Macquarie Visa Plat - Fee Free 1st yr + 25k Qantas Pts for $5000 spend

[ferni]

Complaints line people are very friendly/helpful... looked into my issue and got back to me and said the issue was the local supermarket i shop at (a big woolworths) classify themselves as a 'Package store' whatever that is... thats the merchant code Mac receive and what they base bonus points on. They are going to give us the bonus points on all transactions for statements i've had up until now....

While i appreciate what that my thoughts are that the back end systems are not my issue... the T&C don't say "We will award 5 points per dollar spent at supermarkets that identify them self with xx_ merchant code which you will have no idea about".. so I'm going to call back and keep pushing the issue.... they did say they would pass on my feedback to the product manager about how are we meant to know what classifies as a supermarket in their system but as of this second if i go to the macquarie site they are still offering the same deal with the same T&C, nothing about merchant codes....

 

[Foreigner]

seems to be only Macquarie Rewards or QFF:

http://www.macquarie.com.au/dafiles...ions/creditcards-rewards-terms-conditions.pdf

Business or business-related expenditure don't earn reward points. Otherwise this card would suit me.

 

[fersea]

I have just finished my 6 months and have had no problems with the bonus points. My electricity, gas and water bills always got points as did the supermarkets and petrol stations.

I do mainly go to the majors (Coles and Woolworths) but a couple of IGA transactions came up fine as did 7 elevens as petrol stations (again generally go to Coles and Woolworths petrol).

Because I was away for 5 weeks in the middle of the 6 months and I am not one to spend a lot anyway, I ended up buying about $1000 of vouchers over the course of the 6 months and my utilities bills are in enough credit to at least cover the next quarter and I just hit the $5000. Was probably a bit crazy just to get points, but I now look forward to using up the vouchers and spending very little money over the next few months.

All in all I don't have any complaints with this card. (Apart from the saga to get the internet banking working - see my posts earlier).

 

[Daver6]

I had an issue with my May statement where the points just didn't add up. I called the 1300 number and after promises of calling me back and not I was finally told the reason was the last 3 transactions didn't accrue points in that period but would appear in the following one.

Well, that statement has now come and no points. I can't figure out how their calculations work! I have since contacted the Australian complaints line and they have been a little more helpful. However, they tell me the points difference is because some things I believed to accrue points at $5 per dollar don't.

This annoys me because:

a) This is not the reason I was told last month
b) Some of those transactions are at the Woolworths supermarket in Subaico. Apparently they didn't sign up for the promotion.

I told them I feel this is deceptive advertising at the least and just not good enough. I am honestly stunned by this. They are now going to go through all my transactions. I told them I'm not interested in hearing who has and hasn't signed up for the promotion. I expect to receive 5 points per dollar for all petrol, supermarket and utility transactions. Let's see what happens.

This is officially the worst credit card ever!

 

[ferni]

Same issues I'm having. I've sent in an email which i've been told is being discussed with the product manager...

 

[legroom]

..... Some of those transactions are at the Woolworths supermarket in Subaico. Apparently they didn't sign up for the promotion.

This is officially the worst credit card ever!

Could there be a clearer case of misleading and deceptive conduct ?

A supermarket is a supermarket.

How are we supposed to know ?

Has Macquarie ever supplied a definitive list of "approved" sites ?

The onus is on them - clearly.

I am angry - for you !

I stopped using now for 6 weeks having accrued all points already but have not cancelled yet.

 

[will2rob]

From the terms and conditions.

~ Invitations are valid for Qantas Club and Qantas operated international Business Lounges only. Not valid in International First Class Lounges, Chairman's Lounge, Qantas Domestic Business, Qantas oneworld® alliance airline, partner airline or associated lounges. Each invitation is valid for a single visit before the date specified on the invitation, when travelling with Qantas or Jetstar with a QF or JQ flight number. Qantas Club rules apply which are available at qantas.com/qantasclub. Subject to Qantas Club Invitation Conditions available at macquarie.com.au. To be eligible for the two Qantas Club lounge passes you must be approved by 28 February 2013, opt into Qantas Frequent Flyer Rewards. The two Qantas Club lounge passes will be sent to your Card account mailing address within 60 days of your first eligible purchase, provided that you are not in breach of the Conditions of Use and your Account remains open. The two Qantas Club lounge passes expire on 31 December 2013.

Would anyone happen to have screenshot showing the 2 x QP offer saved? I haven't received mine and rang a few weeks ago to be told they would be sent out within a week of that call. I followed up today and was told that I wasn't eligible as the offer of the 2 x QP passes only applied to existing Macquarie card holders who applied for the offer.

Absolute frog**** I know, but it will make the task of arguing the toss a little easier if I have the screenshot.

Once I get the passes, I intend on cancelling this card. What a bunch of muppets.

 

[legroom]

Would anyone happen to have screenshot showing the 2 x QP offer saved? I haven't received mine and rang a few weeks ago to be told they would be sent out within a week of that call. I followed up today and was told that I wasn't eligible as the offer of the 2 x QP passes only applied to existing Macquarie card holders who applied for the offer.

Absolute frog**** I know, but it will make the task of arguing the toss a little easier if I have the screenshot.

Once I get the passes, I intend on cancelling this card. What a bunch of muppets.

See my earlier post

This is another link (May 2013)

But then I do not know when you applied for your card.

Rang the complaints line yet ?

 

[deejo77]

Also got an offer to do a balance transfer to this card for 1.9% for 6 or maybe it was 9 mths - offer got deleted as I am not dealing with these guys after my 6mths 5X points offer is over

 

[Isochronous]

What's the income requirement for this card? Thinking of putting the folks on to it, especially with the utility bill bonus.

 

[deejo77]

To be eligible for the Macquarie Visa Platinum Card:

• You are 18 years old or over
• You are a permanent resident of Australia
• You have a good credit rating
• You must earn a minimum taxable income of $50,000 per annum

 

[ferni]

What's the income requirement for this card? Thinking of putting the folks on to it, especially with the utility bill bonus.

I don't think it's fee free anymore and the bonus's are just more trouble than they are worth. Go for the WW EDR 20k bonus for $89 and 1p/$.

 

[PLANT]

EDR is 16K bonus until August...do you have a link to 20K bonus?

 

[will2rob]

See my earlier post

This is another link (May 2013)

But then I do not know when you applied for your card.


Rang the complaints line yet ?

Thanks Legroom. I was approved in April so the May screenshot is exactly what I needed.

 

[ausfox]

I am considering the EDR but what are the benefits of their Platinum as I already have other Platinum CC. Also what do they mean by approved purchases. Has any member had experience with the business purchases exclusions?

 

[elementdevil]

What do you guys think?

Macquarie MPW Qantas Frequent Flyer exclusive offer

And because you're one of our highly valued clients, if you are approved by 15 May 2013 and opt into Qantas Frequent Flyer Rewards with your Visa Platinum Card, you will receive two Qantas Club lounge passes for your next Qantas flight, valid until 31 December 2013[SUP]~[/SUP].

This reads to me as - if you are approved by 15 May 2013, applicant will get 2 Qantas Club lounge passes as a bonus. But the annual fee waver still valid & bonus points are still valid.

 

[Chicken]

I have to say that my experience with this card has been good so far. I did call once after about 6 weeks about my Qantas pass, was basically told to be patience. Eventually received them after about 9 or 10 weeks automatically.

I've also been checking the points I get each month. I was about 50 points short on my first statement, but the points I received from every statement after had been more than what I calculated I should be receiving, as in 5x points for petrol (Coles Express & BP), 5x at IGA supermarkets, 5x for Origin electricity and gas, and Telstra + ClubTelco, and I still got more than I expect.

 

[ferni]

EDR is 16K bonus until August...do you have a link to 20K bonus?

Here you go, it was sent to me in email by them

http://www.everydaymoneycard.com.au/wqcc20000/

 

[Daver6]

I had an issue with my May statement where the points just didn't add up. I called the 1300 number and after promises of calling me back and not I was finally told the reason was the last 3 transactions didn't accrue points in that period but would appear in the following one.

Well, that statement has now come and no points. I can't figure out how their calculations work! I have since contacted the Australian complaints line and they have been a little more helpful. However, they tell me the points difference is because some things I believed to accrue points at $5 per dollar don't.

This annoys me because:

a) This is not the reason I was told last month
b) Some of those transactions are at the Woolworths supermarket in Subaico. Apparently they didn't sign up for the promotion.

I told them I feel this is deceptive advertising at the least and just not good enough. I am honestly stunned by this. They are now going to go through all my transactions. I told them I'm not interested in hearing who has and hasn't signed up for the promotion. I expect to receive 5 points per dollar for all petrol, supermarket and utility transactions. Let's see what happens.

This is officially the worst credit card ever!

Well after several weeks I finally got this reply. It essentially took them a long time to re-hash the same rubbish and not actually address my concerns. This is from the Australian dispute resolution centre.

Re: Qantas Frequent Flyer Offer (QFF) - 5 points for each $1 spent

We refer to our conversation and thank you for your patience while we have investigated your concerns regarding the 5:1 points.
We confirm that all merchants who are defined as part of the registration process with the scheme, as a supermarket or petrol station will attract the 5:1 bonus points for the first $5000.00 spend.
By way of explanation the merchants that apply to Visa as a 'supermarket or petrol station ' will atract the points, however, in the event where a merchant has applied as a "convenience store" (for example), then the merchant code which is supplied as part of the transaction will present the category as a convenience store, and will not match the category code of "supermarket" or "petrol station" and not attract the bonus points.
This would also explain, why the same merchant name, 7-Eleven for example, attracted the points for one store and another 7 Eleven that is is not registered as a "supermarket" , has not attracted the points.
Unfortunately we do not have visibility or control over who applies under a supermarket or petrol station category with Visa. The role of Macquarie is that of a credit provider only and is not privy to the agreement made between the merchants and Visa.

We apologise for the inconvenience regarding this matter and thank you for your feedback. We would like to assure you we have shared your feedback with our product team.
On the occasion when our clients are not satisfied with our handling of a matter they have the option to contact the external complaint resolution body, the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). You can contact FOS on 1300 780 808 and quote our membership number 10635, or write to FOS at:
Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)
GPO Box 3
MELBOURNE, Victoria, 3001
An information brochure titled “How to resolve your dispute” can be accessed from the FOS website at the above address. You can access this by clicking on the “Publications” tab at the top of the home page, then selecting “Brochures”.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to call us on (02) 8245 4388.
Kind regards

 

[will2rob]

Just got off the phone to Macquarie customer complaints regarding the missing lounge passes. They have said they will honour the T&C and give me the passes, but they have stated that the offer was only supposed to be applicable to existing card holders, not new applicants.

Another indication of how poorly run this mob is.