Comparing Credit Cards for Gift Cards Rewards

AssociatedLshppngtrlly com au @ RWRDS on 09/05/2021 - 12:25
Last edited 07/06/2021 - 21:27 by 1 other user

I used to do credit card churning for Qantas points, so I could redeem it for flights, but since the pandemic, there didn't seem much point. So I started doing it for Coles/Woolies gift cards, to pay for my groceries.
I looked at all the existing sites like Finder and Creditcard.com.au and they will tell me the points and the annual fee, but I had to manually work out how much I will get back in gift cards after I get the sign up bonus, pay the annual fee, look at each bank's rewards program cost to get a gift card etc.

So I decided to make a site myself - https://www.rwrds.com.au/

It's just pulling from a spreadsheet I made to track which credit card I get next. Anyway, love to get peoples thoughts about what I can add to make it better. Literally just put this together in a couple of days.

Update: Added an individual page for each card, I'll put more information on this page - like the minimum credit limit etc

Update 26/5/21: Whoops! Didn't know I was not allowed to comment links to my site on deals? So those 3 comments are now deleted. I guess I'll just post the info in the comments here for credit cards?

Update 30/5/21: Adding a dedicated page for people wanting to do Qantas/OneWorld Round the world, instead of using the points for gift cards https://www.rwrds.com.au/qantas/round-the-world/business

Update 7/6/21: Bought the domain rwrds.com.au for the site. Got to ask the mods to change the domain in the associated page now.

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Comments

  • blueyez on 10/05/2021 - 09:11

    I think the only issue is that the offers and value might keep changing. I normally suss out new cards via point hacks website and decide from there if I want to go ahead with it.

    Also have to keep in mind different cards may have different income requirements, so there is no 'one size fits all' approach.

    The layout looks simple and easy to read though

    • Associatedshppngtrlly com au @ RWRDS on 10/05/2021 - 13:21

      so there is no 'one size fits all' approach.

      Yeah you are absolutely right! Even with trying to put this into a spreadsheet, the Citi Flybuys card, the bonus is Flybuys points, but when you spend on the card, you earn Citi reward points, so that's two different reward schemes. None of the other cards are like that, so yeah, just trying my best to get it all to fit.

      The layout looks simple and easy to read though

      Thanks! I'll see if I can clean it up a bit, make it clearer.

      • blueyez on 08/06/2021 - 22:17

        I like the Qantas page addition!

        Just one thing for all of them - expiry date of the offer in red or another colour to make it stand out? Maybe also 'x days left' countdown to expiry as well?

        Also would be great to filter by provider - Amex, ANZ, etc only because most of these providers force you to wait 12 months or more before you can apply again (ie. I'm ignoring all the Amex offers as I know I'm not eligible) or maybe just a way to filter certain ones out instead (still probably easiest by provider)

        Also note that Bank of Melbourne and St George are linked from memory - so if you have had one of their cards you need to wait before being eligible for bonus points again.

        • iori57 on 10/10/2021 - 19:25

          Agree, if able to put the count down to expiry of the promotion will be great because with that information, we might want to sign up one with lower rewards but expired 2 months earlier :)

          • Associatedshppngtrlly com au @ RWRDS on 15/11/2021 - 15:02
            +1

            @iori57: Little bit of a late reply (and a new username), but I've added the expiry times for all the deals (if they list it on the credit card website).

        • Associatedshppngtrlly com au @ RWRDS on 15/11/2021 - 15:04
          +2

          Been a busy few months, but I've added in a card history page, so you can say "I closed my ANZ card in July" and it will grey out the ANZ cards now, and put a countdown for when you can apply again.

  • povertytrap on 10/05/2021 - 09:43

    Well set out OP thanks.

  • tomclancy on 10/05/2021 - 09:55

    I like it. Thanks OP

    • Associatedshppngtrlly com au @ RWRDS on 10/05/2021 - 11:07
      +1

      Thanks! Hopefully it is useful.

  • peterwilliams83 on 10/05/2021 - 20:18

    Nice style, well-presented and good info. Now I know where to apply next ;) Thanks for your effort!

    • Associatedshppngtrlly com au @ RWRDS on 13/05/2021 - 19:47

      Thank you! I'll try and add more info, like if they have Coles and Woolies, or just one.

  • [Deactivated] on 17/05/2021 - 11:21
    +2

    Very useful! Next time you update it I suggest you add a 'information accurate as of insert date' line

    • Associatedshppngtrlly com au @ RWRDS on 18/05/2021 - 18:44

      Oooh good idea! I'll add that tonight.

  • goodfella on 17/05/2021 - 16:54

    Thanks, OP! Could you please also add the Minimum credit limit column?

  • tunzafun001 on 17/05/2021 - 20:29
    +1

    Brilliant, no idea why ozbargain still doesn't have a credit card section in its Pages section…..but does have pizza coupons…

  • Associatedshppngtrlly com au @ RWRDS on 26/05/2021 - 22:21

    Whoops, got banned for putting a link to my site on the Citi Premier Qantas card deal, didn't know I wasn't supposed to link out. I'll just put the details directly here if anyone is interested without linking, hope that is okay. I guess if not, someone will just delete it.

    Citi Premier Qantas credit card (https://www1.citibank.com.au/credit-cards/citi-premier-qanta…)
    $175 p.a.
    75,000 points
    $15,000 min limit
    1 points per dollar
    Spend $4,000 in 90 days
    (that's an extra +4000 points for meeting that spend requirement)

    $200 in gift cards after paying $175 annual fee

    The math in case anyone is interested:
    (75,000 + 4000) = 79,000 points

    In gift cards = 1x$25 (5,220 points per card) + 1x$50 (10,390 points per card) + 3x$100 (20,730 points per card) = $375

    After you pay the annual $175 fee, that leaves you the $200 gift cards in profit.

    You will have 1,200 points left over, so if you put another $4,020 on the card, you can get another $25 gift card, and zero out your point balance.

    • demiurge on 29/05/2021 - 10:09
      +2

      Sounds like a terrible deal. Not worth the effort.

      • Associatedshppngtrlly com au @ RWRDS on 30/05/2021 - 19:31

        Yep, there are bunch that are better! If you are going to take a hit to your credit rating, getting $200 hardly seems worth it - especially when you can get $800 from ANZ.

  • Associatedshppngtrlly com au @ RWRDS on 07/06/2021 - 21:25

    All the details for "CBA Ultimate Awards credit card with Qantas Points" card (posted here)

    $30 p.a. (for using Qantas Points, plus an extra $35/month if you don't spend $2500 on the card every month, potentially adding another $420/year)
    36,000 points
    $6,000 min limit
    0.4 points per dollar (0.8 for Coles, Woolies etc)
    Spend $5,000 in 90 days (that is really high compared to other cards)

    $145 in gift cards after paying $30 annual fee

    The math:
    (36,000 + 5000) = 41,000 points

    In gift cards = 1x$25 (5,220 points per card) + 1x$50 (10,390 points per card) + 1x$100 (20,730 points per card) = $175

    After you pay the annual $30 fee, that leaves you the $145 gift cards in profit.

    You're gonna have 4,660 points left over, so you need an extra 560 points to get a $25 gift card. After you spend the $5000 required spend, if you spend $700 at Coles/Woolies or $1,400 elsewhere you can get that last $25.

  • Associatedshppngtrlly com au @ RWRDS on 08/06/2021 - 13:45

    Qantas American Express Premium: 90,000 QFF Points ($3000 Spend/3 Months) + Get $249 Back ($249 Annual Fee) @ Point Hacks post

    90,000 + 3,000 (to hit spend limit) = 93,000 points

    What percent of a Oneworld/Qantas Round the world trip can you get with 93,000 points:

    Economy: 70%
    Premium Econ: 37%
    Business Class: 29%
    First Class: 20%

    If I only had this card, how much more would I have to spend on the card to get a full RTW trip:

    Econ: $39,400
    Prem Econ: $156,600
    Business Class: $225,000
    First Class: $362,000

  • PeeDee on 08/06/2021 - 18:20

    I know this can differ from bank to bank but in a nutshell, is using the bank's own rewards point for gift card groceries better than using Qantas points to store to redeem the gift cards? Occasionally banks run QFF bonus pts promo or the bank's rewards bonus.

    PS Love your work on the site! Great work putting it together!

    • Associatedshppngtrlly com au @ RWRDS on 09/06/2021 - 10:53

      Thanks! It's a tough question. Here are the cost for $100 Coles/Woolies/Bunnings gift card from the different reward schemes:

      BOQ 35,800 points
      ANZ 22,225 points
      Westpac 23,500 points
      CitiRewards 20900 points
      Suncorp 20,900 points
      NAB 19,230 points
      Qantas 20,730 points
      American Express 20,000 points

      If you wanted to go on a short business class flight (SYD-MEL, SYD-BNE) that's 36,800 points return.

      If you were to use those 36,800 Qantas points, instead of a return business class flight, for gift cards, you could get $177 in gift cards. So it's kinda like paying $177 for a return business class flight.

      But, if you ain't flying anywhere (like me at the moment), then why not spend it on groceries. It's a worse deal, but it's saving me a lot of money, that I would otherwise be spending.

      • PeeDee on 09/06/2021 - 11:16
        +1

        Yeah it's a tough question. I guess it really differs from bank to bank and each have different point system. I was considering savings all my QFF points for after covid.

        Yes agree, why not spend it on groceries. Just need to decide which path is the most efficient, feasible.

  • PeeDee on 03/07/2021 - 00:07

    Why isn't this popular? Are people still choosing Frequent Flyers over Rewards?

  • PeeDee on 03/07/2021 - 00:21
    +1

    Hey, not sure if I said this before but do you think that Bank's rewards system is better than frequent flyers? I notice the FF's price now are so inflated. e.g. an RM Williams shoe is up to $1000!

    • Associatedshppngtrlly com au @ RWRDS on 03/07/2021 - 18:05

      Yeah, the FF points definitely work out best for flights, all the other stuff is less good.

      For example, the Qantas American Express you could redeem $425 in gift cards or 29% of a Business RTW. Much better to spend it on flights, than gift cards, especially when you could just get a ANZ Reward black card, get ANZ points and redeem $820 in gift card profit, so much better.

      But, if you want to fly after the pandemic, FF points all the way :D

      • PeeDee on 03/07/2021 - 18:48

        Will FF points still be cheaper than an economy flight with Jetstar?

  • Associatedshppngtrlly com au @ RWRDS on 03/07/2021 - 12:24

    Suncorp Platinum Credit Card
    $64 p.a.
    100,000 points
    $6,000 min limit
    1.25 points per dollar
    Spend $3,000 in 90 days

    $426 in gift cards after paying $64 annual fee

    $200x2 $50x1 $20x2 in Woolworths gift cards, $490 total, with 1,450 points remaining.
    Spend $2,200 to get another $20 gift card and zero out your points. ($510 from $5,200 spend)

    $200x2 $50x1 in Coles gift cards, $450 total, with 9,850 points remaining.
    Spend $520 to get another $50 gift card and zero out your points. ($500 total from $3,520 spend)

    You will have 1,200 points left over, so if you put another $4,020 on the card, you can get another $25 gift card, and zero out your point balance.

    more details on the site.

  • Tems on 03/07/2021 - 14:53
    +1

    Good work OP. Curious why HSBC deal is not on your site plz?

    • Associatedshppngtrlly com au @ RWRDS on 03/07/2021 - 16:05
      +1

      Thanks! I'd love to add it,
      but annoyingly their rewards are behind a login page. If you have time and a hsbc login, if you could send me the reward point costs for each of the Coles/Woolies cards - even if it's just the $100 gift cards, that's better than nothing.
      This is basically what I have for all the other providers.

      Turns out I'm wrong, I found a link. Well I'll add it now :D

      https://www.rwrds.com.au/credit-cards/hsbc-platinum-credit-c…

      • Tems on 12/07/2021 - 16:25

        Amazing…. Thanks op.

  • Jasongood on 06/07/2021 - 12:34
    +1

    Hi OP, good work, but seems your navigation bar links in the round-the-world page have some issues
    For example, the economy tab you are pointing to www.rwrds.com.au/qantas/round-the-world/economy/flights which is 404,
    but if I delete the "/flights" so it becomes www.rwrds.com.au/qantas/round-the-world/economy and then it works.

    • Associatedshppngtrlly com au @ RWRDS on 06/07/2021 - 22:31

      Thanks for letting me know, completely missed it! I've fixed it now. That will teach me for pushing code late at night :D

  • Associatedshppngtrlly com au @ RWRDS on 13/07/2021 - 17:22
    +1

    I added the American Express deal from PointHacks, it is a pretty amazing deal.

    $1225 in gift cards, no first year annual fee (since $395 back)
    Includes $400 Travel Credit extra bonus.

    $500 x 1, $250 x 1, $50 x 1, $25 x 1 in Coles gift cards, $825 total, with 1,000 points remaining.

    • [Deactivated] on 22/12/2021 - 09:15

      Your link 404's.

      This deal is now only 100k points.

      And "$1225 in gift cards, no first year annual fee (since $395 back)"

      Not sure what you mean here? you pay the annual fee so your $1200 in GC's actually becomes $800.

      Hack: the $395 membership fee gets added at the end of the first month cycle. If you spend the min spend, get the points, transfer them to GC's and cancel the accoutn before this time, you don't have to pay the membership fee. a mate did this and it worked.

      • Associatedshppngtrlly com au @ RWRDS on 22/12/2021 - 09:35

        Yeah the point hacks exclusive deal is expired and they have updated the page. The hack is interesting!
        Here is the American Express Explorer Card without the point hacks exclusive deal. Definitely not as good as it used to be. You might be able to get a targeted offer of 150k points, I see it sometimes on the Amex site sometimes.

  • PeeDee on 05/09/2021 - 14:57

    This needs to be bookmarked on ozbargain

  • Ozbargainasaurus on 04/12/2021 - 22:24

    Awesome site. Bookmarked. Thanks op

    • Associatedshppngtrlly com au @ RWRDS on 05/12/2021 - 09:59

      Thank you! Let me know if you would like something added. I'm trying to work out how to handle targeted offers at the moment because they are a pain.

  • Romper Stomper on 05/12/2021 - 06:25

    Credit card annual churning takes too much effort. I wish the cards can waive the annual fee if the annual spending exceeds a certain amount.

    • Associatedshppngtrlly com au @ RWRDS on 05/12/2021 - 10:04

      Before covid my partner used to just ring up near the end of the first year and ask them to waive the annual fee. They would generally do it, or at least discount it. Since covid, everyone says no - basically guarantees you have to churn at least once a year to avoid that annual fee.

    • coffeeinmyveins on 20/12/2021 - 14:12
      +1

      ???

      Took 10 minutes to sign up for the latest Amex offer and I've just qualified for $1200 worth of vouchers + $250 because I referred a mate.

      Even if that took half a day to do, it's well worth it.

  • Sprayznprayz on 16/12/2021 - 11:00

    Thanks heaps for this, really helpful!

    Wondering whether there is an option to add which type of credit card each option provides(i.e. Visa, Mastercard, AMEX)? For example, with Amazon charging Visa card holders soon, am keen to get a decent mastercard offering (noting i just churned a Westapc one so itll be a while before I can go back to them). If not, all good!

    • Associatedshppngtrlly com au @ RWRDS on 16/12/2021 - 15:36

      Good idea! I'll get that added.

  • patpoh on 20/12/2021 - 13:35
    +1

    Thanks for your website !! I just got approval for my first card and will dive into the world of CC churning. One thing that might be obvious to those that have been doing this for a while but I'm still unsure of is what spending actually contributes to the minimum target spending and what doesn't. Do different banks have different criteria? Do the banks also usually give you a way to track these spendings?

    • coffeeinmyveins on 20/12/2021 - 14:11
      +1

      Generally it's the same things that do and don't qualify. It's in the T&Cs brochure they send you.

      Off the top of my head, things like ATO payments generally don't count. And things like gambling can revert to cash advance rate immediately, so be careful with that.

      As always, make sure you read the T&Cs so you don't end up in a trap.

      No they don't give you a way to track your spending toward the bonus. you'll know when it happens because you'll get the points pretty soon.

    • Associatedshppngtrlly com au @ RWRDS on 21/12/2021 - 14:40
      +1

      I'll try and get a generic list on the site, but its what dchurch1 said, generally no government spend, no cash advances etc.

    • demiurge on 22/12/2021 - 19:13

      Most cards don't count BPAY, but for some reason ANZ does, making it very easy to satisfy spending requirements on ANZ cards.

  • Associatedshppngtrlly com au @ RWRDS on 31/01/2022 - 17:06
    +1

    Brutal change. ANZ just updated the bonuses for Black and Platinum cards.

    ANZ Rewards Black: Bonus decreased from 180,000 to 80,000. Overall profit reduced from $820 to $370.

    ANZ Rewards Platinum: Bonus decreased from a $500 gift card to 50,000 points. Overall profit reduced from $500 to $220.

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