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How do I redeem my credit card rewards points or frequent flyer points?

How do I redeem my credit card rewards points or frequent flyer points?

31 May, 2023 - 6 min read

If you’ve built up a sizeable amount of rewards points or frequent flyer points through your credit card spending, you may be curious as to how you actually redeem these points.

Whether you’ve never redeemed your credit card points before, or if it’s been a while, let’s explore how you can take advantage of the perks and benefits on offer from your card issuer and any affiliated companies.

How to redeem credit card rewards points

Online via the Rewards Store

The easiest and most common way that credit card users can redeem their rewards points is by hopping online to your credit card issuer’s rewards store via the issuer’s app or online banking platform.

Once you’ve logged in, you’ll be directed to redeem your points for whichever perks or benefits you’re interested in. You’ll often be shown a range of categories for spending, with prompts to help you exchange your points.

ANZ Rewards Black

Apple, Google & Samsung Pay
Balance transfer

Bonus Points

180,000 extra ANZ Reward Points and $150 back to your new ANZ Rewards Black credit card when you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months from approval.*

This competitive credit card offers access to special events, Australian rental vehicle excess insurance, international travel insurance, concierge services and partner discounts.

Purchase rate p.a.

20.99%

Annual fee

$375

More details

FeaturedAustralian Credit Licence: 234527 ANZ terms and conditions

Over the phone

If going online isn’t your preferred method of banking, most major institutions, as well as airlines for frequent flyer points, offer over the phone customer service for you to redeem your points.

Big four bank rewards program	Contact number
CommBank Awards	13 16 61
Westpac Altitude Rewards	1300 887 820
NAB Rewards	13 22 65
ANZ Rewards	1300 367 763

Request gift cards

For some credit card rewards programs, you may have the option of turning your rewards points into a gift card, which you can then redeem by spending in-store or online. This is common for programs affiliated with major retailers like Myer, David Jones, and online stores like ASOS or The Iconic.

You will typically need to hop on to the credit card issuer’s online store to transfer your points to a gift card. However, once you receive and activate your gift card, it should allow you to redeem your converted rewards points for store purchases.

How to redeem frequent flyer points

To redeem your frequent flyer points, you’ll generally just need to hop onto the airline’s website, enter your member details, and select payment via redeeming points when you check out.

For example, if you have a Qantas frequent flyer credit card and want to exchange your points for plane tickets, you’ll have the option to filter your flight results via ‘Use Points’. The flight results should then show you the points cost for the tickets, as opposed to the dollar value.

To redeem your frequent flyer points for hotels and accommodation, you can also organise this via the airline’s website. For example, Qantas allows you to search for hotels and AirBnB accommodation, and filter your results via points spending. Virgin also allows you to redeem your Velocity points for accommodation through its website.

You may also utilise both the online rewards store of your credit card issuer, or consider calling their customer service number if you need offline assistance exchanging your frequent flyer points. Keep in mind that the online rewards store may just redirect you to the airline’s website.

What can you redeem your credit card points for?

When it comes to what you redeem your points for, the opportunities are as endless as your issuer’s rewards programs and affiliated companies.

Standard rewards stores will often offer the ability to purchase goods and experiences, such as:

Electronics and technology
Appliances and white goods
Clothing and jewellery
Homewares

You may also be able to redeem your points for discounted services or subscriptions, or even gift cards with major companies, such as Uber, AirBnb, Spotify, David Jones, Myer and more.

For frequent flyer points credit cards, you may be able to redeem your points for:

Flights and upgrades
Hotel bookings and accommodation
Rental car bookings
Shopping and gift cards with affiliated retailers
Alcohol and dining experiences
Concert tickets and movies

Should you choose a standard rewards credit card or a frequent flyer credit card?

Choosing between a standard rewards credit card and a frequent flyer credit card could be confusing. Both types of cards could help you get more out of your spending, but the right type of card for you depends on your spending pattern and how you plan to use your credit card rewards.

A frequent flyer credit card is also a type of rewards credit card that offers travel-related benefits and perks to cardholders.It is typically linked to your frequent flyer account with your chosen airline. By using your card to pay for eligible purchases, you can build up your frequent flyer miles balance and redeem them for free or discounted tickets when you're ready to travel.

As you accumulate more frequent flyer points, you may enjoy additional travel-related benefits with your chosen airline, such as priority check-ins, extra baggage allowance and lounge access on some cards. If you travel frequently with a specific airline, you may find a frequent flyer credit card useful for accumulating points and saving money on your trips. However, if you only travel occasionally or don't have any preference for a particular airline, you may want to look for a card with a flexible rewards program.

Standard rewards credit cards generally allow you to earn rewards points on your everyday purchases using your credit card. These points can then be redeemed for various rewards, such as merchandise, shopping vouchers, travel miles and statement credits, giving you more freedom to choose.

Besides comparing rewards programs, it's important to take fees and charges into account when searching for a credit card. Many rewards cards, including frequent flyer cards, often come with higher fees and interest rates. Don’t forget to check what you pay for a card's benefits to ensure high interest rates or fees do not negate your potential savings.

You can check our credit card comparison tables to find various rewards cards and frequent flyer cards on the market. These tables make it easier to compare the purchase rate, fees and other benefits associated with different cards, helping you make an informed choice.

Citi Citi Prestige Card (Citi Rewards Program)

Apple & Samsung Pay
Balance transfer

Bonus Points

Receive 250,000 bonus Citi reward Points when you spend $10,000 within 3 months from approval.

Purchase rate p.a.

21.49%

Annual fee

$700

More details

FeaturedAustralian Credit Licence: 238098 Citi terms and conditions

Compare credit cards

13.99%

6.99%

$69

More details

Australian Credit Licence 392145

Fees & charges apply

Latitude Financial Services Latitude Low Rate Mastercard- Rewards Offer

Promoted
Special
Apple, Google & Samsung Pay
Balance transfer
Low annual fee

0.00%

for up to 10 months, then 21.99%

More details

Australian Credit Licence 286655

Fees & charges apply

Kogan Money Black Card

Promoted
RateCity Exclusive
Apple & Google Pay
Balance transfer
No annual fee

13.99%

$69

More details

Australian Credit Licence 392145

Fees & charges apply

Latitude Financial Services Latitude Low-rate Card- Balance Transfer Offer

Promoted
Balance Transfer
Apple, Google & Samsung Pay
Balance transfer
Low annual fee

10.49%

for 12 months then $48 thereafter

Australian Credit Licence 236509

Fees & charges apply

First Option Bank Low Rate Visa Credit Card

Special
Apple, Google & Samsung Pay
Balance transfer
Low annual fee

Product database updated 22 Nov, 2024

This article was reviewed by Personal Finance Editor Alex Ritchie before it was published as part of RateCity's Fact Check process.

Vidhu Bajaj

Personal Finance Writer

Vidhu is a Personal Finance Writer at RateCity. She has been writing about finance topics from car loans and home loans to superannuation and cryptocurrencies for over five years. Before moving into finance, Vidhu went to law school where she studied human rights law. She has a Bachelor of Law degree and has previously worked in asset finance for Clifford Chance for more than four years. During her time at Clifford Chance, she worked in the India, London and Hong Kong offices on everything from aviation to vessel finance. In her spare time you’ll find her reading the Australian Financial Review or spending time with her dog Coco.