5 credit card rewards hacks to earn you more in 2018
Tom Watson
23 Jan 2018
If your New Year's resolution was to get more bang for your buck in 2018, finding a generous credit card that will provide you with some serious rewards is a great place to start.
But according to the 2017 Mozo Rewards Card Survey, the value of rewards cards has been trending downwards in recent years, with the average net value of a card revealed to be just $27 per year. So how can you find a card that’s truly rewarding?
Whether you’re interested in earning frequent flyer points, grabbing a cashback deal or just taking advantage of some handy complimentary card features, these five credit card hacks will make sure that your credit card (and your 2018) is as rewarding as possible.
1. Grab yourself a bumper sign on bonus
If you’re looking for a more rewarding credit card in 2018, one of the best places to start is by comparing bonus points offers. With anything from 30,000 all the way up to 100,000 frequent flyer or provider points on offer for new cardholders, all you’ll need to do is fulfill the conditions in order receive your points haul (usually a minimum spend).
For instance, the ANZ Frequent Flyer Black card currently has a 75,000 bonus Qantas Points offer for new cardholders who spend $2,500 on eligible purchases within the first three months. To put that in perspective, those points could get you a one way ticket to London with 15,000 points left over!
2. Maximise your points earning
Depending on your card, a standard points earning rate could be anything from 0.5 points per $1 spent to 1.5 points per $1, so maximising the number of points you earn by spending strategically on offers that give an even higher earn rate (how’s 2.5 points per $1 sound?) could really boost your stash.
But what are some of the most rewarding ways to spend? Again, it depends on your card, but making purchases overseas, at certain supermarkets, restaurants, hotels and even petrol stations could all attract a more generous points earning rate.
3. Get the most out of freebies
Many Aussies will be aware that their credit cards come with points earning potential and other perks like free flights, but did you know that piece of plastic in your pocket could also provide you with complimentary travel insurance and a whole heap of other handy benefits?
Platinum rewards cards generally offer a range of complimentary perks including concierge service, extended warranty on certain appliances purchased on the card, price protection and, perhaps most useful for frequent travelers, travel insurance. So to make sure you’re getting the most value and most rewarding experience out of your card, don’t forget about all of these useful extras.
4. Cash in on cashback offers
While earning points can be seriously rewarding, sometimes the most alluring credit card reward can just be cold hard cash. There are several ways you could be earning cashback on your card - simply by signing up for a new card or hitting a minimum spend in a certain time period.
For example, the Low Rate Credit Card from the Commonwealth Bank is currently offering new customers $300 cashback when they spend $1,000 within the first 90 days (if they apply by 4 February 2018).
5. Double your earning power
This may be the easiest hack of all, but many Aussies aren’t aware that they can have additional cardholders using the same card! Not every card allows multiple cardholders, but if you decide to opt for one that does with a partner or family member, that could mean a whole heap of extra points (and thus extra rewards).
So if you’ve decided to use of these hacks to make your 2018 as rewarding as possible, make sure you find yourself a piece of plastic to match your ambition at the Mozo rewards credit card comparison hub, or check out these great offers below.
Bumper bonus point earners - rates updated daily
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Apply By 31 October 2019
Qantas MoneyQantas Money Qantas Premier Platinum
Receive up to 120,000 points (20,000 points each month for the first 6 months when spending more than $1.5k each month). $50 Wine voucher & 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 18 months.
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$299 $199 in the first year
120,000
1 point up to $10,000/month, then
0.5 points uncapped-
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19.99% p.a.
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0% p.a. for 18 months and then 21.99% p.a.
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21.99% p.a.
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55
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3.00%
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$30.00
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1 point per dollar on Mastercard, up to $10,000 per month, then
0.5 points per dollar on Mastercard, uncapped -
Never
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120,000
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8,000 points
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110,400 points
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17,120 points
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• Concierge
• Travel Insurance
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Qantas Premier Platinum
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Virgin MoneyVirgin Money Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Card - Ongoing Annual Fee Offer
Get in the air with a $129 Virgin Australia Gift Voucher each year, plus a discounted annual fee in the first year of having your new card. As if that wasn't enough, you'll also earn 3 extra Velocity points per $1 spent on top of the standard earn rate for the first 3 months.
Velocity Frequent Flyer
$50
20,000
0.66 points up to $1,500/month, then
0.5 points uncapped-
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20.74% p.a.
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0% p.a. for 18 months and then 20.99% p.a.
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20.99% p.a.
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44
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3.30%
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$30.00
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0.66 points per dollar on Visa, up to $1,500 per month, then
0.5 points per dollar on Visa, uncapped -
Never
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20,000
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7,800 points
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119,600 points
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19,500 points
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• Concierge
• Guaranteed Pricing
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Card - Ongoing Annual Fee Offer
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NABNAB Qantas Rewards Signature Card
NABs fastest way to earn Qantas Points. 90,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $4,000 on everyday purchases within 60 days of account opening.
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$395 $295 in the first year
90,000
1 point up to $5,000/month, then
0.5 points up to $20,000/month-
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19.99% p.a.
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0% p.a. for 6 months and then 21.74% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)
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21.74% p.a.
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44
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3.00%
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$15.00
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1 point per dollar on Visa, up to $5,000 per month, then
0.5 points per dollar on Visa, up to $20,000 per month -
Never
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90,000
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8,000 points
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110,400 points
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17,120 points
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• Concierge
• Travel Insurance
• Extended Warranty
• Purchase Protection
• Guaranteed Pricing
• Domestic Hotel Burglary Insurance
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Qantas Rewards Signature Card
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CitiCiti Platinum
Reward yourself with up to 100,000 bonus points! By spending $3,000 within 90 days of card approval. Plus with tonnes of travel redemption options, you'll be booking that family holiday before you know it.
Citi Rewards
$149 $49 in the first year
100,000
1 point up to $10,000/month
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20.99% p.a.
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0% p.a. for 15 months and then 21.74% p.a. (1.00% balance transfer fee)
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21.74% p.a.
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55
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3.40%
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$30.00
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1 point per dollar on Visa, up to $10,000 per month
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Never
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100,000
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19,500 points
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299,000 points
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18,900 points
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• Concierge
• Travel Insurance
• Extended Warranty
• Purchase Protection
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Platinum
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ANZ
ANZ Rewards Black
100,000 bonus Reward Points and $100 back to your new ANZ Rewards Black card when you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months. To be eligible, simply earn above $75,000. Winner Mozo Expert Choice Award 2018 - Premium Card Benefits.^
ANZ Rewards
$375
100,000
2 points up to $5,000/month, then
1 point uncapped-
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18.79% p.a.
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No current offer
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20.99% p.a.
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55
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3.00%
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$20.00
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2 points per dollar on Visa, up to $5,000 per month, then
1 point per dollar on Visa, uncapped -
36 months
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100,000
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15,600 points
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239,200 points
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22,225 points
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• Concierge
• Travel Insurance
• Commission-free Travellers Cheques
• Extended Warranty
• Purchase Protection
• Rental Car Excess Cover
• Guaranteed Pricing
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Rewards Black
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