Like many I've been adversely affected by the RBA interchange fees decision and consequent withdrawal of AMEX cards by three of the four major Australian banks: in my case, NAB.
Velocity-linked cards seem sparse compared with QFF-linked cards.
Which are the better AMEX offers (with 'bonus points' for signing up) currently on offer that have a link to the VA not the QF FF scheme?
My bill is normally under A$3000 a month unless I go overseas.
Amex Explorer Card. Good earn rate. Normally a good sign up bonus. 2 x Amex lounge invites. Transfer points to VA or a number of other programs. Travel credit offsets annual fee. You'll find a review on this site.
I agree. The AmEx Explorer is a great "all-rounder" with a very good earn rate (1.5 VA points per $, along with the ability to transfer to other FF programmes including SQ at the same rate), and effectively "free" if you use the travel credit. It would be my first choice. Once you have it, particularly if you spend a lot on groceries and petrol, I'd also look at getting an AmEx Platinum Edge. Like the Explorer, its annual fee is offset by the travel credit ($200, in this case) and it earns 3 FF points per dollar at supermarkets, and 2 FF points per dollar at petrol stations. If you use the Platinum Edge for grocery and petrol purchases, and the Explorer for purchases everywhere else, you'll have the best of both worlds. But make sure you get the Explorer first as there's no sign-up bonus for the PE.
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Best current credit card offers
Traveller14
Traveller14
Member since 17 Sep 2015
Total posts 73
Like many I've been adversely affected by the RBA interchange fees decision and consequent withdrawal of AMEX cards by three of the four major Australian banks: in my case, NAB.
hakkinen5
hakkinen5
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 20 Aug 2014
Total posts 195
Amex Explorer Card. Good earn rate. Normally a good sign up bonus. 2 x Amex lounge invites. Transfer points to VA or a number of other programs. Travel credit offsets annual fee. You'll find a review on this site.
Sibelius
Sibelius
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 06 Aug 2017
Total posts 181
I agree. The AmEx Explorer is a great "all-rounder" with a very good earn rate (1.5 VA points per $, along with the ability to transfer to other FF programmes including SQ at the same rate), and effectively "free" if you use the travel credit. It would be my first choice. Once you have it, particularly if you spend a lot on groceries and petrol, I'd also look at getting an AmEx Platinum Edge. Like the Explorer, its annual fee is offset by the travel credit ($200, in this case) and it earns 3 FF points per dollar at supermarkets, and 2 FF points per dollar at petrol stations. If you use the Platinum Edge for grocery and petrol purchases, and the Explorer for purchases everywhere else, you'll have the best of both worlds. But make sure you get the Explorer first as there's no sign-up bonus for the PE.