Which No-Fee Points Earning Credit Card Should I Get?

TwentyTwoCarats on 15/09/2023 - 09:10
Last edited 15/09/2023 - 09:34 by 1 other user

I’ve got an Amex platinum at the moment and where I can’t use it, I use my 28 Degrees Mastercard. However, the 28 Degrees doesn’t get any points, it’s only really useful when travelling (where it is a godsend).

So now I’m thinking of getting another CC to use where I can’t use Amex. One that is free, yet still gains points, and if it has a sign up bonus that’s even better. Btw I’m using credit cards in conjunction with an offset account on my home loan to keep the balance high and so on.

1. Coles No Fee Mastercard - $2 = 1 Flybuys, and I shop at Coles regularly. You get 30,000 flybuys if you spend $3k in 3 months. Which I could do but I’m already in the middle of a $5k/3months to get 225,000 Amex rewards so could be tough.

2. HSBC Premier World MasterCard - I’m with HSBC on the home loan so this would be good to have the same app for my CC. $1 = 1.5 rewards points to use with KrisFlyer / Asia miles etc. And I’m considering using Amex to convert to KrisFlyer or similar too, so this could be good.

But apparently there’s some tricky eligibility for this card that I don’t really understand…

1. Commbank low fee credit card - the one that’s been popular on OzB with a $250 cashback with $1k spend although this is just a churner as it doesn’t accrue any points.

To be honest I don’t feel like churning repeatedly like many OzBargainers. I earn a decent income so I’d be happy to just keep a trio that works for me alll the time - Amex Plat (for everything possible) + 28 degs (travel) + third card (for everything else).

Any suggestions?

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  6079 Smith on 15/09/2023 - 09:28

  I’d go the Coles $99 card and replace 28 Degrees as it has no foreign fee AND earns points.
  This then frees you up down the crack if you DO want to join the churn club

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    TwentyTwoCarats on 15/09/2023 - 09:52

    Hmm with the coles one - no foreign fee but how are the exchange rates? I’ve found that 28 degrees offers amazing exchange rates such that it’s literally the same as a google search result

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      6079 Smith on 15/09/2023 - 10:49

      Can’t see why it wouldn’t be the same as 28 Degrees and go off the Mastercard rate. Of all the MC cards I’ve had (28, Comm, Citi, WankBest) I’ve all found them to have a near identical spread

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  Baysew on 15/09/2023 - 09:35

  +1

  Australian Credit Cards - Which cards should you get to have an all-rounded portfolio that suits all your needs?

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  bobokingdom on 15/09/2023 - 09:37

  What is "some tricky eligibility for this card"? Do you mean HSBC Premier?

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    TwentyTwoCarats on 15/09/2023 - 09:53

    Yeah that’s it. One webpage said all you need is $75k salary easy, but another page said you need 150k savings or some high cashflow or something

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      bobokingdom on 15/09/2023 - 10:08

      Oh, weird, I thought HSBC Premier Credit Card is available for ALL Premier customers. I just ticked the box when I opened the account. Note: there are 2 cards, the Premier Debit Card (i.e. Bank Card) and Premier Credit Master Card. Just chat with the agent online (on the bottom right corner of the website during business hours).

      Who can apply?
      Hold Premier status in Australia
      Earn at least $75,000 p.a.
      Have a good credit rating

      (If you are AMEX Platinum Charge Card customer, it does indicate you are not low cashflow….)

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  Stopback on 15/09/2023 - 09:38

  Bano.

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    JHoliday on 19/09/2023 - 20:28

    Are there any international transaction fees with this card?

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      bobokingdom on 20/09/2023 - 18:56

      Yes! I think it is 3%

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  sumyungguy on 15/09/2023 - 10:06

  Do you have a mortgage? You can get a good card deal as part of your banking relationships.

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    TwentyTwoCarats on 15/09/2023 - 10:18

    Yeah hsbc variable offset mortgage. So you reckon it’s worth to hit up the live chat?

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      sumyungguy on 15/09/2023 - 10:31

      I get a waived-free card from CBA's equivalent of HSBC's Home Loan Package. It's not clear that credit cards are included but would be worth asking if/when this may come.