Compare Flybuys credit cards

Flybuys are a loyalty program that rewards shoppers for spending in stores like Coles, Kmart, Target and more. Coles Mastercard customers are automatically linked to flybuys when they join.

Flybuys points are able to be redeemed for rewards such as store discounts, gift cards and travel. You can link your flybuys points to a Velocity Frequent Flyer account and exchange your flybuys points into Velocity Points.

Flybuys is easy to join for those above the age of 16 and involves signing up online. However, Coles Mastercard customers will need to meet the eligibility criteria set by Coles as a credit provider to enjoy the benefits of using a credit card to earn flybuys points.

Flybuys reward categories include:

• Money off shopping, including discounts and gift cards,
• Fashion and accessories,
• Health and lifestyle,
• Home and garden,
• Technology,
• Travel, and
• Entertainment.

Like any rewards program, flybuys points can be exchanged for a range of goods, like electronics, beauty products and merchandise. However, its biggest appeal is that you can earn discounts and gift cards for a range of popular retailers, just through your weekly grocery trip.

Flybuys points are earned by scanning the loyalty card when you make a purchase. Coles Mastercard cardholders can also use their credit card as a flybuys loyalty card. Scanning the barcode at the back of a Coles Mastercard will earn you flybuys points.

To earn flybuys points you will need to spend on eligible purchases. These include:

• Coles – 1 point per $1 spent
• Coles Express - 1 point per $2 spent
• Kmart – 1 point per $1 spent
• Target – 1 point per $1 spent
• Velocity Frequent Flyer – flybuys can be exchanged for Velocity points
• Liquorland - 1 point per $1 spent
• AGL Energy - 1 point per $1 spent
• First Choice Liquor - 1 point per $1 spent
• Budget - 3 points per $1 spent
• Garmin – 10 points per $1 spent
• HCF – Collect up to 130,000 points
• Fitbit – 10 points per $1 spent
• Mycar Tyre & Auto - 1 point per $1 spent
• NAB – transfer NAB Reward Points to flybuys points
• Citi – transfer Citi Reward Points into flybuys points

More partners can be viewed on the flybuys website.

For Coles credit card customers, how many flybuys points you can earn depends on the type of card you have.

Source: Coles Mastercard terms and conditions.

Some purchases that do not qualify as eligible transactions include cash advances, balance transfers, special promotions, BPAY payments, purchases of foreign currency and travellers cheques; transactions made in operating a business; payments to other Citi accounts; bank fees and charges such as interest and ATM charges; transactions made using flybuys points, and government related transactions.

After paying your housing expenses, your grocery bill is generally the next largest expense. If you can reduce your expenses and save money just by collecting rewards points on your weekly spend, this means good news for your budget.

However, one trap of flybuys is that you may feel tempted to spend more than you budgeted for just to earn some extra bonus points. This is particularly risky if you’re doing so with a credit card. Making costly purchases on a credit card just to earn rewards points may lead to bigger card balances than you can manage, and snowballing debt through accrued interest. 

It’s also important to note that these points can often be worth less than the money you end up spending. They are simply designed to reward you with perks for your regular spending. For example, a $50 Coles gift card will cost you 10,000 flybuys points. If you have a Coles Rewards Mastercard, spending at a Coles retailer will see you earn 2 points per $1 spent, so you’re effectively spending $5,000 to get a savings of $50. However, it’s still better than no $50 gift card for spending $5,000. But it’s good to be aware of the value of what you’re spending versus what you’re actually earning.

Flybuys can be a competitive rewards program option for points chasers due to their accessibility across Australia. You’d be hard-pressed to go very far without running into a Coles, Kmart or Target. As long as you are responsible with your spending and can earn rewards points within your budget, flybuys may be worth considering.