What else can I do to reduce my Opal Card Top up directly, or indirectly by using rewards cards and/or points?
I already use the 5% off Woolworths Gift Card method.
Cheapest Possible Ways to Top up Opal Card
seug123 on 17/03/2018 - 18:06
Last edited 17/03/2018 - 18:07
Last edited 17/03/2018 - 18:07
Comments
If in NSW,Flybuys bonus points applies to Opal credit purchase(selected locations only) as is now.You can take advantage of this kind of deal.
The Opal card IS for NSW … You can't top it up at an interstate retailer
havent seen 5% off woolies card for sometime now
5% off e-wish gift cards, then 5% staff discount at woolies to end up with a 9.75% discount
That's way too targeted.
Can you even get staff discount on Opal top-ups at Woolies?
Yes
AMEX shop small promo, but it's only in November
I spend around $500-$600 on Opal fares each year.
$500 X 5% = $25 $600 X 5% = $30.So I could save around $25-$30 a year with wish giftcards.
Assuming 1 point per $, it would take me 3.5-4 years to be eligible for $10 off.I just auto top-up at the moment as before when I used to top it up at a retailer (eg 7/11, Coles or Woolies) it would always seem to run out just at the wrong time and I would have to do it via the opal machines (either long queues, or not working etc)
Call me unozbargainish if you want, but I don't believe it's worth saving best case scenario $25 a year and hoping it will last me.
Surely there can be something better?At the moment I bulk purchase my monthly sims for data usage, meaning I save around $10 a month, 10*12= $120, this is one way I offset Transport costs indirectly, am wondering if there are other similar ways of doing things like this
You can top up to $250 per Opal card.Just do big amount in Woolies each time so you only need to do 3 times a year.
If Woolies Town Hall is anything to go by, they won't be happy doing Opal top-ups over $100 as it takes up extra time. I used to do $160 every month to cover my public transport and always got complaints from one particular lady when I did so (they'd only do it if there was no queue behind me).
You can top up in the following amounts: $10, $20, $40, $50, $60, $80 and $100.
But I'm terrified of losing my opal card lol. $250 is a lot of money on there!!! I don't top up any more than $20 most of the time xD
That's why you register your Opal card so that you can transfer the funds out of it if you lose your Opal card …
@kerfuffle: I have registered my Opal card but it's a concession card so will take a while for a new one to come. How do I transfer it in the meantime? Someone will be riding on my dime!
I guess this works putting on a random adult opal card though because I'll have to use that in the meantime.Does it cancel straight away?
@pennypincher98: I don't know; I don't have a concession Opal card nor have I ever lost my Opal card.
@kerfuffle: lol I got my concession card the moment I was entitled to it :)
Never lost my opal card, but found someone else's (with thank god, a number on the back) and after thanking me many times said it would have been a nightmare to try and sort out a new one.I've registered, written and whenever it starting to fade, rewrite my name and number on the back now just in case.
I've lost plenty lol and transferred plenty.
Blocking the card is instantaneous. Easy peasy. And transferring the credit can take a day to process.
@pennypincher98: If you notify them, it will be blocked right away. The money will be sitting there. Get a retail adult Opal card while waiting for the replacement, then when you get it, transfer the amount on both cards to the new one.
@greenpossum: @CheapskateQueen: Oh yeah okay thanks for that, now I won't have to go worrying thinking someone spending up big lol :)
Cheers
Use AMEX Explorer (1.5% cashback) to buy Woolies gift card from CashRewards with %5 discount. Don't forget to scan your Woolworths reward card when doing top up.
How long do opal top ups last for?
I don't use mine that often and when I do it's not that much because concessions but it's always nice to have more than enough just in case for a rainy day or unexpected travelling.
Example I'll be using the ferries later this month no idea what the fares is but I have at least $30 atm hopefully to cover it. Might need more maybe if I use the bus and train also back home.
AFAIK nothing except using points instead of cash to pay at Coolies. But is it worth spending money you wouldn't otherwise chasing points?