Credit card recommendations

gaz1 · #1 (**permalink**) 13th March 2008, 03:47 PM

Hi everyone,

I have been reading through the various posts on credit card recommendations & would appreciate any thoughts on our situation.

My wife & myself both have had the fee free for life Gold Visa credit cards for some time but they have started imposing the 60,000 point maximum frequent flyer points per year.

We both tried applying for another Silver or Gold fee-free Citibank mastercard but were declined (basically they have recently increased our limit & don't think we need another card!).

Most of the places we use don't take Amex or Diners, so we really need another Mastercard or Visa card.

Obviously the points earning rate is the most critical. For example it is obviously well worth paying an annual fee to get a 1:1 rate rather than a lower annual fee. I don't think I have seen better than 1:1 on a Visa/MC, so I presume we should aim for 1:1.

I have been hanging out for special deals & mailbox offers but we need to make a decision soon. Of course free sign up points would be great as long as the rest of the deal is OK.

Expect to put $100k+ on the card each year, so no limit (or a high limit) would be needed to make the fees, etc worthwhile.

What do you think?

Cheers,

Gary.

lovetravellingoz · #2 (**permalink**) 13th March 2008, 04:29 PM

The problem as I am sure you are aware is getting another MC or VISA card that earns at 1 rather than 0.5......

gaz1 · #3 (**permalink**) 10th April 2008, 02:58 PM

Hi,

Citibank have now capped our points on my card & my wifes card.
We have an Amex, but not many of the places we deal with will take it.

Looking at Visa cards that have 1:1 fequent flyer points the best one I can find is the CBA Platinum @ $195 per year.

Anyone know of anything better or any other promos?

Thanks,

Gary.

opusman · #4 (**permalink**) 10th April 2008, 03:17 PM

Have you called Citibank and told them you'll be moving all your business to another card unless they remove the cap?

Chicken · #5 (**permalink**) 11th April 2008, 08:46 AM

Citibank had caught up with me as well after 4 years, and put a cap on my head.

So I got my girlfriend to get Earth+ during promo.

It's earn rate sucks, but don't have any limit on how many points you can eearn.

Harpoon · #6 (**permalink**) 17th April 2008, 02:21 PM

It's a shame you don't want an AMEX...

Qantas Ultimate card - 1.5:1 with no cap ($395 fee)

Qantas Premium card - 1.25:1 with no cap ($195 fee)

Qantas Regular card - 1:1 with no cap (no fee).

opusman · #7 (**permalink**) 17th April 2008, 02:36 PM

Amex Rewards Maximizer - 1.5:1, no cap, $16 / month

Harpoon · #8 (**permalink**) 17th April 2008, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opusman

Amex Rewards Maximizer - 1.5:1, no cap, $16 / month

Sorry I can't see that on the Aus Amex website...? Link??

serfty · #9 (**permalink**) 17th April 2008, 02:55 PM

It's on the comparison page here: American Express Australia - Compare Our Cards but AMEX aren't actively promoting it at the moment.

The "Apply Now" Link seems to work ok.

oz_mark · #10 (**permalink**) 17th April 2008, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chicken

Citibank had caught up with me as well after 4 years, and put a cap on my head.

So I got my girlfriend to get Earth+ during promo.

It's earn rate sucks, but don't have any limit on how many points you can eearn.

If you use the Amex card it comes out to $1=1FF point