Earn points on credit card purchases and balance transfers to redeem for a variety of rewards with the Bendigo Bank Rewards program.
The Bendigo Bank Rewards program lets you earn and redeem points on your everyday expenditure when you use an eligible Bendigo Bank credit card. You can also check your real-time reward point balance, search rewards and then redeem them online. Redemption possibilities include a wide range of merchandise, gift vouchers, cash back and charitable donations. The program’s “points + pay” option also allows you to make up for any points shortfall with cash.
How does the Bendigo Bank credit card rewards program work?
This program is a complimentary feature available on the Bendigo Bank Ready Red credit card, Bendigo Bank RSPCA Rescue Rewards Visa and Bendigo Bank Platinum Rewards Visa card. Only personal account holders can be members of the Bendigo Bank Rewards program, and membership is set up when you activate your card. You’ll then earn points for spending on your credit card account, which can later be redeemed for a variety of rewards.
Earning Bendigo Bank rewards points
Each Bendigo Bank reward credit card comes with different features, including the number of points earned per $1. You can compare the different Bendigo Bank Rewards cards and their earn rates below.
Card Earn rate
Bendigo Bank Ready Red
Offers 1 point per $1 spent on eligible transactions, and 1 point per $1 spent on balance transfers.
Bendigo Bank Platinum Rewards Visa
Offers 1.5 points per $1 spent on eligible transactions, and 1 point per $1 spent on balance transfers.
Bendigo Bank RSPCA Rescue Rewards Visa
Offers 1 point per $1 spent on eligible transactions, and 1 point per $1 spent on balance transfers.
While most purchases qualify as eligible transactions, some transactions will not earn points. These include cash advances, foreign exchange purchases, credit card fees and charges and bill payments made using BPAY.
How to earn more points with a Bendigo Bank credit card
Here is a list of ways to boost your points balance with a Bendigo Bank Rewards credit card:
Balance transfers. Quite uncommonly, Bendigo Bank Rewards credit cards let you earn rewards points for balance transfers. This could translate into easy rewards if you were thinking of transferring an existing debt to your Bendigo Rewards credit card.
Sign-up bonus points. The Bendigo Bank Platinum Rewards Visa card offers 10,000 bonus sign-up points for new cardholders. To give you a fair idea of the value of Bendigo Rewards points, 7,334 points can be used to redeem a $20 Coles gift card.
Special offers. Bendigo Bank Rewards may provide promotions and special offers periodically which allow members to earn additional points. Details of current offers are available on the Bendigo Bank Rewards website.
Additional cardholders. You can request an additional cardholder for free, which can boost your points earning capability on the account.
Using Bendigo Bank Rewards points
These are some of the different rewards you can get through this program. In most instances, you may use purely points or a combination of points + pay, as long as you pay with more than 25% of the required points.
Travel. You may redeem your points for travel accessories including luggage, backpacks, travel adaptors and travel pillows.
Gift cards. Using points only, you may redeem gift cards for shopping at Big W, Bunnings, Coles, Dymocks, Flight Centre, iTunes and more.
Homeware. The homeware category offers items from grill pans and coffee machines to candles and duvets.
Technology. Technology gadgets include a host of products including headphones, iPhones, iPads, iPods, iMacs and more.
Kids items. The kids category offers both large and small toy items, and recreational gear such as bikes.
Health and lifestyle. Shopping under the “Be Active” and “Be Pampered” categories on the program website gives you access to health and lifestyle products from massagers to perfumes, dress watches to electric shavers.
Charity donations. If you’re feeling charitable, you may also give your points away to select charities including the RSPCA or Medical Research Appeal Mothers & Babies.
What can I get for my rewards points?
The range of rewards available varies based on how many points you have in your account. Here are some popular options based on point values:
Less than 5,000 points. A $10 iTunes gift card (3,667 points) or a Lonely Planet: One Planet photography book (4,629 points).
Up to 10,000 points. A Lonely Planet guide book (various titles, from 5,785 points each), a $25 gift card (various retailers, from 9,167) or Moki headphones (from 9,466 points).
More than 10,000 points. A George Foreman family grill (29,517 points), an American Tourister 55cm lightweight luggage (66,458 points), or an Apple Watch Series 2 (244,908 points).
You could also redeem these rewards and many others for fewer points if you used the points + pay option.
Note: Reward details and point values are accurate as of 12 January 2017.
How to compare Bendigo Bank Rewards credit cards 
Each Bendigo Bank Rewards credit card offers a variety of benefits, but it's important to compare your options to apply for the card that best suits your needs and financial situation. When narrowing down your options, you can consider the following factors:
Earn rate. The earn rate for a card determines how quickly you’ll be making those rewards redemptions. In this case, the Bendigo Bank Platinum Rewards Visa card has an earn rate 1.5 times that of the other two cards, which means you’ll earn points 50% faster with this card.
Points cap. Other credit cards commonly impose points earning caps, but Bendigo Bank Rewards cards have no such restrictions.
Bonus points offers. The Bendigo Bank Platinum Rewards Visa card awards new cardholders with 10,000 points once you have been approved and completed your registration on the Be Rewarded website. This is in contrast to other credit cards which award bonus points only after you’ve met a certain spending criteria in a specified period.
Annual fee. The annual fee represents the major administrative cost of your credit card, and you should compare this against the value of potential benefits from rewards. For example, while the Bendigo Bank Platinum Rewards has the highest point-earning rate of these cards, it also has the highest annual fee at $199.
Promotional interest rates. Promotional interest rates can help you save money on charges when you first get a credit card. In this case, only the Bendigo Bank RSPCA Rescue Rewards Visa card offers a promotional interest rate of 7.89% p.a. for six months.
Ongoing interest rates. This is the prevailing rate charged for balances on your card on an ongoing basis or once a promotional period is over. Continuing with the example of the Bendigo Bank RSPCA Rescue Rewards Visa card, your interest rate after six months would revert to the standard rate of 19.64% p.a. for purchases, balance transfers and cash advances.
Interest-free days. The Bendigo Platinum Rewards and Bendigo RSPCA Rescue Rewards credit cards offer up to 55 interest-free days on purchases, while the Bendigo Bank Ready Red card offers 44 interest-free days. This feature is available from the start of each statement period and allows you to save money on interest charges for your purchases, even if you carry a balance. In comparison, most other credit card providers only offer interest-free days if you pay your balance in full by the statement due date.
Complimentary extras. Extra features and perks can help offset the cost of the card you choose. In this case, only the Bendigo Bank Platinum Rewards Visa offers complimentary extras, including international travel insurance, hire car excess waiver and purchase insurances. You will also have access to Visa Premium perks including 24/7 concierge services, guaranteed seating at Visa entertainment events, Visa Front Line Access and other special lifestyle promotions.
Comparison of Bendigo Bank credit cards with rewards
Bendigo Bank's Rewards Credit Cards
How do Bendigo Bank's Rewards Credit Cards Compare?
Rates last updated February 14th, 2017
Rewards Points per $ spent (AMEX)
Rewards Points per $ spent (VISA/MC)
Bonus Points
Annual fee
Bendigo Bank Ready Red Mastercard
Offers up to 44 interest-free days on purchases and earn rewards points while enjoying a low annual fee.
0
1
$45 p.a.
More info
Bendigo Bank Platinum Rewards Visa
Get rewarded for every dollar spent plus enjoy up to 55 days interest-free on your purchases.
0
1.5
10,000 bonus points
$119 p.a.
More info
Bendigo Bank RSPCA Rescue Rewards
Up to 55 interest free days plus an introductory interest rate offer on purchases.
0
1
$24 p.a.
More info
Rates last updated February 14th, 2017
Rewards Points per $ spent (AMEX)
Rewards Points per $ spent (VISA/MC)
Bonus Points
Annual fee
American Express Explorer Credit Card
Receive 50,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points on eligible spend within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Also enjoy a $400 travel voucher and two complimentary airline passes per year.
2
50,000 bonus points
$395 p.a.
Go to site
More info
American Express Essential Credit Card
Receive a $50 credit on eligible spend and get Smartphone screen insurance combined with a no annual fee for life card. Also enjoy a 0% p.a. balance transfer rate for 12 months.
1
$0 p.a.
Go to site
More info
HSBC Platinum Credit Card
Enjoy an annual fee refund every year if you meet the spend requirement with a balance transfer offer, high credit limits and prestige services including a personal concierge service and VISA Platinum rewards program.
0
1
$149 p.a.
Go to site
More info
Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Card - Balance Transfer Offer
Earn 2 bonus Velocity Points in the first 3 months plus a low balance transfer offer of 0% p.a. for 18 months
0
0.66
$64 p.a. annual fee for the first year ($129 p.a. thereafter)
Go to site
More info
HSBC Platinum Qantas Credit Card
Receive 60,000 bonus Qantas Points on eligible spend within 3 months. Enjoy access to premium benefits and complimentary insurance.
0
1
60,000 bonus points
$199 p.a.
Go to site
More info
Citi Rewards Credit Card - Platinum Card
Consolidate your debt with a low balance transfer offer of 0% p.a. for 24 months and a host of platinum privileges. Earn up to 1.25 Citi Reward Points for every $1 spend.
0
1.25
$49 p.a. annual fee for the first year ($149 p.a. thereafter)
Go to site
More info
American Express Velocity Platinum Card
Enjoy up to 50,000 bonus Velocity Points when you meet the minimum required spend and earn up to 3 rewards points per dollar spent. Also receive a complimentary return flight every year.
1
0
50,000 bonus points
$349 p.a.
Go to site
More info
American Express Velocity Escape Card
Enjoy 7,500 bonus Velocity Points when you meet the minimum spend requirement and earn up to 2 points for every $1 you spend, together with a $0 annual fee.
1
0
7,500 bonus points
$0 p.a.
Go to site
More info
Virgin Australia Velocity High Flyer Card - 30k Bonus Points offer
Receive up to 30,000 bonus Velocity Points and earn 1 Velocity Points per $1 spent. Receive an exclusive $129 Virgin Australia Gift Voucher and two complimentary Single Entry Virgin Australia domestic Lounge passes each year.
0
1
30,000 bonus points
$144 p.a. annual fee for the first year ($289 p.a. thereafter)
Go to site
More info
Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Card - 0% Interest Offer
Earn Velocity Points plus enjoy an introductory interest-free offer of 0% p.a. on purchases for 12 months, and 0% p.a. for 6 months on balance transfers.
0
0.66
$129 p.a.
Go to site
More info
Westpac Altitude Black - Bonus Points Offer
Earn 100,000 bonus points when you apply online, get approved and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases, choose between two reward programs offering (Altitude or Qantas Rewards) and receive premium cardholder benefits.
3
1.25
100,000 bonus points
$395 p.a.
Go to site
More info
Bank of Melbourne Amplify Signature
Receive 30,000 bonus points when you meet the minimum spend. Also enjoy low introductory offers on purchases and balance transfers.
0
1.5
30,000 bonus points
$279 p.a.
Go to site
More info
ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures card
Pay no overseas transaction fee on purchases and receive complimentary domestic return flight and lounge passes each year you hold the card when you spend $500 on eligible purchases within the first three months.
2
1
$225 p.a.
Go to site
More info
ANZ Rewards Platinum
Earn points for every dollar spent on purchases plus a 50,000 Reward Points after your first eligible purchase is made within 3 months of card approval.
2
1
50,000 bonus points
$95 p.a.
Go to site
More info
American Express Qantas Discovery Card
A no annual fee frequent flyer credit card with Earn 7,500 bonus points and enjoy 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 12 months when you apply and are approved. Earn 1 Qantas Point per $1 spend.
1
0
7,500 bonus points
$0 p.a.
Go to site
More info
American Express Qantas Premium Card
Earn as much as 30,000 bonus Qantas Points when you meet the minimum spend requirement. Enjoy frequent flyer benefits including uncapped Qantas Points per $1 spent, complimentary travel insurance and Qantas Club lounge invitations.
1
0
30,000 bonus points
$249 p.a.
Go to site
More info
David Jones American Express Platinum Card
Receive 40,000 Membership Rewards points or 30,000 Qantas Points. Plus earn up to 4 rewards point per $1 spend.
1
40,000 bonus points
$295 p.a.
Go to site
More info
Citi Qantas Signature Credit Card
Earn up to 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $2,000 or more on eligible purchases in the first 90 days. Plus, enjoy introductory interest rates on balance transfers and purchases with a discounted annual fee of $199 in the first year.
0
1
50,000 bonus points
$199 p.a. annual fee for the first year ($395 p.a. thereafter)
Go to site
More info
American Express Platinum Business Card
Receive 150,000 bonus points when you meet the minimum spend requirement and earn up to 2 Membership Rewards points for every dollar spent.
1
0
150,000 bonus points
$1,500 p.a.
Go to site
More info
American Express Gold Business Card
Enjoy 24-hour worldwide service plus a great range of tailored expense management solutions designed to help maintain control of your corporate expenses.
1
0
10,000 bonus points
$169 p.a.
Go to site
More info
Mistakes to avoid with a Bendigo Bank Rewards credit card
Overspending. The promise of earning points per dollar spent could tempt you to spend. Remember that you have to repay everything you charge, and any interest accrued could easily offset the value of your reward points.
Carrying a balance. Rewards credit cards often have high interest rates and failing to pay your monthly balance in full could result in unmanageable debt. Always do your best to pay your card in full, otherwise, the interest costs could easily outweigh the benefits of the points.
Not considering the standard features. While you might be attracted to the Bendigo Rewards program, don't forget to consider the standard features of the card. Consider the annual fee, purchase rate and any other extra features to ensure the card is right for you.
Making new purchases when you have transferred a balance. While purchases will earn you points on a rewards card, they’ll also add to your existing debt and interest charges.
Not using other complimentary extras. Even though they are termed “complementary”, these extra perks have all been factored into the price of your card. Cards with more complimentary extras come with higher annual fees, so you should avoid those unless you actually make use of all their perks.
Making cash advance transactions. Cash advances made on your credit card incur cash advance fees and immediately accrue interest at the higher cash advance rate. Avoid withdrawing money on your credit card except in emergencies and avoid transactions that constitute cash advances such as certain bills and government payments, gambling transactions or the purchase of gift cards and prepaid cards.
How to apply for a Bendigo Bank Rewards credit card
Compare your options. Research all the different credit cards on the market and read our finder.com.au card reviews before deciding which card to apply for.
Read the fine print. Read the card’s product disclosure statement and small print, and get acquainted with all the terms and conditions of your chosen card. Make sure that you also meet all of the card’s listed eligibility criteria.
Apply online. When you’re ready, head over to the Bendigo card page of your choice and click “Apply now”.
Fill out the online form. The form asks for your requested credit limit at the outset, followed by your financial details, then your regular personal details. Have the relevant information ready pertaining to employment, earnings and expenses, assets and liabilities so as to speed up the process. You will finally be asked to submit documentation for identity verification purposes and to authorise the customary credit check.
Submit the application. Once you’ve submitted your card application, you will receive confirmation about whether or not you have been conditionally approved, and further instructions about what to do to advance your application.
Depending on your spending habits, lifestyle and rewards earning preferences, the Bendigo Bank Rewards program may be a suitable fit for you. Remember though to compare your options and to weigh up all potential costs against benefits before choosing a card.
Pictures: Shutterstock
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