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

[TripleB]

All one transaction.

Fri 20 Nov 2020
PERSONAL - ULTIMATE 20-NOV-2020
43,217

 

[http_x92]

All one transaction.

Fri 20 Nov 2020
PERSONAL - ULTIMATE 20-NOV-2020
43,217

All good then. Just saw the fine print:

'Bonus Points will appear on your statement as ‘Bonus Awards’ within 90 days of you meeting the eligibility criteria.'

So I guess its the waiting game for me now.

 

[prozac]

If I add my father as a supplementary card holder, does the travel insurance extend to him if he travels solo?

I haven't read the CBA conditions, but taking Amex as a case the supplementary holder is not covered unless traveling with the primary card holder.

 

[GSP]

I decided to finally give this a go before the cut off period. Like some others above, I completed Stage 3 of the application and got the "Thanks, we'll review your application can come back to you within 7 days". So I haven't had to upload License, Payslips etc.

I'm assuming this was the same as others who have got this card and what was your experience as to when they come back and presumably back again once documents are uploaded?

 

[GSP]

This application is now turning out to be the pits. I was conditionally approved then asked to supply my pay slips which I did. I was then asked to supply them again, which I did. I was then asked to supply them again to a staff member at a branch. By that time I was getting a bit frustrated but given I'd received a credit enquiry may as well go along with it.

Now I have to provide 3 months of bank statements, a letter from my employer, a bill from two utility companies and last years tax assessment.

I told the person at the branch I'm unlikely to continue, particularly as they tried to help to speak to somebody to clarify the excessive request but they could not even get through.

 

[GSP]

This application was a disaster. The card arrived today. Definitely will be a churner.

 

[benjy]

This application is now turning out to be the pits. I was conditionally approved then asked to supply my pay slips which I did. I was then asked to supply them again, which I did. I was then asked to supply them again to a staff member at a branch. By that time I was getting a bit frustrated but given I'd received a credit enquiry may as well go along with it.

Now I have to provide 3 months of bank statements, a letter from my employer, a bill from two utility companies and last years tax assessment.

I told the person at the branch I'm unlikely to continue, particularly as they tried to help to speak to somebody to clarify the excessive request but they could not even get through.

Did you end up providing their requested information?

I've been asked to provide 2 payslips, letter from employer, bank statements showing Salary and last year's NOA. After speaking to an operator today, they advise this is a standard request because the application has been provided to an external verifications team first before coming back to the internal verification team to approve.

I'll provide the payslips and last year's NOA easily, showing bank statements are a PITA, I'll redact my expenses and will just show them Salary confirmation. Asking for letter from employer is easy, just annoying to ask

 

[GSP]

Did you end up providing their requested information?

I've been asked to provide 2 payslips, letter from employer, bank statements showing Salary and last year's NOA. After speaking to an operator today, they advise this is a standard request because the application has been provided to an external verifications team first before coming back to the internal verification team to approve.

I'll provide the payslips and last year's NOA easily, showing bank statements are a PITA, I'll redact my expenses and will just show them Salary confirmation. Asking for letter from employer is easy, just annoying to ask

I had already provided my payslips, I then provided a utility bill, redacted bank statement like you did and previous years ATO notification. It all went into an empty hole, with follows ignored.

I then did an online complaint about the service saying nobody is getting back to me and poor service and with the desired outcome show whether the application was either declined or successful. That got CBA into action and some rep who ended up being quite helpful advised that my application had been closed without success or failure of the application. (Netbank didn't show this) and that he'd walk me through another painless application. I was skeptical and went with it. Despite taking a little while still I was approved with just supplying the payslips.

 

[benjy]

I then did an online complaint about the service saying nobody is getting back to me and poor service and with the desired outcome show whether the application was either declined or successful.

Looks like I'm getting the same run around as you did. Could you please point me in the right direction to submit an online request? Tried to look for myself but unable to locate the correct area.

I've called 3 times already asking for update and each time getting different response. My last consultant seemed helpful and apologetic advising he had submitted a complaint?! (which I didn't ask for, but ok) on my behalf and someone call me back within 24 hours, that was Thursday afternoon, guess what, no phone call yet.

 

[GSP]

Looks like I'm getting the same run around as you did. Could you please point me in the right direction to submit an online request? Tried to look for myself but unable to locate the correct area.

I've called 3 times already asking for update and each time getting different response. My last consultant seemed helpful and apologetic advising he had submitted a complaint?! (which I didn't ask for, but ok) on my behalf and someone call me back within 24 hours, that was Thursday afternoon, guess what, no phone call yet.

Hi Benjy,

Goto this link. Contact Us - Your Feedback - CommBank

They got back to me in a few days and had better service after that.

 

[GSP]

I've just received the 90k bonus points (about 3 weeks after qualifying). I think I'll transfer to VFF but wait until there is a special of 15% or the like (which would have to be at VFF). I'm correct in assuming this would qualify for VFF's semi regular specials?

I think I'll hold onto the card for the anniversary and get the other 30k points. 2.5k per month to avoid the $35 monthly fee isn't too bad.

 

[Myrna]

Hubby has got an email from CBA inviting him to upgrade from Diamond to Ultimate card.
I have read about both, and am of the opinion that maybe he should go for it. The only issue is that if they ask him to provide 'regular income' paperwork, then we won't have any because hubby has retired, no regular income. We are living off our savings! No handout, no nothing. We have a home loan package with CBA cost $395 a year, and annual fee on Diamond is waived. I also understand that there is currently a point promo on the Ultimate card, but only for new customer - not existing customer in another reward program.
What are other pitfalls which we should be aware of?

 

[http_x92]

Hubby has got an email from CBA inviting him to upgrade from Diamond to Ultimate card.
I have read about both, and am of the opinion that maybe he should go for it. The only issue is that if they ask him to provide 'regular income' paperwork, then we won't have any because hubby has retired, no regular income. We are living off our savings! No handout, no nothing. We have a home loan package with CBA cost $395 a year, and annual fee on Diamond is waived. I also understand that there is currently a point promo on the Ultimate card, but only for new customer - not existing customer in another reward program.
What are other pitfalls which we should be aware of?

The monthly fee is not waived even if you have the home loan package. Which means you need to spend $2500 a month to avoid the monthly fee. Definitely not worth it if you are living off your savings - keep the Diamond instead.

 

[Myrna]

The monthly fee is not waived even if you have the home loan package. Which means you need to spend $2500 a month to avoid the monthly fee. Definitely not worth it if you are living off your savings - keep the Diamond instead.

Good point. Hubby thought the same.

 

[GSP]

Hubby has got an email from CBA inviting him to upgrade from Diamond to Ultimate card.
I have read about both, and am of the opinion that maybe he should go for it. The only issue is that if they ask him to provide 'regular income' paperwork, then we won't have any because hubby has retired, no regular income. We are living off our savings! No handout, no nothing. We have a home loan package with CBA cost $395 a year, and annual fee on Diamond is waived. I also understand that there is currently a point promo on the Ultimate card, but only for new customer - not existing customer in another reward program.
What are other pitfalls which we should be aware of?

If he has been invited, then I'd doubt you'd need to go through the income proof but never know.

In addition to the previous replies, awards point earning depends on your shopping. Supermarkets, servos and dept stors earn more on Ultimate (2x) compared to Diamond (1.25x) whilst everything else (except O/S which is 3x for Ultimate) Diamond is better with Ultimate 1x and Diamond 1.25x.

The other thing about Ultimate is it does have no O/S trans fees which depending on your spending habits (in the future) are beneficial.

Regarding the bonus points, it is for new customers, but I'd enquire if you could be eligible as that is quite generous, but as mentioned $2.5 spend per month to avoid the $35 fee may or may not work for you.

 

[Myrna]

If he has been invited, then I'd doubt you'd need to go through the income proof but never know.

In addition to the previous replies, awards point earning depends on your shopping. Supermarkets, servos and dept stors earn more on Ultimate (2x) compared to Diamond (1.25x) whilst everything else (except O/S which is 3x for Ultimate) Diamond is better with Ultimate 1x and Diamond 1.25x.

The other thing about Ultimate is it does have no O/S trans fees which depending on your spending habits (in the future) are beneficial.

Regarding the bonus points, it is for new customers, but I'd enquire if you could be eligible as that is quite generous, but as mentioned $2.5 spend per month to avoid the $35 fee may or may not work for you.

Thanks, GSP, for the comparison of the 2 cards. Will think about our spending patterns if it is worthwhile to take up the upgrade invitation.

 

[http_x92]

Commbank Ultimate Qantas Bonus Points offer is upped to 70k now. Still a $30 Qantas Enrolment fee. Better than what they have previously:

Ultimate Awards credit card - rewards credit card - CommBank

Earn unlimited Awards points or Qantas Points each year with the Ultimate Awards credit card. International travel insurance included, activate before you travel.

www.commbank.com.au

 

[GSP]

Commbank Ultimate Qantas Bonus Points offer is upped to 70k now. Still a $30 Qantas Enrolment fee. Better than what they have previously:

Ultimate Awards credit card - rewards credit card - CommBank

Earn unlimited Awards points or Qantas Points each year with the Ultimate Awards credit card. International travel insurance included, activate before you travel.

www.commbank.com.au

Interesting, I looks like the Awards points have been changed from 90k +30k after one year to 100k straight up or back to what was originally offered documented at the start of this thread, so technically its a regressive move unless one was going to get the points and close.

I can't recall QFF points being offered as part of the sign up, I thought it was always the points and then transfer at the 2.5 to 1 ratio, so from that perspective 70k QFF points v 100k Award points makes QFF a very good option even with the $30 fee.

 

[MichielH]

Any update on your application process @Dave Griffin and @Lawrage?

Application is a different type - there is no submit button to press that makes you think you have completed the application. Strange one that for the mind! However, after providing required documents with application 3 days later the status has updated to being assessed. Would think on 4th day the card will be approved.

 

[jboy90]

Just applied and received immediate conditional approval. Might have been a bit easier than others as I already had a 'shell' CBA profile from back when I banked with them. I didn't have to verify ID as it was already there. Uploaded supporting documents and told online that it will take up to 3 business days.
Painless compared to others, but I think the old relationship I had with them has helped immensely.