Best Credit Card Setup for

Ozb101 on 02/02/2025 - 11:53

Looking for some credit card suggestions for the following:

I have a 5K expense coming up soon so I would like to get some bonus CC/airline points

I currently have 600K citi points but haven't converted any yet (good bye PayAll and I will close Citi CC), however I do like Singapore Airlines and might transfer to Kris Flyer.

Looking to do some travel this year. 1-2 international and some domestic

I would like to run direct debits through the card for the year to continue point collection

At the end of the year I would then churn and repeat for 2026

I have seen some AMEX deals with travel inclusions that have an annual fee. Any deals where the first year fee is $0?

I'm sure there are lots of people on here doing the above but I'm a bit overwhelmed with all the info that is out there.

Thanks for the help/guidance :-)

Financial Credit Card

Comments

    • Ozb101 on 02/02/2025 - 12:26

      Thanks for the link.

      What is your suggestion based on the information in the post

      • Baysew on 02/02/2025 - 12:56

        I'm more focussed on cards with no international fees, low yearly fees, and acceptability (No Amex), rather than churning point earning cards.

        • Ozb101 on 02/02/2025 - 12:59

          Which ones do you use

          • jv on 02/02/2025 - 17:02
            +2

            @Ozb101: Amex, Mastercard and Visa.

  • Dollar General on 02/02/2025 - 12:44

    How much will go on the card each month as the $5K payment isn’t much these days?

    • Ozb101 on 02/02/2025 - 12:54

      On average it will be approximately 6K per month across the year

      • Dollar General on 02/02/2025 - 15:31

        That makes it worth exploring for sure

  • itoyjobed on 02/02/2025 - 15:02
    +1

    I am on same boat as you (2-3k expense coming up in April), cant find a descent CC with no/less membership fee with the initial boost of reward points. I am looking for priority pass for lounge access too.

  • foxmulder on 02/02/2025 - 17:01
    +1

    If you can use Amex without surcharges - 1% cashback wih Amex Cashback for me.

  • p1 ama on 02/02/2025 - 20:06
    +5

    You need to do your own research - too many variables to just offer you a suggestion of what may be a good card for your situation.

    If you're getting a card primarily for rewards points, then probably the two most important criteria for you are the sign-up bonus and the earn rate. Most cards in Australia use QFF, if you prefer to use a different award scheme (e.g. different airline), then you will need to consider both the internal earn rate and the conversion rate to your award scheme of choice.

    If you primarily use SQ, you need to calculate whether it makes more sense for you to use an internal rewards scheme and convert to KrisFlyer, or to earn VFF and use that for SQ award flights. You need to figure this out, but generally speaking (roughly roughly), you will almost always get a better earn rate on a direct earn card, so earning VFF directly, but you will need to calculate the redemption rates for the points you earn, which will give you the $ value per point.

    To figure out the effective earn rate of each card:

    • For direct earn cards: points per $ spent * value of each point = value per $ spent with card
    • For internal award schemes: points per $ spent * conversion rate to program of choice * value of each point = value per $ spent with card

    Make a list of cards, make a spreadsheet and do the calculations for your situation. If this is all too much effort, just pick any AMEX or Big 4 bank credit card, they're all roughly comparable anyway and save yourself the hassle.

    • Ozb101 on 02/02/2025 - 21:43

      This is great info. Thanks

    • itoyjobed on 02/02/2025 - 22:07

      Agreed with your comments. Great advise.

    • kiitos on 03/02/2025 - 09:33

      Thank you, this is very useful

  • WoodYouLikeSomeCash on 02/02/2025 - 21:20
    +1

    This might be of use.

  • Mugsy on 03/02/2025 - 12:40
    +1

    In addition to what P1 ama said (very solid info there), IMO there's a step beforehand that needs some serious thought.

    You mentioned you like Singapore Airlines… but are they the only suitable airline for the destinations you want to travel to?

    In Australia, there is no credit card that will directly give you Krisflyer points meaning you'll need to do a conversion that won't be at a 1:1 conversion rate (usually 2:1). So if Qantas or Velocity will get you to where you want to go, I would include them as considerations. Then follow P1 ama's guide on comparing the value of each program's points, the rate you can earn points, etc to figure out the best program for you to earn points for.

    As an example, when I started churning frequent flyer points, I went with Velocity for a few reasons:

    • my intent was to use those points to travel to Europe of which Velocity had options for. I can get flights to Asia for cheap but Europe is expensive so frequent flyer points would help soften the cost for those trips. The points requirement for such a trip was decent and I didn't particularly care if Velocity would get me to my destination city as booking a flight in Europe or traveling by train.
    • cards with bonus Velocity points were plentiful
    • I flew Virgin from time to time for work meaning I could earn points that way too
  • sumyungguy on 03/02/2025 - 12:49
    +1

    So you just need generous sign-on bonus, fast approval & card issue, waived membership fee, complimentary travel insurance? Head over to r/creditcardchurningAus

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