Westpac Singapore KrisFlyer Credit Card

[lovestotravel]

W Given that the KF Card is earning 3 points per $ at present it means to me that for at least purchases made in the US that the KF amex is still worth using in comparison to my Wizard Card Card, Citibank VISA or Direct Deposit etc.

I am a moron (although others already thought that from the taxi thread )

I forgot that the Amex KF card still earned 3 KF per $ even for spend outside of Australia.

I thought it had a reduced rate, but it's the VISA which has a BETTER rate outside of Australia than here!

I just booked $10,000 of accommodation in US$ on my Amex Charge card

At least I have a bit more to book so back to the KF card for that!

As you have said even with the poor conversion rate and fees the 3KF miles make it worth it!

 

[serfty]

...
Question: Is the $ 5.63 fee purely % based...or is a flat fee (ie if a flat fee then smaller purcahses should be avoided).

It's probably a %age fee.

...
7 Sep 2009 135.00 USD INC FX FEE AUD$ 5.63
0.007 Sep 2009 xx_xx_X NEW YORK US166.78
...
With the fee that is a rate of 80.95 cents per USA $.

3 Amex points are worth at least 6 cents to me (and probably more).
...

Plugging that into www.xe.com/ccc :

Date on transaction receipt:           September 7, 2009
Amount on transaction receipt:         135.00 USD

Mid-market rate for USD to AUD on 
2009.09.07: (Excluding bank charges)   1.16851
Value of transaction in your currency:
(Excluding bank charges)               157.75 AUD
Amount shown on credit card statement: 166.78 AUD

ACTUAL BANK FEES for this purchase:    9.03 AUD ( 5.725% )

Are 500 KF points worth $9?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Firstly thank you for the calculations.

Are 500 KF points worth $9?

Yes as to me 500 points are worth at least $10, maybe $20. So that is a net $1 to $11.

However that is not the real question here......as I need to make a purchase. I am not doing it as a Points Run.

TASK

• To pay for goods and services in $US in the USA the most cost effective way possible (or at least that a Tourist can ustilise). I will factor FF points into any calculation...but will not look at FF points as the be all to end all.
  • Some tx can be paid for in cash, though I still would need to convert $Aust into $US and that pay some fees/commission.
  • Other tx wil need a CC and /or EFT (ie booking hotels in advance).
• I am happy to not gain any FF points if that gains a better overall financial result .

Any transaction will occur some form of fees....but some are less than others.

At present with the KF card the equation means that the worth of points to me slightly outweighs the tx costs.

Any other means of payment would at present mean that I would would incur a loss. That is unless someone knows of a superior method. In which case I am all ears.

So if my sums are right I am better off using Amex KF than any other card at present , or indeed cash.

More than happy to pointed in another direction though.

 

[serfty]

Wizard M/C.

e.g. A NZD60 cash withdrawal on the 4th September in AKL hit my account as AUD48.80 - this is an effective 0.6% variance to the cross rate according to xe.com/ccc .

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Wizard M/C.

e.g. A NZD60 cash withdrawal on the 4th September in AKL hit my account as AUD48.80 - this is an effective 0.6% variance to the cross rate according to xe.com/ccc .

Yes I have one.

And after Oct 31 when my points earn dip from 3 to 1.5 and hence the euqation changes from gain to a loss I will swap over.

But till then I will use the KF card.

One other minor benefit is that it also has travel insurance. But as I havea 12 month policy that s no real advantage unless TID (and Alliance) collapses.

 

[kamchatsky]

Reminder ..... 12 days to go before the "$1AU spend on Amex = 3 KF points" promo is over. From November it will revert to $1AU spend on Amex = 1.5KF points.

So if you have any large item that is to be spent early next month, may be worth while to spend it before end of this month!

 

[penegal]

Reminder ..... 12 days to go before the "$1AU spend on Amex = 3 KF points" promo is over. From November it will revert to $1AU spend on Amex = 1.5KF points.

So if you have any large item that is to be spent early next month, may be worth while to spend it before end of this month!

Thanks, I knew it was coming up, but this year is just flying by (pardon the pun).

This card has been v.good for me in ticketing work SQ expenditure and enjoying 4.5x earning for the first 6 months.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

So if you have any large item that is to be spent early next month, may be worth while to spend it before end of this month!

Or even some no so large ones.

I will pre-pay a number of bills for a few months...phone, groceries, fuel. met tickets for the kids, etc...as they will add up.

Just scored 25 K off the Marriot for running an event and so my KF account is kicking along nicely. Already have earnt at least enough points for over one Saver J to Europe so far and so this card has been good for me. Will do the math when finished but might get lose to two.
Has been a goldern Points Run period these last two years as this promo folowed the Double Points Earth Promo and other promos. Almost do not know what it is to only earn 1.5 per $$$....

TIP: Don't leave it to the last day or so as not all tx post within the day.

 

[penegal]

TIP: Don't leave it to the last day or so as not all tx post within the day.

Knowing how slow it normally is, I would suggest that you aim to get as much done before the weekend / early next week, so they have a few business days to post.

 

[lovestotravel]

I will pre-pay a number of bills for a few months...phone, groceries, fuel. met tickets for the kids, etc...as they will add up.

I was about to do that, until the CBA 3QFF for $1 offer until Feb came along.

Already have earnt at least enough points for over one Saver J to Europe so far and so this card has been good for me.

Hopefully saver awards on the 777-300ER/A380's soon as well, which would be the icing on the cake!

Has been a goldern Points Run period these last two years as this promo folowed the Double Points Earth Promo and other promos. Almost do not know what it is to only earn 1.5 per $$$....

I missed the double earth promo and the Amex boni point debacle was the start of my boni point craziness! I think everyone at work and home is sick of hearing about Amex this, Amex that, we can't eat there as they don't take Amex etc etc...

TIP: Don't leave it to the last day or so as not all tx post within the day.

Agree, Wednesday 28th will be my last day of use of this card until 1st Feb when the CBA offer expires.

Then it will be back to 1.5 per $1 for me and I won't know what to do with myself :evil:

 

[Foreigner]

Reminder ..... 12 days to go before the "$1AU spend on Amex = 3 KF points" promo is over. From November it will revert to $1AU spend on Amex = 1.5KF points.

So if you have any large item that is to be spent early next month, may be worth while to spend it before end of this month!

Timely reminder. The trouble is fewer businesses, esp. like providers of utilities, accept AMEX. Telstra is one of the exceptions. Anyway, I should try and make the most of the opportunity.

 

[lovestotravel]

Timely reminder. The trouble is fewer businesses, esp. like providers of utilities, accept AMEX. Telstra is one of the exceptions. Anyway, I should try and make the most of the opportunity.

Telstra, Optus, Three, Vodafone all accept Amex
Most broadband providers also accept Amex
Energy Australia accepts Amex for Power and Gas
Yarra Valley Water in Victoria do NOT accept Amex.
My local fish and chip shop accepts Amex
My local pizza place does not
The next local pizza place does

As I have said in numerous other threads I only put very small amounts on my Visa card now as I refuse to shop at establishments that do not allow me to pay with Amex. I might go there once but will never go back again until they accept Amex.

 

[sxdatou]

I will be buying a few hundred dollars WISH card at least soon... time flies...

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I was about to do that, until the CBA 3QFF for $1 offer until Feb came along.

Each to their own I guess.

For me burning on J Savers is more than twice as good as burning J on QF.
So 1.5 KF to me is worth more than 3 QFF points.

Plus I can pre-pay and get 3 KF points which is worth way more than 3 QF points.

Besides CBA are devaluing their system in Feb.

.From 1 February 2010, 2 Commonwealth Awards points will be required to redeem 1 Qantas Frequent Flyer point or 1 Velocity Point.

Then there would be the extra card fee.

So for me KF is much better value.
Those wanting to burn on QF may wish to take it up. Personally I only earn points on QFF that I cannot get elsewhere.

 

[pomjim]

Do you earn points when using "paypal"? I have read through the guide booklet, but can find nothing, but I seem to recall (possibly on this site) that one does not.

 

[kamchatsky]

Each to their own I guess.

For me burning on J Savers is more than twice as good as burning J on QF.
So 1.5 KF to me is worth more than 3 QFF points.

Plus I can pre-pay and get 3 KF points which is worth way more than 3 QF points.

Besides CBA are devaluing their system in Feb.

.From 1 February 2010, 2 Commonwealth Awards points will be required to redeem 1 Qantas Frequent Flyer point or 1 Velocity Point.

Then there would be the extra card fee.

So for me KF is much better value.
Those wanting to burn on QF may wish to take it up. Personally I only earn points on QFF that I cannot get elsewhere.

Good point about pre-paying bills. Never thought of that.

Likewise WISH cards as well.

I have to say that this card has been excellent whilst promo is still happening. Already have enough points for J Saver to China, or 2 * J NZ Pacific awards.

Of course, just make sure that you burn your points as soon as possible as well. The points only last 3 years.

J Savers are great, especially if your city have new Regional J seats on 333 and 77A (only MEL-SIN is left with old regional seat, I think).

Not sure whether to use my CPA Amex MR CC or stick with Westpac Krisflyer once the promo is over though. Whilst Westpac Amex is still offering 1.5 points per dollar, Amex MR has a lot more flexibility.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Good point about pre-paying bills. Never thought of that.

Don't forget your rates.

Of course, just make sure that you burn your points as soon as possible as well. The points only last 3 years.

LOL..well easier said than done at present for me. Have burnt 8 J rewards..but this promo has already scored enough points for J Saver to Erope and will go close to almost get 2 by the time it finishes.
.

Not sure whether to use my CPA Amex MR CC or stick with Westpac Krisflyer once the promo is over though. Whilst Westpac Amex is still offering 1.5 points per dollar, Amex MR has a lot more flexibility.

Yes. But KF hasa VISA as well that erans at 1.0 in Oz and 1.5 overeseas.

While my Citibank arns at 1.0..it transfers at only two thirds.

My Amex Maximiser has dropped to only 1.25...so I will only use that enough to keep it active...but will watch out for deals for an amex Plat.

In the meantime KF earn at 1.5 with JSaver burn is hard to beat.

Plus a I got a speacial deal where it is always at half fee cost for me (making ita cheap platinum)..plus I had this first year 100% waived in the end. as my wife also gets free partner set of cards it makes it hard to beat.

 

[hedge]

Im thinking about getting a plat sia card. Just wondering if your points balance can go negative?

As I use my credit card to top up my CFD account and thus accrue a reasonable number of points, but when I want to withdraw funds, it goes back to the card, so I might get a negative points balance.

Anyone had any similar experiences?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Im thinking about getting a plat sia card. Just wondering if your points balance can go negative?

As I use my credit card to top up my CFD account and thus accrue a reasonable number of points, but when I want to withdraw funds, it goes back to the card, so I might get a negative points balance.

Anyone had any similar experiences?

I think it is pretty much the rule with any credit card that whatever points are gained on "purchases" will be deducted with "reversals". I guess the interesting point with what you are asking is that your "reversal" may exceed your original "purchase".

 

[cove]

An old statistic on derivatives was that 93% of folks lose so maybe the reductions will be less than the pay ins.
I hope you can beat this old statistic.