Card Promotions Commonwealth Bank (Ultimate Awards Card) 100K award points – potentially fee free

[gaz0303]

This card has sucked me to keeping it a bit longer. Easy to maintain fee free, no international transaction fees, nice cash back promos and award balance keeps ticking over nicely. Only down side was getting a supplementary card was onerous as it needed a branch visit despite having an old commbank account.

 

[Walter_Plinge]

There are other places to transfer points as well, including Velocity which may have better transfer rates.

An alternative is to redeem points at Flight Centre.

 

[Mr H]

An alternative is to redeem points at Flight Centre.

And I’m sure you could find a toaster somewhere.

 

[Leroy87]

I've met the $5k+ spend on the first statement and had it sweep across to QF (3178 points) but it doesn't look like the 70k bonus has found it's way as well.

Can anyone who has got the bonus points comment as to whether they come as part of the monthly sweep or if I should wait a few more days before chasing up Commbank?

 

[ChrisMars]

I've met the $5k+ spend on the first statement and had it sweep across to QF (3178 points) but it doesn't look like the 70k bonus has found it's way as well.

Can anyone who has got the bonus points comment as to whether they come as part of the monthly sweep or if I should wait a few more days before chasing up Commbank?

I think it took a couple of statements before it landed in my account.
Also, check the t&cs of the offer, it usually state how longs the bonus points processing is. No point (and poor form imho) contacting them before.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

I've met the $5k+ spend on the first statement and had it sweep across to QF (3178 points) but it doesn't look like the 70k bonus has found it's way as well.

Can anyone who has got the bonus points comment as to whether they come as part of the monthly sweep or if I should wait a few more days before chasing up Commbank?

My first statement cycle was 12 Aug - 12 Sep. Spent the $5k on 24 Aug, and bonus points appeared in my awards activity on 1 Sep, so it could be that the bonus points are awarded on the 1st of the month after meeting the spend criteria. Points arrived with QF the day after the statement (13 Sep).

 

[Leroy87]

I think it took a couple of statements before it landed in my account.
Also, check the t&cs of the offer, it usually state how longs the bonus points processing is. No point (and poor form imho) contacting them before.

I'm in the habit of chasing as soon as the T's&C's allow - nothing wrong with that.

However, a quick check of the terms says it can be up to 90 days before bonus points land, so I guess I'll need to keep putting $2.5k through the card each month to avoid ~$100 in monthly fees .

 

[GSP]

I'm in the habit of chasing as soon as the T's&C's allow - nothing wrong with that.

However, a quick check of the terms says it can be up to 90 days before bonus points land, so I guess I'll need to keep putting $2.5k through the card each month to avoid ~$100 in monthly fees .

I think it is only $35 per month, but either way - need to avoid!

 

[EestiTiger]

Fairly easily application process for this one. Conditionally approved, uploaded 2 payslips and that’s it. Never had to speak to anyone and they never asked for other income verification (rental income).

Oddly, I never received a message or email stating that it had been approved. Went back to the application page and after 3 days it just said “completed”. Clicking on it says “your application is complete, you can see your new account on netbank”. Logged into netbank and nothing was there.

Did speak to someone at CBA to verify. They had no idea what I was talking about and said it wasn’t possible that I received such a message as the card won’t appear on netbank until activated. Also said they don’t communicate regarding approval, you just know it’s approved when the card shows up

As above I found it very strange there is no update on the status of your application.
I applied, was conditionally approved, 3 days later officially approved but not told. I called the call centre the following day who said it was approved and sorted out Netbank for me. Card arrived BNE metro 4 days after approval.

 

[Bolt]

I have applied for, and am using this card. Although the deal is good, the product is terrible.

The Deal

• International fee-free transactions.
• 70K bonus points.
• Fee free provided you make a large spend each month ($2500).
• Free international travel insurance that only requires you activate it for each trip.

The Product

• Credit limit - For some reason, they only gave me an $8K limit, which I'm struggling with, as I need to make extra payments mid cycle. It's much less than my previous credit card with $35K limit. You can't get this raised without applying for another credit query on your file. Even if you do, they'll probably just evaluate you on the same criteria when you applied. Also, they won't tell you what you need to do or provide to qualify for a better credit limit, as they consider that information trade secret. Rediculous; but alot of banks are like this.
• Transaction disputes - There is no way to fill this out in the app or web site. You must call the customer service line.
• Customer service - I've called them twice in the past two days, and given up after holding for over half an hour.
• App - The most confusing banking app I've ever used. Not a big deal once you know how to use it though.
• Automatic payments - You can only make automatic payments from your CommBank account. Automatic credit card payments aren't possible via direct debit from other banks. This is the only bank I've ever experienced this with.

Edit: Having just gotten back from NZ, I have noticed that the insurance that I had thought I had activated is still showing as not activated. Further, when one goes to activate a new insurance policy through the app, you will get an error saying "Temporarily Unavailable". The insurance activation doesn't work through the web site at all - if you can even find it.

 

[Viridis]

Anybody had any success getting more than one additional card holder for this card?

Just approved but not yet received the card

 

[gaz0303]

Anybody had any success getting more than one additional card holder for this card?

Just approved but not yet received the card

Yes…but required them to go to a branch for identity check etc despite being an existing commbank customer.

 

[Viridis]

Yes…but required them to go to a branch for identity check etc despite being an existing commbank customer.

Thanks. Looking to give one each to the (adult) kids as well as my wife

 

[Mr H]

Thanks. Looking to give one each to the (adult) kids as well as my wife

That's courageous.

 

[Viridis]

Yes…but required them to go to a branch for identity check etc despite being an existing commbank customer.

That's courageous.

Went into a CommBank branch today - one additional/supplementary cardholder only. No exceptions.

Bummer

 

[blacksultan]

Is the travel insurance provided with this card good ? Any experiences ?

 

[Rich]

Hit the $5k spend in the second statement and the 70000 points went across then.
Easy 70000 points for no outlay (if you spend enough to avoid a monthly fee). However poor points earning so time to cancel.

 

[Rich]

Is the travel insurance provided with this card good ? Any experiences ?

Good questions! Maybe I won't cancel the card just yet for a March/ April trip next year. (I have other cards but perhaps a few policies wouldn't hurt.) I just started the process of registering a trip - standard stuff included. They then give you the option to add some extras so I will have to think about it - Cruise cover (loss of formal clothes, cover for seasickness or being confined to cabin due to illness) for $50 extra over a 3 week overall trip, extra car rental insurance, snow, extreme sports..)

 

[one9]

Three negatives of this card which may not matter to many people:

1. The additional cardholder shares the same card number. I think this is really backward. I recently had my card compromised. Whilst they picked up the unauthorized Zara transaction quickly and blocked by card, this means that both my & the additional cardholders card gets cancelled and re-issued. It also means the card & awards can no longer be access in Internet banking or the app until I receive the new card. Transaction history can no longer be downloaded - only statements.

2. You can't link the card to Xero. If you are using the card for your business, or I guess if you want to use it with personal finance apps that download your transaction history - it won't work.

3. If you download the transaction data in a CSV file, the dates differ to the statement. eg. The downloaded dates are the authorized dates, and the statement are the settled dates. Other cards I haven't had this problem.

 

[Ktan89]

Might take up this card for the bonus points and international fee free transaction.
Heading overseas 21st December so hopefully I can get the card in time.
What are the exchange rates like, close to xe.com ?

Also want to confirm there are no Annual fees for this card, just the $35 per month if you don't spend $2,500 right?

We don't have to hold the card for a certain amount of time to get the bonus points?