Using points to create experiences for my kids in Life 2.0

[jonedwards80]

Hi all,

I am recently divorced and looking at ways to create lasting travel experiences for my two kids (5 and 8). This is one of a few goals I have for Life 2.0 lol

In Life 1.0, we did a decent amount of travel and money wasnt really an issue for us to some extent. Now the (financial) cost of separation is hitting us, I don't think I can take my kids OS as much as I would like.

I do however, run a business that would spend a decent amount of coin yearly to suppliers. Therefore, I thought I should look into getting a credit card (perhaps Amex?) so I can use the points for future travel with my kids. For example, one supplier has a 0% surcharge and we spend around $4k per month with them. That along would give me a yearly spend of around $50k. I figure I could do that with a couple of suppliers and make sure it's paid off before the interest kicks in.

Seeing I am a total novice to all this, your ideas, thoughts and tips would be greatly appreciated

Thanks!!
Jonathan

 

[Steady]

Welcome aboard @jonedwards80, reward points at little or no cost sounds like a great start. there is lots of information on AFF on how to get the best value from them, read up, and once you have a bit of an understanding of everything, then ask specific questions and you will find lots of members keen to help.

 

[jonedwards80]

Thank you Steady. I guess my main question at this stage, given my goal, is what is the best card for me? I am thinking limited my purchases to just a few work suppliers and hopefully spending around 50-100k per year. My main thought was Amex Business Explorer ($149 per year), but I am open to other options too. Point Hacks mention that the Qantas FF card is also good in terms of points value (around 1.9c per point) but perhaps not as flexible?

Like I said, hope to suggestions at the moment as to what account suits me best

 

[MARTINE]

Welcome Jonathan!
I think AMEX is a good way to go with choice of card informed by choice of airline likely to be used, fee costs etc.
I have used one of the Amex special offers like this one (below) as I like VA/Star alliance.
120k points to begin , free annual flight and lounge passx2 are good (obviously we have not used this last two years).
I use it for everything /you get points with all ATO payments (great when running a business) and I got to nearly a million pts easily. If you know someone who is planning also get a card there is a referral bonus too.
You will get at least One return trip with all the family with this sign up alone at a minimum.
good luck with 2.0 - as we all dip toes back in the water…

American Express Credit & Charge Cards | Compare Our Cards | Amex AU

American Express offers world-class Charge and Credit Cards, Gift Cards, Rewards, Travel, Personal Savings, Business Services, Insurance and more.

www.americanexpress.com

 

[MARTINE]

… and enter all those vax competitions for cars, $$ and with VA & QF

 

[jonedwards80]

… and enter all those vax competitions for cars, $$ and with VA & QF

sorry... whats a Vax competition??

Post automatically merged: Oct 4, 2021

Welcome Jonathan!
I think AMEX is a good way to go with choice of card informed by choice of airline likely to be used, fee costs etc.
I have used one of the Amex special offers like this one (below) as I like VA/Star alliance.
120k points to begin , free annual flight and lounge passx2 are good (obviously we have not used this last two years).
I use it for everything /you get points with all ATO payments (great when running a business) and I got to nearly a million pts easily. If you know someone who is planning also get a card there is a referral bonus too.
You will get at least One return trip with all the family with this sign up alone at a minimum.
good luck with 2.0 - as we all dip toes back in the water…

American Express Credit & Charge Cards | Compare Our Cards | Amex AU

American Express offers world-class Charge and Credit Cards, Gift Cards, Rewards, Travel, Personal Savings, Business Services, Insurance and more.

www.americanexpress.com

Thank you so much!

 

[MARTINE]

sorry... whats a Vax competition??

Post automatically merged: Oct 4, 2021

Thank you so much!

QF and VA have points /prizes for certifying you are fully vaxed on their websites

yesterday a group of philanthropists in Australia put up $1mill prize and daily draws of $1000 for fully vaxed. Easy to enter online

 

[Steady]

Thank you Steady. I guess my main question at this stage, given my goal, is what is the best card for me? I am thinking limited my purchases to just a few work suppliers and hopefully spending around 50-100k per year. My main thought was Amex Business Explorer ($149 per year), but I am open to other options too. Point Hacks mention that the Qantas FF card is also good in terms of points value (around 1.9c per point) but perhaps not as flexible?

Like I said, hope to suggestions at the moment as to what account suits me best

If all your suppliers accept Amex that card would be good - if not, I like the St George amplify signature visa as a second card, it also warehouses points and can be redeemed for krisflyer points - I don't spend as much as you can, so have never checked to see if it has a monthly rewards point cap - something you should consider when deciding. Also worth using a referral if the card/s you choose have them as you often get more bonus points (and help another AFFer out)

 

[bam71]

Plus 1 for Amex

 

[andye]

I'd favour Amex if your spending is accepted. Finding 3 international redemptions via QF can be difficult and the Explorer gives you multiple transfer options to programmes outside Oneworld that might.

 

[jonedwards80]

If all your suppliers accept Amex that card would be good - if not, I like the St George amplify signature visa as a second card, it also warehouses points and can be redeemed for krisflyer points - I don't spend as much as you can, so have never checked to see if it has a monthly rewards point cap - something you should consider when deciding. Also worth using a referral if the card/s you choose have them as you often get more bonus points (and help another AFFer out)

Thank you. Yes I saw one of our suppliers who I was thinking of using for this doesnt accept Amex.

Does anyone have thoughts on ANZ Business Black credit cards? We are with ANZ for work so this would just streamline things for me to keep it there...

 

[drron]

Another saying make Amex your primary card.Their award points can be swapped to a few airlines.I.for example,use them to get KF points on Singapore airlines.Have had little problem getting awards even though I haven't taken a paid flight with them for over 20 years.
I wouldn't get a QFF earning CC.Mrsdrron is a platinum but still finds it difficult to get decent awards through them.

Possibly wait a little while and get a signing up bonus with Amex they seem to happen frequently.

Again welcome to AFF.A lot of information can be found here.

 

[jonedwards80]

Excuse my total ignorance... so I have my credit card with Amex (or whomever) and then I set up accounts with Qantas, Virgin, Singapore Airlines, etc so if I want to use their flights, I can transfer points over to them? Is that how this works? Sorry! lol

 

[MARTINE]

Excuse my total ignorance... so I have my credit card with Amex (or whomever) and then I set up accounts with Qantas, Virgin, Singapore Airlines, etc so if I want to use their flights, I can transfer points over to them? Is that how this works? Sorry! lol

If you decide to go w Velocity AMEX - for example - and don’t have an existing velocity account (which is free) you will be prompted to join in your application. All your points/bonuses etc etc then once you spend get transferred every month from the Amex to your velocity account. You don’t have to do anything.
… If you choose the QF AMEX ditto re: this process.….
Again which card you choose will depend on the benefits / airline points you seek to maximise.

 

[drron]

I though would not get an Amex linked to one airline.Mine is an Amex Reserve.I accumulate Membership reward points.So links to the different cards and using Amex points with a list of the airlines and hotel programs you can transfer to.

Earn Amex Points | Why Amex? | American Express AU

Make life more rewarding by becoming an American Express Card Member. Enjoy more ways to earn Amex Points and how to spend them. Click now to find out more.

www.americanexpress.com

Amex Membership Rewards Transfer Partners & How To Use Them

If you're looking for a way to earn lots of points to redeem for some amazing travel, you can't go wrong with Amex Membership Rewards points.

upgradedpoints.com

 

[jonedwards80]

If you decide to go w Velocity AMEX - for example - and don’t have an existing velocity account (which is free) you will be prompted to join in your application. All your points/bonuses etc etc then once you spend get transferred every month from the Amex to your velocity account. You don’t have to do anything.
… If you choose the QF AMEX ditto re: this process.….
Again which card you choose will depend on the benefits / airline points you seek to maximise.

I was thinking Amex Explorer is the one for me. I assume I just set up free accounts at Qantas, Virgin, (et al.) and then simply transfer the points over as I accumulate?

 

[bam71]

Correct, but I don’t believe Qantas is a transfer partner for the explorer card.

 

[jonedwards80]

okay good to know. still not a massive issue i guess if lots of other airlines are available i assume...

 

[prozac]

Welcome aboard jonedwards80. There is a wealth of knowledge on AFF.

 

[daft009]

While Amex is a great start and worth having an Amex.

Also have a look at where you want to fly first then work backwards on how to get there with points, programs and cards, this might be a quicker path in terms of time spent on research