Westfield XS card

[Daggs01]

Used xs card today to pay cc that adorns QF aerobridges.

Yep I'm on the same planet.

 

[d00dz]

So I went postal today to try it.
He said you need to take the money out of the xs and then put it into the cc.
Scanned xs and it failed. (after thinking, clearly it will fail coz of the no withdraws of money)

So what way do you to it? I didnt tell him to scan the barcode on the bill first then see what happens. Is that what you do? Scan barcode, swipe xs card?

 

[coles525]

San the bill as normal, then he should ask how you wish to pay...

then do a regular EFTPOS payment.

So I went postal today to try it.
He said you need to take the money out of the xs and then put it into the cc.
Scanned xs and it failed. (after thinking, clearly it will fail coz of the no withdraws of money)

So what way do you to it? I didnt tell him to scan the barcode on the bill first then see what happens. Is that what you do? Scan barcode, swipe xs card?

 

[Newk]

You can of course buy multiples which means the postage does not change, been doing it for over a year and in fact was the thread where the XS was really first mentioned

Earn 2,050 Velocity Frequent Flyer Points on this purchase.

Same place actually allows you to quadruple dip if you are into EDR points, cooking wine and gift cards

oh, ah. I appreciate the sharing. Now I'll have to continue exploring. I did have a much more agreeable PO experience today. No questions, no eyebrows. As said elsewhere in this thread it's no business of the CSO how I pay what bills if the system allows. Still hoping an autopay machine turns up in RAds

 

[Newk]

San the bill as normal, then he should ask how you wish to pay...

then do a regular EFTPOS payment.

choose "savings" as the "from account" option. Then enter pin. I think part of the problem with all of this is the training of the PO staff. My helpful CSO today says it may be possible to pay cc bills with just the credit card. That'll be my next research. Remember if all else fails WW takes them for purchases

 

[d00dz]

Self-service trial in selected Australia Post retail outlets - Australia Post

Paying bills and sending parcels within Australia

At Australia Post we believe that paying bills and sending parcels within Australia should be easy and convenient. That's why we are trialling new self-service terminals in five retail outlets across Australia.
Why is Australia Post trialling self-service?

Many Australian retailers including supermarkets and department stores have already introduced self-service solutions. We would like to extend the benefits of self-service to our customers too. We believe this will provide you with greater access, convenience and choice in the way you transact with us.
For us, this self-service approach is about improving customer service. This is particularly important at increasingly busy Australia Post retail outlets because it means that our customer service staff can focus on servicing more complex transactions, such as certification or passport applications.
You can pay bills or send parcels within Australia with our new self-service terminals.
Will the self-service machines be installed in all retail outlets?

While this trial is limited to five locations in Queensland and Victoria, if successful we will consider extending the service to more retail outlets across Australia. If you have visited a retail outlet that is participating in this trial, we would appreciate your feedback here viaemail.
Trial locations

Queensland
Brisbane GPO
Brookside
Loganholme
Victoria
Box Hill
Flinders Lane

 

[d00dz]

Also im trying to pay my citibank cc bill, there is a barcode on the left hand side of the statement.

Hmm let me go retry with them now.

 

[Newk]

Self-service trial in selected Australia Post retail outlets - Australia Post

Paying bills and sending parcels within Australia

At Australia Post we believe that paying bills and sending parcels within Australia should be easy and convenient. That's why we are trialling new self-service terminals in five retail outlets across Australia.
Why is Australia Post trialling self-service?

Many Australian retailers including supermarkets and department stores have already introduced self-service solutions. We would like to extend the benefits of self-service to our customers too. We believe this will provide you with greater access, convenience and choice in the way you transact with us.
For us, this self-service approach is about improving customer service. This is particularly important at increasingly busy Australia Post retail outlets because it means that our customer service staff can focus on servicing more complex transactions, such as certification or passport applications.
You can pay bills or send parcels within Australia with our new self-service terminals.
Will the self-service machines be installed in all retail outlets?

While this trial is limited to five locations in Queensland and Victoria, if successful we will consider extending the service to more retail outlets across Australia. If you have visited a retail outlet that is participating in this trial, we would appreciate your feedback here viaemail.
Trial locations

Queensland
Brisbane GPO
Brookside
Loganholme
Victoria
Box Hill
Flinders Lane

Thanks!!! I tried and failed to find the list. I must say that their web site is only marginally better than Diners

 

[d00dz]

Thanks!!! I tried and failed to find the list. I must say that their web site is only marginally better than Diners

They took it down. I used google cache

 

[coles525]

These are the current Melbourne Po's:

The Glen
Keysborough
Pakenham
Cranbourne
Boxhill
Waverley Gardens
Fountain Gate
Southland.

as quoted on the phone today.

Goin out now, won't be back for a few hrs or more...

 

[Newk]

Also im trying to pay my citibank cc bill, there is a barcode on the left hand side of the statement.

Hmm let me go retry with them now.

would love to hear how you go. I THINK the citi statements suggest you take the card (and ?statement) along to PO. It was going to be one of my next experiments

as far as the process goes I found it helpful the first time to take along the instructions that come nicely wrapped with the XS card. They actually won over the PO staffer who was very sceptical until she read them

best of luck

 

[Joshua]

If all else fails, just say you're paying by savings or whatever the card uses, act dumb and rotate between outlets. In the past I did a lot of testing of different products, this included pre-paid and refillable cards, this included refilling with gift cards - tried a lot of things. Often it would come up with card not accepted or cash-advance not allowed or something to that extent. Always have a backup ready to go and move on.

In regards to my previous post, maybe I wasn't clear enough... I wasn't referring to the WOW Select bonus promotion. There was a short period I was walking into Woolworths, spending $800 and getting $1000 in return + EDR points + CC points. Amex Edge took the 3 points / $, or otherwise you could opt for 5% off ($40) with gift card stacking, you could even do it at self checkout which made it easier. It was based on a hunch since I was aware of the company however it was quickly shut down. The product in question remains useful for daily use depending on your spending patterns.

I had purchased directly from the same company generic cards previously and these were truly universal - better than the XS cards, however they have now stopped taking Amex (originally they did without applying the correct surcharge).

There are a lot of these 'hacks' out there, some of them do become morally questionable though even if perfectly legal.

The local Westfield staff have mentioned I should use the corporate program. Any of you operating a business, purchasing for staff etc. might consider it, the requirement is only about $20000 p/a and they drop the additional charge. Only thing is I forget if they accept Amex. Also look out for are any promos on their gift cards (often poorly promoted), nothing like getting free stuff or free money.

Added: If purchasing XS cards online you can stack something else not mentioned, it's not points but it sounds good to say quintuple dipping

 

[d00dz]

Nope citi uses Bank@Post, which means you cant use the cards. Looks like it's all amex now.

However Cash payments are limited to AUD 6,500, or the outstanding balance as shown on your current Card Account Statement, whichever is the lesser.

 

[Newk]

Happy to report to the excess group that the Dalmatian department store cc that arrived quickly from the USA posted points at 1:1 (rounded up!) for the purchase of the excess card
That translates to 0.75 QF points per dollar IIRC. I used this cc for the purchase mostly to gain this information. Up to you to decide if it's worth anything to know this.

 

[Newk]

Well it was good in theory, but unfortunately doesn't work. (At least not anymore)

Bought some the other day, transaction is in my Amex account, but there ain't no points. Zilch

Seems like American Express at least have cut it off. I'm sure the banks will be onto it by the end of the month as well, so in my opinion not worth trying with my other cards as they only post points at the end of the monthly CCard cycle.

How have you gone with this? And if you don't mind sharing, what sort of Amex do you have? If you hunt around here and the ATO thread you will find that 4 different Amex issued Amex cards HAVE posted points and at least one of them has been since your post.

Is anyone willing to share their experiences with bank issued Amex cards? Or any other card for that matter. I tried and failed to buy the XS with Diners, so that particular card seems to be out of the equation

 

[Newk]

and thanks to markis10 for pointing this out. here are earlier discussions with hints of other card ideas:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ion/4-velocity-rewards-plus-credit-35243.html

what a great lurk buying gift cards with gift cards WAS

 

[Deen]

great info here guys... couple things i have just found out though:

1) my card (NAB Qantas Platinum) does not have the option of paying via postbillpay so cant buy XS giftcard and pay at the PO with same XS card
2) has anyone looked into the Post Office Load'nGo reloadable Visa prepaid card. $6.95 initial activation fee and then zero reloading fees. I see they accept AMEX when you initially purchase with $20 loaded on the card but not sure if you can use AMEX to reload at the Post Office counter. WOuld be handy to pay ATO bills with this card and would be no questions asked for sure.

**edit** just found out you can reload with funds (up to max of $999 at a time and not more than $5k in 30 days) via postbillpay on the internet, using Visa and MAstercard only

 

[Newk]

great info here guys... couple things i have just found out though:

1) my card (NAB Qantas Platinum) does not have the option of paying via postbillpay so cant buy XS giftcard and pay at the PO with same XS card
2) has anyone looked into the Post Office Load'nGo reloadable Visa prepaid card. $6.95 initial activation fee and then zero reloading fees. I see they accept AMEX when you initially purchase with $20 loaded on the card but not sure if you can use AMEX to reload at the Post Office counter. WOuld be handy to pay ATO bills with this card and would be no questions asked for sure.

**edit** just found out you can reload with funds (up to max of $999 at a time and not more than $5k in 30 days) via postbillpay on the internet, using Visa and MAstercard only

thanks and welcome to AFF. I have been wondering if you can buy one of the Load'nGo cards with the XS card?
Or as asked on another thread recently linked...what about money orders? Sure there are charges but if done in quantity?

 

[xsiq]

You can reload the Load'N'Go Prepaid and Travel Cards at the post office with the XS card. You can also use a Visa or Mastercard to load the Load'N'Go Prepaid and Travel Cards over the web. Load'N'Go Prepaid however has a limit of $250 a day over the web.

thanks and welcome to AFF. I have been wondering if you can buy one of the Load'nGo cards with the XS card?
Or as asked on another thread recently linked...what about money orders? Sure there are charges but if done in quantity?

 

[xsiq]

Here is a list of Credit Card Providers that I know of that accept payments at the post office

Amex
HSBC
Macquarie