Credit Cards with Rewards Program Elite Status

Ranked by estimated first-year value after fees. Uses each offer's best redemption, assumes the bonus is earned and the balance is paid in full.

1. The American Express Platinum Card Referral Offer

American Express points

$1,450 annual fee

Referral offerHow referrals work

Offer

225,000 American Express points

Hotel Elite Status fast-tracking to higher tiers of leading hotel loyalty programs, including Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold and Radisson Rewards Premium; plus ALL Accor Gold status with bonus 30 status nights via the included Accor Plus membership.

Spend $5,000 in 90 days (~$1,667/mo)

Craig's Take

Moderate spend — $56/day for 90 days. Excellent ongoing earn rate. $450 cashback offsets the $1450 fee.

Estimated value after fees $1,408

Velocity flights

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2. Qantas Premier Titanium

Qantas points

$1,200 annual fee

Offer

150,000 Qantas points

Earn up to 20,000 Qantas Points per year through the Qantas Wellbeing App for everyday activities.

Spend $5,000 in 90 days (~$1,667/mo)

Craig's Take

Moderate spend — $56/day for 90 days. Excellent ongoing earn rate. High $1200 fee — make sure you'll use the perks.

Estimated value after fees $1,300

Qantas flights

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3. Virgin Australia Velocity High Flyer Card

Velocity points

$349 annual fee

Offer

80,000 Velocity points

Earn Velocity Points on eligible spend: 1 point per $1 up to $8,000 per statement period, 0.5 points thereafter, plus 2 extra points per $1 spent directly with Virgin Australia.

Spend $7,000 in 60 days (~$3,500/mo)

Craig's Take

Tough spend — $117/day for 60 days. Good ongoing earn rate. $129 cashback offsets the $349 fee.

Estimated value after fees $1,229

Velocity flights

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4. Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Card

Velocity points

$169 annual fee

Offer

50,000 Velocity points

Earn Velocity Frequent Flyer Points on eligible everyday spend: 0.66 points per $1 up to $1,500 each statement period, 0.5 points per $1 thereafter, plus 1 extra point per $1 spent directly with Virgin Australia.

Spend $3,000 in 60 days (~$1,500/mo)

Craig's Take

Easy $50/day spend to hit the bonus. Average ongoing earn rate. $129 cashback offsets the $169 fee.

Estimated value after fees $836

Velocity flights

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5. NAB Rewards Platinum Card

NAB points

$195 annual fee

Offer

80,000 NAB points

Earn NAB Rewards Points with tiered bonus points offers for new and existing customers, including up to 100,000 bonus points for spending $3,000 in 90 days and keeping the card for over 12 months.

Spend $3,000 in 90 days (~$1,000/mo)

Craig's Take

Easy $33/day spend to hit the bonus. Average ongoing earn rate.

Estimated value after fees $517

Velocity flights

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6. NAB Rewards Platinum Card with Velocity

Velocity points

$195 annual fee

Offer

40,000 Velocity points

Automatic monthly transfer of NAB Rewards Points to Velocity Points at a rate of 2 NAB Rewards Points = 1 Velocity Point for both NAB Rewards Platinum and Signature Cards.

Spend $4,000 in 90 days (~$1,333/mo)

Craig's Take

Easy $44/day spend to hit the bonus. Poor ongoing earn rate.

Estimated value after fees $514

Velocity flights

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7. ANZ Frequent Flyer Black

Qantas points

$425 annual fee

Offer

50,000 Qantas points

Complimentary Qantas Frequent Flyer membership (joining fee, currently $99.50, waived) for new members who sign up online via the ANZ link.

Spend $6,000 in 90 days (~$2,000/mo)

Craig's Take

Moderate spend — $67/day for 90 days. Excellent ongoing earn rate. High $425 fee — make sure you'll use the perks.

Estimated value after fees $471

Qantas flights

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8. ANZ Frequent Flyer Platinum

Qantas points

$295 annual fee

Offer

25,000 Qantas points

Complimentary Qantas Frequent Flyer membership (joining fee waiver, currently worth $99.50) for new members who sign up via the ANZ-provided link

Spend $3,500 in 120 days (~$875/mo)

Craig's Take

Easy $29/day spend to hit the bonus. Good ongoing earn rate.

Estimated value after fees $147

Qantas flights

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