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Debit Cards with Frequent Flyer Points

Compare and find the best debit cards with frequent flyer points here with Savvy so you can maximise your rewards.  

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, updated on September 13th, 2023       

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Mastercard $0 0%
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site-logos ING Orange Everyday
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Visa $0 0%
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Rebates on ATM fees anywhere in Oz. No ING international transaction fees. Zero monthly fees.

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site-logos NAB Classic Banking Account
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site-logos $0
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Visa $0 0.01%
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No monthly account fees ever, with no conditions. Free use at over 7,000 ATMs around Australia. No overdrawn fees if you happen to go over your account balance. Open an account in less than 7 minutes.

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site-logos St.George Complete Freedom Account
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Get $40 with a new Complete Freedom everyday bank account.

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site-logos Westpac Choice
  Monthly Account Fee Features Card Type ATM Fee Interest Rate  
site-logos $5
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Mastercard $0 $0
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Westpac Choice for easy day-to-day banking

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More on debit cards with frequent flyer points

Whether you’re dreaming of a trip around the world, or just want to make sure you’re getting the best rewards, choosing the right debit card with frequent flyer points is an important decision that can help you achieve your goals sooner. You can compare offers right here with Savvy to help you find the best debit card for your everyday spending needs, which can help you build up your frequent flyer points. 

What are debit cards with frequent flyer points and how do they work?

Debit cards with frequent flyer points offer a way for a cardholder to earn reward points by making purchases and transactions with their card. It is now becoming more common for banks and financial institutions to offer frequent flyer points with debit cards, whereas such rewards were previously reserved for credit cards. The points offered on debit cards tend to be less than those with credit cards and there’s also less choice in the market. However, you’ll still have a choice between accruing points through the Qantas Frequent Flyer or Virgin Velocity Frequent Flyer programs. Both airlines offer extensive brand partnerships and plenty of ways to spend your points.  

Here are some common examples of the way banks offer frequent flyer points on a debit card: 

  • Per transaction: such as 3 frequent flyer points awarded per debit card transaction (a transaction can include an EFTPOS sale, ATM withdrawal or online purchase) 
  • Per dollar spent: such as 1 frequent flyer point awarded per $5 spent on your debit card in Australia 
  • Per amount in your bank account: such as 0.5 frequent flyer points for every $100 in your linked transaction account, calculated per day 
  • Per specified transaction: such as 5 frequent flyer points for every overseas ATM withdrawal 

These are just some examples of how financial institutions award frequent flyer reward points. However, each debit card issued is different and comes with its own points earning guide, which is why it’s important to compare debit cards with Savvy and find one that suits your needs. 

How do I compare debit cards which offer frequent flyer reward points?

When comparing debit cards that offer frequent flyer reward points, it’s important to think about how you use your debit card, and how you can gain the maximum benefit from using it. It’s important to choose a rewards program that fits in with your personal needs and lifestyle. These are areas to compare when considering which rewards card may be best for your needs: 

Make sure the rewards are useful to you 

There’s no point gaining rewards points towards a pay TV subscription if you only ever watch free-to-air TV. Similarly, if you’ve never set foot in a gym, there’s no point in accruing rewards which offer a free gym membership. Make sure the rewards on offer give you a wide choice about how to use your points. 

Align your rewards with your favourite airline 

If you’re interested in lowering the cost of air travel, you should look at a rewards scheme that offers free flights with an airline you’re likely to fly with. If you prefer Virgin to Jetstar, or vice versa, make sure the card you choose offers frequent flyer points for your favourite airline. 

Choose a card offering the most points for your everyday spending 

Look at how different debit cards allocate points and how many points are on offer for the type of spending you do each week. The more points on offer, the better the reward is and the faster you’ll accrue them. For example, if the card you use for your weekly grocery shop earns you frequent flyer points with an airline you intend to use for your next holiday, you may find that card more useful than one which offers rewards for buying large white goods (which you may only do once a year). The best debit card is one that rewards you for your everyday spending, so you don’t have to alter your lifestyle to accrue rewards points. 

Check fees and ATM charges 

Even though some debit cards are advertised as fee-free, there may be costs associated with using these cards in some circumstances. There may be no annual fees or account-keeping fees, but there may be overdrawn fees if your account accidentally goes into the red. Fees could also be charged for using an ATM which isn’t linked to your financial institution. Check which fees apply before choosing a new debit card. 

Ensure phone compatibility 

Make sure the card you choose is compatible with your phone or wearable device. Not all cards support all payment types on phones and wearables, so coordinate your card with your preferred virtual wallet.

What can I use my frequent flyer rewards points for?

Once you’ve accrued your frequent flyer points, they can be redeemed or spent in many different ways including: 

  • purchase of flights or reducing the overall cost of flights by using a combination of cash and points 
  • access to flight upgrades and airport VIP lounges 
  • purchase of hotel bookings and car hire 
  • discounted offers on food and wine 
  • purchase of health or travel insurance 
  • purchase of movie tickets, pay TV subscriptions and other home entertainment packages 
  • shopping for products through a rewards store offering electrical goods, white goods, clothing, jewellery, luggage and more 

The use of your points will also depend on which rewards program you’re using, as Qantas and Virgin are partnered with different companies.  

Qantas Frequent Flyer program 

Qantas is partnered with Jetstar, Accor, Air France, American Airlines, British Airways and Air New Zealand. You can use Qantas points to book accommodation with Airbnb and the Hilton and Marriott hotel chains. Car hire partners include Uber, Avis and Budget, and affiliated banks include ANZ, BankSA, Bendigo Bank and Westpac. Woolworths Everyday rewards points can be used to pay for Qantas flights. 

The program has five different tiers of membership: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Platinum One. Each level has its own fees and number of points awarded per purchase. 

Virgin Velocity Frequent Flyer program 

Virgin is partnered with Qatar, Singapore, United, Air Canada and Hong Kong airlines, and with Etihad Airways. It is affiliated with American Express cards, Virgin Money, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA. Hotel partners include Crown, Pan Pacific and the Accor Group. 

The Velocity program is affiliated with Coles supermarkets and Coles Flybuy points can be used to purchase flights with Virgin and its partner airlines. Membership is in three tiers: Silver, Gold and Platinum, with each tier having its own number of points awarded per dollar spent. 

Common questions about debit cards with frequent flyer points

Are there any age limits on frequent flyer reward points?

No – kids of any age can start to earn frequent flyer points if they have a debit card offering such rewards. However, there are minimum age limits for booking flights, which vary according to which airline you wish to book with. There are also age limits in place on issuing debit cards to kids, ranging from nine to 14 years. 

Do frequent flyer rewards points on debit cards have an expiry date?

Yes – most rewards points have an expiry date, which is often two years from the date it was earned. However, expiry dates vary from card to card and program to program, so it’s worth comparing how long you get to use your points before they expire. 

Can I use a combination of frequent flyer rewards points and cash to pay for my holiday?

Yes – points plus pay is one way of purchasing flights. However, not all plane seats can be bought using this scheme, so you may have to do some research when booking your flights. 

Can I receive frequent flyer points on a prepaid debit card?

Yes – there are prepaid debit cards that also offer frequent flyer rewards points. These are offered by both Visa and Mastercard. Although these cards aren’t linked to your bank account, they can still be linked to your frequent flyer account and accrue points as you use them. However, these prepaid debit cards come with more fees than standard debit cards, so it’ll likely be cheaper overall to use a debit card linked to your bank account.  

Can I have multiple debit cards with frequent flyer points?

Yes – it’s possible to have multiple debit cards all linked to one frequent flyer account. However, each individual is limited to just one frequent flyer account. Having multiple cards linked to one frequent flyer account is a great way of accruing points more quickly, so you may find this is the best arrangement for your situation.  

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