Altitude Rewards changes to points transfer rate

[ambrosia]

Interestingly, the table officially listing the changes on the Westpac Altitude Rewards website completely omits Asia Miles.
Westpac Altitude Rewards - Changes
And below the table is this comment:
"Are there any other changes to the program that I should be aware of?
From 9 November 2018, the minimum number of Altitude Points required to transfer to Velocity will be changing from 2 to 6 Altitude Points1. There are no further changes other than those listed above." (my emphasis)

So technically, as an Asia Miles redemption rate change isn't "listed above", it shouldn't change right? Because there are "no further changes"
Nope, they just screwed up apparently and forgot to list it. I emailed them and they just said the table was wrong...
Still wrong as of tonight.
Given their own T&Cs advise a 30 day notice period, and their own published information doesn't list Asia Miles as changing it would be interesting if someone decided to hold them to the website notification regarding Asia Miles continuing at current redemption rate post November 8.

 

[BB1]

Big thanks for the detailed advice. My working out gives me this:

1541269 Reward Points

SQ
2.5:1
616507.6
3:1
513756.33
Loss of 102751.27

VA
2:1
770634
3:1
513756.33
Loss of 256877.67

SQ
BNE to LAX return using SQ Business rewards redemption appears to be 220000 Krys flyer points

VA
BNE to LAX return using VA Business rewards redemption appears to be 520000 Velocity points

Huge difference and seems to make it a no brainer to convert to KrysFlyer

 

[PLANT]

You may get a SQ flight easier but you have a shorter time to use points......... They expire quicker.....

 

[BB1]

You may get a SQ flight easier but you have a shorter time to use points......... They expire quicker.....

Isnt it 3 years until expiry?

 

[gizzard]

Yes, 3 year expiry. You can then extend for another 6/12 months at a cost.
Worse comes to the worse you can always transfer from SQ to VA at the new cost of 1.55 or whatever it might be by then. That's better than losing them.

 

[lonewolf]

I know a long time ago, I think altitude rewards had its own flight booking system as well? Like a travel agent system. Do they still have that system? And how does that work with the points devaluation?

 

[gizzard]

I know a long time ago, I think altitude rewards had its own flight booking system as well? Like a travel agent system. Do they still have that system? And how does that work with the points devaluation?

Yes they have that system. It's not impacted by the devaluation as there's no transfer required but they could change the required points whenever they like.

An example of the cost of using it as of today:
MEL-SIN on SQ one-way = 916,050 altitude points
or, on KrisFlyer = 58,000 SQ miles (currently 145k altitude points) + taxes.

 

[get me outta here]

Family member has 10K SQ which will be unused. Which VA rate will she get if transferring to VA soon?

Yes, 3 year expiry. You can then extend for another 6/12 months at a cost.
Worse comes to the worse you can always transfer from SQ to VA at the new cost of 1.55 or whatever it might be by then. That's better than losing them.

 

[gizzard]

Family member has 10K SQ which will be unused. Which VA rate will she get if transferring to VA soon?

Currently 1.35 SQ miles => 1 VA mile

From 1 January
1.55 SQ miles => 1 VA mile

 

[theblank]

SQ
BNE to LAX return using SQ Business rewards redemption appears to be 220000 Krys flyer points

VA
BNE to LAX return using VA Business rewards redemption appears to be 520000 Velocity points

Huge difference and seems to make it a no brainer to convert to KrysFlyer

hey what? BNE to LAX is only about 95000 pts one way on VA, its definitely not 260,000

 

[gaz1]

hey what? BNE to LAX is only about 95000 pts one way on VA, its definitely not 260,000

VA is 95,500 each way (so 191,000 return), still less than SQ of course but VA have an additional surcharge of $230 each way from 1st Jan. Not sure how the total fees & taxes compares.
One of the problems comparing points & fees between airlines is that for some routes one will be cheaper & for another route a different airline will be cheaper (sometimes by quite a large amount).
One of the benefits of Altitude was being able to convert to the airlines that works best for the flight you have in mind.
After 9th Nov the only reasonable option will be auto-redeem for VA & that means moving ALL of your points.
I'm still at a loss how it is legal for Westpac to restrospecively apply this to points already earned.

 

[BB1]

Just got off the phone from Westpac - being applied retrospectively and apparently a lot of negative feedback being received.

VA 95,000 each way is true on paper but I cannot find any availability on any dates I choose within 12 months - lots of articles out there stating that vary rarely does VA release business rewards at 95000. Usually its anytime reward at 260000

 

[lonewolf]

Yes they have that system. It's not impacted by the devaluation as there's no transfer required but they could change the required points whenever they like.

An example of the cost of using it as of today:
MEL-SIN on SQ one-way = 916,050 altitude points
or, on KrisFlyer = 58,000 SQ miles (currently 145k altitude points) + taxes.

HOLEY MOLEY! THATS a huge difference!.

 

[lonewolf]

Is there any chance they will change their mind and go back to the original point structure with all the negative feedback or should i not expect that from them and transfer all my points over to Kris? Also I presume as long as i transfer over from the 8th then it is fine?

I havent done it for a very long time,Is there a FAQ on westpac site on how to do it?

 

[gaz1]

Is there any chance they will change their mind and go back to the original point structure with all the negative feedback or should i not expect that from them and transfer all my points over to Kris?

I'm guessing they would be unlikely to reverse the change this close to the change-over date now as it would cause more of a backlash from the people that converted their points unnecessarily. The negative feedback has been going on for a while & I'm sure they would have reacted quicker if they were going to backflip the change.

 

[Dr Bob]

I havent done it for a very long time,Is there a FAQ on westpac site on how to do it?

It"s easy to follow. Just have your Kris flyer number handy to add when prompted. I transferred my points last Wednesday & they were in my KF account Friday.

 

[theblank]

VA 95,000 each way is true on paper but I cannot find any availability on any dates I choose within 12 months - lots of articles out there stating that vary rarely does VA release business rewards at 95000. Usually its anytime reward at 260000

thats not comparing apples to apples.

there never is availability for AU to LAX in J except for up to about 10-14 days out, then there is usually plenty. Unless you want to fly during school or xmas I think there is almost no chance you cant get a rewards flight within a couple of days when you need to go.

 

[gizzard]

Edited - I have been corrected, this is a Premium Economy Seat not J class.

there never is availability for AU to LAX in J except for up to about 10-14 days out

Not quite....see BNE-LAX 22 May (at time of writing)

 

[Mattg]

Not quite....see BNE-LAX 22 May (at time of writing)
View attachment 143423

That's a premium economy reward seat (not business class).

 

[gizzard]

Apologies, you're right. I rarely go to VA site and misread it. I will update my other post too.

That's a premium economy reward seat (not business class).