ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures Removing Free Flight

onthehunt on 23/09/2020 - 17:34

Received a letter in the mail today. As of 1st December, air travel benefits will no longer be available as a feature on the account:

  • one complimentary virgin return flight
  • two complimentary virgin domestic lounge passes.

This was my favourite credit card, the free flight always made up for the annual fee, and converting the points to velocity during thier 35% offers were a bonus. I have the Coles MasterCard which is good, still offers no overseas trans fees and I have quickly gained flybuys points that I intend on converting to fly buys dollars, previous to this I would also convert to velocity.

What other cards are good out there? I don't know if it's worth staying with ANZ now.

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Comments

  • modsec802 on 23/09/2020 - 17:48

    Are they reducing or removing the fee?

    • onthehunt on 23/09/2020 - 18:21

      Forgot to mention they will be reducing from $170 to $65, with the rewards program still being charged $55. So $225 down to $120

  • blueyez on 23/09/2020 - 21:11
    +1

    I'm on the fence about my card too, and my anniversary is in the awkward time where I could get another domestic flight but I'm also in Melbourne so who knows if or when that will happen!

    Have 1 travel credit and my second flight to book, don't know if I want the pressure of a 3rd lol

    What would you want out of your next credit card? Amex cards are great in general.

    • onthehunt on 24/09/2020 - 09:47

      I have 1 flight to redeem as well, I'm going to leave it last minute and hope the borders open lol. The main thing will be no int trans fees & a points system really which is what I use my Coles Mastercard for so I might just stick with that until things go back to normal and a new card comes out with a free flight.

      • blueyez on 24/09/2020 - 11:31

        I am also stuck with an Amex with a free Virgin flight lol. But they are not offering any Velocity cards due to the whole situation.

        I'm after similar cards to you and can't think of any to recommend. Though I have not researched cards in a while due to covid, ANZ travel adventures was the only no international transaction fee card with a points system apart from the Coles card you already have.

        Might be worth just churning cards for Qantas or other reward points that allow transfers to Airlines?

        • onthehunt on 24/09/2020 - 17:02
          +1

          I just realised with Coles the no international fee was only for online purchases, but it doesn't matter it's not like we can go shopping overseas anytime soon. I might have to just do cash out with ING when it comes to it.

          I've never been on Qantas tbh been more of a Virgin fan, but might not have a choice in the future lol who knows! Thanks

      • ol mate on 06/10/2020 - 07:33

        I wonder if there's a way to milk the free flights for Virgin Travel Bank credits?

        E.g. find the most expensive flights you can get, use the cancellation policy to get a refund (possibly even using the "government travel ban" clause) and keep the value as credits…

        • Some Guy on 06/10/2020 - 16:49

          The ANZ staffer assured me that the T&Cs for the reward flight were different from those currently offered by VA. I don't know if the reward flight can be changed/cancelled by anyone other than ANZ rewards. Perhaps possible as the booking generates a VA booking reference too.

        • blueyez on 08/10/2020 - 17:27

          Nope - ANZ travel is the travel agent and Virgin will make decisions with ANZ directly. You can't bypass it.

          I live in VIC and can only get a credit voucher for my flights I couldn't take.

          • Wombatt on 25/11/2020 - 21:04

            @blueyez: Do you know if you book your flight for months in the future if they will charge to change the date closer to the time?

            • blueyez on 25/11/2020 - 23:48

              @Wombatt: Not sure. I think you are bound by booking conditions when you initially book. I only got a credit for a flight due to covid. Looking at my original booking email it states 'you can make amendments or cancellations to your booking via the ANZ Rewards Service Centre. There will be amendment/cancellation fees associated with your booking.'

              I have to rebook a flight i couldn't take using a 'credit' and i hope the value covers the new flights… I will be rebooking it soon though, so i can report back

    • ely on 25/09/2020 - 09:13

      Same situation; anyone want to buy a return flight on Virgin w/lounge passes?

      • blueyez on 25/09/2020 - 11:13
        +3

        ANZ force you to book under your own name, as far as I'm aware…

        • ely on 25/09/2020 - 19:50

          Could well be; I've booked one in the past, but it was a long time back and I didn't recall that.

    • Ghost47 on 07/10/2020 - 23:03

      I've been looking tonight and the Virgin Flyer Money card is what I'm going to apply for. Check out my comment below.

      • bohn on 08/10/2020 - 11:57

        These cards are good… although at the moment the points on offer are quite low.
        Their highflyer is often 90-100k I think (currently 60) - their Flyer card is usually 60k (currently 40k).

        So not the best value at the moment.

  • BillyStm on 24/09/2020 - 05:41

    Watching for other recommendations. I have an Amex but need a supplementary MasterCard/Visa for places that don't take the Amex.

    I'm sure my letter will be received soon advising of the change and to be honest that was the main draw card to this card for me so I'll likely cancel it

    • MitchyD1989 on 24/09/2020 - 08:22

      Exactly the same here, have an Amex but had this as a backup. Don't use it much but it paid for itself because of the free flight. Now that that's being removed I don't see an incentive to keep it.

      I've just paid my annual fee too lol but I might try my luck with getting that reversed as I won't be able to book a flight before 1st December given I'm in Melbourne.

      I'm considering just going without a Visa/MC credit card and using my Visa Debit as I don't shop at too many places that don't take Amex anymore.

      Edit: The Coles Rewards Mastercard looks like a solid choice if I do decide to keep a backup Visa/MC. Might hold out for a sign-up bonus and go with that I think.

      • onthehunt on 24/09/2020 - 09:52
        +1

        I do recommend the Coles Rewards as each $1 is 2 points, and 2000 points is $10 flybuy dollars. I have accumulated nearly $500 worth of flybuys (also by shopping at Coles to get the bonus points) in less than a year which has paid for the $99 annual fee. I also received 150k bonus flybuy points when I signed up which is $750 fly buys points (paid over 2 years, so 2 x annual fees). Definitely wait for a sign up bonus.

        • MitchyD1989 on 24/09/2020 - 11:21

          I completely missed the part of your post where you mentioned already having that card lmao, great to hear, I think I'm sold on that. What's the insurance with the card like if you don't mind me asking?

          • onthehunt on 24/09/2020 - 17:03

            @MitchyD1989: I've never used it tbh, and you also just reminded me that I had it lol.

            • MitchyD1989 on 25/09/2020 - 07:37

              @onthehunt: Haha, all good, thanks anyway. Still pretty keen on it regardless. The Mrs works at Target so we do most of our shopping at Flybuys stores anyway thanks to her staff discount, that combined with the extra Flybuys points from potentially having this card I think we'll do pretty well out of it.

    • Ghost47 on 07/10/2020 - 23:03

      Been looking around tonight, the Virgin Money Flyer card seems ok. Check out my comment below.

  • Sterio on 24/09/2020 - 06:24

    Got my letter yesterday and spent an hour on the phone getting the runaround.

    My renewal is up next month. It appears I have 2 options:

    1 get charged the normal fee of $225 with a free flight however the flight must be booked by end of November. Hence I have One and half months to make a call on a flight.

    2 pay an annual fee of $120 ($65 card fee and $55 rewards fee).

    So not only do you lose the flight but also the loung passes and the opportunity to earn velocity points.

    They were prepared to waive the $65, so the card would be $55 for bugger all benefits.

    Time to look for another option

    • onthehunt on 24/09/2020 - 10:01

      My understanding is that if you have paid your annual fee before 1st December you would still be eligible for a free flight for 2021? If so, I would try and use the free flight, you have book 10 months ahead. Just hope for the best haha

      But yes, there is not much benefit now

    • blueyez on 24/09/2020 - 11:36

      It's hard because hard to know if Virgin will allow rescheduling, last time i called ANZ rewards my current credit will still continue from a flight I couldn't take back in April 2020.

  • innov on 24/09/2020 - 15:49

    The free flights and lounge was a great deal. Now it's very much worthless.

  • carlJack on 24/09/2020 - 19:40
    +1

    sadly this has gone the way of Amex platinum edge.I guess I will have to search for a new no international transaction fee visa/master card with rewards point.

    • onthehunt on 25/09/2020 - 00:04

      coles mastercard is a good one, online only for international though

      • MitchyD1989 on 29/09/2020 - 10:44
        +1

        Are you sure about that? The T&C's don't seem to say anything about physical purchases overseas with the card, only Cash Advances:

        The International Transaction Fee for Retail Purchases is currently waived on the Coles Rewards Mastercard, however any Cash Advance in foreign currency, or a Cash Advance made outside of Australia, will continue to incur an International Transaction fee of 2.50% of the transaction value when converted to Australian dollars, plus any other fees applicable to an International Cash Advance from the date of the transaction.

        I read that as no fees at all for overseas purchases, but under the features it says "No international transaction fee on purchases when you're shopping online" so that could easily be read as physical purchases still incurring a fee. Hard to tell, but if they still charge a fee for physical purchases overseas, that's one small potential reason to stick with ANZ as they don't.

        • bohn on 06/10/2020 - 13:02
          +1

          I read that as no fees at all for overseas purchases

          Agreed. That's what the terms say. The features page is more just to get all the online shoppers onboard since it's so popular at the moment.
          It specifically mentions which transactions outside of Australia are still charged.

          The Coles card could be a good one to churn rather than keep long-term though. If I wasn't going to go on a holiday for awhile I might cancel it and reapply for it and possibly get another bonus. For online shopping I still have the fee free 28Deg.

    • arctan on 29/09/2020 - 14:26

      Citibank diners club card is another option for oversea spending.

    • Ghost47 on 09/10/2020 - 20:21

      What changed with the Platinum Edge? Looking at it, it gives you $200 travel credit and the annual fee is $195. That in itself is pretty good. Did it used to have lounge passes or something?

      • carlJack on 09/10/2020 - 20:53
        +1

        It used to have 1 free return flight per year which you could book in anyone's name. I used to sell mine for $250.

        • Ghost47 on 09/10/2020 - 22:29

          Ah I see, yeah a guaranteed return flight would probably be better than $200 travel credit.

          • bohn on 10/10/2020 - 14:18

            @Ghost47: travel credit is often hard to use.
            Amex Travel is a rip off for most things. Haven't used it for awhile but when I had the card often Virgin flights were more expensive on the amex portal than booking direct with Virgin.

  • herbo on 24/09/2020 - 21:37

    Anyone know how far ahead you can book the flight? I've already got a booking for march 2021 so thinking doing the same for march 2022. And can you still pay the fee to shift the dates if you need to?

    • onthehunt on 25/09/2020 - 00:03
      +2

      I was advised today you can book 10 months ahead from your anniversary date

      • herbo on 25/09/2020 - 08:15
        +2

        Thanks for that. Looks like I'll be cancelling before my anniversary then. Shame that, I've had great value out that flight for the last three years.

        • DaTa on 25/09/2020 - 14:08
          +1

          Yeah was one of the best travel/holiday cards hopefully, it comes back in some shape or form In the future, I too will be cancelling

  • bsm2122 on 26/09/2020 - 20:35

    Does anyone know if you can remove the $55 reward program fee. The only reason I still have this card is for it's international travel and car rental insurance and doubt the points I earn every year will be worth $55.

    • Sterio on 28/09/2020 - 15:20

      I managed to get it waived.

  • [Deactivated] on 27/09/2020 - 16:47

    My card renews in November, does this mean I still get the flight? I haven't used my current one. I was hoping for an extension.

    However if the free flight goes, I don't see the point in keeping the card.

    Points ATM are useless, we don't even know what changes will be made in the near future.

    Might aswell get the 28 Degrees card again for no international transactions etc

    • rizkij on 28/09/2020 - 20:08

      Similar situation to you, my card's anniversary date is 3rd November. Just redeemed a flight over the phone and they informed me I can redeem another between 3rd November - 30th November.

      • DaTa on 05/10/2020 - 09:49

        They told me the same so I may keep the card for another year… Still undecided on that , booked my final remaining flight hoping borders open for Christmas

      • [Deactivated] on 12/10/2020 - 14:20

        I can't even find a time to book my current flight, let alone next year with the way things are.

        I might cancel and look for another card now.

  • johndoe789 on 28/09/2020 - 15:16

    I will be cancelling the card before renewal is up.

    Does anyone have a recommendation for a zero foreign transaction fee card like ANZ?

    • Sterio on 28/09/2020 - 15:21

      Just go the 28 degrees

    • carlJack on 29/09/2020 - 15:20

      Bankwest Zero platinum

      • [Deactivated] on 12/10/2020 - 14:20

        I think this one is better, it has free insurance too I believe

  • ItsBatman on 29/09/2020 - 15:30

    whats the best way to redeem the anz points we got

    • onthehunt on 29/09/2020 - 19:06

      I had a look at redeeming points vs transferring them to velocity (which you can't do at the moment anyway) and you get more value out of the ANZ points.

  • hongas on 01/10/2020 - 11:21

    I just rang to claimed 2 x Lounge Pass, I have to organize a complimentary flight in next 7 days.

    I dont know what to do. I just shoot for a date and hope for the best.

    • blueyez on 08/10/2020 - 17:24

      Same here, so frustrating!

  • Ghost47 on 07/10/2020 - 23:00

    So I've been looking around for a new card to replace this one, the Virgin Money Flyer card seems to be pretty decent. My personal requirements are that the annual fee should give me something back in terms of travel. I'm not willing to pay an annual fee simply for points earn or travel insurance (stares at Commbank's idiotic rewards cards that have $200+ annual fees but give you nothing substantial back).

    The Virgin Money Flyer card has a $129 annual fee, but you get a $129 travel credit for Virgin each year, no lounge passes. Not bad I guess. Points earn rate is 0.66 Velocity per $1 spend for first $1500 in a month, 0.5 per $1 after that. International transactions are charged a fee and no travel insurance. Not as great as ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures (I don't think any card will ever be as good value as that one was sadly) but it seems to be one of the few Virgin/Velocity cards that gives you something decent for the annual fee (i.e. the annual fee is offset completely by a travel credit).

    https://virginmoney.com.au/credit-card/compare-our-credit-ca…

    There is also the Virgin Money High Flyer card, which is the same but it also has two lounge passes included and some other benefits (e.g. international travel insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty insurance), annual fee $289. More similar to the ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures cards (although not 100%) but the fee is higher.

    https://virginmoney.com.au/credit-card/compare-our-credit-ca…

    • bohn on 08/10/2020 - 12:00
      +1

      as I said above to you , but in case others just see this:
      These cards are good… although at the moment the points on offer are quite low.
      Their highflyer is often 90-100k I think (currently 60) - their Flyer card is usually 60k (currently 40k).

      Also, there is no 12mth limit on getting more points - you can cancel and re-apply. Citi don't like you applying for more than one every 6 mths I think - but if you keep this for a year, you can actually ring and cancel, and re-apply straight away and get more points.

      • Ghost47 on 08/10/2020 - 14:13

        I agree that the points bonus isn't great, but if someone needs a new card as a supplementary to an AMEX card (which isn't accepted everywhere) then it's a good choice.

        Bonus points are normally good but at the current moment it's not a big deal for me. I just want a card that gives me travel credit/a flight for a reasonable annual fee to mimic the ANZ card.

        • bohn on 08/10/2020 - 14:22
          +1

          yeah I really like the card.
          Although, the Flyer card used to give the flight voucher - but it appears that's only for High Flyer now? It was hidden away in a drop down.
          Not a fan at all of High Flyer at the current offering - need to spend 9k over 3 months (3k per month). All for 60k velocity.

          The great thing about the Flyer card, is you actually come out positive. $64 annual fee first year, $129 travel voucher which even if you sell at a discount you come out on top, + the velocity points. That's why I have had it about 4 times :) I don't usually continue to put much spend on it (or keep it the whole year) as the points earn rate is pretty terrible.

          • Ghost47 on 08/10/2020 - 14:44

            @bohn: Yeah, even with the Flyer card you need to spend $1500 per month to get the 20,000 points. In this climate I'm not going to do that.

            And yes that half first year annual fee is good. I'm just glad to have a card that gives you a travel credit which offsets the entire annual fee! Just hoping that by this time next year I feel comfortable travelling interstate by plane, otherwise the credit won't be used. And yeah the points earn is pretty bad, but I normally use my AMEX anyway which has a better points earn.

            For my situation (I.e. using an AMEX mainly and needing a Visa/Mastercard as a backup) this card is probably the best substitute for the ANZ card. High Flyer is good too but the annual fee is too steep considering I have the Velocity AMEX too.

    • blueyez on 08/10/2020 - 17:34

      If you don't care about international transaction fees and just want a decent earning card, I'd recommend Latitude Infinity as a basic Visa card

      https://www.latitudefinancial.com.au/credit-cards/latitude-i…

      $69 Annual Fee, $1 = 1 point, uncapped points, can redeem for a variety of gift card, 1% return on points (2000 points = $20 gift card)

      This is my longest held card that I've kept and use it when i can't use my HSBC debit card (2% cashback on tap and pay under $100)

      I was going to go for the Kogan credit card but was declined - and I don't want to be stuck with only buying Kogan things.

      If you're chasing bonus points then this one isn't a good choice.

      late edit just read you wanted travel credit…. ignore this!! Focused on the non-Amex part lol

      • Ghost47 on 08/10/2020 - 18:01

        Yep as mentioned I don't care about points earn as my AMEX takes care of that. This card is intended for the purchases I make where AMEX isn't accepted and above all I care about getting good value for the annual fee, which I consider a full travel credit offset to be.

        For that and as a replacement for the ANZ card which doesn't have a high annual fee (as in max $225) this is the best card IMO. As mentioned no lounge passes or insurance and probably one or two other features missing but good for my requirements.

  • arctan on 10/10/2020 - 13:36

    Is there a credit card that has no international fees and can still earn reward points apart from CBA ultimate MasterCard?
    Would be good to earn krisflyer points as I am trying to accumulate it for future trip.

    • [Deactivated] on 12/10/2020 - 14:22

      Doesn't seem there is many options at the moment.
      Virgin has the worse online banking tho, I personally can't stand banking with them the 2 times I've had cards with them!

      Commbank has a $35 monthly fee for that card unless you spend 2.5k per statement I believe,

      • arctan on 12/10/2020 - 14:44

        I know Macq bank credit cards dont charge int fees but their reward program is not good. It only let you redeem gift cards and the value is bad.

  • ol mate on 07/12/2020 - 07:04

    Has anyone received their lounge passes yet? Or been told anything by ANZ when booking their flights in the last 2 weeks or so?

    I have 4 passes to come, and was told they'd send them once lounges reopen (which was 3 weeks ago for Brisbane, and coming up soon for Sydney and Melbourne)

    • blueyez on 07/12/2020 - 15:10

      When I ordered them pre-covid, they do take around a month or so to get to you (say between 2 to 6 weeks max)

      I can't get through on the phones to book my next flights, so frustrating.

      • sheepdog on 08/12/2020 - 21:26
        -1

        It took us literally hours - however, the cut off to book flights was end of November, so unless there is some extension arrangement, you've lost your chance.

        • bsm2122 on 09/12/2020 - 02:15
          +1

          They keep extending the cut off date. Now the cut off date is 8PM 11th December.

        • blueyez on 09/12/2020 - 09:35

          It's been extended twice due to ridiculous hold times, and I've requested 2 call backs this week (they are getting another team to arrange the call backs from the travel area)

  • blueyez on 11/12/2020 - 12:33

    Was promised a couple of call backs this week and now it's Friday the 11th… final (extended) day to book…

    • blueyez on 11/12/2020 - 15:40

      Just got through after 2.5 hour hold… that was the most stressful bookings I've ever had to do

      • bsm2122 on 11/12/2020 - 19:14

        I guess I got lucky, I called up on Wednesday at around 4PM and only waited 10 mins.

        • blueyez on 11/12/2020 - 22:29

          They promised callbacks I thought I would get. It wasn't until I got through I was told they will still be calling back people next week… Anyways, very glad to never hear that hold music ever again!

  • matbargain on 12/12/2020 - 08:19

    We managed to get our flight booked, and called to their complaints line about the waits. We were credited $150 as an apology

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