Frequent flyer bank cards reward you with free flights, upgrades and different journey perks only for doing all your on a regular basis spending. There’s a card for the whole lot: you’ll be able to select from primary, no-frills choices to playing cards that dish out massive factors and massive options.
Loads of frequent flyer bank cards include epic sign-up bonus factors to kickstart your rewards stash, and a few have stability switch options if you wish to shift your debt to a brand new card for 0% curiosity and to pay it off sooner.
Or, should you’re simply saying “present me the factors!“, search for bank cards that pay out the very best variety of frequent flyer factors for each greenback you spend.
We’ve made it straightforward by summarising the options of every card proper right here. You’ll be able to click on the cardboard to see the cardboard’s full particulars on the financial institution’s web site, and apply from there too.
Right here’s the highest frequent flyer bank cards for August 2024
Take a look at our high frequent flyer offers for this month. Click on ‘go to supply’ for a full rundown of the cardboard’s options, and to use.
Qantas Premier Platinum Credit score Card – as much as 100,000 bonus Qantas Factors
With the Qantas Premier Platinum Credit score Card, you’ll rise up to 100,000 bonus Qantas Factors – 70,000 once you apply and spend $3,000 or extra on eligible purchases inside 3 months from card approval, plus a further 30,000 should you haven’t earned Qantas Factors with a bank card within the final 12 months. Their rewards program is stable too, providing you with 1.5 factors per $1 spent on worldwide purchases, 1 level for home spending (as much as $10,000 per assertion interval, then reverts to 0.5 factors) and a bonus level once you purchase chosen Qantas services. This card has another good perks, like a concierge service, discounted flights for as much as 8 companions, lounge entry and a decreased annual payment for the primary yr, plus 0% p.a. on stability transfers for 12 months with a 2% stability switch payment.
Qantas American Specific Final – 50,000 bonus Qantas Factors plus $450 Qantas Journey Credit score
The Qantas American Specific Final Credit score Card is a premium card that gives a great deal of journey advantages and factors. New cardholders may obtain 50,000 bonus Qantas Factors once you apply on-line by 14 January 2024, are authorised, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in your new Card throughout the first 3 months. Earn as much as 1.25 Qantas Factors on on a regular basis purchases, 0.5 Qantas Factors on authorities spend, and a further 1 level per $1 on eligible Qantas services with no factors capping. Every year you’ll obtain a $450 Qantas Journey Credit score for eligible home or worldwide Qantas flights when booked via American Specific Journey, which compensates for the $450 annual payment.
Qantas Premier On a regular basis Credit score Card – as much as 8,000 bonus Qantas Factors
The Qantas Premier On a regular basis Credit score Card provides a spread of advantages. For the primary 4 months from card approval, cardholders can earn 2 bonus Qantas Factors per $1 spent on eligible purchases, on high of the usual earn charges. This enables for a most of 8,000 bonus Qantas Factors once you apply at the moment and get authorised. The cardboard incorporates a low annual payment, complimentary worldwide journey insurance coverage, and a 0% p.a. rate of interest on stability transfers for 12 months with 2% stability switch payment.
ANZ Frequent Flyer Platinum Credit score Card – 75,000 bonus Qantas Factors and $100 again
ANZ Frequent Flyer Platinum Credit score Card offers loads of platinum perks plus, a really interesting introductory provide of 75,000 bonus Qantas Factors and $100 again to your card once you spend $2,500 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months from approval. This card helps you to earn Qantas Factors as you store – 0.75 Qantas Factors per $1 spent on eligible purchases as much as $3,000 per assertion interval, then 0.5 Qantas Factors per $1 spent on eligible purchases above $3,000 per assertion interval. On high of that, take pleasure in platinum advantages together with complimentary Worldwide and Home Journey Insurance coverage, Buy Safety Insurance coverage, Prolonged Guarantee Insurance coverage, and eligibility for Visa Gives + Perks.
American Specific Qantas Enterprise Rewards Card – 150,000 bonus Qantas Factors
Should you’ve obtained a enterprise and also you’re in search of alternatives to earn probably the most of your transactions, it is best to make the most of this huge welcome provide of 150,000 bonus Qantas Factors from the American Specific Qantas Enterprise Rewards Card. Obtain 150,000 bonus Qantas Factors once you apply by 1 October 2024, are authorised, and spend $6,000 on eligible purchases in your Card within the first 3 months from approval. Get pleasure from TRIPLE Qantas Factors for what you are promoting on eligible Qantas flights and a pair of Qantas Factors on Qantas services. It is a cost card with no pre-set spending restrict which ensures higher fee flexibility. Gives two new thrilling advantages – as much as $200 again with Dell Applied sciences.
ANZ Frequent Flyer Black Credit score Card – As much as 130,000 bonus Qantas Factors and $250 again
A high-earning rewards card – ANZ Frequent Flyer Black Credit score Card provides as much as 130,000 bonus Qantas Factors – 100,000 bonus Qantas Factors and $250 again to your new card once you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months from approval plus 30,000 bonus Qantas Factors once you preserve your card for a yr. Earn 1 Qantas Level per $1 spent as much as $7,500 per assertion interval, then 0.5 Qantas Factors per $1 spent above $7,500 per assertion interval, uncapped. Get pleasure from its wonderful choice of options together with, complimentary Qantas Frequent Flyer membership, yearly Qantas Membership lounge invites, and journey insurance coverage covers.
Discovering the Greatest Credit score Card Gives on Frequent Flyer Playing cards
Frequent flyer factors (and the redemption packages they’re connected to) is usually a complicated world to dive into, however they’re additionally a few of the finest perks a bank card can provide.
You’ll earn rewards factors only for doing all your day-to-day spending, and convert these factors into journey freebies and privileges, and even retail merchandise.
Now positive the way to discover your finest card? We’ve obtained you lined. Under is a straightforward information on frequent flyer factors, how they work, and the way to discover the bank card that’ll provide the most bang to your buck.
Step 1: Issues to look out for when evaluating frequent flyer bank cards:
- The frequent flyer program it’s connected to
- Whether or not the factors might be transferred to different frequent flyer packages
- Introductory bonus factors you get for signing up
- Any expiration dates in your factors
- The earn price (factors you earn per greenback spent)
- Caps on the factors you’ll be able to earn
- Annual charges
- Different bonus options of the cardboard
Introductory Bonus Factors
Some frequent flyer playing cards offer you bonus rewards factors on sign-up, as much as the tune of 120,000 factors (or much more).
However there’s a small catch – you’ll want to fulfill the eligibility standards to get your factors, which normally means spending a minimal quantity in your card inside a sure timeframe.
Examine the quantity required and be sure to can meet it – it’s typically within the neighborhood of $3,000 spent inside 90 days of approval, however might be roughly.
What number of factors you would earn
Rewards factors are handed out for the {dollars} you spend on eligible purchases. Some issues received’t earn rewards factors, like Bpay transactions, money advances (the place you withdraw cash out of your bank card) and a few authorities funds.
Most instances, rewards additionally received’t apply on stability transfers, the place you progress your stability remaining from one bank card to a brand new one which has 0% or low curiosity utilized to the transferred quantity. Examine the cardboard’s PDS and the TMD to verify.
The quantity of factors you’ll be able to earn will depend on just a few issues:
- The earn price. That’s what number of factors per $1 you spend. 1 frequent flyer level per greenback is pretty normal, though some playing cards provide 0.5 or 0.75 factors per $1.
- Tiered factors. Typically the earn price adjustments relying on what you purchase and the place. As an example, a card would possibly pay 1 level per $1 for eligible purchases as much as a certain quantity per thirty days, after which it drops to 0.5 factors per $1 after that. You would possibly earn extra factors for worldwide purchases, or for getting merchandise via an affiliate enterprise or airline.
- Factors caps. Some playing cards put a restrict on the quantity of frequent flyer factors you’ll be able to earn in a yr (for example, 100,000 factors yearly). Nevertheless, in some circumstances, factors which are earned for purchases made with specific companies are uncapped factors and don’t depend in direction of your complete factors depend. So you would earn, for instance, 125,000 factors in a yr even when the cap is 100,000, as a result of 25,000 have been earned from uncapped purchases at sure shops.
- Membership standing. Relying on the cardboard, it’s possible you’ll earn standing factors along with your spending that transfer you up into extra prestigious tiers, probably providing extra factors per $1, and unlocking extra journey options like additional checked baggage, flight upgrades and lounge entry.
To take advantage of factors out of your spending, you’ll be able to take into consideration how a lot you spend in your card every month, and select a proposal with uncapped factors or the next spending tier so that you don’t lose out on helpful rewards by hitting the factors incomes restrict.
Additionally, take into account the belongings you purchase typically. 🛒 Should you use your card for grocery store spending, search for a card with one of the best earn price on these purchases. ✈️ Or, should you use your card for journey, discover a card that rewards spending on flights, lodging and automobile leases.
Annual charges and ongoing prices (and the trifecta candy spot)
The balancing act of discovering an excellent frequent flyer card for you is weighing up the annual payment, the earn price and the introductory provide.
Tremendous useful recommendations on annual charges:
- A card with an enormous introductory provide is prone to have the next earn price, but in addition the next annual payment.
- A card with a reasonable introductory provide will normally have a decrease earn price, and a decrease annual payment to go well with.
Discovering a card that hits your trifecta candy spot means wanting on the worth you’ll get from the frequent flyer rewards, and deciding if it outweighs the annual payment.
For instance, should you earned 45,000 factors per yr on a Qantas frequent flyer bank card that supplied 1 level per $1 spent, and had an annual payment of $350, you would need to weigh up in case your factors earn was well worth the barely larger yearly payment.
Contemplating 36,000 factors can get you to Christchurch and again from Sydney utilizing Qantas factors (plus any regular taxes and airline charges), and including in every other perks the cardboard provides like free journey insurance coverage, the cardboard may match out nicely in your favour even with the next annual payment.
And naturally, that instance doesn’t embrace any bonus provide factors once you enroll.
On that time, some playing cards provide decreased annual charges for the primary yr, or decrease ongoing annual charges should you spend a minimal quantity per yr. Examine for the newest frequent flyer bank card annual payment offers utilizing the ‘annual payment’ toggle on our one-click comparability software.
The curiosity you’ll be charged
Whenever you use your bank card and don’t repay the stability (the quantity you owe) earlier than the due date or inside any interest-free intervals the cardboard provides, you’ll need to pay curiosity on the stability.
It’s additionally referred to as the acquisition price, and frequent flyer bank cards are inclined to have larger buy charges as a result of they’re a high-value card.
Examine the acquisition price and be sure to’re assured you’ll be able to carry on high of your repayments so that you’re not slugged with excessive curiosity expenses, as a result of that may cut back the worth of your journey rewards.
Expiration dates on frequent flyer factors
Some frequent flyer factors by no means expire, however some expire inside a sure timeframe, or should you don’t use your card for a specified period of time. It’s usually straightforward to maintain your account energetic since you’ll be incomes factors each time you spend in your card.
| Frequent Flyer program | Factors expiry coverage | How you can preserve factors energetic |
|---|---|---|
| Velocity Factors | Sure, after 24 months of inactivity |
|
| Qantas Factors | Sure, after 18 months of inactivity in your account |
|
| American Specific Journey Factors | No expiry, however factors might be misplaced if all playing cards linked to this system are cancelled |
|
At all times test the tremendous print of the frequent flyer program for expiration insurance policies, and any conditions the place they could cancel the rewards program.
Step 2: Unpacking one of the best frequent flyer program for you
Every frequent flyer bank card is linked to a selected frequent flyer program you could redeem the factors via.
Right here’s a snapshot of the frequent flyer packages obtainable that cowl Australian and worldwide airways:
- Qantas – Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Virgin – Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer
- Singapore – Airways Singapore Airways KrisFlyer
- Cathay Pacific – Marco Polo Membership
- Etihad – Etihad Visitor
- Emirates – Skywards
- Malaysia Airways – Enrich
- British Airways – British Airways Govt Membership
- American Airways – AAdvantage Frequent Flyer
- United – Mileage Plus
As you’re evaluating playing cards, you’ll discover most hyperlink up with Qantas Frequent Flyer, Virgin Velocity Frequent Flyer or American Specific packages. Nevertheless, you should still use your frequent flyer factors for different airways throughout the identical community, like Singapore Airways Krisflyer, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Air New Zealand Airpoints, Emirates Skywards and Etihad Visitor.
Becoming a member of a frequent flyer program
Whenever you apply for a bank card connected to a frequent flyer program, you’ll must change into a member to start out incomes and spending factors.
Most packages are free to affix, or offer you alternative to affix at no cost via different partnerships.
For instance, becoming a member of Qantas Frequent Flyer normally prices $99.50, however some bank cards provide free membership, or you’ll be able to be a part of by way of your Woolworths On a regular basis Rewards card.
Earlier than you apply, it’s a good suggestion to test the small print on the cardboard to learn the way and when the factors you earn are transferred to your frequent flyer account. Some playing cards provide direct switch, others switch factors on the finish of every month, whereas others solely provide handbook switch on the cardholder’s request – with a minimal switch quantity required.
Take a look at how one can maximise your points-earning potential in your chosen card. This will imply utilizing your card with sure companions throughout the journey trade, similar to resorts and automobile rent firms, or with sure retailers.
Sure, it’s a bit tedious, however studying a bit about your frequent flyer card can actually give your factors incomes a lift.
What are you able to redeem frequent flyer factors on?
It’s an excellent thought to test the frequent flyer program and its retailer, so can select one that gives the belongings you need (and, it’s extra enjoyable once you’ve already chosen the reward you wish to get at no cost!).
Usually, you need to use frequent flyer factors for:
- Journey. That features flights, upgrades, resorts and lodging, and automobile rental.
- Buying. Go to this system’s on-line rewards retailer to seek out and redeem your factors at widespread shops.
- Reward playing cards. You’ll be able to redeem frequent flyer factors for present playing cards, however sometimes you’ll get extra worth utilizing them for journey.
- Enjoyable eating extras. Some packages provide freebies and reductions on eating. For instance, Qantas Factors might be redeemed on Qantas wine.
Should you don’t have sufficient factors to cowl the complete value of the acquisition, many playing cards provide points-and-pay, the place you’ll be able to pay money to cowl any shortfalls in your factors.
Step 3: Trying out your card’s different options
Many bank cards provide a bunch of different options apart from rewards factors, and frequent flyer playing cards – particularly the fancier, costlier ones – are sometimes choc-full of them.
Options you would possibly discover on a frequent flyer bank card:
- Complimentary journey insurance coverage (could possibly be home, worldwide, or each)
- Airport lounge entry
- Airport transfers
- Journey credit score
- Concierge providers
- Reductions with partnering companies
- Cashback provides
- VIP entry to occasions
All the additional ‘dazzle’ on a card will help offset the upper annual payment, particularly should you like to journey, dine and luxuriate in social occasions.
Should you’re after factors to spend on retail, you would possibly wish to have a look at one of the best rewards-earning bank cards, that are linked to financial institution rewards packages (not particular frequent flyer memberships) and have decrease annual charges.
Different provides to look out for
Introductory provides are one massive good thing about frequent flyer bank cards, however you too can search for reductions on annual charges and any cashback provides.
Some playing cards waive the annual payment for the primary yr, or should you hit a minimal spend yearly.
There are additionally cashback or journey credit on provide, the place you’ll have a nominal quantity paid again to your account, or earn a journey voucher to spend annually. Each options assist offset any ongoing charges on the cardboard.
Some lenders provide 0% curiosity on stability transfers, which is the place you progress the debt from a bank card to at least one that received’t cost curiosity for a sure timeframe.
Earlier than you ask, you received’t earn factors once you switch a stability. Which suggests combining a stability switch (the place the objective is to repay debt) with a card that’s about incomes rewards on massive spending might not be one of the best mixture.
Should you’re eager to get forward of your bank card stability, use our one-click comparability software to discover a stability switch card that may show you how to most.
FAQs
What’s an ‘eligible transaction’ for incomes factors?
An eligible transaction normally means common spending on on a regular basis gadgets, like groceries, consuming out and reserving tickets (together with flights). Usually, you received’t earn factors on money advances (the place you withdraw cash out of your bank card) and any balances transferred from a special card.
Usually, you received’t earn factors on authorities transactions both, like paying your charges invoice.
The bank card’s PDS will define which transactions are eligible for incomes factors.
Are all frequent flyer factors price the identical quantity?
No, every frequent flyer program has their very own worth system. For instance, a $100 Bunnings present voucher will value 23,170 Qantas Factors, or 21,800 Velocity Factors.
If you wish to get probably the most out of your factors, you’ll be able to search the totally different rewards packages and select the one with the higher factors redemption on belongings you’re most certainly to purchase.
Can I add further cardholders?
Including relations to the account is an effective approach to bump up your factors earnings sooner, however not all playing cards permit further cardholders, and a few make you pay.
The extra cardholder payment could be minimal, like $10 per yr, however might also require a payment to affix the membership program.
At all times test the phrases for including additional cardholders to verify it’s not going so as to add ongoing bills that outweigh the advantages.
How do I select my card as soon as I’ve selected my Rewards Program?
If you already know which frequent flyer program you wish to be a part of, you’ll be able to examine the playing cards connected to your program through the use of our one-click comparability software:
Evaluate all Qantas Frequent Flyer bank cards.
Evaluate all Velocity Frequent Flyer bank cards.
Or, you’ll be able to examine bonus factors for all rewards playing cards, together with non-frequent-flyer packages, on our bonus factors comparability web page.
Should you’re nonetheless unsure, you’ll be able to examine all bank cards providing frequent flyer factors and click on every card to learn its professionals and cons.
Can I earn factors on authorities funds, like my ATO invoice?
Most bank cards don’t provide factors on authorities transactions, and people who do are most frequently enterprise bank cards. Nevertheless, some American Specific frequent flyer playing cards provide factors on funds to authorities our bodies.
As at all times, test the cardboard’s particulars to seek out out.
