Westpac dumps AMEX - changes points earn on MC
- Thread starter Nutcase
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- earn points
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Yes, plus a charge card
Further update:
The link is now working. Ignore the initial screen where it indicates one complementary pass, this is not correct. Subsequent screens show the correct number of two.
Anyone trying to ring Westpac about the changes should try using 1300-651 999 the Black Cards team. Don't enter your customer number when prompted. That seems to put you through to the general Westpac customer service desk. If found that when I didn't enter it I got through directly to the Black Card team. Just check with the person that you are talking to that they are part of that team.
It took about 5 min online to apply for the new card , had to include the 4 diget code that Westpac had sent.
While it does seem to make sense that Amex will apply the same rule here I am not convinced they may not have some sort of special arrangement here, i.e. I'm waiting for some who has two Amex cards already to actually try this before I make any determination as to whether you can actually get this card also.
I have two amex amex. Plat edge and Gold. And now have the Westpac attitude Qantas amex black.
All cards working. Can even get supplementaries for the new one. Yay!
Colin 2905
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Am I the only one still waiting for "the offer"? No e-mail, and no messages in online banking.
oz_mark
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No, I haven't heard from them yet.
Me niether. Ded espite 40 years a customer and using Earth Black since it started as as my main card. The combo was pretty good god value on a grandfathered low fee.
Same here. I haven't heard anything yet. Not alot of information on the Westpac.com.au/americanexpress site other than acknowledging the new card has been launched. When i called up about it, they used all sorts of tortured language about it being issued by Amex not westpac, etc. No information on the card itself other than asked to call Amex.
As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I'd recommend calling Westpac as hard as it can be. They are supposed to have a team dedicated to the switch:
"Anyone trying to ring Westpac about the changes should try using 1300-651 999 the Black Cards team. Don't enter your customer number when prompted. That seems to put you through to the general Westpac customer service desk. If found that when I didn't enter it I got through directly to the Black Card team. Just check with the person that you are talking to that they are part of that team."
Used the Black Card number above...(and on the back of my Earth Black)...and sorted mine out today.
The guy was helpful but had to transfer me to the cards section to get confirmation.
My renewal fee would be due in March and the Amex ends in April...the card girl agreed that was a bit unfair and waived the fee for this year which technically should have been $395 for the 2 cards, with the Amex closing 1 month later.
Next year (2019) it would be $250 she said...which is cheaper than the current Altitude Card replacement fee next year at $395.
So will be keeping the Earth till it expires.
I also asked about the Premier Advantage Mortgage package as my parents have their cards free via this...this fee will not be changing despite losing Amex but you will get ONE included fee free credit card (can be any one) as well as the other benefits of the package.
So I applied for the new Amex and find I cant be verified...sort that out with another 2 phone calls and the application was pretty painless...says I am approved for the new card...so will just cancel or whinge next year when they want $199 for it.
A few hours on the phone but still have the same cards for free like last year.
The guy was helpful but had to transfer me to the cards section to get confirmation.
My renewal fee would be due in March and the Amex ends in April...the card girl agreed that was a bit unfair and waived the fee for this year which technically should have been $395 for the 2 cards, with the Amex closing 1 month later.
Next year (2019) it would be $250 she said...which is cheaper than the current Altitude Card replacement fee next year at $395.
So will be keeping the Earth till it expires.
I also asked about the Premier Advantage Mortgage package as my parents have their cards free via this...this fee will not be changing despite losing Amex but you will get ONE included fee free credit card (can be any one) as well as the other benefits of the package.
So I applied for the new Amex and find I cant be verified...sort that out with another 2 phone calls and the application was pretty painless...says I am approved for the new card...so will just cancel or whinge next year when they want $199 for it.
A few hours on the phone but still have the same cards for free like last year.
piratematerial
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- Nov 5, 2015
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Does anyone know min credit limit on the new Amex Altitude Black card?
I had messages last week from WBC in the inetrnet banking message tab and even snailmail today. Bonus offer was 30K. I think I'm going to take this up, as i can get 3xpoints per $, as opposed to 2.5 now, and then use Reward Pay, can pay the ATO that way too. I'm happy. I have 2 WBC amex blacks too, with 2 additional cards for adult children who work for us
I haven’t received an offer yet but called Amex myself after Westpac transferred me to Amex being careful to highlight its Amex’s Card so they ‘didn’t know’ anything about it.
Was told the bonus on application depends on your level of previous spend with Westpac but he wasn’t specific.
3 altitude points per dollar with 1 altitude point for government spend. Will earn directly into altitude program.
Normal credit criteria apply and the limits on number of Amex products also applies these are considered ‘real’ Amex cards unlike the DJS version.
For mine, while I’m glad I’ve stuck around to see what the new product looks like, I’ll pass on it. Everyone’s circumstances will vary of course.
Just hope the RBA doesn’t see this as an attempt to flout its interchange rules like the ‘companion card’ method the bid banks were using and have repercussions for Amex issued cards next time they review the sector.
Was told the bonus on application depends on your level of previous spend with Westpac but he wasn’t specific.
3 altitude points per dollar with 1 altitude point for government spend. Will earn directly into altitude program.
Normal credit criteria apply and the limits on number of Amex products also applies these are considered ‘real’ Amex cards unlike the DJS version.
For mine, while I’m glad I’ve stuck around to see what the new product looks like, I’ll pass on it. Everyone’s circumstances will vary of course.
Just hope the RBA doesn’t see this as an attempt to flout its interchange rules like the ‘companion card’ method the bid banks were using and have repercussions for Amex issued cards next time they review the sector.
Mine was approved at my old Westpac Black limit of $15000, but I made it $10000.
Dr Ralph
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I've never had a hit from AMEX for any of the cards I've applied for.
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