So I got a AmEx Explorer Card recently, but don't have any large expenses that needs to be paid ATM, so thought I would get gift cards. Any recommendations or tips? Any other (sensible) options for spending $3000 quickly?
Best Value Gift Cards to Get AmEx Bonus Points
LoungeLizard on 12/11/2021 - 12:58
Comments
Maybe at colesworths stack with their gc promos. Especially apple ones if you’re in the eco system.or the him/her cards when they go on special for more flexibility
Prepay some bills like electricity, internet
“Best value gift cards” really depends on what your shopping habits are like. Without additional information, I’m just going to take a wild stab.
- If you do lots of shopping at Woolworths, BIG W, BWS, Dan Murphy’s or EG / Caltex Woolworths, consider stocking up on Woolworths Group gift cards. They have no expiry date, which is handy!
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- If you have access to Woolworths Group’s discount gift card portal (through automotive club membership, Woolworths Insurance policy, NSW Seniors Card), you can get up to 5% off gift cards. Woolworths Group does not surcharge for payments from an AMEX card.
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- A small number of discounted gift card portals selling Woolworths Group discounted gift cards (e.g. HCF Thank You, Reward Gateway) also accept AMEX, but usually slug you with a surcharge for using AMEX, so that will eat into any benefits of purchasing discounted gift cards through them.
If you buy fuel from Ampol, Caltex or EG / Caltex Woolworths, you can stock up on 5% off AmpolCash physical gift cards. They have a three year expiry date, so keep that in mind!
I recommend you take a look at the discount gift card page to see whether there are other discounted gift cards (e.g. Coles, Kmart, Target) that you can purchase using your AMEX.
Keep an eye out for deals from Prezzee. Prezzee infrequently does deals (and their last one was during Click Frenzy!), but they occasionally give away bonus gift cards with the purchase of one of their gift cards.
I definitely second the recommendation from Jimothy Wongingtons regarding Coles and Woolworths’ third-party gift card deals, whether it is Coles Gift Mastercards, The Perfect EFTPOS gift cards, Ultimate gift cards, TCN gift cards, Apple gift cards… there are usually semi-reasonable deals every week at Coles and Woolworths.
I know you said you don’t have many bills to pay, but I would also encourage you consider prepaying bills, as suggested by Shadowsfury. Another example of prepaying is private health insurance; HCF allows you to pay private health insurance up to 18 months ahead of time, and they do not surcharge AMEX payments.
You should also consider using Sniip to send BPAY payments to a large number of BPAY recipients, particularly to recipients who do not accept AMEX. You’ll be whacked with a 1.5% surcharge for all payments sent from an AMEX, but if you use the OzBargain referral system to obtain a referral code and use that code when setting up your card, you and the referrer will get $10 discount that can be applied to your next $50+ BPAY payment. For example, you can use Sniip to prepay your taxes or pay off HECS/HELP debt!
Wow thanks, very detailed answer. I particularly like the HCF prepay option. We are not with them now but was thinking of switching. The woolies group gift cards also sound like an option
a gift card that no one uses, that has the highest fee, shortest time frame is my recommendation……