Top 5 Highest Rated Frequent Flyer Credit Cards
November 5, 2009
If you travel a lot, you probably know the value of a good frequent flyer programme. Using a frequent flyer credit card for purchases to accumulate points can really pay off! How do you choose the frequent flyer card with the best deal though? What’s more important — points earned per dollar or restrictions on points and redemptions? How much consideration should you give to more typical credit card features like interest rates and annual fees? After all, to earn enough points to get a free flight you’ll probably charge a lot on your card, so those features can’t be ignored.
To help you narrow down your frequent flyer card options, we’ve assembled a list of our top five picks. They’re all great frequent flyer credit cards for their own reasons. It’s up to you to figure out which one’s features best suit your own individual needs.
Qantas American Express Credit Card
The main perk of the Qantas American Express card is that you can earn up to 7500 bonus frequent flyer points just for using your new card! You’ll get 5000 points when you first use the card and another 2500 the first time you use the card specifically to purchase Qantas services. That’s not all though. While many frequent flyer cards offer you one point per dollar spent or less, the Qantas American Express gives you 1.25 points per dollar spent on most purchases and a whopping 2.25 points when you use your card on select Qantas services. There’s also no cap on the points you can earn, and as long as you keep your account active your points won’t expire!
Citibank Emirates Platinum Credit Card
If you thought 1.25 points per dollar spent on most purchases was a good deal, you’ll love this. The Citibank Emirates Platinum card offers 1.5 points per dollar spent instead! If you plan to transfer a balance from another card in addition to simply wanting a better frequent flyer card, you’ll enjoy the 4.9% APR on balance transfers for life! You’ll even get complimentary lounge access when you’re in Australia and Dubai, and be eligible for chauffer-driven transportation to and from airports in Australia.
You won’t get one, but two, credit cards when you’re approved for this NAB offer — an American Express and a Visa. Be sure to use the American Express card wherever it’s accepted though (they’re linked to the same credit limit anyway). When you do you’ll earn 1.5 points for each dollar spent. Is your Amex not accepted somewhere you want to shop? No problem. Use the Visa as a backup since it’s accepted in more places. Note, however, that using the Visa means you’ll only earn two points for every $3 spent (also note that you may earn only one point per dollar spent on Qantas services like booking a flight). Like with the Qantas American Express card above, there is no points cap and your points won’t expire as long as your credit card account and membership in the frequent flyer programme remain active.
American Express Blue Sky Credit Card
Like some of the other options here, the American Express Blue Sky credit card offers uncapped points that don’t expire. You’ll earn one point per dollar spent on purchases. The primary benefits of the American Express Blue Sky card are that it’s a no annual fee card (frequent flyer cards often come with high annual fees) and the fact that travel restrictions when you redeem your points are much more relaxed than with other frequent flyer programmes.
ANZ Frequent Flyer Credit Card
Like the previously-mentioned NAB Qantas offer, the ANZ Frequent Flyer credit card is actually two credit cards — an American Express and a Visa. When you use your Amex you’ll earn one point per dollar spent, and when you use the Visa you’ll earn one point for every $2 spent instead. Frequent flyer points have no caps, and the card features a low annual fee of just $95. If you don’t mind paying a higher annual fee in exchange for more point-earning potential when using the American Express card, you can also choose from a gold or platinum ANZ frequent flyer card.
Whether or not one of the above frequent flyer cards looks like the perfect fit for you, you can at least use this list as a jumping off point to explore some of the differences that exist between frequent flyer point programmes. Only you know your spending and repayment habits or how much use you expect to get out of a frequent flyer programme each year. Be sure to consider those factors when choosing your next frequent flyer credit card.
Disclaimer: Terms and conditions may apply to all credit card offers mentioned in this article. Please review the full terms from each credit card company before applying for more details and the most up-to-date information. The Top 5 frequent flyer credit cards list above was heavily researched but is still just the opinion of the writer. Some other people may feel that other cards may be better than the ones above. For a more complete range of cards click here.
Below are 3 of our most popular and recommended credit card offers:
Purchase Rate (p.a.) |
Cash Rate (p.a.) |
Balance Transfer |
Interest Free Days |
Annual Fee |
||
Citibank Clear Platinum |
11.99% | 21.74% | 2.9% for 12 months | up to 55 days | $49 | More Info |
ANZ Platinum Credit Card |
0% for 6 months | 21.49% | 0% for 6 months | up to 44 days | $0 first year | More Info |
Westpac Low Rate Credit Card |
0% for 6 months | 21.49% | 0% for 6 months | up to 55 days | $45 | More Info |

[...] 27, 2009 We’ve already shared our top picks for balance transfer credit cards, frequent flyer cards, and low fee credit cards. Now let’s take a look at the best five all-around credit card [...]