Virgin Money Flyer 60,000/High Flyer 120,000, $129 flight voucher, annual fee $64/289

[PDog]

I plan on prepaying lots of months of foxtel and mobile/internet bills, as well as me next cruise, flights, and tour costs

Does anyone know if "energy australia" is considered government spend?

I'm going to see how this works out, but I'm thinking prepaying 6 months worth of bills might end up being awesome

I'm with red energy & I believe that was considered a govt spend. Optus however are not and are happy for your account to be in massive credit

 

[coles525]

I applied for the high flyer (120k) card on Feb 24th, with received (for inspection/approval) date being Feb 27th.

I am now pending review, which I'm not sure how it could turn out. other cc's, might officially earn $900 ish below the minimum income.....

Here is hoping!

regarding spend per month.... Just think of travel agent shopping.

 

[sageybadegey]

regarding spend per month.... Just think of travel agent shopping.

travel agent shopping? sorry newbie here

 

[kevrosmith]

Applied a month ago, initially rejected due to not having FY2017 tax assessment available. Quickly submitted the tax return and sent that through, now approved. Having read through all 12 pages now, hoping people might be able to confirm some spend eligibility details:
Are any of the following not eligible for counting toward spend requirements for bonus points?

• BUPA health fund
• Telstra
• Buying WISH cards through CashRewards
• VA flights
• Thrifty car hire
• Gift cards through RACQ

Apart from diverting my usual spend for 3 months, I might pre-pay some bills for a few months, and then top up the spend buying WISH cards from CashRewards and then converting them to Visa 1 cards at Woolies. Alternatively, buying the $200 cards at Officeworks (with $7.95 card fee). Anyone see any problems with this approach?

Cashrewards and RACQ are my biggest concern in my list above.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Applied a month ago, initially rejected due to not having FY2017 tax assessment available. Quickly submitted the tax return and sent that through, now approved. Having read through all 12 pages now, hoping people might be able to confirm some spend eligibility details:
Are any of the following not eligible for counting toward spend requirements for bonus points?

• BUPA health fund
• Telstra
• Buying WISH cards through CashRewards
• VA flights
• Thrifty car hire
• Gift cards through RACQ

Apart from diverting my usual spend for 3 months, I might pre-pay some bills for a few months, and then top up the spend buying WISH cards from CashRewards and then converting them to Visa 1 cards at Woolies. Alternatively, buying the $200 cards at Officeworks (with $7.95 card fee). Anyone see any problems with this approach?

Cashrewards and RACQ are my biggest concern in my list above.

I'm not aware of purchases made via cashrewards (which will not track to your credit card as via cash rewards rather they will track directly to the merchant you make the purchase from) or RACQ gift cards not being considered to be approved spend by any credit card offerer.

 

[sageybadegey]

I'm not aware of purchases made via cashrewards (which will not track to your credit card as via cash rewards rather they will track directly to the merchant you make the purchase from) or RACQ gift cards not being considered to be approved spend by any credit card offerer.

I bought woolies gift cards from cashrewards as well. So hopefully, they are considered eligible.

 

[Dr Ralph]

I bought woolies gift cards from cashrewards as well. So hopefully, they are considered eligible.

They are valid purchases. The merchant will track as something like 'EVERYDAY GIFT CARD 6673'

 

[kevrosmith]

They are valid purchases. The merchant will track as something like 'EVERYDAY GIFT CARD 6673'

Thanks, that's great news. And just to confirm that I understand correctly: I am able to purchase Visa One cards at Woolies using WISH gift cards, right?

 

[Dr Ralph]

Thanks, that's great news. And just to confirm that I understand correctly: I am able to purchase Visa One cards at Woolies using WISH gift cards, right?

Yes.

 

[RAM]

They are valid purchases. The merchant will track as something like 'EVERYDAY GIFT CARD 6673'

HOWEVER...

and this is a giant HOWEVER....

they do have a cute little trick of the timing of transactions.

In one case a top-up purchase to ensure enough buffer in case another purchase did not count (as despite three calls to CSAs the answer was different each time - Yes, no, don't know) - was not recognised for 5 days. Purchase done t-4 from deadline so it missed the statement period.

Now plot thickens.

The purchase required a response to a call from them (Citi in reality) to verify it was the cardholder doing the GC purchase. This happens every time whether a $200 W GC or $1500 of w GCs - major pain....

So call received and security questions answered, purchase approved on t-4 by them yet it did not appear on statement until t +1.

Not happy about no 40,000 points.

Many calls later, after we pointed out that as they approved the transaction how could it not be processed as of t-4. Especially as all other purchases in previous 2 months (going through identical process and on same day of week, no public holidays etc etc) had appeared as of date of phone call verification. There were some valiant attempts by Citi to wiggle out of paying up, before finally they caved.

Hmmm.

So, moral of story - top up to bypass min spend (after calling to verify what has been counted (and noting down date, time and who you speak with) at least 6 days in advance of statement cut-off date.

 

[GSP]

Applied a month ago, initially rejected due to not having FY2017 tax assessment available. Quickly submitted the tax return and sent that through, now approved. Having read through all 12 pages now, hoping people might be able to confirm some spend eligibility details:
Are any of the following not eligible for counting toward spend requirements for bonus points?

• BUPA health fund
• Telstra
• Buying WISH cards through CashRewards
• VA flights
• Thrifty car hire
• Gift cards through RACQ

Apart from diverting my usual spend for 3 months, I might pre-pay some bills for a few months, and then top up the spend buying WISH cards from CashRewards and then converting them to Visa 1 cards at Woolies. Alternatively, buying the $200 cards at Officeworks (with $7.95 card fee). Anyone see any problems with this approach?

Cashrewards and RACQ are my biggest concern in my list above.

Wish cards from Cash Rewards worked for me no problem. Didn't get the hassle that RAM got however although I may purchased them earlier in the monthly cycle - I can't recall.

 

[kevrosmith]

Wish cards from Cash Rewards worked for me no problem. Didn't get the hassle that RAM got however although I may purchased them earlier in the monthly cycle - I can't recall.

What's the general consensus: do people buy the physical WISH gift cards, or are e-gift cards fine?

 

[foggy]

The purchase required a response to a call from them (Citi in reality) to verify it was the cardholder doing the GC purchase. This happens every time whether a $200 W GC or $1500 of w GCs - major pain....

So call received and security questions answered, purchase approved on t-4 by them yet it did not appear on statement until t +1.

That was my biggest gripe with this card. Any large transactions gets denied. Glad I have churned it and moved on.

 

[coles525]

Update: online still saying as application pending, but received a letter of declined today.

I will be escalating it over the weekend by phone (rang them today), to try to sort it out.

Wondering if I'm still allowed the bonus 120k, as it officially ended in Feb; with my original signup rejected.

Would the escalations team treat it as the previous month of joining?

 

[RAM]

What's the general consensus: do people buy the physical WISH gift cards, or are e-gift cards fine?

Buying via the 5% discount method definitely favours e-GCs

 

[ant-au]

Applied and approved overnight for the high flyer (missed the 120k. 105k now)
Now need to spend big for the next 3 months!

 

[travelislife]

Update: online still saying as application pending, but received a letter of declined today.

I will be escalating it over the weekend by phone (rang them today), to try to sort it out.

Wondering if I'm still allowed the bonus 120k, as it officially ended in Feb; with my original signup rejected.

Would the escalations team treat it as the previous month of joining?

Personally I wouldn't chase this, it will be more pain than it's worth with Citibank.

 

[kevrosmith]

Buying via the 5% discount method definitely favours e-GCs

Oh, now I'm a bit confused. I thought buying via cashrewards was the 5% discount... and it seems when you click through from cash rewards, it's possible to purchase either physcial WISH cards or e-WISH cards. Am I missing something? (New to this area, and trying to piece the info provided already together).

 

[PDog]

Oh, now I'm a bit confused. I thought buying via cashrewards was the 5% discount... and it seems when you click through from cash rewards, it's possible to purchase either physcial WISH cards or e-WISH cards. Am I missing something? (New to this area, and trying to piece the info provided already together).

I understand cash rewards eventually gives you the discount (so 5% or whatever) as a rebate? Possibly months later- my experiences was that it took ages to come through. I believe you can 'stack' clicking through the CR site paying with a voucher that you purchased for less than face value elsewhere.

 

[RAM]

I understand cash rewards eventually gives you the discount (so 5% or whatever) as a rebate? Possibly months later- my experiences was that it took ages to come through. I believe you can 'stack' clicking through the CR site paying with a voucher that you purchased for less than face value elsewhere.

In this world of instant gratification - for W egc purchases - it is instant as a discount on the purchase price. Time value of money at work!

Not sure you can get physical cards anymore as a number of schemes have gone on cost cutting and no longer will mail out cards (major issue with getting Coles Myer group physical cards - sorry Coles Express but you're history since the change in early 2017).