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Thread ID: 81560	2007-07-31 09:57:00	credit cards	globe (11482)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
574591	2007-08-01 06:29:00	A few years ago, I went to Oregon on business and took my wife. She flew on United air points for the trip from LA to Portland. For the international flight, we both flew Qantas. One day I went into the office in Portland and everybody was in tears. It was September 11. We were stuck in Portland for a week with good airline tickets (mine) and not so good tickets (hers). There are worse places to be stuck, believe me, but after a few days all we wanted to do was get out the madness back to our dull but safe backwater in Christchurch. Eventually, United got us to LA (the plane had 20 people in it) and we got the third Qantas flight across the Pacific, but I've been wary of air point tickets ever since.	TideMan (4279)
574592	2007-08-01 08:39:00	I had an AMEX card issued through a deal with the PSA. I didn't care about the interest rate, because I paid off the balance each month, just used it for whatever purchases I would have used eftpos for. The bonus was the rewards points - 1 point for every $. Over 2 years I accumulated about 35,000 points, just from fuel, groceries, and the occasional big ticket item. Turned those points into $200 of Farmers vouchers, and a cordless phone. In the end, though, I gave up the Amex in favour of National Bank's Thoroughbred Visa. Two reasons - firstly, Amex charged $35 PA in fees, and an extra $50 PA for the rewards program. After two years, and rewards worth about $230, I was only about $60 in front. Secondly, Amex is getting harder to use - more and more places don't take it. So I went to National Bank, which have same interest rates, same interest free periods, no fees for the rewards program, and only $30 PA in account fees.	Lizard (2409)
574593	2007-08-01 10:03:00	There is a problem with the Airpoints rewards - namely getting to use them. I have a modest 117,000 + QANTAS FF Points - but they make it bloody hard to use them. Not so long ago I received an e-mail from The QANTAS FF programme congratulating me on my points and suggesting I could take a break in LA with them. What a bloody good idea says I, so I look for flights from Auckland to LA - no problem, I can get a seat within 6 weeks - then here was the rub - getting back - no chance for over 3 months for the outbound flight and that was via Melbourne. The problem is that QANTAS FF allocated seats on longhaul flights are very sparsely rationed out, and it takes considerable long term planning to get the destinations and routes that you want - and frankly one wonders if it is worth it. There is no such thing as a free meal, so maybe if it is your own credit card, and the expenditure is not reimbursed by the boss, one is better to go for the cheapest option. ie fees and interest rates. Yup. Same thing with AirNZ before dollar points, if one is flexible you fly in off peak, my free trip to Japan was April I think. Qantas is the same, they won't put you in peak season for free for obvious reasons unless you are a freq flyer gold or platinum member perhaps (not gold/platinum credit card owner). That kind of stuff you need to fly like 8x a yr to get or 2x first class a yr .. as its renewed each yr on airline points and hotel points, not shopping VISA points. AirNZ with dollar points can get it easier however the catch is off peak to Oz maybe $180 each way dollar points, peak time, maybe $400 dollar points each way. Easiest way really, get Qantas, and then fly offpeak.	Nomad (952)
574594	2007-08-01 10:12:00	If one with AirNZ Star Alliance, you can get points flying Singapore Airlines. But if you want a free flight with SIA, it cost more points. Another thing, if one wants to get points faster, always bes in your own country as you can get points via the c/c shopping in your own country and not be charged FX rates and FX commission and you can get eg. ANZ bonus partners points or AirNZ flybuys. Ie.. the SIA Krisflyer, pple like SIA..its a good airline but are you going to use a Singapore issued c/c here in NZ? and how are you going to shop in Singapore and get points there.	Nomad (952)
574595	2007-08-01 10:14:00	I just switched mine from a thorough bred visa to a lower interest 1. I find the reward points are a bit of rubbish I spent $6000 last year .What did i get what did i get?I got $30 at the end of the year from the reward points YAY!	Ninjabear (2948)
574596	2007-08-01 10:22:00	The rewards, if you have a partner who shops a lot or a business to run. But for that maybe its better for a business c/c? I think those don't have points. Anyway, the reality is really National Bank, parents have them I think the cash back is 0.5% of the amount you spent. Flying, really, the avg person, no shopaholics and no business to run, 5 yrs spend your usual stuff and 5 trips overseas Asia or beyond expect to get one free,redemmable in off peak season. I think its a cherry on top, I don't pay interest so in a way low interest not for me, 1 trip in 5yrs is better than nothing... Some pple may not fly often or even own a passport so even that is pretty worthless to them, cash back hey .. do you want it or your bank to have it .. its better than nothing ...	Nomad (952)
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