If you spend a lot on fuel you should have the right credit card in your wallet — doing so could easily boost your frequent flyer points earning capability from a standard card with no fuel-specific points bonuses.
With those boosted points from fuel, you could be on your way to new trips, free upgrades or more. Whether it’s the school run, for work or rideshare, here are a few points-earning credit cards that offer bonus points at fuel outlets.
Credit cards that offer additional points on fuel
Some credit cards offer a boosted earn rate whenever you purchase fuel and goods from service stations. Both American Express and Citibank have flexible rewards programs, where you can transfer those points to a frequent flyer scheme of your choice later on.
1. American Express Platinum Edge
- 3 Membership Rewards points per A$1
- Equivalent to 1.5 frequent flyer points per A$1, when transferred
The American Express Platinum Edge offers a massive 3 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent. However, its value is halved since most airline transfer partners use a 2:1 transfer rate.
Membership Rewards points can be transferred over to programs such as Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer and Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer program, among many others. You’ll also receive a travel credit with this card, which more than offsets the $195 annual fee.
American Express Platinum Edge
- Rewards Earn Rate:
- 3 Membership Rewards points earned per $1 spent at major supermarkets and petrol stations. 2 Membership Rewards points earned per $1 on overseas spend. 1 Membership Rewards point per $1 spent everywhere else including ATO, other government charges and utilities
- Annual Fee:
- $0 in the first year, $195 p.a.
- The American Express Platinum Edge Card is offering $0 annual Card Fee (usually $195) in the first year for new Card Members. The card comes with a $200 travel credit each year it is renewed, Smartphone Screen Cover and earns 3 points per $1 at major supermarkets and petrol stations, and 2 points per $1 on overseas spend.
2. David Jones American Express
- 3 Membership Rewards points or 1.5 Qantas Points per A$1
- Equivalent to 1.5 frequent flyer points per A$1, when transferred
Both the American Express David Jones card and the higher-tier American Express David Jones Platinum Card offer a boosted rate on supermarket and fuel purchases – that’s also 3 Membership Rewards points per dollar (or 1.5 Qantas Points if you choose the Qantas option.)
3. Citi Premier and Citi Prestige cards
- 1.5 Citi Rewards points per A$1 for the Citi Premier Card
- 2 Citi Rewards points per A$1 for the Citi Prestige Card
Citi Rewards is partners with Velocity Frequent Flyer, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and Emirates Skywards. Certain cards (such as the Citi Premier card opted into Qantas Rewards) can also earn Qantas Points.
The Citi Premier Card earns 1.5 Citi Rewards Points per dollar, while that rate is boosted to 2 points per dollar for the Citi Prestige. Points can be transferred to partner programs starting at 2:1 for Velocity.
Citi Premier Card - Luxury Escapes offer
- Sign-up Bonus:
- $750 Luxury Escapes Gift Card
- Rewards Earn Rate:
- 2 Citi reward Points per $1 spent on Eligible Transactions online or overseas and 1 Citi reward Point per $1 spent on Eligible Transactions everywhere else, capped at 200,000 Citi reward Points over a 12-month period
- Annual Fee:
- $150 for the first year and each subsequent year if you spend $48,000 on eligible purchases or cash advances in the previous year, otherwise $300 p.a. ongoing
- The Citi Premier Card offers a $750 Luxury Escapes Gift Card with $7,000 spend on eligible purchases within 90 days from approval, plus a reduced first year annual fee of $150 (usually $300) for new cardholders who apply by 30 April 2024. The card earns up to 2 Citi reward Points per dollar on eligible transactions and includes two complimentary Priority Pass airport lounge visits each year, plus the ability to earn Citi reward Points and redeem them for a statement credit or transfer them to participating partners.
Citi Prestige Card
- Sign-up Bonus:
- 250,000 bonus Citi reward Points
- Rewards Earn Rate:
- 3 Citi reward points per $1 for Eligible Transactions made directly with major airlines, hotel chains and restaurants in Australia, and International Spend. 2 Citi reward Points per $1 on on Eligible Transactions made directly with major supermarkets, petrol outlets and national retailers. 1 Citi reward Point per $1 spent everywhere else on eligible spend
- Annual Fee:
- 700 p.a. ongoing
- 250,000 bonus Citi reward Points are on offer for new cardholders of the Citi Prestige credit card who spend $10,000 on eligible purchases within 90 days from approval. It comes with a vast range of perks including unlimited Priority Pass airport lounge access for you and one guest, "4th Night on Us" benefit when you book 4 consecutive nights at a range of hotels with Luxury Escapes, and one complimentary airport transfer per year up to the value of $100. This product is provided by National Australia Bank Limited, using certain trademarks temporarily under license from Citigroup Inc.
Other fuel and points earning opportunities
Depending on where you buy fuel, you can also pick up bonus points on top of what you’re earning with the credit cards above:
- BP and Qantas: Up to 2 Qantas Points per litre of fuel (BP Ultimate) and 1 point per $2 spent in-store
- Caltex/Ampol and Everyday Rewards: 1 Everyday Rewards point (0.5 Qantas Points) per dollar spent on fuel and in-store at participating Caltex and Ampol outlets
- Coles Express and Flybuys: 1 Flybuys point (0.5 Velocity Points) per $2 spent on fuel and in-store, and up to an additional 8 points per litre fuelled if you opt for that instead of the 4c/L discount.
- 7-Eleven and Velocity: Coming soon in mid-2021 if approved by regulatory authorities.
Summing up
For most people, having a boosted fuel earn rate won’t be the main factor in choosing what credit card to apply for. But if you do happen to fuel up a lot for work or personal reasons, then it’s definitely worth checking out to see if you could benefit more in the long term.
What petrol station partnership appeals the most to you?
This article was originally written by Matt Moffit.
I have found that combining my Flybuys with my Velocity is the best points earner. After doing my shopping at Coles where they run frequent promos offering up to 10,000 FB points (4300 velocity) for weekly shopping over 4 weeks I also get the 8 points per litre vouchers which convert to a decent amount of velocity points as well.
This can be leveraged a bit more, if you also have an Entertainment Book you can buy Wish gift cards at 5% off, because Woolworths are a supermarket you get 3ppd from Woolworths if using the Edge for this spend. Then use the Wish card wat Woolworths/Caltex stores for petrol and if you swipe uour WOW EDR card you may get discounts and/or Qantas points.
Steve,
I’m keen to find out if this is actually the case. I do as you do, and buy the gift cards through Entertainment Book, but on my statement the charge is from Everyday Gift Cards, not Woolworths, so I wonder if Amex still classifies that as a supermarket purchase. Would be good if anyone could provide the answer.
If they did it would probably prompt me to get this card.
I use the platinum edge and can confirm Everyday Gift Cards registers as a super market purchase for three MR points per dollar!
A great point hack
I also recently found out with the everyday rewards card instead of getting the 4c/litre discount you can choose to get 2 points per litre at Woolworths branded Caltex petrol stations