The best credit cards to earn bonus points on fuel

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

Offer Currently Not Available

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.

MyCard Premier Qantas

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Sign-up Bonus:

Up to 100,000 bonus Qantas Points¹

Rewards Earn Rate:

1 Qantas Point per $1 spent on Eligible Transactions online or overseas and 0.5 Qantas Point per $1 spent on Eligible Transactions everywhere else, capped at 100,000 Qantas Points over a 12-month period

Annual Fee:

$350 p.a. ongoing

Earn 70,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $6,000 in the first 3 months, plus an additional 30,000 after 12 months. Includes two complimentary airport lounge passes per year, international travel insurance, Priority Pass™️ membership, and discounts on selected hotels through Expedia, Wotif and LUX Exclusive. Earn 1 Qantas Point per $1 on eligible online and overseas spend, and 0.5 Points per $1 elsewhere. The annual fee is $350. Product provided by National Australia Bank Limited, using certain trademarks temporarily under license from Citigroup Inc.

Citi Prestige Card

Offer Currently Not Available

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.

This article was originally written by Matt Moffit.