How to turn your Black Friday and Christmas shopping into bonus points for 2022 travel
With the end of lockdown in sight (hopefully) the question of international travel is hot on many Aussies’ lips.
And it’s looking like if things go as projected, Australian travellers may be jet-setting around the world in 2022.
That means many savvy rewards credit card users may be gearing up to earn big rewards points for their spending up until then.
And what’s a good way to earn points in bulk by the time international travel resumes? Bonus points.
“Earning rewards points can sometimes seem like a drawn out task, which is true as you need to spend over time to build up enough points to get rewards,” Mozo banking expert, Peter Marshall says.
“That’s why taking advantage of a bonus points offer on a credit card during periods of higher spending, such as the holiday season, could be a smart way to give your points earning a boost in time for when travel resumes.”
How do bonus points work with credit cards?
Some rewards and frequent flyer credit cards come with bonus points offers for new customers. In fact, right now on the Mozo database over 70 credit cards come with these types of offers ranging from 8,000 to a massive 300,000 bonus points.
Generally speaking, customers may earn bonus points by spending a certain amount within a specific time frame from when they were approved for the card. This might be 30 days, 60 days or even 90 days.
Here’s an example:
So, if you use a bonus points rewards credit card in a period where you are likely to spend a little more (such as over the next few months with Black Friday and Christmas), you’ll increase your chances of hitting the bonus points target. Then once the spending is done, that’ll mean that you could end up with a nice chunk of rewards points by the beginning of next year - just in time to book those flights for 2022 travel!
“When it comes to shopping during Black Friday or Cyber Monday sales, and in the lead up to Christmas, make sure to put your purchases on your rewards credit card, so that your spending gets you closer to your bonus points goal,” Marshall says.
“However, it’s important to not leave your balance unpaid. Ensure you are paying off your credit card debt in full each month to avoid being charged hefty interest rates that are often attached to rewards credit cards.”
Ultimately, by switching from your current credit card to a rewards card with a bonus points offer or simply applying as a new customer right now, you may give yourself the best timeframe to be able to take advantage of a solid bonus points offer. Meaning you’d be ready to redeem your points on international travel in 2022.
But what options are out there right now? Take a look at these offers below …
Compare bonus points offers - last updated 24 October 2024
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Citi Rewards - Rewards Points Offer
Citi Rewards Program
$199 $99 in the first year
100,000
1 point up to $10,000/month
100,000 bonus Citi reward Points when you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months from approval. That’s $400 when you Pay with Points! Earn up to 1 Citi reward Point per $1 on eligible transactions. Access up to 3 months complimentary International Travel Insurance and up to 14 days Domestic Travel Insurance with a Citi Rewards Credit Card when meeting eligibility criteria. Apply for a credit limit from $2,000 up to $100,000. This product is provided by National Australia Bank Limited, using certain trademarks temporarily under licence from Citigroup Inc.
CompareCompareRewards - Rewards Points Offer
100,000 bonus Citi reward Points when you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months from approval. That’s $400 when you Pay with Points! Earn up to 1 Citi reward Point per $1 on eligible transactions. Access up to 3 months complimentary International Travel Insurance and up to 14 days Domestic Travel Insurance with a Citi Rewards Credit Card when meeting eligibility criteria. Apply for a credit limit from $2,000 up to $100,000. This product is provided by National Australia Bank Limited, using certain trademarks temporarily under licence from Citigroup Inc.
- Rewards program
- Citi Rewards Program
- Annual fee
- $199 $99 in the first year
- Bonus points
- 100,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 1 point up to $10,000/month
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 21.49% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- 22.24% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Foreign exchange
- 3.40%
- Late payment
- $30.00
- Points earning
- 1 point per dollar on Mastercard, up to $10,000 per month
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 100,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 19500.0
- Sydney to London
- 299000.0
- $100 Gift card
- 20900.0
- Card Benefits
- Travel Insurance,
Extended Warranty,
Purchase Protection,
Mobile phone insurance,
Rental Vehicle Excess Insurance
- Rewards Bonus Points
- Points uncapped for eligible international purchases.
Read reviews and learn more about rewards credit cards
-
Apply By 14 Jan 2025
American Express Qantas Ultimate Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$450
50,000
1.25 points up to 100,000 points/year, then
1 point uncappedReceive 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 14 January 2025, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Qantas American Express Ultimate Card within the first 3 months of your approval date. T&Cs apply. Available for new American Express Card Members only.
CompareCompareQantas Ultimate Card
Receive 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 14 January 2025, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Qantas American Express Ultimate Card within the first 3 months of your approval date. T&Cs apply. Available for new American Express Card Members only.
- Rewards program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Annual fee
- $450
- Bonus points
- 50,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 1.25 points up to 100,000 points/year, then
1 point uncapped
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- -
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $30.00
- Points earning
- 1.25 points per dollar on Amex, up to 100000 points per year, then
1 point per dollar on Amex, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 50,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 8000.0
- Sydney to London
- 110400.0
- $100 Gift card
- 20010.0
- Card Benefits
- Account alerts by SMS,
Card Purchase Cover ,
Travel Inconvenience Cover
- Rewards Bonus Points
- 1.25 points per dollar on everyday purchases. Earn 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent at government bodies, earn 2.25 Qantas Points per $1 spend on selected Qantas products and services.Exclusions apply. After a total of 100,000 Qantas Points is earned in a calendar year, the everyday earn rate will change from 1.25 to 1 Qantas Points per $1 spent.*
Read reviews and learn more about rewards credit cards
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NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$295 $195 in the first year
70,000
0.66 points up to $3,000/month, then
0.33 points up to $6,000/month70,000 Bonus Qantas Points. Offer applies to a new NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Card when you spend $2,000 on everyday purchases within 60 days.
CompareCompareQantas Rewards Premium Card
70,000 Bonus Qantas Points. Offer applies to a new NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Card when you spend $2,000 on everyday purchases within 60 days.
- Rewards program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Annual fee
- $295 $195 in the first year
- Bonus points
- 70,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 0.66 points up to $3,000/month, then
0.33 points up to $6,000/month
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 20.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 12 months and then 21.74% p.a. (3.00% balance transfer fee)
- Cash advance
- 21.74% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $15.00
- Points earning
- 0.66 points per dollar on Visa, up to $3,000 per month, then
0.33 points per dollar on Visa, up to $6,000 per month
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 70,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 8000.0
- Sydney to London
- 110400.0
- $100 Gift card
- 20010.0
- Card Benefits
- Concierge,
Travel Insurance,
Extended Warranty,
Purchase Protection,
Rental Vehicle Excess in Australia Insurance
- Rewards Bonus Points
- Bonus points on selected Qantas products and services, including eligible Qantas flights.
Read reviews and learn more about rewards credit cards
-
NAB Qantas Rewards Signature Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$420 $320 in the first year
120,000
1 point up to $5,000/month, then
0.5 points up to $20,000/monthEarn up to 120,000 Bonus Qantas Points on a new NAB Qantas Signature Card. Min $3,000 spend on everyday purchases in first 60 days and keep your card open for 12 months.
CompareCompareQantas Rewards Signature Card
Earn up to 120,000 Bonus Qantas Points on a new NAB Qantas Signature Card. Min $3,000 spend on everyday purchases in first 60 days and keep your card open for 12 months.
- Rewards program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Annual fee
- $420 $320 in the first year
- Bonus points
- 120,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 1 point up to $5,000/month, then
0.5 points up to $20,000/month
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 20.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 12 months and then 21.74% p.a. (3.00% balance transfer fee)
- Cash advance
- 21.74% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $15.00
- Points earning
- 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
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 120,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 8000.0
- Sydney to London
- 110400.0
- $100 Gift card
- 20010.0
- Card Benefits
- Concierge,
Travel Insurance,
Extended Warranty,
Purchase Protection,
Rental Vehicle Excess in Australia Insurance
- Rewards Bonus Points
- Bonus points on selected Qantas products and services, including eligible Qantas flights.
Read reviews and learn more about rewards credit cards
-
Apply By 30 Oct 2024
Westpac Altitude Black
Altitude Rewards
$295 $150 in the first year
150,000
1.25 points uncapped
Earn up to 140,000 bonus Altitude Points with $6k+ spend on eligible purchases within 120 days of card approval. Discounted Annual Fee of $150 for the first year. New cards only. (T&C's apply).
CompareCompareAltitude Black
Earn up to 140,000 bonus Altitude Points with $6k+ spend on eligible purchases within 120 days of card approval. Discounted Annual Fee of $150 for the first year. New cards only. (T&C's apply).
- Rewards program
- Altitude Rewards
- Annual fee
- $295 $150 in the first year
- Bonus points
- 150,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 1.25 points uncapped
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 20.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- 21.99% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 45
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $15.00
- Points earning
- 1.25 points per dollar on Mastercard, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 150,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 23400.0234000234
- Sydney to London
- 358800.35880035884
- $100 Gift card
- 24100.0
- Card Benefits
- Concierge,
Travel Insurance,
Extended Warranty,
Purchase Protection
- Rewards Bonus Points
- Earn 6 points per dollar spent on flights booked in Australia directly with selected airlines up to $10,000 per month. Earn 2 points per dollar spent at Spotify Premium, David Jones, Myer, THE ICONIC, Airbnb, Uber and Uber Eats.
Read reviews and learn more about rewards credit cards
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Which sales can earn you bonus points?
In the lead up to the end of the year, there are plenty of opportunities for you to take advantage of sales.
While these sales may not necessarily earn you extra points on the purchases themselves, they can contribute to the total spend you make within the requirements of your bonus points offer.
Here’s a rundown of the some of the remaining 2021 sales events to look out for:
- Black Friday: 26th November 2021
- Cyber Monday: 29th November 2021
- Pre-Christmas Sales: Up until the 25th of December 2021
- Boxing Day Sales: 26th December 2021 (sometimes extended until the end of the year)
Looking to compare even more rewards credit cards? Jump over to our rewards credit card hub for a bunch of top options.
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Rewards Credit Card Awards
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