Use your credit card to rack up frequent flyer points

Is travel your loving companion? Are your friends envious of your exotic Facebook pictures? Are you always chasing ways to get extra frequent flyers points on your credit card? If you find your head nodding then you’re probably like the larger Australian population who made a record 8.4 million short-term overseas trips in 2012-13.

How can I earn frequent flyer points?

In partnership with major airlines such as Qantas and Virgin Atlantic, credit cards use the Frequent Flyer point program to reward you for your spending.

This program is standard for Gold and Platinum credit cards, so frequent spenders are the first to take advantage. So if you’re a low spender, you may find that the reward points aren’t enough to outweigh the extra expenses.

If you are organised you can make all your purchases on your credit card, so that you reap the travel rewards, and then transfer the funds from your savings account straight back onto your credit card, so that you don’t incur interest.

Be aware, because normally tens of thousands of dollars are spent before your points start giving back. Make sure your rewards program matches your spending, not the other way around.

Use RateCity’s credit card rewards and platinum cards comparison tool to find some of Australia’s lowest fees, all with the highest frequent flyer point to dollar ratios.

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