Credit Cards

[ThePezDispenser]

I couldn't find any recent threads on the topic so here we go.

My partner and I are a young(ish) couple, we'll be moving into a new home and will have the cash to buy our furniture but figure why not try and get some points etc from all the purchases - maybe a free flight or some shopping vouchers?

Does anyone know of a good website that compares credit cards or can recommend a card?

 

[Selective Retention]

You should be able to negotiate a much bigger discount paying cash than whatever the credit card companies will give you in points.

 

[Lyyynnnchy]

I couldn't find any recent threads on the topic so here we go.

My partner and I are a young(ish) couple, we'll be moving into a new home and will have the cash to buy our furniture but figure why not try and get some points etc from all the purchases - maybe a free flight or some shopping vouchers?

Does anyone know of a good website that compares credit cards or can recommend a card?

I recently did a comparison between credit cards and found ANZ platinum rewards to be by far the best. You get 40,000 points for signing up (you get the points after having used the card for 6 months). One way flight from melbourne to Perth can be between 30,000 and 50,000 points.

You get 2 credit cards for the 1 account - a Visa and an American Express. The Visa gives you 1.5 points for every dollar and the Amex gets you 3 points for every dollar. My GF and I have a join CC account and both have the 2 cards. We use the Amex whenever we can but if somewhere charges a 2/3/4% for using the Amex we just use the Visa

They also have promotions on where you get 2/3/4 even 5x the normal points filling up at certain petrol stations, using your card at certain grocers, cinemas etc

You also get free travel insurance if you use the credit cards to pay for at least $250 of your holiday. Saving me $488 for my travel insurance for my holiday to the US in July . Covers the rental excess on all your car/gear rentals

We've used the points for flights and we also get mailed $50 Myer gift vouchers every couple of months or so, not sure why as we never use our points for them.

Catch is one of you must be earning $75,000+

**** you only need to earn $50,000+ now

***Commonwealth Bank also now do a similar deal

I do not work for ANZ or any other bank

 

[ThePezDispenser]

Yeah with big electrical items maybe, but for all other purchases from Myer, House etc. you aren't getting discounts for cash.

When you spend enough money, we figure why not make the most of it and get a few rewards along the way.

Thanks for the info above

 

[Lyyynnnchy]

Yeah with big electrical items maybe, but for all other purchases from Myer, House etc. you aren't getting discounts for cash.

When you spend enough money, we figure why not make the most of it and get a few rewards along the way.

Thanks for the info above

No problem

We spend about $6,000 a month combined, including rent, which we pay mostly with the credit card. We then pay down to $0 before 55 days are up to avoid interst charges. On average we get about 15,000 points a month and probably $50 a month worth of Myer gift vouchers.

We went on a holiday with our parents a couple of months ago, as we were organising the holiday we paid for it and got them to pay us back. For the 6 of us the holiday cost about $12,000. There's 36,000 points right there. If you can do things like that as well the points really add up

 

[sabre_ac]

For actual comparison websites, infochoice seems to be a decent one. I'd always check out a few sites though as you never know which ones have "arrangements" with the banks which result in preferential treatment. Google is your friend as far as finding a few

Regarding points the best option is still travel, however keep in mind airlines often include their fuel surchage in the taxes and this is not covered by points. Recently I found a ticket purchased with points worth roughly 2.5k had a $600 fuel and taxes charge I had to pay for.

Don't forget allot of the cards come with Travel insurance (You save money there) and Purchase protection (Extended warranty etc).

All these "benefits" however come to zero if you pay interest. If you don't think you can pay off your credit card bill monthly, stick to cash. Otherwise you may quickly find yourself going backwards.

 

[JuddsABlue]

You should be able to negotiate a much bigger discount paying cash than whatever the credit card companies will give you in points.

Yeah with big electrical items maybe, but for all other purchases from Myer, House etc. you aren't getting discounts for cash.

When you spend enough money, we figure why not make the most of it and get a few rewards along the way.

Thanks for the info above

Im going to be buying quite a bit of furniture etc over the next month and am able to pay cash

What items can discounts be found on cash purchases? Could I just walk into Harvey Norman and grab a TV, couches, fridge, washing machine etc with a total cost of 15k and offer cash to get a decent discount or are those days over?

Also in relation to thread, I am looking at getting a c/c for flights, should I get a Qantas FF card they have on their website, or are there other (better) options out there? It needs to be usuable on Qantas flights though

 

[Lyyynnnchy]

Im going to be buying quite a bit of furniture etc over the next month and am able to pay cash

What items can discounts be found on cash purchases? Could I just walk into Harvey Norman and grab a TV, couches, fridge, washing machine etc with a total cost of 15k and offer cash to get a decent discount or are those days over?

Also in relation to thread, I am looking at getting a c/c for flights, should I get a Qantas FF card they have on their website, or are there other (better) options out there? It needs to be usuable on Qantas flights though

Can definitely offer cash and get a good discount

Harvey Norman and The Good Guys are 2 places that give good discounts for cash or even just for just asking "is this the best price you can do"

 

[Visions]

With retail stores fighting for business nowadays, you can negotiate discounts almost anywhere if paying cash, even small singular items. Never take the listed price on the card as gospel, always ask what is the best price they can do.

Two months back I bought a work desk, two book shelves, and an entertainment unit and negotiated about 20% off in total from Harvey Norman.

 

[Troubadour]

If you have the discipline to pay it off each month then go for it. If you don't have that discipline they are a trap with ridiculous interest rates up around 20%.

Remember to factor in the annual fees if applicable. I was on a home loan package from CBA that included a compulsory credit card with 100+ in fees a year.