St George Amplify card - $139 for 90k points (discounted fee via specific link)

[Dr Ralph]

I don't recall ever having to collect a card from a branch in the 4 years I've been churning.

Happens about 20% of the time for me.

St George, NAB and Westpac are the main culprits.

 

[Mr_Orange]

Didn't know?

During the application process for me it asked me to nominate a branch for collection.

I nominated a branch too, however my card came in the post.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I’m in Canberra too. Bit surprised the card came in mail as people here say theirs were delivered to branch. Maybe because I’m an existing St George customer so don’t have to verify identity.

Quite possibly. I was not a St George customer and 9 months ago when I got my fee free one I had to pick it up from a branch of BoM.

Will see where my wife's goes as she has only recently applied. She is also not an existing St George customer.

 

[tizey]

If you've got an existing st George/bank of Melbourne etc profile, it will match you up on your existing profile... Even if you don't have a current open account with them.

Looks like this one is covered in unobtainium for tizey... Am pushing for a review with customer experience as seems very odd reason provided for rejection.

 

[jewles]

I applied and sent payslips on Wednesday morning and had heard nothing about approval until I received a call from a branch that my card is ready for collection. Unfortunately they are only open 9.30 - 4 Monday to Friday and I work full time 30kms away so picking it up will be a complete pain. Nice fast turnaround though!

 

[BettyB]

Applied today. Had to nominate a branch for card collection.

 

[Saintza]

Have applied and been approved, fairly painless and very fast - even on the weekend! I couldn't see it anywhere, but does anyone know if government payments (rates, water, etc) count towards the $5k spend? The only exclusion I could see was the BPAY one.

 

[coriander]

government payments (rates, water, etc) count towards the $5k

They say not (section 4.5 of T&C), but they earn points, so I guess so. I used it last year for rates until I discovered PostBillPay took Paypal (thanks to a post here on AFF).

 

[get me outta here]

I thought the dragon card did qualify for the ato according to the thread paying that mob with a cc.

There is this thread - see post 232. St George Amplify Signature Card 60,000 Qantas/Amplify points - Annual fee $279

 

[Pete98765432]

They say not (section 4.5 of T&C), but they earn points, so I guess so. I used it last year for rates until I discovered PostBillPay took Paypal (thanks to a post here on AFF).

Section 4.5 excludes government charges. I think that means charges like the former Financial Institutions Duty, not spending with government agencies.

 

[kamchatsky]

So after applying for it and then submitted my bank statements for last 3 months (even though I have already submitted my payslips), I got the information pack from them (the card will come later). However the welcome letter indicated that the initial annual fee is $139, and subsequent annual fee is $139.

Now with this offer, is it worth keeping this card for long term? Or should I slash and burn? It is a tricky one as I am planning to cut down the Citibank Signature Visa and there aren't that many Visa/MC cards that can earn decent points.

 

[cove]

This card is way better than Citi now.

 

[Pete98765432]

However the welcome letter indicated that the initial annual fee is $139, and subsequent annual fee is $139.

I noticed this as well. If the subsequent annual fee is $139 then I think this could be a keeper. Effective rate of 0.825 points per dollar with birthday bonus and uncapped isn’t too bad these days.

 

[RoMambai]

As I cannot put through $90,000 p.a on this card, it makes far more sense in my case to churn as soon as the points come in and re-apply 12-months later. But for bigger spenders, I can see the attraction in keeping it.

 

[kamchatsky]

I noticed this as well. If the subsequent annual fee is $139 then I think this could be a keeper. Effective rate of 0.825 points per dollar with birthday bonus and uncapped isn’t too bad these days.

From all the paperwork received, it does say $139 annual fee for subsequent year.

Given the card includes 2 complimentary lounge pass every year (Qantas Club for Amplify Qantas, and Priority Pass for Amplify Rewards), some people say that is worth $100 total. So if you do really use these passes then the annual fee drops to like $40 per year.

Plus it has overseas travel insurance included that kicks in when you spend $500 on prepaid travel costs on the card.

Plus the 10% anniversary bonus and access to Visa Luxury Hotel Collection, an no fee additional cardholder, it may be worth keeping as there are no caps.

I just need to check whether government bills like water rates, council rates are not excluded in point earn (Citibank cards no longer earns points for those items).

 

[lovetravellingoz]

From all the paperwork received, it does say $139 annual fee for subsequent year.

.

I would keep that paperwork then as I smell an error.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Got my paperwork in the mail. Also got the $139 annual fee renewal notice.

Have to go to a branch in 5 days to collect card.

This is becoming a drawn out process.

 

[Isochronous]

I got the card in Dec but still not bonus points. Are they really going to make me wait the 3 months?

 

[get me outta here]

I too am still waiting for the bonus.

 

[cove]

The best bit about this CC is you warehouse the points and the points grow by 10% on the anniversary.