Credit Card Sign up Bonus - Hotel and Flight Refunds

Hi,

There's a few discussions several years back regarding booking flights/hotels in advance then getting a refund after the bonus point is credited.
There seems to be some people saying they will apply negative points once the refund has been applied? Does it mean the sign up bonus points will be removed or is it just the points for the spend itself?
Any suggestions what carrier/hotels can be used to do this easily?

Thanks

Comments

  • I have had this “happen” a few times now, wait for bonus points and then have to refund accom.

    I’ve never stuck around long enough to have them claw back any points, but it would only be the spend points not the bonus points.

    If you refund $1000 and spent $2000 the following month you’d only receive points for $1000 spend if that makes sense.

    I wouldn’t recommend doing this anyway, booking.com often use an overseas payment processor even if you pay in AUD on the Aus website, so don’t suggest you do it anyway

    But I wait for refund to land and then close the account after that

    • So if you don't close the account then they will claw back the points earnt on the refunded amount but not the bonus points? But if you close it straight after receiving refund then they can't deduct the points back, is that what you mean?
      Also what are the implications of using an overseas payment processor? As in I will lose on the currency conversion rate? For payment: AUD->foreign currency then for refund: foreign currency->AUD?

      • Yes that is what I mean, most cards charge 3% foreign fee whether is it paid in a different currency or if it is charged in AUD but processed overseas

        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/wiki/australian_sites_that_char…

        • Maybe expedia would be a good option? They also have an option on their website to choose by hotel that are fully refundable.

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