Westpac is capping rewards points monthly from June 17th 2013

[ComeFlyWithMe]

WOW EDR CC. Missing insurance. It's only a 'platinum' card so they can collect higher merchant fees.

Which pay for the 1:1 points earn.

 

[wafliron]

For those who cancelled the Westpac Altitude cards, what cards do you guys use to transfer points to SQ and VA?

Any of the Amex MR-earning cards.

Any of the Citibank CitiRewards-earning cards.

Westpac KrisFlyer card.

Diners.

I think that about covers the options?

 

[Beta4Me]

Any of the Amex MR-earning cards.

Any of the Citibank CitiRewards-earning cards.

Westpac KrisFlyer card.

Diners.

I think that about covers the options?

To have the same 1.5ppd flexibility you'd need a Westpac Krisflyer and Amex Velocity Plat. I think I'd rather pay for a Westpac Altitude Black...

 

[wafliron]

To have the same 1.5ppd flexibility you'd need a Westpac Krisflyer and Amex Velocity Plat. I think I'd rather pay for a Westpac Altitude Black...

Woops, I was fixating on SQ in my answer - lots more options for VA-only of course and I agree re Altitude Black.

 

[Danger UXB]

To have the same 1.5ppd flexibility you'd need a Westpac Krisflyer and Amex Velocity Plat. I think I'd rather pay for a Westpac Altitude Black...

Any particular reasoning behind this? Is it other features of the cards? Or just that there is no direct sweep?

 

[medhead]

For those who cancelled the Westpac Altitude cards, what cards do you guys use to transfer points to SQ and VA?

Amex plat edge for me. Otherwise, any general membership rewards Amex. DJ Amex might also be worth a look.

 

[Beta4Me]

Any particular reasoning behind this? Is it other features of the cards? Or just that there is no direct sweep?

For me, it's no direct sweep. I mostly want SQ but I do have a few VA points and fly them when I can't fly QF (doesn't go there, not great flight times/dates/availability etc.). It'd be frustrating beyond belief to have SQ points expire and/or have to spend money on a VA-only card to get VA points when I primarily want SQ and QF.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

Woops, I was fixating on SQ in my answer - lots more options for VA-only of course and I agree re Altitude Black.

If you're looking at VA, the Diners Club / Mastercard combo earns you 3 points per $ on the DC and 1.25 points per $ on the MC. I'm averaging between 2 and 2.5 VA points per dollar each month across the two cards.

 

[wallacej]

If you're looking at VA, the Diners Club / Mastercard combo earns you 3 points per $ on the DC and 1.25 points per $ on the MC. I'm averaging between 2 and 2.5 VA points per dollar each month across the two cards.

Actually, I have this combo in my drawer, but have not used it. This maybe a good option, but I thougt the conversion to VA points was 1 diner point to .5 velocity points? Must check the t&c s again.

My unlimited points earn to VA will now leave westpac and head to my Amex Velocity Plat card, and my Virgin Money Plat Visa.

Will check out the Diners card option though, I still have credit from my third refund in a row where they have refunded my annual fee. I call them every year to cancel, and every year they refund my fees.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

Actually, I have this combo in my drawer, but have not used it. This maybe a good option, but I thougt the conversion to VA points was 1 diner point to .5 velocity points? Must check the t&c s again.

I made a conversion two weeks ago, definitely 1 for 1, 1.25 VA points per dollar on the Mastercard and 3 per dollar on the Diners.

 

[dane]

More information is finally available from Westpac on Altitude Black.

Special promotion

• 3.99% p.a. for up to 6 months on balance transfers at card application. Apply by 1 April 2013.

2 cards linked to one account

• An Altitude Black World MasterCard[SUP]®[/SUP] for worldwide acceptance
• An Altitude Black American Express[SUP]®[/SUP] Card for maximum points earn.

Points earned per $1 spent on purchases

• 1.25 points - Altitude Black World MasterCard (Australian Merchants)
• 3 points - Altitude Black World MasterCard (Overseas Merchants)
• 3 points - Altitude Black American Express Card (Australian Merchants and Overseas Merchants).

40,000 bonus reward points

• Receive 40,000 bonus Altitude points after you make your first purchase with either of your cards.

Premium features and benefits

• Dedicated Altitude Black Concierge service
• Two complimentary Priority Passes per year to use at your choice of over 600 VIP airport lounges in over 275 cities in 100 countries when you enrol
• Altitude Black Travel service who can help you plan and book every aspect of your journey. You’ll also be rewarded with additional points.
• Be fast tracked to elite Gold Preferred Guest Membership status with Starwood Hotels and Resorts
• Westpac’s most comprehensive complimentary insurance cover.

Variable interest rates

• On purchases - 19.99% p.a.
• On cash advances - 21.49% p.a.

Interest free days and more

• Up to 45 days interest free on purchases when full closing balance is paid by the statement due date
• Annual fee currently $395
• Minimum card limit $18,000
• Minimum income to apply $75,000.

So it's a 3.99% balance transfer (6 months) and 40,000 Altitude points for new customers. I guess I'll have to call them to see if this Platinum Plus customer is now eligible to upgrade to what they were already getting (don't need the Priority Passes or Mastercard point increase - just want a reasonable point earn that can be transfered to multiple programs). If they said I could keep the same annual fee for the Black cards I would stay.

UPDATE - It also looks like they've removed the Platinum Plus cards from the credit card section.

 

[Newk]

More information is finally available from Westpac on Altitude Black.



So it's a 3.99% balance transfer (6 months) and 40,000 Altitude points for new customers. I guess I'll have to call them to see if this Platinum Plus customer is now eligible to upgrade to what they were already getting (don't need the Priority Passes or Mastercard point increase - just want a reasonable point earn that can be transfered to multiple programs). If they said I could keep the same annual fee for the Black cards I would stay.

not too bad really and at first glance seems right up there and maybe the best of the big four offerings

 

[Deleted User]

After cancelling earth last week, wonder if I will be marketed this new card, decent sign-on makes it an easy product to try for a year with the bonus basically being 1c per point. I predicted this, hence was not that worried about cancelling...

 

[kpc]

UPDATE - It also looks like they've removed the Platinum Plus cards from the credit card section.

It is interesting that Westpac have removed the Platinum Plus Altitude and Earth cards from their Website and portfolio of credit cards. IMHO, Westpac HAS to update all existing customers (whether they received the offer or not) to the Black Altitude and Earth cards for the existing annual fee, otherwise they have really stuffed up from a marketing and PR point of view...I'm still awaiting my bank manager's response as to whether I can switch my cards to the Black cards for the same existing fee, having not received a written offer for either of my cards!

 

[oz_mark]

It is interesting that Westpac have removed the Platinum Plus Altitude and Earth cards from their Website and portfolio of credit cards. IMHO, Westpac HAS to update all existing customers (whether they received the offer or not) to the Black Altitude and Earth cards for the existing annual fee, otherwise they have really stuffed up from a marketing and PR point of view...I'm stil awaiting my bank manager's response as to whether I can switch my cards to the Black cards for the same existing fee, having not received a written offer for either of my cards!

They can retain customers on existing products while they no longer sell that product to new customers. The banks do it all the time, and you just need to be proactive about managing your own product portfolio. Good luck with the approach to the bank manager!

 

[Newk]

I agree that it has been poor PR. My RM has been very helpful after my initial query...apparently I just have to sit back and mine will arrive. Cross fingers.
Maybe this won't be as good a route as cancel and get reissue with bonus points and low interest but it's a lot less hassle

 

[Ken1]

I have an Earth Platinum Plus and didn't have an invitation mentioned in my letter. I just called the 24 hour Earth Black phone number now listed on the website but have to call back tomorrow when the cards are officially released. (I thought that would be the case but tried anyhow since the info is online now).

The fee for my Earth Platinum Plus is $250 which I paid last October. It will be interesting to see if people switching from current Platinum cards and paying the current fees will be offered the 40,000 bonus Qantas Frequent Flyer points. Since I haven't been offered Black in my letter I'll ask if I can switch and pay the current fee, and if they'll do that if I'll get the 40,000 points. If the bonus points are not offered in that situation hopefully if I pay the $395 fee I can get the bonus points, and I'll pay the increased fee to get 40,000 points in that case.

 

[AdMEL]

It is interesting that Westpac have removed the Platinum Plus Altitude and Earth cards from their Website and portfolio of credit cards. IMHO, Westpac HAS to update all existing customers (whether they received the offer or not) to the Black Altitude and Earth cards for the existing annual fee, otherwise they have really stuffed up from a marketing and PR point of view...I'm still awaiting my bank manager's response as to whether I can switch my cards to the Black cards for the same existing fee, having not received a written offer for either of my cards!

Given the min. limit of $18K for Black, that rules out many existing card holders from receiving the offer to upgrade. Maybe that's why you didn't receive an offer?

I have an Earth Platinum Plus and didn't have an invitation mentioned in my letter. I just called the 24 hour Earth Black phone number now listed on the website but have to call back tomorrow when the cards are officially released. (I thought that would be the case but tried anyhow since the info is online now).

The fee for my Earth Platinum Plus is $250 which I paid last October. It will be interesting to see if people switching from current Platinum cards and paying the current fees will be offered the 40,000 bonus Qantas Frequent Flyer points. Since I haven't been offered Black in my letter I'll ask if I can switch and pay the current fee, and if they'll do that if I'll get the 40,000 points. If the bonus points are not offered in that situation hopefully if I pay the $395 fee I can get the bonus points, and I'll pay the increased fee to get 40,000 points in that case.

No chance you will get an offer to upgrade on existing fee (which is for life, not just year one) and the 40,000 points. May not even be eligible for points at all when upgrading, unless you make a full new application.

EDIT: From the website ...

If you obtain a credit card as part of a Westpac package, or switch from an existing Westpac card, you are not eligible for the bonus point described.

http://www.westpac.com.au/personal-banking/credit-cards/reward/altitude-black/#s2

 

[kpc]

Given the min. limit of $18K for Black, that rules out many existing card holders from receiving the offer to upgrade. Maybe that's why you didn't receive an offer?

No...both my Earth and Altitude cards' credit limit are higher than this, and in the last year, have spent in excess of 150K on each card, hence why I'm puzzled by the lack of an offer. Anyway, I'm awaiting my bank manager to get back to me....she is well aware that a lot of my business may walk to a competitor depending on the outcome of all this....

 

[AdMEL]

Note that Black insurance is the same as Platinum Plus (or Kris Flyer Plat). I was hoping they might increase the rental car excess cover!