Westpac is capping rewards points monthly from June 17th 2013

[AdMEL]

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....

From your past comments, I didn't think it would be, but just thought I'd mention it in case. I'm surprised you didn't receive an offer too. Very odd.

 

[wasabiman]

Interesting that there does not seem to be much difference in the Altitude cards between the MC and Amex (other cards had different shades of the colour of the card so I could tell what is what when it was still in my wallet). Looks like there are a few Amex-style extra benefits (Priority Pass & SPG FOld after one night stay).

Bit disappointed WBC have not got around to putting chip and contactless on Amex. Maybe Amex aren't letting their CC partners do it yet?

Two websites that are still "coming soon":
info.westpac. com. au/ creditcards/altitudeblack/
info.westpac. com. au/ creditcards/earthblack/

EDIT: for the two sites above, there is a website layout, etc. behind the coming soon bit if you can see it. Not sure if it's just a picture or its a functional website with the coming soon bit on top that you can somehow get around.

And in case anyone was clicking on the SPG link on the page and getting a page not found error, there is a typo in the link (the website as written on the page is fine, but the link doesnt send you to the same page):
www . spg. com /WestpacWorldMasterCard

Other small changes I can see:
- new phone number to call up and complain. Meant to be able to start ranting quicker than the plebs on platinum.
- Altitude has a personal shopper thingo now to pay for purchases not already in the store for redemption with your points (I remember I saw it somewhere - either plat plus or CBA Diamond. Pretty sure it was CBA Diamond - someone will no doubt correct me). Redemption rate would be pretty poor though.

And SQ Gold seems to have been axed together with the Plat Plus cards.

 

[nagelixin]

Key facts about these credit cards

Earth black fee = $395.

https://www.westpac.com.au/personal-banking/credit-cards/reward/earth-black/?from=leftnav
Update > Site now live.

Platinum Plus no longer available. hmmm

 

[legroom]

Re: Westpac Earth Platinum Plus credit card point earn

.... I will then be restricted to earning 3,750 points per statement cycle. Where is the next best place to go? .....

You are here, on AFF.

That's a very good starting point already.

Better than a lot of lemmings out there in the real world.

 

[Deleted User]

Re: Westpac Earth Platinum Plus credit card point earn

You are here, on AFF.

That's a very good starting point already.

Better than a lot of lemmings out there in the real world.

like, like, like, like.....etc...etc

 

[blackcat20]

Re: Westpac Earth Platinum Plus credit card point earn

I've got no hope of getting the new card (income and credit limit not appropriate), so I'm pretty much stuck with their coughpy cap. At least I've got another Amex I can juggle if necessary.

 

[Deleted User]

Re: Westpac Earth Platinum Plus credit card point earn

honestly, cant imagine anyone really happy with such a low cap, hence why I cancelled... if it was 10k or 20k per month then would be a different scenario, but a sub 10k points earn per month is simply rubbish

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Out of curiosity, did anyone who received a Black offer have an <$18k limit? When I was offered the CBA Diamond card as a free upgrade from Plat, I only had a limit of ~$12k, even though the published minimum for new applicants is $18k... perhaps this is a loophole that could be also suggested to Westpac!

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

That's quite the sign up bonus, but I don't think 40,000 points are worth the extra $145 it would cost me per annum for the life of the card. I think I'll just take it at my current fee, as I rarely churn cards, especially once you have built up a substantial credit limit which other banks won't match initially.

I'm pretty sure most Platinum Plus customers will be able to request Black at their current annual fee, minus the generous points bonus.

 

[wxxnxs]

Key facts about these credit cards

Earth black fee = $395.

https://www.westpac.com.au/personal-banking/credit-cards/reward/earth-black/?from=leftnav
Update > Site now live.

Platinum Plus no longer available. hmmm

Not only Platinum Plus but also the Krisflyer gold is gone, only Platinum is available.

 

[legroom]

.......I'm pretty sure most Platinum Plus customers will be able to request Black at their current annual fee, minus the generous points bonus.

Does anyone know what the annual fee would be like in subsequent years?

Same fee for now, but for how long: that's the question really.

Bait, hook and .... you are in!

 

[k3nnis]

Anyone know f the SPG gold is permanent with the world mastercard or is it only for the 1st year?

 

[Peter D]

An anomaly is 40,000 Altitude points for Altitude Black and 40,000 Qantas points for Earth Black. Altitude like other "bank in house awards" usually convert to flier points at 2 for 1. Are Altitude cutomers being dudded.

I will just take up the offer at my existing fee.
I like the mastercard 1.5 QF points for purchases from overseas merchants. It will offset the currency fee depending how you use or value points.

Interested to see the conditons of the two lounge invitations particularly if it applies to couples. Would definitly use it on my next points trip to Eurpope if it involves hanging around in Dubai for a connection.

 

[Newk]

Anyone know f the SPG gold is permanent with the world mastercard or is it only for the 1st year?

with the world MC with Diners it seems to be for one year only, but I have yet to experience an expiry to be sure

Guess what I'll be doing when the Diners one runs out?

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Does anyone know what the annual fee would be like in subsequent years?

Same fee for now, but for how long: that's the question really.

Bait, hook and .... you are in!

I was advised fee is for life of the card.

 

[oz_mark]

Anyone know f the SPG gold is permanent with the world mastercard or is it only for the 1st year?

It's a fast track offer, and you need to stay one night first to get it. I assume its for the year.

(and the current offer expires end of March, so I can only assume since Westpac are advertising it that it is going to be extended.)

 

[strat]

Out of curiosity, did anyone who received a Black offer have an <$18k limit? When I was offered the CBA Diamond card as a free upgrade from Plat, I only had a limit of ~$12k, even though the published minimum for new applicants is $18k... perhaps this is a loophole that could be also suggested to Westpac!

My limit is on $10,000 and have been offered the invite with yearly fee of $125 for life of the account/card (earth platinum > earth black)

My spend monthly around $5000 sometimes over $7000

 

[legroom]

..... yearly fee of $125 for life of the account/card (earth platinum > earth black) ......

That's a very good deal in my book.

 

[Andrew1209]

Hi guys does anybody know the Altitude points conversion rates to the partner airlines especially Asiamiles and Krisflyer?

 

[k3nnis]

2 altitude points = 1 asiamile or 1 KF mile

Hi guys does anybody know the Altitude points conversion rates to the partner airlines especially Asiamiles and Krisflyer?