New Altitude Black has landed...

[Beta4Me]

To be fair, the SPG Gold membership might be worthwhile. I haven't tested it out yet though, so maybe not!

I misinterpreted as benefits for the additional (supplementary) cardholder! But, yes, SPG Gold for a year is handy.

 

[Jack_OC]

I misinterpreted as benefits for the additional (supplementary) cardholder! But, yes, SPG Gold for a year is handy.

Maybe not worded that clearly! I assumed it was a rhetorical question!

 

[TON88]

Don't expect too much from Black Altitude call centre.

 

[Pushka]

I gave up on the Black call centre after 30 mins on hold. Just rang the normal gold number and was answered on 3. They found out what I needed to know.

 

[TON88]

I used to hold a Amex Centurion (until Dec 12 I down graded), from my understanding Westpac is trying to tap into the luxury services, but they still have a lot to learn what is luxury services really involve. I got my Black Altitude 2 weeks ago, so far uncounted many dramas. They've just painted their cards black so they can charge customer extra fee. It will take a while for the black paint to dry.

 

[KLN]

my additional card holders cards arrived today, they all got very excited (i have 2 of these cards) but these have miracously turned into "Earth Black". don't know why, but am trying to build up enough energy to have an arguement on the phone when i get home

 

[KLN]

panic attack over. the supp cards are definately just Black, no Earth about them, just delivered in the wrong black envelope and with the wrong Earth paperwork. pphheeww, certainly didn't want to direct any points to QFF

 

[TON88]

For those Westpac premium advantage customers, you don't pay annual fee for Altitude Black for life

 

[k3nnis]

I wonder are there more altitude or earth black holders ? I'm trying to see if its worth going over to QFF or stay with altitude......

 

[Jack_OC]

I used to hold a Amex Centurion (until Dec 12 I down graded), from my understanding Westpac is trying to tap into the luxury services, but they still have a lot to learn what is luxury services really involve. I got my Black Altitude 2 weeks ago, so far uncounted many dramas. They've just painted their cards black so they can charge customer extra fee. It will take a while for the black paint to dry.

To be fair, I don't think there is any suggestion that this is meant to be an equivalent to the Amex Centurion! It has a similar (advertised) annual fee and rewards earn rate as CBA Diamond and Citi Signature (~$400-$450) so I'd say those cards would be more appropriate comparators. And as far as I can tell, virtually no one is actually paying the advertised Black fee, so if you're going to expect service akin to a card with a $5k a year fee, you're going to be disappointed!

To add to the list of complaints though, my wife's (supplementary) cards never turned up, and when I phoned up about that, the guy said its because they were sent to our old address (we moved out 18 months ago). I asked how they managed to send my cards to the correct address, along with monthly statements and other general correspondence over the past year and a half. He said it's because I updated my address but my wife didn't update hers. I pointed out that this is not a joint account, and my wife doesn't have an account of any description with Westpac. Also, I only see one address when I check my details, and if I go to change my details online, there is no mention of my wife's details or any mechanism to change them. As such, I asked (a) why she needed to update her details separately and (b) how she was supposed to do this if she doesn't have an account and hence doesn't have phone or internet banking etc. The guy claimed she'd have to visit a branch, and it was intentional that I can't see what address is registered for her!! Bizarre.

Anyway, the upshot was my nice new Black cards were cancelled and they've had to order new cards for both of us!

 

[N860CR]

Had the same issue a while ago with my Platinum sup cards... Moved from QLD to SYD, my address obviously updated but +1 had no facility to as they had no other Westpac accounts. Westpac ATM ate my card so everything had to be reissued . My cards showed up... +1 never did (and I was never told they were only being replaced so I had to make an 11pm dash to the servo when they were declined!). Called Westpac... told they couldn't tell me where +1's cards were sent due to privacy concerns (I guess we need to protect our partners who use our money from having their address revealed ). Took some screwing around, but eventually revealed they had been sent to QLD (so who knows who has a hold of them). Had to reissue mine and +1's yet again. Westpac really are totally useless. Just stuff-up after stuff-up with them!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Previously held WSQ Visa / Amex combo and applied and received Altitude Black combo. Anybody else in same situation cop the 40K bonus pts?

 

[prozac]

Previously held WSQ Visa / Amex combo and applied and received Altitude Black combo. Anybody else in same situation cop the 40K bonus pts?

Cruiser, are you telling us you got the points or are really hoping you will?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Cruiser, are you telling us you got the points or are really hoping you will?

Hoping - activated card Mon morn and used it 4 times since - spoke to Westpac today and CSR assured me I would get bonus pts.

This was new card application - not upgrade of existing card.

 

[ted123]

Previously held WSQ Visa / Amex combo and applied and received Altitude Black combo. Anybody else in same situation cop the 40K bonus pts?

Hi Cruiser Elite you will have no problem and the 40k should hit your account shorthly. I have the same SQ WBC AMEX/VISA combo and I received the bonus not long after my first spend.

Ted

 

[prozac]

Hoping - activated card Mon morn and used it 4 times since - spoke to Westpac today and CSR assured me I would get bonus pts.

This was new card application - not upgrade of existing card.

Hope it goes through.

.....when someone says it's not about the points, it's about the points.
It's ALL about he points.

 

[prozac]

Hi Cruiser Elite you will have no problem and the 40k should hit your account shorthly. I have the same SQ WBC AMEX/VISA combo and I received the bonus not long after my first spend.

Ted

Now I wish I had to apply for mine.

 

[KLN]

just a warning, i have 2 sets of these cards both with supplementary cardholders. both the supps were activated online when arrived but didn't work still, Mr KLN had to het a new set of cards, and Ms KLN' were activated at the branch. both the cards worked at the branch but then didn't work at the shops

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Thanks Ted - will report back as to bonus status.

Thanks KLN - yes have 1 Supp cardholder so will pay attention to your advice.

 

[k_sheep]

According to the website, you now get 2x priority passes per year - has anyone got them?? I don't believe that was available when mine swapped over ...