
Frequent flyer credit cards
Compare the latest and biggest bonus points deals.
We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
One of the best ways to earn frequent flyer points is by picking up a credit card that offers bonus sign-up points and a solid earn rate (check out our round-up of current offers). That's well-known, but there's a less-obvious trick involving prepaid gift credit cards that can also boost your points total.
Both Coles' Flybuys and Woolworths' Everyday Rewards regularly offer bonus point bundles when you buy Mastercard, Visa or eftpos gift cards. A typical deal offers 1,000 or 2,000 bonus points with a gift card purchase.
2,000 Everyday Rewards points convert to 1,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer points, while 2,000 Flybuys points convert to 870 Velocity points. By buying prepaid gift cards when bonus offers emerge, you can score extra points. And unlike other gift cards (like those for Netflix or Uber, for instance), you can spend the card's value on whatever you like. Indeed, you could use the card to pay for other products that themselves earn points (such as flights).
One key thing to remember is that you'll usually have to pay a service fee to buy a gift credit card. Fees vary, but $5.95 for a $100 gift card is typical. While that means you'll be paying almost $106 in order to spend $100, you'll also score far more points than usual. To earn 2,000 supermarket reward points you'd usually have to spend $2,000, so even with the service fee, you're generally ahead as long as you convert your supermarket points to airline points and then spend them wisely.
You might also be thinking: "If I spend money with a gift credit card rather than my regular credit card, I'll miss out on the points I get when I spend on my regular credit card." However, you won't usually earn this many points spending with a regular credit card.
Here's an example. On the American Express Velocity Platinum Card, you can earn 2.5 points per $1 spent if you use the card to buy Virgin Australia tickets. For a $100 spend, that's 250 points simply for using the card. Use a $100 gift card and you'll potentially earn 870 points. (In both cases, you'll also earn points once you actually take the flight.)
Want to keep up with the latest gift card offers? Sign up for our Points Finder newsletter or follow Points Finder on Facebook. We'll keep you updated on new deals when they're announced.
Make sure you don't lose out on points when using prepaid gift credit cards by following these tips:
Picture: Shutterstock
Here are ways you can spend your points for apart from flight options.
The top offer for maximising Flybuys is back again, here's how to use it.
When do you have to use them by? Will your credits disappear as Virgin restructures? Your questions answered.
Does "legal tender" mean you can always pay with notes and coins?
You could earn frequent flyer points with the popular buy now, pay later service – here's how it worked.
Everything you need to know about earning more frequent flyer points and Status Credits without flying, through Qantas Points Club.
A bright and open lounge layout coupled with possibly the most luxurious airport cabana.
An average business lounge in need of a major makeover.
We test out Cathay's First Class product on its second-longest route.
How many points can you earn, and is it worth it?
Compare the latest and biggest bonus points deals.
Earn more points and help save the planet - here's how.
Hot tips from Finder's frequent flyer expert Angus Kidman.
Save when you travel with the freshest bargain flights.