Five quickest paths to financial independence
It’s important to get to grips with how becoming financially literate now can help fast track your path to financial independence later.
Learn MoreThere are over 16 million credit cards* in Australia, which means for many of us, managing debt through credit cards is an everyday banking habit. Whilst they are a very useful financial tool, have you ever asked yourself “am I getting the most out of mine?”
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Here's a few tips on how to make the most of your credit card.
Know which card to use and when
Odds are you have more than one credit card in your wallet or loaded on your phone. In fact, many Australians have two plus credit cards. So be flexible to avoid surcharges and maximise your rewards point earnings by using the best credit card for the place you’re shopping at. For example, if you have an AMEX and a Visa issued credit card then opt for the Visa when businesses try to add a surcharge for AMEX.
Maximise your reward points
Introductory offers for new cardholders are a fantastic way to rapidly boost your reward point total. Google current credit card offers to see what promotions are out there but remember, these specials only last for a limited time and usually come with terms and conditions. If you’ve got more than one reward card and you’re not happy with the points you earn then consider discarding the less worthwhile card and running all your spending through the other card. Also, think about using a reward management service like awardwallet.com, which helps you manage all your reward balances in one place.
Did you know? A BOQ Specialist credit card allows you to purchase big-ticket items like equipment or cars and then make loan repayments too— all whilst being rewarded.#
Be smart with your reward points spending
It’s a happy problem to have – a heap of reward points, but now how to use them? You might have options to convert points into cash, transfer them into other loyalty programs, buy gift cards, book a vacation, or buy an actual item. This is where a lot of people waste their points on low value items. For example, using your rewards for a ticket upgrade can be better value than redeeming a ticket outright or buying a toaster from your airline’s catalogue. Try visiting pointhacks.com.au to calculate the value of your reward points and comparing the cost and benefit of different redemptions.
Get to know the fine print
Using a credit card is basically borrowing money, so every provider will have terms and conditions that come with the card. Remember, banks have had years to perfect the science of charging credit card fees. The most common being an annual fee, the average for this sits at $110^ in Australia. However, most people see it as a trade off as annual fees usually increase with features and benefits, so high-end premium credit cards will charge anywhere up to $1200 per year. Having a good idea of how you’ll use your credit card can help you decide whether the rates, fees, terms and conditions are right for you.
Know your features and benefits
Most of the attention when is comes to credit cards perks centres around cash back, miles or points – but there are other benefits that can be just as valuable, especially if you use them often. These can include insurance for rental cars and travel; purchase protection, price guarantees and extended warranties; access to exclusive airport lounges; and even roadside assistance! Make sure you’re familiar with your benefits so that you can take full advantage of all they have to offer.
Ultimately credit cards are about flexibility and convenience. With types to suit almost everyone in the market, it's important to know the ins and outs of yours to make sure the benefits outweigh the costs. It may take extra time, but it can be worth it to know that you are maximising your cards’ potential and getting a little something extra back each time you pay on plastic.
Credit card interest free period explained
Click on the link below to view our detailed explanation of CCIFP.
