With travel restrictions still in full effect, including overseas travel that appears to be a distant future, the majority of people are spending much less than they were before Covid-19.
Roland Bleyer, founder of credit card comparison website, creditcard.com.au, advises Australians on the world of credit card rewards, while most travel is a no-go.
Unsurprisingly, according to Bleyer, 27% of respondents said they made more online purchases.
“… Another 27% said they use their card to cover household needs, and 23% said they use their card more often to pay household bills. With travel spending on hold for now, reward cardholders not only earn less from their reduced expenses, but they may also earn fewer points on high-income purchases such as flights and accommodations. "
According to Bleyer, this is the time when Aussies should take stock of their wallets and take a close look at their credit cards.
Are your rewards still rewarding?
"… While annual fees have stayed the same – or in some cases increased – the value of the rewards on offer has usually decreased, making it more difficult for cardholders to see the real value of their card," says Bleyer.
Tips
Switch rewards: You could look at other reward options that reward daily expenses.
Go for low costs: Choosing a card with no annual fee gives you access to credits with a few basic extras.
Count your accumulated points: Find out if it is possible to switch them to another account or convert them to another program.
Do you pay out your balance every month?
"If you are having trouble making the minimum payment on your credit card, the first thing to do is speak to your credit card provider."
Tips
Keep and re-evaluate: It may be worth saving the card to take advantage of the extras in the hopes that trips will open up soon.
Talk about it: Consider talking to your provider about your options to find out what they might want to offer in the circumstances.
Make the switch: If you're struggling to cover your monthly payments or annual fees, switching to a cheaper card can be beneficial.
To learn more and access additional tips and helpful information, visit creditcard.com.au.
