FEATURES SUMMARY

 

 

• Annual fee: Low annual fee
• Purchase rate: Low p.a. purchase rate
• Cash Advance rate: Low p.a. cash advance rate
• Balance Transfer rate: Low p.a. balance transfer rate
• Interest-free days: Up to 55 days
• Extras:
  • Cash back

• Airfare Deals
• Extended Warranty
• Purchase Security
• MasterCard Moments
• MasterCard Applause
• Transit Accident Insurance
• Platinum 24/7 Concierge Service

For a platinum credit card this one from Commonwealth is pretty standard in most areas, but it does have a wide range of features in order to cater well for a wider range of people.

It comes with all the same benefits as the gold card but with longer time periods and greater values (International travel insurance for trips up to 12 months, extended warranty for up to a year longer than the manufacturer’s warranty, purchase security for up to 90 days and transit accident insurance), plus a few other features just to set it apart.

The card’s annual fee, but if you happen to be applying for (or already have) a Commonwealth Bank home loan or bank account then the annual fee of your credit card will be waived. Or, if you are an existing Commonwealth credit card customer then (depending on which credit card you have) your annual fee will be either waived or reduced.

Bank account or home loan – Annual fee is waived
Awards Card – Annual fee is reduced
Gold Card – Annual fee is reduced
Platinum Card – Annual fee is reduced
Low Rate – Annual fee is reduced
Low Rate Gold – Annual fee is reduced
Low Fee – Waived when you spend $1000 or more per year on your credit card
Low Fee Gold – Waived when you spend $10,000 or more per year on your credit card

This includes a 24/7 platinum concierge service*, a comprehensive annual summary* (which will help at tax time) and a guaranteed pricing scheme*, so if you a find a product you’ve bought for a cheaper price (in print) than what you paid, Commonwealth will pay you the difference.

And now for the Awards program – with every dollar you spend on your Commonwealth platinum card you’ll get one Awards point. You can also get extra points by using the Commonwealth Travel Plus service, or by shopping at selected Bonus Partners.

These points can be redeemed for all sorts of goodies including cash back (which is credited back to your account), entertainment, shopping, merchandise and also travel. You can choose to have your awards points converted to frequent flyer points for your choice of Virgin Blue or Qantas airlines (you must be a member of your airline of choice’s frequent flyer program). Also, if you happen to be flying business or first class on a flight you’ve bought with your platinum credit card with Air Tahiti Nui, Japan Airlines or Air Pacific you’ll be eligible for companion airfare deals.

While this is probably a good deal, we thought there might be some kind of other benefit to really set it apart from the Gold and standard credit cards (not to mention other platinum rewards credit cards). But for an annual fee we still think it’s a really good deal, which is why it takes out the #3 spot in the Platinum credit card category and #2 in the Frequent Flyer credit card category. Adding to this cards prestige (in our eyes) is the fact that we also named it the #3 place getter in the Editor’s Choice – Rewards Credit Cards category.

The interest rate offered is more reasonable on the platinum credit card than on its lower value counterparts with the same rate, at * on purchases and p.a.* on cash advances, along with up to 55 days interest free*. If you have a credit card balance that you need to transfer to a lower interest rate then you can transfer it onto this card  for the first 5 months. After this time any balance remaining from your transfer will be charged * interest.

But to sum up, the Commonwealth Platinum credit card definitely holds its own in the platinum credit card market with its variety of features and it’s standard pricing. It would be ideal for those who fly regularly with Virgin or Qantas and plan on using their rewards credit card regularly for retail payments each month.

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FEATURES SUMMARY

 

 

 

• Annual fee: High annual fee
• Purchase rate: Low p.a. purchase rate
• Cash Advance rate: Low p.a. cash advance rate
• Interest-free days: Up to 55 days
• Extras:

• • Concierge Service
  • Extended Warranty
  • Phone/Internet banking
  • Overseas Medical Insurance
  • Up to 9 additional cardholders
  • American Express/Visa Entertainment benefits

Earn 20,000 bonus Qantas Frequent Flyer Points to help get to your destination sooner.
 * 20,000 bonus Qantas Frequent Flyer Points if you apply by 28th Feburary 2011. Offer available to only new applicants.

The ANZ Frequent Flyer Platinum credit card is the top dog of the ANZ Frequent Flyer cards, so as well as being the #1 credit card in the Frequent Flyer category, it also takes out the #2 spot in the platinum credit card category.

Being the next step up from the Gold Frequent Flyer card, it has a number of benefits that are exclusive to Platinum credit card holders and are very beneficial for a regular traveler.

The core features of this airline rewards credit card remain the same as the other frequent flyer cards offered by ANZ (interest, balance transfer, interest free period). However the inclusion of travel insurance benefits makes this card much more valuable than the rest.

With this card you will receive extended warranty on purchases*, 90-day purchase security on lost/stolen/broken products*, not to mention overseas medical insurance*. Safety measures such as these can often be expensive and a major hassle to organize, so if you do fly regularly then the inclusion of these features is very convenient.

Using your Platinum American Express credit card will earn you 1.5 points for every dollar spent (up to $2500 a month), and like the lower level frequent flyer cards, 1 point for every $2 spent on the Frequent Flyer Platinum Visa. ANZ Frequent Flyer Platinum cardholders also benefit from the concierge booking service*, which adds another level of convenience to your international travels.

The annual fee for this card burns a hole in your pocket, so if it is mainly frequent flyer points you’re looking for then we recommend the ANZ Frequent Flyer Gold credit card as this offers the same rewards benefits with a much cheaper annual fee. Otherwise, the ANZ Frequent Flyer credit card comes very highly recommended.

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FEATURES SUMMARY

 

 

• Annual fee: Low annual fee
• Purchase rate: Low p.a. purchase rate
• Cash Advance rate: Low p.a. cash advance rate
• Balance Transfer rate: Low p.a. balance transfer rate
• Interest-free days: Up to 55 days
  • Extras:

• Phone/Internet banking
• Purchase Security Insurance
• Commission-free travellers cheques
• Worldwide emergency credit card replacement
• American Express/Visa Entertainment benefits

Like the standard ANZ Frequent Flyer card, the ANZ Frequent Flyer Gold credit card gives you two choices of cards to use when making purchases, and therefore more opportunities to build up your Qantas frequent flyer points.

The majority of the features of this card are the same as the standard ANZ Frequent Flyer credit card, such as the interest rate and interest free days. But according to the ANZ website you ‘go further with the Frequent Flyer Gold’ card.

What exactly does this mean?

Well it starts with paying a bit more in your annual fee. After reading the fine print, it was found that the fee for joining the Qantas Frequent Flyer program is not actually included in the card’s annual fee. The good news is that this Qantas fee is a once off payment rather than an annual fee.

Another shortcoming of this travel credit is the difference in points-earning potential between the standard and gold frequent flyer credit cards is marginal. The gold credit card offers just 1.25 points for every dollar spent on the American Express card, and is the same as the standard card’s points rate on the Visa ($2 = 1 point)*.

These points are capped at 10,000 points per month which is 5,000 more than the standard card, so it is quite obvious that this card is aimed at those who will be spending quite a bit more than those with the standard card and will of course be able to reap the benefits.

This credit card takes out the #2 spot in the Frequent Flyer credit cards category, so if you’re already a member of the Qantas Frequent Flyers program or plan on doing a fair bit of travelling over the next few years, then this card will be highly beneficial for you. Otherwise, it would be wise to cover all your bases to make sure you’re getting the best airline rewards credit card on offer.

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If you’re a member of Qantas’ frequent flyer program then this is the credit card for you. Although it might take a bit to get your head around the points earning guidelines, it’s definitely worth it.

Allow us to explain…

To begin with, you get both an American Express credit card and your choice of either a Visa or MasterCard. For the first $3000 you spend in a month (in total from both of the cards you receive), you’ll get 2 Qantas frequent flyer points for every $2 spent on the American Express and every $3 on the MasterCard/Visa.

Then in your next $7,000 you’ll get one point for every $2 spent on the American Express and every $3 on the MasterCard/Visa. Once you hit $10,000 you stop earning frequent flyer points, so if you are a big spender it’s more rewarding for you to leave any purchases that will take you over the $10,000 mark until the next month.

Along with the frequent flyer rewards points you also get a number of other features, including Gold international travel insurance (50% of your prepaid travelling costs), purchase protection, extended warranties on purchases and VIP Lost Card cover.

But enough about that, here’s the all important basic information…

Interest is charged p.a. for both cash and purchases, with a pretty average For balance transfers. While this lower rate only lasts for six months, the interest rate that it increases to after this time is lower than most seeing as the card’s cash advance rate is pretty low. The interest free period is a little low at up to just 44 days, but like all other cards with this time slot, is manageable if you’re smart about it.

The annual fee for this card,  is pretty expensive if you’re not using it to its full potential. Therefore, it would be best suited (and most valuable) to people who will make use of the insurance and travel benefits while flying with Qantas and spend (or plan to spend) at least $3000 per month on their credit card.

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NAB’s Velocity Gold is a really valuable credit card to have when it comes to rewards and benefits.

Like NAB’s standard Velocity credit card it allows customers to earn Velocity points towards international and domestic flights, on Virgin Blue as well as a whole range of other rewards available in the online Velocity rewards store.

But here’s where it gets good…

As a Gold card the annual fee is at the higher end of the scale but add in one of the best airline rewards programs available on a credit card and you’re getting a whole lot more bang for your buck.

Interest for the Velocity Gold card, and includes added insurance benefits (including 90 days purchase protection, Gold overseas travel insurance and extended warranty insurance) so is a LOT more reasonable than the standard Velocity credit card.

Interest free days stand at up to 44, which again is lower than most but still ok. Like the standard card it comes with both an American Express and a Visa credit card which ups the ante on your points-earning potential – two points for every $2 spent on the American Express and one point for every $2 on the Visa.

Even if you’re not looking to travel but still want a rewards program then this is one of a number of reasonably priced choices that may still suit your needs. With awesome rewards opportunities and all the included insurance benefits this is most definitely a card that is nipping at the heels of the top 3 cards in the rewards category, so would be great for all those travel bugs out there.

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Why it is called the Earth card? Well we’re not sure, as it has nothing to do with the environment at all. What we can tell you is that this card is full of credit card goodness and very appealing for all those frequent flyers out there.

The Earth credit card’s rewards program is based on earning Qantas frequent flyer points with every purchase you make on the card. Earning potential in the Earth card’s rewards program is unlimited, and you can maximize your points with the help of the two credit cards you will receive, one being an American Express and the other a MasterCard.

Just like on the Earth Gold frequent flyer card, using your American Express for purchases will earn you one frequent flyer point for every dollar spent, and 0.5 points for every dollar spent on the MasterCard. Just remember that points are not earned on balance transfers and cash advances.

And just as an added bonus, you’ll get an extra point for every dollar you spend using your Earth American Express or MasterCard to purchase Qantas products. But no matter how you earn them, your points will be credited to your Qantas Frequent Flyer account at the end of each month.

But wait there’s more! If you let Westpac know when you purchase selected Qantas products using any one of your Earth cards, you’ll only be charged p.a.

And now for the interest rates…

Purchases earn interest p.a. and cash advances p.a. Neither of these are especially low so obviously this interest pays for your rewards program. Balance transfers to this card work out great if you can pay it off within your first 6 months as you’ll earn p.a. interest, however after that time it increases p.a.

The interest free period is lower than most at 44 days and the annual fee which is ok for a card with a rewards program, but would be more attractive if the Qantas Frequent Flyer membership fee was included. Instead this must be paid on top of your annual fee.

For a card that focuses on travelling it seems a bit strange that there are no actual travel benefits, but when you look at all the Earth cards you can see that these are reserved the premium Earth credit cards (gold and platinum).

With just one statement and one credit limit for the two credit cards it should be an easily managed credit card. If you’re not too fussed about the interest rate and are looking purely for vast frequent flyer points potential without any other benefits then this card is an excellent choice.

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Westpac’s Earth Gold credit card gives it’s platinum counterpart a real run for its money , with nearly all the benefits of the platinum card at just half the price.

With an annual fee, this airline rewards credit card gives you all the benefits that seem to be missing from the standard Earth credit card. These include complimentary international travel insurance, extended warranty insurance and of course, purchase protection insurance.

The overseas travel insurance is a great addition to the Earth Gold credit card. When flights are purchased using this card it covers both the cardholder and their immediate family on international trips of up to three months.

Points are earned at the same rate on this card as the standard card, with 1 point for every dollar using the American Express and 0.5 points with the MasterCard. Interest rates are also the same p.a. for purchases and p.a. for cash advances, and p.a. on balance transfers for the first 6 months with up to 45 days interest free on purchases.

This is the main downfall of this card in comparison to the Westpac Earth platinum credit card, as the spend amount required is much higher due to the lower frequent flyer points earning rate.

Other similarities include p.a. interest on balance transfers and an extra frequent flyer point for every dollar spent on selected Qantas products purchased using either of the Earth Gold Cards. Obviously you would need to be travelling to get any benefits from this card, however if you are then this would be one of the best frequent flyer credit card options on offer from Westpac.

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Like the Earth range of travel credit cards offered by Westpac, the Singapore Airlines range comes with two credit cards to maximize your points-earning potential – an American Express card and…wait for it…a Visa credit card (you thought it was going to be a MasterCard didn’t you?)

However, rather than earning rewards points with Qantas, your points are (obviously) with Singapore Airlines. KrisFlyer miles (Singapore Airlines’ frequent flyer points) are earned at a rate of 1 mile per dollar spent on the American Express and 0.5 miles per dollar spent on the Visa. You can also earn the same amount of bonus miles on top of the standard miles when you book Singapore Airlines flights with your Singapore Airlines Gold credit card.

There are a number of benefits available with the Gold card, including a one year extended warranty and three months purchase protection. International travel insurance is also included for trips of up to three months long and claims of up to $250,000.

Being a premium card linked to Singapore Airline benefits, you’ll also have access to Gold offers from partners of Singapore Airlines such as Accor Resorts & Hotels and Avis Rental companies which will definitely come in handy while you travel. Many of the features found on the Gold card can also be found on the Platinum card. And while their value is halved on the Gold card, so too is the price so it still bodes well as a mid-range travel credit card.

The interest free period on this card (unfortunately) is relatively low at up to 45 days, with a variable interest rate p.a. for purchases and p.a. for cash advances. Balance transfers are available at a low rate p.a. for the first 6 months.

While the interest rates for purchases and cash advances aren’t the lowest, for a rewards card with great international travel benefits and points earning potential the Westpac Singapore Airlines Gold credit card is good value for money. Possible even a better option than the Platinum card, unless of course you regularly spend large amounts of money on your credit card and want to capitalize on that.

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Westpac’s Singapore Airlines Platinum credit card is the highest level of premium credit cards available under Westpac’s Singapore airlines frequent flyer rewards program.

Under this scheme you get all the associated travel benefits of a platinum credit card, however the values are much more substantial, at pretty much double the values of the Singapore Airline’s Gold credit card.

Overseas travel insurance is extended to 6 months and up to $500,000 in claims. Purchase protection insurance is for four months (rather than three on the gold card) and the extended warranty for purchases is for up to two years. An added feature that you don’t get on the gold card is the 24/7 personal concierge service.

At an annual fee, the price is also doubled, but you get what you pay for.

You’ll get two credit cards (American Express and Visa), on which there are differing ‘mile’ earning values. Until October 31st 2009 the American Express earns you 3 KrisFlyer miles for every dollar spent, and on the Visa, 1.5 miles for every dollar spent.

After this date these rates drop to 1.5 miles for every dollar spent on the American Express both in and outside of Australia, and 1 mile for every dollar spent in Australia, and 1.5 for every dollar spent outside of Australia on the Visa. As an added bonus, your first purchase on your credit card will get you 10,000 bonus KrisFlyer miles.

Just remember, while there’s no limit to the amount of miles you can earn they will expire after three years. However, generally if you have the Singapore Airlines Platinum card you will be doing a lot of flying anyway so expiring points should not be a problem.

Interest rates stay the same as the other Singapore Airlines travel cards with p.a. on purchases, p.a. for cash advances and p.a. for the first 6 months on balance transfers. The interest free period also remains the same at up to 45 days if you pay your monthly balance in full.

Overall the Westpac Singapore Airlines credit card is quite expensive seeing as it is a premium card. Though if you can afford it and it fits in line with your credit card spending habits then it would be good value thanks to the many benefits and rewards that come with it.

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FEATURES SUMMARY

• Annual fee: Low annual fee
• Purchase rate: Low p.a. purchase rate
• Cash Advance rate: Low p.a. cash advance rate
• Balance Transfer rate: Low p.a. balance transfer rate
• Interest-free days: Up to 44
  • Extras:
    • Price guarantee

• Extended Warranty
• Visa Entertainment
• VIP Lost Card Cover
• Purchase Protection
• Phone/Internet banking
• One free additional cardholder
• Platinum 24/7 Concierge Service
• Platinum International Travel Insurance

On the surface NAB’s Qantas Platinum credit card is a lot like its lesser alternative the NAB Qantas Gold card, however for pretty much double the cost ($290) in annual fees there must be something special about this card to give it that edge.

The basic features of this card are exactly the same as the Gold card, with p.a. being charged on both cash and purchases, and up to 44 days interest free on purchases if you pay your balance in full each month. While the interest free period is kind of low, the interest rate is impressive for a platinum credit card. Balance transfers are also offered at the same rate p.a. for six months (after which the interest rises to p.a.).

NAB Qantas Platinum card holders are still given two credit cards, but unlike the Gold, you don’t get the choice between a Visa or a MasterCard for your second credit card. Instead Platinum cardholders are just given an American Express and a Visa.

Next on the list are the travel and insurance benefits. The platinum card also offers all the same benefits as the Gold card, such as VIP lost card cover, international travel insurance (for six months as opposed to three on the Gold card), extended warranty and purchase protection insurance.

But that’s pretty much where the similarities end, with NAB stepping up to the plate with other additional insurance and travel benefits that make the overall benefits proportionate to the huge increase in annual fee.

NAB’s platinum concierge service means you’ll have your own on-call personal assistant for all your travel and entertainment booking needs. If you’re staying in an Australian hotel and you get burgled, you’ll be covered for up to $2,500 worth of damages or loss. Transport accident insurance also kicks in if you or your family are seriously injured or even killed while travelling.

You’ll also be covered if you have a domestic flight cancellation/change or your luggage is delayed or lost (which is more common than you may think!), and if you find a better price on items bought with your platinum credit card, NAB will pay you the difference so you can still get the best deal around.

The rewards system on the NAB Qantas Platinum credit card is another difference between the Gold and Platinum credit cards with a MUCH better earn rate on the latter. On the Platinum American Express you’ll get 1.5 points for every dollar spent, and on the Platinum Visa you’ll earn two points for every $3 spent.

The simplicity of this system (by comparison) means that you won’t have to think so much about how much of your credit limit you’ve spent and how many points you’ll be getting for your dollar.

On the whole, the NAB Qantas Platinum credit card is one that comes highly recommended from us. It is quite expensive but is in no way pretending to be something it isn’t. The benefits and features are all valuable additions, and if used to their full potential, could end up being really valuable platinum and frequent flyer credit card.

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