Jul, 2013. Best Card to Fly off?

[TheFergus]

Amex have recently altered their earning ratios rendering their card, I would expect, no longer the best available.


We are used to 1.5 pts per dollar earn rate, with a 1:1 transfer rate to most major airlines.


Can anyone suggest another card which compares or betters this?

TIA,
The Fergus.

 

[Beta4Me]

Any of the top end Amex + Visa/MC bundles from the Big 4. In particular Westpac Altitude Black offers very good flexibility and points warehousing.

 

[TheFergus]

Thanks Beta4Me.

Sadly, Westpac can't do better than 0.625 pts per dollar of their Black mastercard. Their sister Amex card is 1.5pts/$ but it's significantly less than the Emirates MasterCard from Citi of 1.5/$.

 

[greenfrog86]

Thanks Beta4Me.

Sadly, Westpac can't do better than 0.625 pts per dollar of their Black mastercard. Their sister Amex card is 1.5pts/$ but it's significantly less than the Emirates MasterCard from Citi of 1.5/$.

You'll find that is the case with all 'paired' cards... The Amex will always earn more points as the interchange is higher (ie the company that issues the card gets more money every time you swipe your amex), and the Visa/MC is designed as a 'companion' card.

The standalone cards sometimes offer 1:1 but almost never earn you more than one point per dollar spent.

There are a few exceptions, one being the CitiBusiness card (no longer available) and as you mention the Emirates card earns more than 1:1 but this is rare.

You also need to consider what you get for your points - who do you normally fly with? Domestic or international?

What were you doing before when you couldn't use your Amex? Why poo poo the Westpac card because the MC has a lower earn rate than 1:1?

I believe Beta4Me suggested Westpac because it is popular with those wanting either Virgin or Singapore points which can be collected with Westpac and then transferred when you know what kind of flight you want.

The Emirates card only transfers to one airline and is a direct transfer so not options and no warehousing...

 

[Beta4Me]

Personally, I have a Westpac Altitude Black for 1.5ppd Amex and Citibank Signature for 1ppd Visa for most spend. I also have a Amex Platinum Edge for 3/2ppd supermarkets/petrol spend. I'm warehousing the points for SQ redemptions. Lastly, I have a Woolworths EDR Qantas for 1ppd to QF if I need to top-up--I've generally been irritated by the card all round.