Credit Cards with Travel Credits

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

$450 travel credit each year to spend on domestic or international travel when a booking of $450 or more is made on eligible flights, hotels or car hire with American Express Travel Online. Available to the Primary Platinum Card Member.

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. The American Express Velocity Platinum Card

Velocity points

$440 annual fee

Offer

70,000 Velocity points

Complimentary annual Virgin Australia return economy domestic flight between selected cities after first Card spend each anniversary year.

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

Offer Expires in 2 days (2026-10-13)

Craig's Take

Moderate spend — $56/day for 90 days. Excellent ongoing earn rate. $385 cashback offsets the $440 fee.

Estimated value after fees $1,241

Velocity flights

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3. Virgin Australia Velocity High Flyer Card

Velocity points

$349 annual fee

Offer

80,000 Velocity points

One $129 Virgin Australia Gift Voucher each year as a $129 travel credit in a Virgin Australia Travel Bank (Primary Cardholders only); requires a retail purchase in the prior 2 months and is requested online

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. The Qantas American Express Ultimate Card

Qantas points

$450 annual fee

Offer

70,000 Qantas points

$450 Qantas Travel Credit each year for eligible international or domestic Qantas flights booked and paid online at American Express Travel

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

Offer Expires in a month (2026-11-17)

Craig's Take

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

Estimated value after fees $1,220

Qantas flights

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5. The Qantas American Express Ultimate Card Referral Offer

Qantas points

$450 annual fee

Referral offerHow referrals work

Offer

70,000 Qantas points

$450 Qantas Travel Credit each year for eligible international or domestic Qantas flights booked and paid online at American Express Travel

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

Offer Expires in a month (2026-11-17)

Craig's Take

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

Estimated value after fees $1,220

Qantas flights

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6. CommBank Ultimate Awards Credit Card (with $4000 per month spend)

Commbank points

$420 annual fee

Offer

50,000 Commbank points

Up to 10% back in travel credits as an eligible CommBank Yello customer when booking flights/hotels via Travel Booking (provided by Hopper); Yello Plus/Gold 5%, Diamond 10% plus a $100 first-time travel credit; credits have a 2-year expiry

Spend $9,000 in 90 days (~$3,000/mo)

Craig's Take

Moderate spend — $100/day for 90 days. Poor ongoing earn rate.

Estimated value after fees $675

Coles gift cards

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7. The American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card

American Express points

$195 annual fee

Offer

0 American Express points

$200 travel credit each anniversary year for one eligible booking of $200 or more on selected prepaid flights, hotels or car hire made online at americanexpress.com.au/travel; expires if unused during the relevant anniversary year and is credited to the account after the full booking charge

Spend $0 in 0 days

$0 first year annual fee, $195 thereafter

Craig's Take

Average ongoing earn rate. $200 cashback covers the $195 fee.

Value estimate unavailable

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