask for it for free given all the benefits lost on the Platinum charge.

Is this a good combination? I already have a Virgin Money High Flyer Visa card for those non AMEX merchants...

 

[Moopere]

I was thinking of CBA mainly for the travel insurance, as it is a very straightforward T&C as far as I can see - spend $250 on the card and insurance is activated. No reason we couldn't have CBA Platinum just for purpose as it will be fee free.

Everyone's circumstances are different of course, but this card, I think, only offers "Overseas" travel insurance. I do a fair bit of domestic as well, so I'll need additional insurance to cover me. Given the T&C of so many of the card insurers available now its just a minefield for me so I've found to feel fully covered I need proper stand-alone travel insurance nowadays (multi trip o/s & domestic, <$300 a year). Given that requirement I no longer derive any benefit from card insurance at all.

 

[Moopere]

I don't have personal experience, but I think the person who posted this was suggesting that the T&Cs indicate that within 3 months of getting a card you can elect to join the QFF program for future points earn with your CBA card.

If you have earned points (Commonwealth Awards Points) in the first three months, then when you elect to join the direct earn QFF program, your existing Commonwealth Awards Points (earned at the rate of 3 per dollar spent on Amex) can be transferred to QFF as part of processing your application to join the 'QFF direct earn' option for you card...

Therefore for the first three months, you can 'game' the terms and conditions and boost your effective QFF points rate

I doubt it would work this way. The transfer rate, so far as I know, is 2x CBA Awards points = 1x QFF point. Whilst I've got no reason to doubt the transfer of your CBA Awards balance to QFF within three months, seems likely to me that they would still apply the 2:1 conversion... If not, yes, what an opportunity to 'game' the system

 

[Newk]

clause 9 of the T and C

"new members who opt-in to Qantas Flyer Direct within 3 months of being enrolled in Commonwealth Awards can elect to redeem any accrued Commonwealth Award points for Qantas Frequent Flyer points in accordance with these terms and conditions"

Note I did not spot this. It was pointed out in another thread

It may be at a reduced rate but it could be read to be at 1:1. Dunno. The killer phrase is "in accordance with these terms and conditions"

 

[Newk]

I doubt it would work this way. The transfer rate, so far as I know, is 2x CBA Awards points = 1x QFF point. Whilst I've got no reason to doubt the transfer of your CBA Awards balance to QFF within three months, seems likely to me that they would still apply the 2:1 conversion... If not, yes, what an opportunity to 'game' the system

It's not entirely clear. I am tempted to apply for one just to find out. Again I point out that it wasn't me who first noticed this. There is a small discussion in the CBA forum here.

MY reading of it is:

You get a new comm bank credit card
Right from the start you have to pick to go into Comm Bank rewards or Qantas FF program as my reading is that you cannot transfer Comm bank reward points to QFF (Lifted from Qantas web site:"Commonwealth Awards customers who do not enrol in Qantas Frequent Flyer Direct will not be able to transfer points to Qantas Frequent Flyer after 31 March 2009. Customers can enrol in Qantas Frequent Flyer Direct by calling CBA between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday on 13 16 61.")

For the sake of the exercise pick the Commonwealth Rewards Program. Get 3 points a dollar on the Amex as per below:

Accumulate points for three months

The "change your mind" and transfer all points to QFF

The normal rate of earn for a diamond card linked to QFF is 1.5ppd Thus:
Qantas Frequent Flyer

Or, if you’d prefer, you can choose to earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points instead. The table below shows you how many QFF points per dollar spent you can earn with each type of card.

 

[fiBer]

Just my 2c on this debate.

I have the plat charge currently and my plan after October is:
- Amex Platinum Edge: use for supermarket spend (3pts/$), petrol (2pts/$). Primarily will transfer to DJ.
- ANZ FF Platinum: use for 1.5pts/$ QFF earn. Use for everything except as above & where accepted. [also use travel insurance].
- Wow EDR: use where Amex is not accepted.

I have been very loyal to QF in the past, usually transferring the majority of my points there. However I'm growing more and more angry at the value of points and availability (even as a WP). I know DJ isn't that much better but at least this will allow me to spread my loyalty.

Hope I'm on the money!! (or points....)

 

[GCC]

The Amex plat charge card was useful because it at least let me keep my options open.

Same for me - keeping the options open was one of the main benefits of the card for me.

But it looks like I'll now have to make a choice on where to put my points before cancelling the platinum card - which will probably be to QFF - unless there is some way of moving points between Ascent premium and the Diners Rewards business / premium account? Or of transferring my MR points from plat charge to the CBA rewards program?

 

[k3nnis]

Hi,

Do you guys transfer to QFF because of the earn rates or burn rates? Or because of the ability to book ASA's?

Thanks,
K.

 

[greenfrog86]

Same for me - keeping the options open was one of the main benefits of the card for me.

But it looks like I'll now have to make a choice on where to put my points before cancelling the platinum card - which will probably be to QFF - unless there is some way of moving points between Ascent premium and the Diners Rewards business / premium account? Or of transferring my MR points from plat charge to the CBA rewards program?

Rewards points earned with a credit card only exist with that company until you 'redeem' them for something...

Ie you can 'redeem' for QF or DJ points. Maybe a gift card, or through a travel agent...

However, you cannot transfer between credit card points programs - no bank is going to let you earn points with them and then transfer them to a competitor who might offer different kind of redemption options.

You will always need to transfer them out to another company for some kind of product or service (I'm classifying a FF program as a product here).

The only type of 'cycling' that is sometimes possible is to redeem for a non-airline rewards program (eg SPG) and then in turn redeem the SPG points for some other kind of points (eg FF points). This round robin turns your Amex points for instance into SPG points and then into points with an airline that Amex doesn't allow you to transfer to directly.

 

[greenfrog86]

Hi,

Do you guys transfer to QFF because of the earn rates or burn rates? Or because of the ability to book ASA's?

Thanks,
K.

I'm with Qantas for a few reasons

• work has traditionally flown with QF so my domestic flights count for something
• there are many CC products that allow QF redemption so its easy for me to maximise earn with QF (1.5 Amex, 1.25 Visa)
• I love ASA awards for earning status as I can't afford to self-fund in premium cabins, and work doesn't send me around the world
• I can easily earn QF points from other activity - eg Everyday rewards, Optus, Restaurants, Hotels etc
• I like the integrated OneWorld network as compared to the hodge podge that is Virgin international