With credit card reward deals being introduced or changed all the time it can hard to keep up with the best offers around.
But such a high level of competition between providers definitely has its benefits, especially when combined with a good balance transfer deal or signup bonus and easy online application process.
So if you are thinking of upgrading your rewards card or just want to compare different options, here is a look at some of the best reward point cards for 2011.
American Express Platinum Edge
The American Express Platinum Edge gives cardholders a lot of opportunities to earn more points with between one and three points per $1.
With enrolment into the Membership Rewards 3-2-1 program, cardholders can earn:
- Three points at major supermarkets
- Two points at major petrol stations; and
- One point for every dollar spent on all other purchases
Compared to some general reward cards, which may only offer one point for every $2 spent, this option really does provide value for using credit.
Commonwealth Bank Awards
The Commonwealth Bank’s Awards credit card offers a highly competitive rewards program that could be an affordable alternative to many of the more specific frequent flyer options, with up to 1.5 points earned for every $1 spent on the card.
The annual fee for the Commonwealth Bank Awards card is $89, but for current CBA customers this fee could be reduced to just $59, making it one of the lowest annual fee options available for a rewards card.
HSBC Platinum Qantas Credit Card
As one of the only non-Amex frequent flyer options to earn one point per dollar, the HSBC Platinum Qantas Visa card is definitely one of the better options out there.
This card also offers up to two points per dollar for purchases made overseas and with international retailers online, making it even more valuable for travellers and tech-savvy bargain hunters.
Westpac Altitude Rewards
With both an American Express card and a MasterCard credit card as part of the package, people can maximise their points and keep surcharges down with Westpac’s Altitude Rewards option.
The American Express card earns two points for every dollar spent, while the MasterCard offers one point per dollar but with no points expiry cardholders can save up as many points as they want to redeem the best rewards possible.
This card also comes with a competitive annual fee of $100, which is much less than some of the other reward options out there, so for people who want to save on upfront card costs this option could be the right deal.
No matter what kind of rewards card you are after, looking at a range of different options and comparing the points-per-dollar values will help you get a card that makes paying with plastic worth it.