Best Credit Cards

Introducing the Bankwest More Platinum MasterCard

admin — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:57:19 +0000

The Bankwest More Platinum MasterCard: The Rewards

The Bankwest More Platinum MasterCard comes with the same great features offered by the other credit cards in this range of products but at a completely new level. For example, Platinum cardholders can enjoy all the benefits of the attached rewards programs but at a higher level.

Instead of the 1.5 More Rewards points per dollar spent other cardholders can earn, with the Bankwest More Platinum MasterCard, customers can earn 2 points per dollar they spend. In terms of the Qantas Frequent Flyer rewards program, you won’t be earning 1 point for every $2 you charge to your card, but 1 point per dollar, making it an incredibly attractive card.

Not only that, but if you qualify for the Bankwest More Platinum MasterCard and make an eligible purchase within the first 2 months of becoming a customer, you receive an amazing bonus of 45,000 More Rewards points, instead of the 15,000 offered to Classic cardholders or 30,000 offered to Gold cardholders. If you opt for the Qantas Frequent Flyer rewards program instead, you still get an amazing bonus of 22,500 points, but you will still be paying the same fee of $30 per year.

With such great point-earning opportunities, you’ll be surprised at how fast all those points add up. You’ll be browsing the more than 3,000 rewards available pretty soon to pick out a few that you like. And if you decided to go with the Qantas Frequent Flyer rewards program, which is the best choice for people who travel often, you’ll be able to access a wide range of discounts and freebies that will make travelling much more comfortable and certainly cheaper.

Is There More?

This is a Platinum card, after all, so you would expect there to be more perks, and there are. First of all, you get a better interest rate with the Bankwest More Platinum MasterCard than other cardholders, at per annum.

Additionally, you get a higher level of insurance coverage than with the Gold card. The insurance policies available include coverage for airline travel, accidents as well as shopper’s insurance.

And what’s a Platinum card without a concierge hotline? Well, with the Bankwest More Platinum MasterCard you won’t have to find out because you get access to a 24/7 concierge hotline that will act like your personal assistant, helping you sort out the details of a wide range of services, including travel, shopping, medical and entertainment.

As Bankwest More Platinum MasterCard cardholder you are definitely in a league of your own, with all the perks and prestige that qualifying for a Platinum card offers.

Fees and Rates

You likely didn’t get to the point where you can qualify for a Platinum card without some great financial know-how, which is why you probably want to know what fees are involved. First off, you will be paying per year for the privilege of owning this card. On top of that, if you opt for the Qantas Frequent Flyer rewards program, you can tack on another $30 per annum. Of course, considering the benefits included, this is a small price to pay.

The purchase rate is , as previously mentioned, while the cash advance rate is . No matter how well-off you are from a financial viewpoint, it’s a good idea to avoid cash advances because the rate starts accruing the second the withdrawal is made.

The Bankwest More Platinum MasterCard is exactly what a Platinum card should be: a sign of prestige with excellent perks and amazing features. It’s definitely a card you want to take a closer look at if you are on the market for a new credit card.

Introducing the Bankwest More MasterCard

admin — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 14:57:18 +0000

An Overview of the Bankwest More MasterCard

The Bankwest More MasterCard comes with a variety of features including a great rewards program and a highly attractive balance transfer deal. Not only will you be able to take advantage of the Bankwest rewards program with this card, but you also have the option of earning Qantas Frequent Flyer points instead, if you prefer, thanks to the recent partnership between the two companies.

The Rewards Program

The Bankwest More MasterCard allows cardholders to earn at least 1.5 points per dollar charged to their card on eligible purchases, including paying bills and buying groceries. All you have to do is charge all your regular expenses to your Bankwest More MasterCard and you’ll soon accumulate plenty of points that you can exchange for any of the over 3,000 rewards the More Rewards Program offers.

To make this card even more attractive, Bankwest is offering three times the points you would normally earn if you make an eligible purchase within the first two months of receiving your Bankwest More MasterCard. This offer is valid for both Bankwest More Rewards points and Qantas Frequent Flyer points.

Note that you can opt for the Qantas version of the program by signing in to their website and selecting the More Rewards Qantas$ option. Careful, though, because there is a fee of $30 to opt in to the Qantas rewards program.

The Balance Transfer Offer

The Bankwest More MasterCard also comes with an excellent balance transfer deal. They offer balance transfer deal with a rate of , allowing you to save a lot of money while reducing your existing credit card debt. This is definitely a deal you don’t want to miss out on if you have any credit card debt you can’t seem to get rid of.

However, as with any balance transfer, you need to do your best to pay it off within the allotted time frame, or even sooner, to save as much money as possible. This is because once the 12 months are up, the rate reverts to the card’s standard purchase rate, which is per annum for Classic and Gold cards and for Platinum cards.

Rates and Fees

The purchase rate on the Bankwest More MasterCard is not necessarily the lowest on the market but the rewards program and the balance transfer deal do make the card worth considering. As long as you pay off your credit card bills in full every month, you will be able to take full advantage of the rewards program without it costing you anything.

In terms of cash advances, you can expect to pay 21.99% per annum from the moment you withdraw the money, which is why you should probably refrain unless it’s an emergency. The card comes with an annual fee of $80 for the Classic version, $120 for the Gold and $190 for the Platinum. If you opt in to the Qantas Rewards program, you can expect to pay an additional $30 per annum for the privilege.

While the Bankwest More MasterCard might not offer the most competitive rates on the market, the rewards program and balance transfer deal make it quite an attractive card. As long as you can properly manage your finances and pay off your bills in full each month, you’ll be able to earn some nice rewards without having to pay huge amounts in interest.

Bank of Melbourne Vertigo MasterCard

manvinder — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 12:54:20 +0000

Who Is the Bank of Melbourne Vertigo MasterCard For?

The Bank of Melbourne Vertigo MasterCard is a personal financial product designed specifically for people who are looking to enjoy the benefits and flexibility of a credit card while saving money. The very attractive purchase rate and the great balance transfer deal make this card the perfect option for anyone who has outstanding credit card debt or who simply prefers to save money on interest costs rather than pay a premium rate for a card with additional perks.
So, if you have a lot of credit card debt to pay off, then this is definitely the card for you because you will save a significant amount of money. Note, though, that there is a limit in terms of duration and you will only have nine months to enjoy the 0.99% interest rate on balance transfers. However, considering the amount of money you will be saving, it is probably a good idea to make an effort and repay your debt in full before the nine months are up.
As with any credit card, the goal is not to have unpaid balances rolling over from one month to the next because it will cost you an arm and a leg in interest costs and this is even truer when you have balance transfers that haven’t yet been settled in full.
If you make purchases on your card, while paying off a balance transfer, the entire amount of money you repay will go towards paying off your balance transfer and not to cover any purchases you might have made, no matter what you want. Thus, you will be incurring debt and a much higher level of interest, which is why it is advisable to refrain from using the Bank of Melbourne Vertigo MasterCard for purchases while you have an outstanding balance transfer waiting to be paid off.

Features and Benefits

As previously mentioned, the Bank of Melbourne Vertigo MasterCard is a credit card with few bells and whistles, but it does come with some very attractive features, namely a highly competitive rate and an excellent balance transfer deal. At 13.24% per annum, this credit card certainly offers one of the best deals on the market, and if you are ever in the position of being unable to pay your credit card bill in full, you will save a lot of money in interest costs with this card.
However, you do have 55 days during which you won’t be charged interest, allowing you take advantage of your card for free. But, you should try to do everything you can to pay off your bill but especially to refrain from spending more than your budget allows, which will help you stay out of debt.
Additionally, the 0.99% interest rate on balance transfers that is valid up to nine months makes it a great tool to get your debt under control. You can transfer any existing credit card debt, as long as it is from a different lender, and you will be able to enjoy this extremely low rate, allowing you to pay off your debt faster.
Remember, the faster you pay off your debt, the cheaper it will be for you since the interest costs will be much lower. And with a 0.99% rate over nine months, it has never been easier to pay off existing credit card debt.
The concept behind the Bank of Melbourne Vertigo MasterCard is to provide customers with a card that offers them the flexibility they need without them having to pay an arm and a leg for features they will probably rarely use. In this vein, the annual fee is only $55, exactly due to the fact that it doesn’t feature rewards programs or other perks that would only cost more money, which some people simply can’t see the point of paying, especially if they don’t use these extras.
You should keep in mind, though, that while the other rates are attractive, the cash advance rate is quite steep at 21.49%. And with no interest free period, you probably want to stay away from cash advances unless it is a serious emergency.

The Bank of Melbourne Vertigo MasterCard Is Extremely Secure

One of the advantages of a credit card is security. If someone steals your wallet and you have $500 in cash in it, then you are never going to see that cash again. It’s gone. However, if all your cash is safely in your account and you only have your Bank of Melbourne Vertigo MasterCard in your wallet, then you can save yourself a lot of money by simply making a call and reporting your card lost or stolen, while your money is quite safe in your account.
Additionally, the credit card itself is highly secure, as all transactions are monitored by the Falcon Fraud system, which watches your account 24/7. If the system considers an incoming transaction as being unusual, compared to your regular spending habits, it will be flagged and you will be called to confirm or deny the transaction. This makes the Bank of Melbourne Vertigo MasterCard a highly secure credit card, which means you won’t have any nasty surprises.
The Bank of Melbourne Vertigo MasterCard might be a relatively basic card, with few bells and whistles, but that’s exactly what makes this card so attractive. By doing away with all the extras, Bank of Melbourne has been able to create a highly competitive credit card and, more often than not, people are more impressed by competitive rates, great balance transfer deals and low fees than flashy extras like rewards programs, which is why so many people opt for this card.

Commonwealth Bank Diamond Awards Credit Card

admin — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 01:00:16 +0000

What Does the Commonwealth Bank Diamond Awards Credit Card Offer?

The Commonwealth Bank Diamond Awards Credit Card comes with a wide range of features, including an attractive rewards program, two credit cards linked to the same account, a practically unlimited selection of rewards, various insurance policies and many premium extras that money simply can’t buy. So, what exactly does this credit card offer? Let’s take a closer look.

The Rewards Program

Considering that this is the Diamond Awards credit card, it makes sense to look at the rewards program first. As you would expect from such a highly prestigious card, the rewards program is just as prestigious. Not only is there a very high cap on the number of points you can earn per year, but the two different cards that are linked to your account make it easier than ever to earn as many points as possible.

When you sign up for the Diamond Awards card, you will actually be getting two cards, a MasterCard and an American Express, each with their own benefits. With the Commonwealth Bank Diamond Awards MasterCard you can earn up to 1.25 Awards point per dollar spent on your card. On the other hand, when using your Commonwealth Bank Diamond Awards American Express card, you can earn up to 3 points per dollar spent.

This rewards program has the highest cap of all Commonwealth Bank credit cards, allowing customers to earn up to one million Awards points per year or 500,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer points. If you travel frequently, it would probably be a wise choice to opt for the Qantas Rewards program, even if the Awards program offers a wide selection of travel related awards as well. To ensure you are making the right choice, it’s a good option to study the travel-related rewards offered by both programs and decide which suits you best. For example, the Awards program offers free flights on certain airlines and to certain destinations, just like the Qantas rewards program but they can differ, which could have an impact on your travel plans.

Both programs offer a wide range of rewards and there aren’t that many differences between them, except that you will have to pay an annual fee of $10 if you decide to link to the Qantas Rewards program. Although, if you decide to transfer your Awards points by opting in for the Qantas Rewards program, the exchange rate is 2 Awards points for 1 Qantas Frequent Flyer point.

If you prefer another frequent flyer program, you can exchange your Awards points for Velocity points from the Virgin Australia frequent flyer program or for Air New Zealand Airpoints dollars. The exchange rate is 2 Awards points for 1 Velocity Point or 160 Awards points for one Airpoint Dollar.

When it comes to redeeming points, the Diamond Awards credit card is truly unique because customers are given the option to choose whatever they desire as a reward and it will be arranged for them, even if the reward in question is not part of the many great offers already available. You can even opt to make the purchase yourself and receive cash back. Note, though, that if you do choose to go this route, you will only receive the value in cash of the Awards points you have earned, even if the value of the item you purchased is higher.

On the other hand, if you choose to take a simpler route, you can select a reward from the extensive range of offers Commonwealth Bank has for you. From gift cards, merchandise and travel rewards to cash back, the sky’s the limit.

In terms of travel related rewards, you can redeem your points for flights, cruises, accommodation, holiday packages and a lot more. To do so, simply call 1300 165 033 or navigate to the Commonwealth Awards website if you are looking for a domestic or South Pacific flight or accommodation.

If you opt to receive cash back for your Awards points, you can use it to make your repayments and it then becomes available for you to spend however you see fit.

At this level, the Commonwealth Bank Diamond Awards Credit Card comes with a highly flexible rewards program and all you have to do is call up the bank and ask if you want something that isn’t spelled out clearly. In all likelihood, Commonwealth Bank will be able to make it happen.

Living Life in Style with the Commonwealth Bank Diamond Awards Credit Card

The Commonwealth Bank Diamond Awards Credit Card comes with many other premium extras including travel and shopping benefits. And if you want to enjoy some unique experiences that even money can’t buy, then this credit card is definitely the way to go.

Travel Related Benefits

Besides a wide range of insurance policies that will allow you to enjoy travelling in complete safety, you also get some premium extras when it comes to travel. First of all, if you’ve ever wanted to visit any exotic destinations or simply go on the ultimate luxurious holiday, then Commonwealth Bank can arrange it for you thanks to their partnership with a boutique travel agency that specialises in organising unforgettable holidays that deliver unique experiences or simply relaxing trips in the lap of luxury.

When using your Commonwealth Bank Diamond Awards Credit Card to purchase a Travel Money Card, the fee will be waived. The Travel Money Card is a unique card that holds up to six currencies at a time. You can load cash on to the card before leaving the country and this way you can avoid paying the relatively high fees associated with foreign currency exchange when travelling abroad.

Shopping Benefits

Did you forget to buy your wife flowers and it’s her birthday? Do you need dinner reservations at a fancy restaurant and tickets for a show? Did you forget to pick up your husband’s dry cleaning? Well, with your Commonwealth Bank Diamond Awards Credit Card you don’t need to worry because you have access to your own concierge service round the clock. No matter where you are or what you need, just call 13 16 61, and you will receive the help you need.

Additionally, you also gain access to a wide range of privileges and amazing offers, from the Global eshop that lets you shop online at US stores that do not accept Australian cards or do not ship to Australia to a wide range of offers and savings through American Express Selects. To find out what offers are available, please visit http://www.amexselects.com.au.

Entertainment and Unique Experiences

You not only get some great shopping and travel benefits, but also a few other perks that we’re sure you will have a hard time resisting. First of all, you will be able to gain exclusive access to some amazing experiences and events. For example, who could say no to receiving expert driving tips at the Melbourne Grand Prix or a little shopping excursion with a celebrity fashionista after hours? These are experiences money can’t buy but you can enjoy with the help of your Commonwealth Bank Diamond Awards Credit Card.

Likewise, with MasterCard Applause, you can enjoy exclusive access to some of the biggest sporting events and entertainment in Australia. This includes significant discounts, great seats and pre-sale periods.

With the Commonwealth Bank Diamond Awards Credit Card you can truly enjoy the finer things in life and you can do it in style.

Included Insurance Policies

As previously mentioned, the Commonwealth Bank Diamond Awards Credit Card features some great insurance policies that will make you a much happier shopper and traveller.

If you use your Commonwealth Bank Diamond Awards Credit Card to purchase your return tickets before leaving the country, you will receive complimentary international travel insurance. You will feel much safer when travelling, knowing that you and your family are protected by a wide range of insurance policies. Since you are a Diamond Awards credit cardholder, insurance is valid for trips of up to twelve months.

When you activate your travel insurance policy, you will have coverage for a wide range of issues, including medical and hospital expenses, loss of personal items or damage, unexpected cancellation of travel plans, legal liability, loss of income and much more. There’s nothing worse than getting sick or ending up injured while travelling overseas, especially in a country like the U.S. where the cost of medical services is exorbitant. If you need to air-lifted back to Australia, the costs are downright staggering so why pay for them out of pocket when you can be protected by your Diamonds Award card complimentary insurance policy.

Even though we prefer not to think about it, accidental death is possible while travelling so why make your family’s life even more difficult when this insurance policy will provide your family with everything they need, including cash to cover your funeral expenses and much more. Your family will have enough to deal with, without adding financial issues to their plate. You just need to be realistic and understand that things can and do go wrong, so it’s best to be safe rather than sorry.

As part of your complimentary insurance you can also receive emergency medical assistance while travelling overseas as well as help with many other things like the help of an interpreter to help with documents and local authorities if required. All you have to do is call +61 2 9995 2021 and provide them with the documents proving you are eligible for the service and you will taken care of right away.

You can even make a claim while travelling, so you don’t have to wait to receive the funds and cut your trip short. Simply call the same number and you will be informed of the documentation you need to provide. Everything will then be taken care of quickly and easily.

You will also get extended warranty insurance and purchase security insurance when making purchases with your Diamond Awards card. With extended warranty insurance, you get an additional 12 months over the manufacturer’s warranty, meaning you will be protected from Murphy’s law that says the second your warranty runs out, the item in question will break.

Additionally, with the purchase security insurance policy, any products you purchase on your Diamond Awards card will be covered against damage, loss or theft for up to three months from the date of purchase.

With some much insurance available, you will never have to worry again when travelling or shopping. Just remember to charge everything to your Diamond Awards card to activate the policies and you will be completely safe.

Rates and Fees

The Diamond Awards credit card features a purchase rate of and a cash advance rate of . However, you do get a 55 day interest free period on your purchases, so if you pay your credit card bills in full every month, you can avoid paying interest.

The annual fee is or $395 for qualifying customers, namely customers who hold a qualifying Commonwealth Bank account or loan when applying for the Diamond Awards card.

The Commonwealth Bank Diamond Awards credit card is truly a unique and prestigious card. With so many perks and benefits, it’s well worth the relatively high annual fee. So, if you are looking for something special when it comes to your credit card, because you deserve it after all, then this is definitely the card for you. It only takes moments to apply since it can be done online and you can soon be enjoying all of life’s little luxuries with the help of Commonwealth Bank.

Bank of Melbourne Amplify Credit Card

manvinder — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:00:25 +0000

Why the Bank of Melbourne Amplify Credit Card?

Choosing a credit card can be difficult, especially with the extensive range of financial products available on the Australian market. However, if you are in the market for a great card with some terrific rewards, then you really should consider the Bank of Melbourne Amplify credit card because it marries an excellent rewards program with a low fee and it also makes accruing points as easy and fast as possible.

One of the reasons you should definitely consider this card is the low annual fee, which is practically unheard of with a card that features such great rewards programs. At $79 per year, this card offers an host of benefits but at a fraction of the cost of a regular rewards card.

Another reason you should definitely be considering this card is the great rewards programs. You can choose either the Amplify Rewards program or the Amplify Qantas program. Both rewards programs offer great gifts and make it as simple as possible to earn points. IT only takes a few clicks and you’ll soon start accruing points, which you can later redeem for a wide range of products or services.

The Amplify Rewards Program

The Amplify Rewards program is active by default on your card and you can earn 1 Amplify point for every dollar you spend on your Bank of Melbourne Amplify credit card. These points can then be redeemed for a wide range of products and services, from appliances, gift cards, entertainment and charitable donations to free flights on any of the large airlines, free accommodation, holiday packages and much more.

Additionally, with the Amplify Rewards program, you can convert your points in airline points or miles with Virgin Blue and their Velocity program, the Malaysia Airlines Enrich program and the Singapore Airlines Krisflyer program.

Clearly, the Amplify Rewards program offers an extensive range of benefits and is an excellent option for anyone.

The Amplify Qantas Rewards Program

If you travel frequently, then it will probably make sense for you to opt in to the Amplify Qantas Rewards program. This way you have another channel through which you can earn frequent flyer points. For every $2 you spend on your Amplify card, you will be able to earn one Qantas Frequent Flyer point. You can earn even more points by shopping with Qantas Frequent Flyer partners, and the list is quite extensive, covering a wide range of products and services.

In terms of rewards, the most popular when it comes to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program are travel-related. For example, you can redeem your points for free tickets, upgrade you seats and much more. Additionally, if you are not that interested in travelling, or would simply prefer something else in exchange, then the Qantas Frequent Flyer online store is the place to visit as you will be able to browse an extensive list of over 1,200 products, services and vouchers.

The Balance Transfer Deal

The Bank of Melbourne Amplify credit card features a balance transfer deal that you definitely don’t want to turn down, especially if you are someone with significant credit card debt. Thus , for the first six months you will able to enjoy a highly competitive rate of 0.99%.

The key to taking full advantage of this offer is to make sure that you pay off your balance transfer in full before the promotional period is up. This is because the rate then reverts to the standard purchase rate, so if you want to maximise your savings, then you need to clear your outstanding balance transfer before that happens.

It’s also worth noting that you probably shouldn’t use your Amplify card to make purchases for the duration of the balance transfer. Every cent you pay will automatically go towards clearing out the cheaper debt, in this case the balance transfer, which means that the more expensive debt will continue to accrue interest until the balance transfer is paid in full. Thus, you are essentially negating any of the benefits of the balance transfer, so you have better refrain from taking your card out on a trip to the mall.

The Bank of Melbourne Amplify Credit Card: Rates

This credit card doesn’t feature some of the best rates in town, but it does come with some excellent perks, which is what makes this card so attractive. However, the rate isn’t the most expensive either, at 18.74% per annum. And since you have 55 days of no interest, you literally have very little reason to end up with an unpaid balance.

The cash advance rate on this card is 20.74% and you will also pay a 2% fee for taking out cash. That’s why you are probably better off using your card simply for regular purchases and service payment.

In terms of other fees, these are essentially on par with other credit cards Bank of Melbourne has issued. For example, if you exceed your credit limit, it will cost you $9. Likewise, you will incur a $9 fee for every late or missed payment.

If you lose your credit card or it gets stolen, you will have to pay $15 for it to be replaced if you are in Australia and $52.50 if you are overseas.

While the Amplify credit card doesn’t offer the best rate in town, the two rewards programs are the key to it being a resounding success and attractive to many people. You will find that accruing points is quite easy and you’ll soon get to the point where you are searching for the perfect reward for you.

The Bank of Melbourne Amplify credit card is a great rewards credit card that features a terrific balance transfer deal, which will allow you to get your existing credit card debt under control quickly.

Bank of Melbourne Platinum Visa Credit Card

manvinder — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:56:34 +0000

What Does the Bank of Melbourne Platinum Visa Credit Card Offer?

As you would expect from a Platinum card, customers gain a significant number of benefits when they receive the Bank of Melbourne Platinum Visa Credit Card. From various types of insurance featuring a high level of coverage to some excellent rates and fees, this is definitely a Platinum card with a twist.

Most Platinum cards incur relatively high interest rates and fees, which is what makes the Bank of Melbourne Platinum Visa Credit Card stand out from the card. This is a credit card that comes with fees and rates that are comparable to more basic credit card options, yet it features all the perks you would expect from a Platinum card.

Some of the premium extras this card features include a wide range of insurance policies, covering both travel and shopping, such as:

•    A 12 month warranty extension;
•    International travel insurance;
•    Domestic flight delay insurance;
•    Purchase cover insurance;
•    Transit accident insurance;
•    Price guarantee insurance.

And to take advantage of all of these policies, all you have to do is use your card to make the purchase, either of the item or air tickets, to activate the corresponding insurance coverage.

Other benefits the Bank of Melbourne Platinum Visa Credit Card features include a great promotional balance transfer rate at 3.99% per annum for six months, as well as a concierge service. So, let’s take a closer look at all of these perks.

Warranty Extension

If something can go wrong, it generally will and when it comes to items that come with a warranty, they always seem to break down one day after the manufacturer’s warranty has expired. However, with your Platinum card, that will no longer be a problem because all you have to do is use your card to pay for the product in question and the warranty will automatically be extended for another 12 months.

International Travel Insurance

There’s absolutely nothing worse than going on a holiday or a trip abroad and ending up in hospital, whether due to illness or injury. If you don’t have great medical insurance, you can end up paying through the nose, especially in countries with high medical costs.

This insurance policy offers coverage for the entire family for trips up to three months, including unlimited medical expenses, $15,000 per person if any personal items are lost or damaged and unlimited coverage if your trip is cancelled. You also get $2.5 million for personal legal liability cover.

All you have to do to enjoy your holiday in peace of mind is purchase your tickets using your Bank of Melbourne Platinum Visa Credit Card. Another advantage is that you’ll automatically activate the insurance policy so you don’t have to worry about taking care of insurance for your trip, which will cost time and money, because it will done for you automatically.

Domestic Flight Delays

Another insurance policy that is activated with the purchase of air tickets on your Platinum card is the travel delay insurance. This means that if you are going on a holiday that is no longer than 14 days in Australia, and your domestic flight is delayed you will receive compensation to cover costs such as damage to personal items, rental car excess, accommodation, food and more.

Purchase Cover Insurance

Buying something only to have it damaged, stolen or to lose it within the three months of purchasing it can be quite disheartening. However, with the purchase cover insurance this Platinum card features, you will no longer have to worry about this because you will receive compensation to replace or repair the item in question.

Transit Accident Insurance

In the terrible event that you are involved in an accident while travelling by train, ferry, bus or plane outside Australia, you can rest easy knowing that you and your family will be taken care of. You or your family will be entitled to up to $750,000 if accidental death occurs or serious injury. All you have to do to make sure your family is looked after, is to make sure you use your Bank of Melbourne Platinum Visa Credit Card to purchase your tickets.

Price Guarantee Cover

Everyone loves to hunt for a bargain and there’s nothing worse than finding an item you recently purchased at a much lower price. With price guarantee coverage, though, you will be able to claim back the price difference, as long as it exceeds $75 and you found the same product within 25 km from where you initially made the purchase. Note, that you have to file the claim within 21 days of buying said item, so you don’t have a lot of time at your disposal.

Rates and Fees

Besides the premium perks this card features, there are also a few other nice benefits. For one, you can save a significant amount of money thanks to the competitive rate of 15.99% as well as the 3.99% balance transfer rate. This will allow you to save a significant amount of cash on existing credit card debt.

Likewise, the annual fee is surprisingly low for a Platinum credit card at only $89. This is truly a card for someone who wants to enjoy all the perks of a Platinum card while saving money. And since saving money is one of the goals of this credit card, you also have 55 days interest free, which makes it a lot easier to keep your interest costs down, especially if you can keep up with your payments and repay your bills in full at the end of every month.

The Bank of Melbourne Platinum Visa Credit Card is the perfect card as it marries the premium extra of Platinum cards with the rates and fees charged by more basic options. Thus, if you are looking for a great credit card, you can’t go wrong with the Bank of Melbourne Platinum Visa Credit Card.

HSBC Platinum Qantas Visa Card

admin — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:49:04 +0000

Taking Advantage of the HSBC Platinum Qantas Visa Card

The HSBC Platinum Qantas Visa credit card offers plenty of ways for card holders to enjoy the benefits of being a premier cardholder. As the card is a VISA, it can be used to pay for purchases at any of millions of retail outlets or stores around the world, wherever the VISA logo is displayed.

However, it’s the added benefits that HSBC and Qantas have combined into this card that really make it stand out.

Qantas Frequent Flyer Benefits

Australians that travel frequently or even those about to travel overseas for the first time can benefit owning this credit card. If the customer isn’t already a member of the Qantas program, complimentary membership is included with the HSBC Platinum Qantas Visa credit card.

Card holders will earn the usual single point for every $1 they spend on the credit card to pay for eligible purchases. However, for every dollar spent on purchases made overseas, that same cardholder will be rewarded with 2 points for each dollar that is spent.

On top of this, Qantas will happily issue two complimentary invitations to enter the Qantas international business lounge, or the Qantas Club, every year.

Platinum VISA Benefits

Some of the biggest advantages of owning a prestige credit card include having access to exclusive offers and events that other credit card owners simply don’t get. These include a wide array of complimentary insurance policies that offer coverage while travelling, or even cover the items purchased using the card.

HSBC Platinum Qantas Visa cardholders will also be treated to privileges that include exclusive invitations to selected premier events. Preferred seating is often available for premier customers at selected venues and events, and pre-release ticket offers are often issued for some entertainment events that allow customers to get in early and secure only the best possible seats. Cardholders may also be able to upgrade regular tickets to concerts to include backstage passes.

Add to this the convenience of having a personal concierge at your service at any time of the night or day. No matter where you are in the world, you’re able to call your concierge to assist you to make bookings at a restaurant near your hotel, arrange a limousine to get you to your destination, or practically anything else you need assistance with.

With so many perks and benefits, it’s easy to see why the HSBC Platinum Qantas Visa credit card stands out above the rest.

Bankwest More Gold MasterCard

admin — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:42:10 +0000

If you’re lucky enough to have the credit rating and financial stability to qualify for a More Gold MasterCard then you’re already well on your way. Because Gold MasterCard customers are obviously a more high profile customer Bankwest wants to ensure that they feel valued from the very outset and to that end your More Gold MasterCard will come with 10,000 of the More Reward points already included with it – once it’s activated.

How Does The Reward System Work

The premise behind any credit card reward system is always pretty simple – you spend more cash and they give you more points and the Bankwest cards work the exact same way. When you spend $1 on eligible purchases with your More MasterCard you earn 1.5 points towards a future reward – from a catalogue of almost 3,000 rewards in total.

Based on that you’re probably thinking it’s going to take forever to build up all those extra points you need (over and above the 10,000 you got at the start of course) for the really big reward you want right? But you can nominate up to 3 users for each More MasterCard so if all those people are buying their groceries, fuel and paying their bills with the card it shouldn’t take a long time to build up the points you need.

You do also have the option of opting-in to the Qantas Frequent Flyer Points program instead – especially if you wind up travelling quite a bit for work or personal reasons. Basically you get 1 Frequent Flyer point for every $2 eligible purchase that’s made with the More Gold MasterCard plus if you use your More MasterCard to book your flight you also get international travel insurance for any journey or trip lasting up to 90-days at absolutely no cost to you – another perk of being a Gold card owner.

Balance Transfer Option

All new Bankwest More MasterCard customers can avail of a balance transfer rate of . The only provision is that your existing card has to have an existing balance of $500.

Payment Protection

Do you shop online a lot? Or do you just shop a lot full stop? In that case you probably understand the critical importance of having payment protection and Bankwest certainly do. So to make sure you can shop with 100% peace of mind your More Gold MasterCard offers you full payment protection on all purchases made for 90-days from the initial date of purchase.

Gold MasterCard APR

This card comes with an APR of on normal purchases which is a bit above normal when compared to similar cards. You also wind up paying for any cash advances you make from ATMs so you need to avoid doing that except in cases of absolute emergency.

Other Fees?

This card has an annual fee of $120 but this is obviously counterbalanced by the provision of 10,000 More Reward points on card activation. If you go over your card limit then a $35 penalty applies for doing that and if you don’t make your card payment on time you’ll wind up paying a $30 late payment fee.

If you’ve been looking for a Gold MasterCard with a great and varied reward system then you can do an awful lot worse than signing up for the Bankwest More Gold MasterCard – the application form and 10,000 reward points is just a click away.

Bank of Melbourne Amplify Credit Card

admin — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:40:28 +0000

Why the Bank of Melbourne Amplify Credit Card?

One of the reasons you should definitely consider this card is the low annual fee, which is practically unheard of with a card that features such great rewards programs. At $79 per year, this card offers an host of benefits but at a fraction of the cost of a regular rewards card.

Another reason you should definitely be considering this card is the great rewards programs. You can choose either the Amplify Rewards program or the Amplify Qantas program. Both rewards programs offer great gifts and make it as simple as possible to earn points. IT only takes a few clicks and you’ll soon start accruing points, which you can later redeem for a wide range of products or services.

The Amplify Rewards Program

Additionally, with the Amplify Rewards program, you can convert your points in airline points or miles with Virgin Blue and their Velocity program, the Malaysia Airlines Enrich program and the Singapore Airlines Krisflyer program.

Clearly, the Amplify Rewards program offers an extensive range of benefits and is an excellent option for anyone.

The Amplify Qantas Rewards Program

In terms of rewards, the most popular when it comes to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program are travel-related. For example, you can redeem your points for free tickets, upgrade you seats and much more. Additionally, if you are not that interested in travelling, or would simply prefer something else in exchange, then the Qantas Frequent Flyer online store is the place to visit as you will be able to browse an extensive list of over 1,200 products, services and vouchers.

The Balance Transfer Deal

The key to taking full advantage of this offer is to make sure that you pay off your balance transfer in full before the promotional period is up. This is because the rate then reverts to the standard purchase rate, so if you want to maximise your savings, then you need to clear your outstanding balance transfer before that happens.

It’s also worth noting that you probably shouldn’t use your Amplify card to make purchases for the duration of the balance transfer. Every cent you pay will automatically go towards clearing out the cheaper debt, in this case the balance transfer, which means that the more expensive debt will continue to accrue interest until the balance transfer is paid in full. Thus, you are essentially negating any of the benefits of the balance transfer, so you have better refrain from taking your card out on a trip to the mall.

The Bank of Melbourne Amplify Credit Card: Rates

The cash advance rate on this card is and you will also pay a 2% fee for taking out cash. That’s why you are probably better off using your card simply for regular purchases and service payment.

In terms of other fees, these are essentially on par with other credit cards Bank of Melbourne has issued. For example, if you exceed your credit limit, it will cost you $9. Likewise, you will incur a $9 fee for every late or missed payment.

If you lose your credit card or it gets stolen, you will have to pay $15 for it to be replaced if you are in Australia and $52.50 if you are overseas.

While the Amplify credit card doesn’t offer the best rate in town, the two rewards programs are the key to it being a resounding success and attractive to many people. You will find that accruing points is quite easy and you’ll soon get to the point where you are searching for the perfect reward for you.

The Bank of Melbourne Amplify credit card is a great rewards credit card that features a terrific balance transfer deal, which will allow you to get your existing credit card debt under control quickly.

Bank of Melbourne Gold Low Rate Credit Card

admin — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:40:25 +0000

The Bank of Melbourne Gold Low Rate Credit Card: Features and Benefits

The Bank of Melbourne Gold Low Rate credit card features competitive variable rates, with per annum on purchases and on cash advances. You also get to enjoy a 55 day interest free period, if you have paid the closing balance of your bill completely by the date when it’s due. Not only do you get to enjoy some great rates, but you also have access to some excellent complimentary insurance policies. For example, you can travel without having to worry about anything because you will be covered for overseas travel as well as accidents occurring while in transit. The overseas travel insurance policy helps to protect your family for the duration of overseas trips that exceed three months. You get a wide range of benefits, including unlimited coverage for medical expenses in case of injury or illness, up to $10,000 for each person in case something happens to your personal belongings, such as being damaged, lost or stolen. Your travel documents will also be insured up to $300, so that you can replace them if they go missing. This travel insurance policy also includes unlimited coverage for cancelled trips if the cancellation was caused by an event outside of your control. If your trip is delayed during transit for more than 6 hours, you will receive compensation worth $375 per person for accommodation and food. This policy also covers you for retail vehicle excess, up to $2,250 as well as personal legal liability up to $2.5 million. The complimentary transit accident insurance cover will compensate you with up to $250,000 if something happens to you while travelling overseas using mass transit, including planes, ferries, trains or buses. The other type of insurance policy provides an extended warranty as well as coverage against theft, loss or damage of any items you purchase. This means that you will be able to enjoy an extra 12 months warranty over anything that Australian manufacturers already offer and if you lose, damage or have your purchases stolen, you will receive sufficient compensation to repair the damage or completely replace the item itself. To activate these policies all you have to do is use your Bank of Melbourne Gold Low Rate credit card to make the purchase. Thus, for the travel insurance to kick in, you have to buy your air tickets with your Gold credit card. The same also goes for purchase insurance, meaning that items must be paid for with your Gold credit card. You will also find that the Bank of Melbourne Gold Low Rate credit card is a highly secure card because all accounts are being monitored around the clock by the Falcon Fraud monitoring system that identifies suspicious transactions. Once such a transaction is found, you will receive a call to verify whether or not you performed the transaction. This reduces the incidence of fraud significantly, making this a very safe card.

Rates and Fees

As the name of the card suggests, this Gold card features a competitive variable rate of on purchases. The cash advance rate is quite similar to many other financial products at . However, considering that you have 55 days of no interest when using your card to make a purchase, you should consider using that to your fullest advantage and avoiding cash advances as much as possible. When transferring money or withdrawing it from an ATM, which are both considered to be cash advance transactions, the interest starts accruing right away. Surprisingly, the fees are on par with more basic versions of this product, so you will only be paying an annual fee of , but you will also be charged fees and penalties if you make a mistake. For example, if you are late in making your repayments, you will have to pay a fee of $9. You will also pay the same fee if you go over your limit as well as for dishonouring payments under the automatic payment plan.

The Application Process

Applying is as simple as sitting in front of your computer and filling out a form. You can apply online and should receive a response writing a few minutes, at most. When getting ready to fill out the form, you will need information such as your driver’s licence, income details after tax, other debts you have outstanding and so on. Once you have all the information you need, it won’t take you more than 10 minutes to fill out the form and submit it. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you can’t go to a branch or apply by phone, but doing so online is the simplest way.

Who Is the Bank of Melbourne Gold Low Rate Credit Card For?

The Bank of Melbourne Gold Low Rate credit card is a perfect option for anyone who travels extensively. Not only do you not have to bring tons of cash with you, which could easily be stolen from you, but you also get some great insurance coverage, simply by using your card to pay for your purchases. Note, though, that when travelling overseas, you will also incur a foreign currency conversion fee equivalent to 3% of the total amount being withdrawn from the ATM or being transferred. This is why it might be an idea to have some local currency with you to avoid these extra fees as much as you can. Thus, if you are a savvy shopper and are looking for a great card that features excellent rates and benefits as well as some great perks for when you are travelling, then the Bank of Melbourne Gold Low Rate credit card is definitely a great option for you. This inexpensive card is worth every penny considering all the perks it comes with.