Westpac dumps AMEX - changes points earn on MC

[gaz1]

....For the Priority Pass, as it's linked to the current Amex, you have to sign up again using your Mastercard number.
Guess what? The link to sign up isn't working even though it was supposed to be from today:
https://www.prioritypass.com/altitudeblack

Update: Westpac now tell me that there's a problem with the link (really?) and that it "might" be ok tomorrow afternoon and, if not, try again on Monday (5th Feb)

Looks like the link is not working again - anyone know of a replacement link?
Gary.

 

[gizzard]

Looks like the link is not working again - anyone know of a replacement link?
Gary.

That's the right link. It didn't work for the first 24 hours that it was supposed to either. I was told to try again the following afternoon. I'd just leave it until tomorrow or over the weekend and they will probably have sorted it out......again.

 

[KLN]

Got the 30K points offer, for each of my 2 cards. All approved plus additional cardholders on both

 

[jastel]

Got mine today.

Along with 2 other envelopes from Westpac advertising the new card and encouraging me to sign up now??
Now to spend the $3000...

 

[blueythecat]

I’ve always had enquiries

Me too - I’m going to take it personally

 

[KLN]

I applied for the new cards last thursday, and got them in the mail yesterday, monday!

 

[WLGFlyer]

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.

Any word on when the AMEX linked PP will go inactive? And new link not working again

 

[bernardblack]

From my existing Altitude Black (Altitude Rewards) account, I applied last Wednesday, was approved after answering their follow-up call on Thursday, and am hoping to receive the cards shortly.

Has anyone established yet (over and above what's stated in the marketing material)...

...whether there are any special restrictions on spend for the signing bonus?

...whether you need to somehow link it to your existing Altitude account or it just works automatically?

...how quickly regular points post?

...how quickly the bonus points post after hitting the minimum spend?

...whether it's enabled for Local Champion?

...whether there are any special welcome Amex Offers?

...whether the existing Westpac-issued card remains active until the appointed date in (I think) April, and can be leveraged for existing benefits (lounge passes, say) in addition to those on the new card?

 

[d00dz]

Used both westpac amex's for lounge access. No problems. The one to be retired now has been used up, 1 left on this new one

 

[KLN]

From my existing Altitude Black (Altitude Rewards) account, I applied last Wednesday, was approved after answering their follow-up call on Thursday, and am hoping to receive the cards shortly.

Has anyone established yet (over and above what's stated in the marketing material)...

...whether there are any special restrictions on spend for the signing bonus?

...whether you need to somehow link it to your existing Altitude account or it just works automatically?

...how quickly regular points post?

...how quickly the bonus points post after hitting the minimum spend?

...whether it's enabled for Local Champion?

...whether there are any special welcome Amex Offers?

...whether the existing Westpac-issued card remains active until the appointed date in (I think) April, and can be leveraged for existing benefits (lounge passes, say) in addition to those on the new card?

From my existing Altitude Black (Altitude Rewards) account, I applied last Wednesday, was approved after answering their follow-up call on Thursday, and am hoping to receive the cards shortly.

Has anyone established yet (over and above what's stated in the marketing material)...

...whether there are any special restrictions on spend for the signing bonus?

...whether you need to somehow link it to your existing Altitude account or it just works automatically?

...how quickly regular points post?

...how quickly the bonus points post after hitting the minimum spend?

...whether it's enabled for Local Champion?

...whether there are any special welcome Amex Offers?

...whether the existing Westpac-issued card remains active until the appointed date in (I think) April, and can be leveraged for existing benefits (lounge passes, say) in addition to those on the new card?

From my existing Altitude Black (Altitude Rewards) account, I applied last Wednesday, was approved after answering their follow-up call on Thursday, and am hoping to receive the cards shortly.

Has anyone established yet (over and above what's stated in the marketing material)...

...whether there are any special restrictions on spend for the signing bonus?

...whether you need to somehow link it to your existing Altitude account or it just works automatically?

...how quickly regular points post?

...how quickly the bonus points post after hitting the minimum spend?

...whether it's enabled for Local Champion?

...whether there are any special welcome Amex Offers?

...whether the existing Westpac-issued card remains active until the appointed date in (I think) April, and can be leveraged for existing benefits (lounge passes, say) in addition to those on the new card?

not sure about how it links to Altitude yet. i did significant transactions on the 16th, and not in my altitude account yet. will monitor

my bonus points posted the next day after processing. put transactions thru on friday, bonus points there on saturday. but showing up on Amex site, not altitude yet

regular points posting the next day via Amex site, not altitude yet,

and yes believe the WBC Amex is good until the 4th

 

[bernardblack]

Thanks for your input, d00dz and KLN.

To answer some of my own questions based on what I've observed so far:

• Yes, Local Champion is supported.
• I got welcome offers for Uber Eats ($10 back on $20) and David Jones ($15 back on $40). Plus apparently every transaction on an Altitude card between now and the end of March earns a single entry in a draw for one of five prizes of one million points each.

 

[mhen]

Disappointed no offer for me, maybe its the retiree curse! Now I need to find a new card(s). I can meet 75K income requirement and usually put about 4K a month on card, mainly Amex. A few health issues at the moment so don't really have time/energy to fully compare all the options. Any suggestions? I also have DJ Amex so I think that puts me out of running for sign-up bonus for some other new Amex card. Maybe I should refer partner for DJ card, then cancel mine (get supp card) and wait out the 18 months and apply for then Ultimate or the like. Meanwhile any suggestions for Mastercard or Visa to replace the Altitude black Mastercard? Thanks

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

Disappointed no offer for me, maybe its the retiree curse! Now I need to find a new card(s). I can meet 75K income requirement and usually put about 4K a month on card, mainly Amex. A few health issues at the moment so don't really have time/energy to fully compare all the options. Any suggestions? I also have DJ Amex so I think that puts me out of running for sign-up bonus for some other new Amex card. Maybe I should refer partner for DJ card, then cancel mine (get supp card) and wait out the 18 months and apply for then Ultimate or the like. Meanwhile any suggestions for Mastercard or Visa to replace the Altitude black Mastercard? Thanks

No offer for me either - has anyone called and queried why ? I might try that this pm

 

[edcba]

No offer for me either - has anyone called and queried why ? I might try that this pm

I had no offer and called. Unless you have enabled Westpac Marketing, whatever that means, no offer is sent. But I got a 4-digit code from a supervisor. However, the Web page linking Westpac and Amex is not working at the moment. I just spoke to Kate, and she said that the link is "having issues", and to try again in 24 hours.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

I called and they said I was not on the "list" and would have to wait till later in the year...my card will be cancelled by then

 

[Dr Ralph]

I called and they said I was not on the "list" and would have to wait till later in the year...my card will be cancelled by then

I had already received an online message about it, but today a letter arrived from Westpac with a personalised (4 digit) code to use for my application. 15,000 points for $3000 of spend.

Not interested Westpac!

 

[Lynda2475]

Especially concerned that if I take up this new card directly with AMEX that will mean I wont be eligible for other much more generous bonus point offerings on other AMEX products

I have an Earth Black (mastercard + amex) where the points go straight to Qantas. I'm not taking up the offer for this new Amex card, as the bonus points at 30K are weak and there is an annual fee (something I've never had to pay before).

IMO if you are a Qantas FF then are two better options direct with amex that you can apply for:

1. The Qantas American Express Discovery card - which has no annual fee ever (and no annual fee for up to 4 supplementary cards), awards $1 = 1 point (no cap) and 2 points for each $1 of Qantas Spend. Easy to qualify for as only requires income of $35k.

or

2. The Qantas American Express Ultimate Card - sure it has a $450 annual fee (but you get this back as a Qantas Travel credit every year, so basically free if you buy at least 1 Qantas flight a year), earns 1.5 points / $1 (2.5 points / $1 for Qantas purchases) and currently giving 100k points sign-up bonus and free epicure membership. It has a $65k income requirement (which is lower than WBC black card requirement).

I will keep the wbc earth black mastercard for the time being as i dont pay an annual fee for it (due to home-loan package) and because I have used it to guarantee some hotel bookings later in the year.

However, I went with option #2 above, as will effectively get it free as I will have no problem spending $450/year with Qantas each year; and 6 weeks in, I've already achieved the minimum spend for the sign-up bonus (i signed uo this a week before wbc sent out their offer, which was thankfully not as good).

I also think I will go with a ANZ Frequent Flyer Black Visa which has 75k bonus points for sign-up (no card fee in first year) and higher points earn that the WBC Earth/Altitude Black MasterCard. Then before it renews I will see what else is on offer.

The Qantas points earn has weakened with WBC over the past few years, I think this poor offer for direct amex card will see a lot of wbc black earth/altitude holders go with other amex offers with more generous points earn and sign-up bonuses.

 

[lonewolf]

Guys, I am totally confused. At the moment i am on the Altitude rewards Black Amex and Mastercard combo. I checked my online messages and saw there was a message that arrived today for the new Amex cards. I clicked on it and it took me to a platinum card and 20k points. While i clicked on one of the guys links on here and it was a Black card. I wonder why my link goes to a platinum card instead of a black card when currently i am on the black cards?

At the moment i get no annual fee due to all my other accounts etc with Westpac, I presume that will change now as the Amex fee i will have to pay?

For the priority pass membership, do i just use my current Mastercard info or do i receive a new Mastercard as part of the change?

 

[gizzard]

For the priority pass membership, do i just use my current Mastercard info or do i receive a new Mastercard as part of the change?

You use your current MC. Others might know the answers to your other questions but I'd phone Westpac using the advice I gave in an earlier post.

 

[Colin 2905]

I wonder why my link goes to a platinum card instead of a black card when currently i am on the black cards?

You're not alone. I finally received my offer, and it's only a Platinum card and 10,000 Qantas points. Perhaps I'm on their deadbeat list; I only used the card enough to trigger the extra 80,000 Qantas points, then stuck it in a drawer whilst waiting to see what the Amex offer was going to be.