Rewards credit cards: Millennials shop around for a better program

It’s out with the old and in with the new for Aussie Millennial rewards credit card customers.
This is according to a recent study by data analytics and consumer intelligence company, J.D. Power.
In a new report, they found that 9% of Millennials have switched credit cards over the past year while 22% intend to ditch their current plastic for something fresher in the next 12 months. This is more than double that of older credit card customers (4% and 11%, respectively).
But why are Millennials looking for something new?
It’s all in the rewards.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, J.D. Power found that 48% of Millennials have been spending less on their credit card. While 18% claim the overall value of their card has decreased. In fact, recent Mozo data shows that not only Millennials but 66% of all Aussies say rewards cards are no longer worth it.
However, Millennials haven’t given up hope. 29% of young Aussies are on the hunt for a better rewards program and a further 29% are looking for more benefits.
“Millennials are savvy and are shopping around for a card that offers a better rewards program that suits their changed spending habits,” said Bronwyn Gill, head of banking and payments intelligence at J.D. Power Australia.
“Card issuers must offer reward programs that are relevant to Millennials, or risk losing longer-term relationships with this important age group.”
What type of rewards do millennials like?
According to the recent J.D. Power stats, the main reason Millennials opt for credit cards is out of convenience (56%). However, the second most common reason is to earn rewards (42%) and there are a few specific things that young customers are looking for.
Millennials value cashback, gift cards and vouchers, airline miles, airline tickets and fuel rebates the most when choosing a rewards credit card.

“Rewards programs are key for Millennials,” said Gill.
“After convenience, earning rewards is the second most important reason as to why Millennials use their credit card, however new spending habits are directly influencing the ability to accumulate and redeem rewards.”
Things to consider when switching credit cards
The truth is, changing credit cards isn’t as simple as finding a rewards program you like and then jumping ship. There are a few important things you need to consider.
Fees: Compare the fees between your current card and the new card. This includes the annual fee, cash advance fee, late payment fee and foreign exchange charge. While a rewards program may seem great, if the fees outweigh what’s on offer you could end up in a worse position than you are in now.
Interest rates: According to the Mozo database, credit card interest rates can range anywhere from a low 7.49% all the way up to 24.99%. And the reality is that a lot of rewards credit cards come with higher interest rates. So, if you are sacrificing a low interest rate for a better rewards program you must ensure you pay down your balance in full month to month (to avoid hefty interest repayments). However, if you tend to only pay the minimum repayment amount each month, opting for a rewards credit card with a high interest rate may end up costing you more over time.
Rewards and bonus points offers: It’s crucial to get all the information you need about a particular rewards program before signing up. Consider things like points earnings (how many points you receive for every dollar you spend), rewards program type, what you can spend your points on, extra perks etc. Also remember to check out what bonus points offers are around, as they can be a good way to rack up points early on. Just bear in mind, these offers generally come with spending requirements so only sign up if you intend or regularly spend the amount required (don’t force yourself to spend more just to gain bonus points).
Compare Rewards Credit Cards 2020 - last updated 11 December 2023
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American Express Qantas Ultimate Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$450
60,000
1.25 points uncapped
Receive 60,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online, 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 to new American Express Card Members only.
CompareCompareQantas Ultimate Card
Receive 60,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online, 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 to new American Express Card Members only.
- Rewards program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Annual fee
- $450
- Bonus points
- 60,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 1.25 points 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, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 60,000
- 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
- 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
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the American Express Qantas Ultimate Card
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NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$250 $150 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
- $250 $150 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
- 19.99% 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,
Extended Warranty,
Purchase Protection,
Travel Insurance,
Interstate Flight Inconvenience Insurance,
Rental Vehicle Excess in Australia Insurance
- Rewards Bonus Points
- Bonus points on selected Qantas products and services, including eligible Qantas flights.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Card
-
American Express Qantas Premium Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$249
30,000
1 point uncapped
Receive 30,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online, are approved and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Amex Card Members only. Credit Card Provider of the Year in the Mozo Experts Choice Awards 2021^.
CompareCompareQantas Premium Card
Receive 30,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online, are approved and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Amex Card Members only. Credit Card Provider of the Year in the Mozo Experts Choice Awards 2021^.
- Rewards program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Annual fee
- $249
- Bonus points
- 30,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 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 point per dollar on Amex, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 30,000
- 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
- Earn 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent at government bodies, earn 2 Qantas Points per $1 spend on selected Qantas products and services.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the American Express Qantas Premium Card
-
NAB Rewards Signature Card
NAB Rewards
$295 $145 in the first year
160,000
1.25 points uncapped
Earn up to 160,000 Bonus Points on a new NAB Rewards Signature Card. Min $3,000 spend on everyday purchases in the first 60 days. Up to 44 days interest free on purchases. Enjoy reduced $145 annual fee in the first year (normally $295). T&Cs apply..
CompareCompareRewards Signature Card
Earn up to 160,000 Bonus Points on a new NAB Rewards Signature Card. Min $3,000 spend on everyday purchases in the first 60 days. Up to 44 days interest free on purchases. Enjoy reduced $145 annual fee in the first year (normally $295). T&Cs apply..
- Rewards program
- NAB Rewards
- Annual fee
- $295 $145 in the first year
- Bonus points
- 160,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 1.25 points uncapped
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 19.99% 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
- 1.25 points per dollar on Visa, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 160,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 15600.0
- Sydney to London
- 239200.0
- $100 Gift card
- 20410.0
- Card Benefits
- Concierge,
Extended Warranty,
Purchase Protection,
International Travel Insurance,
Interstate Flight Inconvenience Insurance,
Rental Vehicle Excess in Australia Insurance
- Rewards Bonus Points
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the NAB Rewards Signature Card
-
American Express Qantas Discovery Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$0
No current offer
0.75 points uncapped
Earn 1.75 Qantas Points on eligible Qantas products and services per $1 spent (T&Cs apply). Enjoy $0 Annual Card Fee. Get the security of Card Refund and Purchase Cover. Up to four additional Cards at no extra fee. Redeem your points for Classic Flight Rewards (T&Cs apply).
CompareCompareQantas Discovery Card
Earn 1.75 Qantas Points on eligible Qantas products and services per $1 spent (T&Cs apply). Enjoy $0 Annual Card Fee. Get the security of Card Refund and Purchase Cover. Up to four additional Cards at no extra fee. Redeem your points for Classic Flight Rewards (T&Cs apply).
- Rewards program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Annual fee
- $0
- Bonus points
- No current offer
- Earn rate per $1
- 0.75 points 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
- 0.75 points per dollar on Amex, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- No current offer
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 8000.0
- Sydney to London
- 110400.0
- $100 Gift card
- 20010.0
- Card Benefits
- Account alerts by SMS,
Card Purchase Cover
- Rewards Bonus Points
- Earn 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent at government bodies, earn 1.75 Qantas Points per $1 spend on selected Qantas products and services.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the American Express Qantas Discovery Card
-
American Express Velocity Escape Card
Velocity Frequent Flyer
$0
No current offer
0.75 points uncapped
Earn 1.75 Velocity Points on eligible purchases within Virgin Australia per $1 spent (T&Cs apply). Enjoy $0 Annual Card fee. Get the security of Card Refund and Purchase Cover. Up to 55 days interest free on purchases. Up to four additional Cards at no extra fee.
CompareCompareVelocity Escape Card
Earn 1.75 Velocity Points on eligible purchases within Virgin Australia per $1 spent (T&Cs apply). Enjoy $0 Annual Card fee. Get the security of Card Refund and Purchase Cover. Up to 55 days interest free on purchases. Up to four additional Cards at no extra fee.
- Rewards program
- Velocity Frequent Flyer
- Annual fee
- $0
- Bonus points
- No current offer
- Earn rate per $1
- 0.75 points uncapped
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- -
- Interest free days on purchases
- 55
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $30.00
- Points earning
- 0.75 points per dollar on Amex, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- No current offer
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 7800.0
- Sydney to London
- 119600.0
- $100 Gift card
- 19500.0
- Card Benefits
- Account alerts by SMS,
Card Purchase Cover
- Rewards Bonus Points
- Earn 0.5 Velocity Points per $1 spent at government bodies, earn 1.75 Velocity Points per $1 spend on selected Virgin Australia products and services.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the American Express Velocity Escape Card
NOTE: It’s also important to keep in mind that when switching to a new credit card you are likely to face some new conditions, such as income requirements or credit history checks. This may affect your ability to apply for a particular rewards credit card or determine the credit limit you are able to have.
RELATED ARTICLE: Afterpay: Millennials tried credit cards, but Gen Z aren't even signing up
Want to start your search for your new rewards card? Take a look at the killer options below or jump over to our rewards credit cards comparison table.
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Rewards Credit Card Awards
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