Westpac Altitude Points Devalue September 2016

[DaveB]

Received confirmation today that all Altitude cards are undergoing the points redemption haircut next month.

The business card at least allows me to also send points to QF. Transferring to the business card is a worthwhile option as Westpac will allow you to transfer points across whilst making use of their 12 month fee free offer.

My biggest concern closing the card down is my FF points warehoused will drop markedly from 41% to 27% representing about four months points earn. Countering this, I hate paying annual fees on a card no longer paying its way in points earn.
With our eldest daughter now based in Toronto, we are finding out first hand the limitations of SQ as whilst R is nice to JFK, it takes an eternity with for us, the CX direct flights in J winning hands down.

Made some CX bookings over the weekend and could not see any material benefit using AsiaMiles over QF. Will look into this further but at this stage, whilst not impacted with my annual fee due up in November, will probably just send a few points to SQ to top up the KF account with the balance going to QF.

 

[cove]

The beauty of Kris Miles is that they get us to London, Los Angeles or various cities in Europe in business and/or first class relatively easily. We have AA miles and Virgin Velocity points to help out when needed.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Made some CX bookings over the weekend and could not see any material benefit using AsiaMiles over QF.

Is it not easier booking J with CX than QF?

To my thinking availability is a major criteria in assessing any FF program.

 

[DaveB]

I was surprised to book Jx2 SYD-HKG-YYZ CX flights with AsiaMiles and QF having same availability and very low fees and charges. Had not looked at QF/CX closely in the past mainly due to availability issues so will look into further over the next month.
Our eldest daughter has flown to YYZ via LA and JFK the past four months with the CX option easily the most seamless. Besides availability which at the end of the day can be everything, the 350's direct flights to the US wont help us greatly as doesn't overcome the two flights needed with DL. From Sydney, feel the short transit via JFK to YYZ is better particularly being in R than going via the new 350 J direct flights to SFO or LAX.

Our SQ and VA accounts were filled to the brim earlier this year before the Citibank devaluation so that really isn't an option for us. Our relatively modest QF points balance is only being added to via Qudos and feel one must tread warily there to not upset that applecart.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Made some CX bookings over the weekend and could not see any material benefit using AsiaMiles over QF. Will look into this further but at this stage, whilst not impacted with my annual fee due up in November, will probably just send a few points to SQ to top up the KF account with the balance going to QF.

AsiaMiles are far more valuable than QF points.
In fact, you can redeem AM on QF flights at a lower cost than QF points on QF flights.

So unless you're QF Plat or higher I see very little value in QF points.

 

[shuuy]

As a Platinum One, I like QF points, even though their burn rate is higher, being able to fly anywhere I want pretty much any time I want is nice.

Regardless, my 350k Altitude points are over to KF in 3 weeks.
And then I cut the card.
And then I say hello to the ANZ Black
* Re-earning with Qantas
* Apple Pay !!!!

Sorry WestPac

 

[alexy23]

This is still better then ANZ's 3:1 for SQ. In fact if using ANZ it would be cheaper to redeem as VA points then convert into SQ.

I just transferred all my points to SQ, ~884,000 westpac points got me 2x return R/F to SYD-SIN-MLE, and 2x one way J DPS-SIN-SYD. Not bad!

After end of the month I'll begin redeeming SQ via my AMEX, and I'll keep Westpac for VA. Westpac is still the best earner for business credit purposes.

 

[johnny_yh2000]

For QFers seems like ANZ is better. Where as for SQers Westpac is better than ANZ. But Citi is better than ANZ and Westpac for Visa/Master earn rate

 

[BillytheFIsh]

For QFers seems like ANZ is better. Where as for SQers Westpac is better than ANZ. But Citi is better than ANZ and Westpac for Visa/Master earn rate

Why not all 3!?

 

[N860CR]

The new Amex Explorer or whatever it's called came at a very convenient time

 

[alexy23]

The new Amex Explorer or whatever it's called came at a very convenient time

Yes! I love Amex they are by far the sickest credit card provider, was waiting for this day. Any referral signup bonii for this one? Now if only Citibank did apple pay.

 

[cove]

I split my warehoused points about 30% to Velocity and 70% to Kris Miles. They should arrive around September 1st.
The split up was based on our personal needs.

 

[DaveB]

Have finished comparing AsiaMiles against QF with some interesting results:
- Both have similar charges with CX quoting in HK$ and QF the currency of departing country;
- QF cheaper for short domestic flights up to SYD-ADL distance (good saving on J golden triangle of 16K V 20K) with AsiaMiles significantly cheaper for longhaul flights;
- QF don't always show online all CX flight options, particularly return flights to HKG;
- QF have significantly more other airline options online including EK;
- QF points expiry issue is more readily manageable than CX’s mandatory usage.

I currently send and redeem points in rough order through SQ, VA, DL, HH and QF and will take this opportunity to reactivate my CX miles account that has been dormant in recent years.

Despite the looming end of September points haircut, the Business Altitude Platinum will continue to earn 1.5FF/$ to either QF or VA for Amex spend retaining great flexibility in points allocation. I therefore intend to renew this card in November.

Those not sure about their Altitude cards should seriously consider switching over to the Business Altitude for their Amex product making use of Westpac’s 12 months fee free offer and $295pa thereafter.

 

[burmans]

Those not sure about their Altitude cards should seriously consider switching over to the Business Altitude for their Amex product making use of Westpac’s 12 months fee free offer and $295pa thereafter.

Thanks for that, sounds like great advice.

 

[kpc]

Despite the looming end of September points haircut, the Business Altitude Platinum will continue to earn 1.5FF/$ to either QF or VA for Amex spend retaining great flexibility in points allocation. I therefore intend to renew this card in November.

Those not sure about their Altitude cards should seriously consider switching over to the Business Altitude for their Amex product making use of Westpac’s 12 months fee free offer and $295pa thereafter.

Are you sure the conversion of Altitude points to eg Sq is not changing as well for the Business Altitude card? There is no change in earning for the current Black Altitude card but the conversion rate of Altitude points is changing from 2: 1 to 2.5: 1.

 

[BillytheFIsh]

Are you sure the conversion of Altitude points to eg Sq is not changing as well for the Business Altitude card? There is no change in earning for the current Black Altitude card but the conversion rate of Altitude points is changing from 2: 1 to 2.5: 1.

I don't think DaveB was saying it isn't - but is pointing out the advantage of being able to convert to VA or QF, which is not a common feature. The downside is reduced earn on the Mastercard of 0.5 vs 0.625 QF or VA points which won't matter to many with Citi cards etc.

I'm struggling with this decision. I have enough SQ points for immediate needs and I can't guarantee I'll use any more transferred over within 3 years.

Do I:

1. Transfer to SQ and if I'm not going to use them within 3 years, transfer to VA (although no guarantee the current transfer arrangement will be in place in 3 years).

2. Wait for a 15% bonus to VA with no expiry, then transfer to SQ if and when required (again, no guarantee VA>SQ transfers will be around, but no risk of points expiring this way.

The latter is probably more practical given I will always find a use for VA points, although I suppose the worst result of the former would be an extra trip to Asia to burn the extra SQ points... decisions decisions...

 

[Deleted member 29185]

the Business Altitude Platinum will continue to earn 1.5FF/$ to either QF or VA for Amex spend retaining great flexibility in points allocation.

Thanks for that. I was about to type "so do other cards", thinking about NAB Velocity, but the automatic flexibility is indeed an advantage. It's great that when the brain starts to get bogged down, there's someone handy with jump start! :mrgreen:

 

[alexy23]

Do I:

1. Transfer to SQ and if I'm not going to use them within 3 years, transfer to VA (although no guarantee the current transfer arrangement will be in place in 3 years).

2. Wait for a 15% bonus to VA with no expiry, then transfer to SQ if and when required (again, no guarantee VA>SQ transfers will be around, but no risk of points expiring this way.

To me SQ points are more valuable. It really depends on where you spend them and if you are likely to spend SQ.

Personally, they have an affordable F/J class to Asia and Europe, that's more my points goal than domestic travel. As I said determine your needs, if you see your self spending SQ in 3 years send a portion of them to SQ now.

Ill replace my Westpac black card with explorer so I can redeem SQ. Most of the signup Bonni deals are in the form of VA/QF, this satisfies my point demands on those airlines. I'll keep my Westpac business for now as it has a visa counterpart.

 

[k_sheep]

Well I've backflipped and transferred my points over to KrisFlyer - trying to get my grandmother-in-law over to singapore, and $1400 return economy fees are just ridiculous! (fixed dates unfortunately). Now let's see if the waitlist clears :shock:

 

[Ric]

I have about 400K points warehoused and I am having a hard time deciding where to send them to.
It's a choice between KF (will join if I have to), Asia Miles (dormant) or Enrich (dormant). My travels will mostly starts from MNL but can easily do positioning flights to SIN, HKG or KUL.
I have no experience in KF or AM so if someone can provide a comparison between them, it would be much appreciated. Travel will be to USA and Europe. Which program have better availability? Better redemption rates? Lesser surcharges? SQ and CX have more destinations than MH though MH 50% off sales are attractive even after devaluation(?). Any other considerations?