How much (if any) will you pay for points on CC

pax1a · #1 (**permalink**) 2nd May 2007, 12:59 PM

Hi,
Many merchants will charge you form 1% to 3% for large ticket purchases if you want to use CC.

I'm about to buy a large ticket item $50k and the merchant wants 1.5% if I use citibank MC, so it's $750 for 50,000 points.

Do you pay extra just to get the points, if so what's your % limit.

pax

danielribo · #2 (**permalink**) 2nd May 2007, 01:07 PM

I'd say that's not a particually good deal. I base the value of points on what I'd be using them for. Most (pretty much all) of my points are used for return economy tickets from SYD to SIN or BKK. To buy those costs about $1000 (give or take), however using points it's 60,000 plus $300 taxes, hence the value to me of the 60,000 points is $700 approx. Therefore I'd say to spend $750 to get just 50,000 points is poor economy.

serfty · #3 (**permalink**) 2nd May 2007, 01:41 PM

Then again, an upgrade from discount economy to J SYD-BKK costs 40K points, but may have a value based on airfare difference of at least $1½K.

Kiwi Flyer · #4 (**permalink**) 2nd May 2007, 01:53 PM

yeah all depends on how you can use them

simongr · #5 (**permalink**) 2nd May 2007, 02:13 PM

I rarely will use my Amex if there is a surcharge. Potentially a false economy - but I only earn half the points on AAdvantage and if transferring to QF they are only used to UG J->F which is a bit of a luxury for me alone and mrssimongr doesnt benefit from it at all...