What benefits do credit cards offer shoppers and travellers beyond reward points?
Everyone knows that you can get a credit card that will earn you frequent flyer miles or reward points, but are there other benefits?
The answer is: Yes! Many premium and reward credit cards offer a variety of shopping and travel insurances to their cardholders.
Shopping Insurances
Extended Warranty
When you’re buying a big-ticket item, you want to feel secure. Often, big purchases, such as a new computer or a new fridge come with a manufacturer's warranty, but did you know that some credit cards also provide extended warranty protection?
Purchases made on some rewards and platinum cards that offer extended warranties are protected for a longer period of time.
Purchase Protection
Have you smashed your iPhone screen right after upgrading to the newest model? Purchase protection might have you covered.
If an item you purchased on your credit card was lost, stolen, or damaged accidentally, it might be covered under your card’s purchase protection insurance. Each card comes with its specific terms and conditions, so be sure to double-check your card’s purchase protection policy.
Check out some top credit cards that offer extended warranties and purchase protection:
HSBC Platinum Credit Card
- $29 annual fee in the first year ($129 after)
- 36 month 0% balance transfer offer
- HSBC home&away privilege program
The HSBC Platinum offers good point-earning capacity, with one point for every dollar spent on eligible purchases (other than overseas purchases, where different rewards apply). Points are capped at 10,000 points per statement period and expire after three years. Cardholders have access to the exclusive HSBC home&away privilege program, as well as a concierge service, travel insurance, extended warranty and purchase protection. Keep in mind, the HSBC Platinum Card’s $29 annual fee reverts to $129 after one year. Additionally, it carries a 19.99% p.a. purchase rate.
David Jones American Express Platinum Card
- 0% on purchases for 6 months (excluding DJ Plans)
- 70,000 Membership Reward Points (conditions apply)
- 90 days purchase protection
The David Jones American Express Platinum Card acts and works much like a regular rewards card but offers unique rewards specifically for David Jones shoppers. You can earn 4 Membership Rewards Points per $1 spent at David Jones, as well as 3 points per $1 spent at major supermarkets and petrol stations and 1 point per $1 spent everywhere else. The card also offers travel insurance (you must purchase your trip on the card), an extended warranty, an extra 90 days of purchase protection and online fraud protection. The DJ American Express Platinum Card carries a $295 annual fee and a 20.74% p.a. purchase rate.
Price Protection
Have you ever bought something and then found it for a better price somewhere else? If you purchased that item on your credit card, you might be able to have the price difference refunded.
Price protection insurance guarantees the cardholder gets the best price if they alert the credit card company to a better price for a purchased good. There are usually conditions to this cover, such as a time limit or a required minimum price difference, so make sure to review your card’s policy.
Check out some top credit cards that offer price protection:
Bank of Melbourne Amplify Rewards Platinum
The Bank of Melbourne Amplify Rewards Platinum offers cashback, retail, gift card, and flight reward options claimed via the Amplify rewards program, where every $1 spent on eligible purchases is a point earned, uncapped and with no expiry. The card also comes with 3 months of complimentary overseas travel insurance, price protection and an extra product warranty. Keep in mind that you will face a $99 annual fee and a 19.74% p.a. purchase rate.
Travel Insurances
International travel insurance
When travelling overseas is available to Australians again, it will be reassuring to know that you are covered in the case of an emergency. Did you know that, when travel is permitted, your credit card could provide you with international travel insurance?
The international cover is often only available on premium cards. Be aware that overseas travel insurance must be activated through your credit provider - usually by prepaying a certain amount of your travel on the credit card. This may vary between providers, so remember to check the terms and conditions in your card’s policy.
Interstate Flight Insurance
It can be a real pain when your interstate flight is cancelled, or your luggage is lost. But did you know that your premium credit card could protect you from losses associated with domestic travel?
Some credit cards provide coverage for things like flight delays and cancellations, luggage loss or delay, vehicle rental and emergency medical or funeral expenses within Australia.
Transport Accident Insurance
If you travel on a licensed plane, bus, train or ferry, this complimentary credit card insurance could cover you for serious injury if there’s an accident.
Check out some top credit cards that offer travel, interstate and transport insurance:
NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Card
- 1 point per $1.50 spent, up to $3,000 spend per month
- 0% p.a. balance transfer offer for 6 months (then 21.74% p.a.)
- Access to NAB's 24/7 Platinum concierge service
The NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Card allows you to earn approximately 0.66 points per $1 for the first $3,000 spent on everyday purchases per statement period, then 1 point per $3 on the next $3,000 you spend in the month. Cardholders gain Concierge access, extended warranty, purchase protection, international travel insurance, interstate flight inconvenience insurance and rental vehicle excess in Australia insurance. The card has a 19.99% p.a. purchase interest rate and a $250 annual fee.
NAB Rewards Platinum Card
- 0% p.a. balance transfer rate for first 6 months (then 21.74% p.a.)
- 60,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 60 days
- Points are uncapped and don’t expire
The NAB Rewards Platinum card delivers 60,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 on everyday purchases in the first 60 days of having the card. You’ll earn 1 point for every $1 on regular spending. Cardholders gain Concierge access, extended warranty, purchase protection, international travel insurance, interstate flight inconvenience insurance and rental vehicle excess in Australia insurance. The card has a 19.99% p.a. purchase interest rate and a $250 annual fee.
Terms and Conditions apply to the products stated above, so please check the relevant policies and information provided on the provider's website.
If you’re in the market for a new credit card, low interest rate cards are worth checking out - here’s some of the latest deals below or head to our credit card comparison page for even more options.
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