Westpac Singapore Airlines Card Changes 15/12/10 & 1/3/2011

[Ando]

Absolutely livid re Westpac KF Platinum Card

Warning to anyone about to apply for a WPAC KF Platinum card

Well, I've just been completely done over by wpac KF platinum card. I'll try and keep it brief. I went to to westpac twice last week- once to card services by phonecand then into a branch on Thursday and had alm the points and rewards explained and confirmed. 1.5 kf mile to 1 dollar on Amex and 1 kf mile per dollar on visa-all good- this for the platinum card. Applied on Thursday, approved on Friday and received cards on Monday. This card had an 8k minimum and 250 dollar annual fee.*

Received a letter on Tuesday stating as of 15 mar 11 1 dollar on visa will only be 0.5 kf mile. I have been completely deceived by wpac and sia. At no point dud anyone disclose the upcoming change. This card I believe no longer has platinum status as the rewards are now no better than the kf gold card or the altitude platinum card.*

Looking fir any advice or suggestions re my course of action with wpac. I believe I have been deceived and I now believe wpac and sua had always intended to sign up as many as possible then retract the offer. What a shameful act!!!*

 

[oz_mark]

Re: Absolutely livid re Westpac KF Platinum Card

There is another thread on this they you may wish to refer to (http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ac-singapore-airlines-card-changes-26999.html).

As for the timing of your card, re the changes, you may need to take this up with Westpac. Refer to the feedback and complaints page on the Westpac site: Westpac - Feedback and complaints, and explain the issue to them. I have had results from the online feedback form in the past, although I am unsure what they may be able to do in this situation

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Re: Absolutely livid re Westpac KF Platinum Card

Warning to anyone about to apply for a WPAC KF Platinum card

Everybody here on AFF is hearing you brother - unfortunately all those out in never never land aint gonna hear you shouting.

ALL holders of the product would be livid that their earn rates in Visa halved - but I guess the main thrust of your post is that you were NOT advised - wonder how long this will continue until Westpac and Westpac employees actually discose to potential customers that the earn rate on Visa post 15/03/2011 will be 0.5pt/$1 - surely it will not be 04/03/2011?

 

[albatross710]

Better squeeze as many points as possible out of the VISA until March next year. Thats the best we can do.

It's not that the card wont earn any points, it'll just be back to pedestrian speed.

 

[Ando]

Thanks guys and sorry didn't realize there was a thread on this already...

My main gripe is 'failure to disclose' element. I have contacted the bank and lodged an official complaint and am awaiting someone to contact me. I will hold onto the card fir the 10K bonus points and wait for a better offer. My problem with the Amex part is not the fees but it's low level of acceptance. My electricity, gas, water, car insurance, daycare- the list gies on- do nit accept Amex. Woolies and servos are about the only places that accept it meaning points earning power if the Amex is negated.

What a stupid decision westpac! As soon as something better cones I'll be on it! I will still argue with westpac that it is now no longer a 'platinum xard' and should nit therefore should nit attract the high fee ir require a minimum 8k limit

 

[Cruiser Elite]

50% Discount / Upgrade Voucher

Don't you guys kinda find it amusing that SQ did not feature 380 or 777 Biz class seats on the Voucher letter we all received this week - like the seats featured are still available on Saver Awards wheras the Whizz Bang ones on 380 / 777 are worth double the KF miles to redeem?

Kinda ironic I thought.

 

[kamchatsky]

Re: 50% Discount / Upgrade Voucher

Don't you guys kinda find it amusing that SQ did not feature 380 or 777 Biz class seats on the Voucher letter we all received this week - like the seats featured are still available on Saver Awards wheras the Whizz Bang ones on 380 / 777 are worth double the KF miles to redeem?

Kinda ironic I thought.

Well their new regional C is actually pretty good, even though they are not lie flat.

Still sucks that Visa earn rate will be halved. May end up cancelling it. Too many cards ...

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Re: 50% Discount / Upgrade Voucher

Don't you guys kinda find it amusing that SQ did not feature 380 or 777 Biz class seats on the Voucher letter we all received this week - like the seats featured are still available on Saver Awards wheras the Whizz Bang ones on 380 / 777 are worth double the KF miles to redeem?

Kinda ironic I thought.

What 50% Voucher letter?

What is the offer?

 

[albatross710]

Re: 50% Discount / Upgrade Voucher

What 50% Voucher letter?

What is the offer?

I think Cruiser Elite may be referring to the original Westpac/KF offer of a 50% reduction off an economy-business upgrade redemption.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Re: 50% Discount / Upgrade Voucher

I think Cruiser Elite may be referring to the original Westpac/KF offer of a 50% reduction off an economy-business upgrade redemption.

In the letter I received this week advising of the watering down of Visa earn was also included an A4 sheet headed 'THE PERFECT TIME TO REWARD YOURSELF'.

It is a double sided flier outlining the 50% Discount on Flights and Upgrades - I thought everybody would have received this?

There is a picture on that of a couple playing with the AVOD in the new regional C seats - I thought this was ironic featuring these seats which can still be redeamed at Saver Award levels and the large 380 / 777 C seats which can only be redeamed at Standard Award level are not pictured.

Didn't everybody receive this flier?

 

[albatross710]

Re: 50% Discount / Upgrade Voucher

In the letter I received this week advising of the watering down of Visa earn was also included an A4 sheet headed 'THE PERFECT TIME TO REWARD YOURSELF'.

hmmm..I didn't get one .

I received an A4 letter backpedalling on the card and a DL Flyer which had the new earning rates.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Re: 50% Discount / Upgrade Voucher

Now guys let me preface this by saying basically I am a very simple person - but this morning I have been playing around on the SQ site to see how best to use this 50% Discount / Upgrade Voucher.

I am really having difficulty finding a way to use it to get what I would consider 'reasonable value' for something that on the face of it looks like it COULD provide 'reasonable value'.

Who has used it - what flights etc?

 

[hummel]

Re: 50% Discount / Upgrade Voucher

hmmm..I didn't get one .

I received an A4 letter backpedalling on the card and a DL Flyer which had the new earning rates.

I think Cruiser is just talking about the standard renewal voucher. So if you had already got one previously I dont think you're entitled to it. That was my understanding.

FWIW, I got a renewal voucher and have only been signed up for ~6 months

 

[DKC]

I understand that it sounds like Westpac is not going to reverse its "business decision". For what it's worth I used the online feedback and complaint link to write a complaint to Westpac and awaiting a reply. I would encourage everyone who cares to write to Westpac to help them realise that this is a "bad business" decision.

QUOTE:

Dear Sir/Madam
I hereby lodge an official complaint about the changes to the Krisflyer Platinum card where the earn rate of the VISA card is halved and the 25000pt voucher is cancelled. These make the card unattractive as other AMEX and VISA cards provide much better value.
As with many other customers I will be cancelling my cards unless this situation is changed. It is a pity that a valuable card which I have enjoyed using has now been reduced to a product that does not justify its value.

REPLY so far:

Dear xx_xx

Thank you for your email regarding recent changes to your Westpac card. We welcome the opportunity to assist you.

xx_xx, the concerns you have raised have been forwarded to our Westpac Customer Relations Unit for further investigation and response. Your reference number is xx_xx.

A Customer Relations Manager will be in contact with you as soon as possible.

 

[joeymelb]

It seemed like Barbara from A-Bank is working at Westpac at the moment. There's a Barbara in drag at Westpac 90 Collins Street Melbourne branch. Got told that bonus interest rate was NO LONGER available to existing customers. Only after a quick word about closing off my accounts did that get any action.
Me: "Can I speak with the manager?"
Answer: "Oh, that's me! But I am with a customer now!"
Me: *PALM FACE*

Also, there's a Fat Barbara at Westpac Burke Road Camberwell branch.

Me: "I want to pay off my loans." <Made Cash Deposit>

1 Week Later, received a statement stating the loan is overdue and get charged with excessive interest.

Me: "What happened to my CASH deposit?"
Barbara: "What cash deposit?"
*Show deposit slip*
Barbara: "oh."

So, back to OT... Westpac is unlikely to listen to any of us. Even if we cancel en mass, Westpac just doesn't care. I am now with ME Bank and soon I will close my Westpac KF Plat Visa and go with someone else.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Westpac is unlikely to listen to any of us. Even if we cancel en mass, Westpac just doesn't care. I am now with ME Bank and soon I will close my Westpac KF Plat Visa and go with someone else.

Sooner or later some board member of Westpac WILL read and understand these sentiments - then we are likely to see some response.

Maybe even a VERY active shareholder who has a board members ear - people power does get results eventually.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

That is certainly the wording being used by the politicians. That means..it will have little effect on the banks and sound good to the punters. A beautiful piece of politics.

Retrospectively changing exiting lawful contracts would require the Federal government to compensate banks, which would be paid for by taxpayers. Whilst I have a mortgage, I don't see why taxpayers in general should be subsidising mortgage holders...

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Sooner or later some board member of Westpac WILL read and understand these sentiments - then we are likely to see some response.

Maybe even a VERY active shareholder who has a board members ear - people power does get results eventually.

Alternatively, the card isn't meeting its targets or is uneconomic. In which case it doesn't matter what you do. Anything that Westpac offers will be a temporary PR sop because the underlying fundamentals haven't changed.

 

[cove]

Abandon Visa Ship On March 15th!

 

[cove]

I would like to squeeze at least a million or two points on.VISA before March 15th cut backs.I may even pay the March BAS a week early as a million points is enough for about 5 J trips to LAX and back for $6,500 processing fee plus then the booking fees with SQ.
Then abandon the VISA part of the card!