Westpac Singapore KrisFlyer Credit Card

[WA flyer]

Well that's the quickest cc application I've ever done. If you're a Westpac customer it takes you through to your internet banking page where all of your personal details are already filled in for you. A few quick monthly salary/bills and hey presto job done!
It looks like it's bye bye Earth Plat.

 

[albatross710]

Pays to be persistent.

I now have a better deal

Any tips on getting a better Westpac deal?

 

[whoistheg]

FYI my wife and i got the snail mail version of these last night.

Looks like a great deal.

Def a card to move to once i get rid of all the QF points from my Amex

 

[lovetravellingoz]

But was all your time worth it for only $125?

My deal is permanent and I will gain benefit each and every year and not just in year one.

So yes...easily.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Any tips on getting a better Westpac deal?

Don't take no for an answer, be firm and polite and illustrate to them what value you will bring to Westpac.

In my case my yearly CC spend which was in the main currently going on a Maximiser and Citibank Card.

In my case I am also a long term customer and have several loans with them....though I also had a long running CC (fee free) with virtually no spend on it backing up my case that if they wanted my CC business that I needed further inducement.

 

[Foreigner]

Most posters suggest the new Westpac / KF cards the best of choices available with Westpac. Is that the consensus?

My manager has given "credit card switch application form" which once completed and submitted will start process to move me from plain 55 days platinum visa to KF cards. Here's the link:

http://www.westpac.com.au/manage/pdf.nsf/9E3810FE2EA92275CA25725F0010BD57/$File/CreditCardSwitch_NEW.pdf?OpenElement

Bit of confusion for me: will the KF amex mean my amex platinum credit card (free with my platinum charge card) be closed? Or, will bank maintain amex cr card independently of AMEX (one statement suggested by KF offer).

f

 

[oz_mark]

Bit of confusion for me: will the KF amex mean my amex platinum credit card (free with my platinum charge card) be closed? Or, will bank maintain amex cr card independently of AMEX (one statement suggested by KF offer).

I'm thinking of doing a switch as well, but will wait till closer to my annual fee due time!

The Westpac Amex is a separate card to the Plat Amex, and in a sense, Amex won't know that you have it.

 

[dajop]

Most posters suggest the new Westpac / KF cards the best of choices available with Westpac. Is that the consensus?

For international travel awards, combining the earn and burn rates it is pretty hard to beat. The main downside is probably for award travel to US and South America, although can still access Air Canada, Air NZ and UA through star alliance worlds. For travel elsewhere it is probably the best offering.

If your main interest is domestic travel, you would need the Westpac Altitdue card (linked to DJ) or Earth card (linked to QF).

 

[albatross710]

The Westpac Amex is a separate card to the Plat Amex, and in a sense, Amex won't know that you have it.

I think the transactions would still go through AMEX settlement process. For instance, in my role as a merchant, any AMEX card settles at the end of each day with the funds coming from AMEX.

As a purchaser, when I use Westpac AMEX to make a purchase the transaction takes an extra day to appear on my online Westpac statement.

 

[oz_mark]

I think the transactions would still go through AMEX settlement process. For instance, in my role as a merchant, any AMEX card settles at the end of each day with the funds coming from AMEX.

As a purchaser, when I use Westpac AMEX to make a purchase the transaction takes an extra day to appear on my online Westpac statement.

That's why I said "In a sense". You will probbaly find if you were to ring Amex about an issue with your card, they would bounce you back to Westpac. I doubt their customer service people would know about a Westpac card.

 

[albatross710]

That's why I said "In a sense". You will probbaly find if you were to ring Amex about an issue with your card, they would bounce you back to Westpac. I doubt their customer service people would know about a Westpac card.

Ok - understood.

 

[vaidy]

Based on a $1,000 spend the earn rates are

During intro period up to 31/10

KF Plat Amex = 3,000 KF points
KF Plat Visa = 1,000 KF
Altitude Amex = 2,000 Altitude = 1,000 KF
Altitude Visa = 1,000 Altitude = 500 KF

After 31/10
KF Plat Amex = 1,500 KF points
KF Plat Visa = 1,000 KF
Altitude Amex = 2,000 Altitude = 1,000 KF
Altitude Visa = 1,000 Altitude = 500 KF


Alby

Its not so simple Alby. The altitude points (for eg, Altitude Amex $1=2 points) converts to only 1 krisflyer or DJ points. In effect, 1:1 just like a standard Amex gold card, whereas this new card is more like the standard Platinum Amex card.

Other differences:

Points are locked into Krisflyer, whereas with the altitude points, you can port them to any (of a small list of) FFP. Not so useful for people flying to some parts of the world. SQ flights are also dearer than others at a given time. For eg, Emirates economy is available for $1799 from Mel to Lon, whereas SQ costs 2500!!

Amex Platinum or Altitude Platinum costs $395/295 a year. (The only ''freebie'' with Amex platinum is a domestic ticket)

The advantages as I see it are:
- the visa spendings at the moment earn a pittance of 1$=1 altitude point = 0.3 FF ppoints
- cheaper than altitude platinum by 45$ from year 2. Ofcourse inaugural offer is at $125.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Points are locked into Krisflyer, .

Though remember that in KF one can redeem for *A flights which have in the main much better burn rates than QF.



However to optimise earn and burn the solution is, unless your point earning ability is low is to make use of multiple ways to earn points....and multiple FF programs for burning (as each program has pluses and minuses depending on route etc).

I am advocate of making the most of point earning opportunities as they arise...if they are cost and time effective. Point Running.


For my purposes and evaluation this new card presents both an excellent way for an initial boost....as well as IMO being currently the best FF CC in Australia.

However I will hold onto my Amex Max as well....as I anticipate further future opportunities on it.

And who knows what other opportunities may arise....

 

[JohnK]

Though remember that in KF one can redem for *A flights which have in the main much better burn rates than QF.

I mainly agree with your statement but there are a few things to beware of the KrisFlyer FF program.

• Points expire after 3 years so if you do not have enough for an award no way to extend except if you have high status and you pay money and extend them for an additional 6 months
• While burn rates may sound great, earn rates are poor compared to most FF programs.
• Premium saver awards are not available on all flights although this is slowly starting to change
• Not always possible to get the WHY saver awards on most routes. Yes I know poor example but ample availability SYD-SIN-BKK and return around Christmas/New Year but poor availability BNE-SIN-BKK return around the same time.

Once we start to get away from saver awards availability, and 15% online discount, the value of the KrisFlyer FF program dimishes somewhat.

KrisFlyer program is not for everyone and you really need to be a heavy user of the credit card to get any reasonable benefit from this offer. Anyway juist my thoughts and as always we should consider the lowest common denominator and YMMV....

 

[futaris]

• While burn rates may sound great, earn rates are poor compared to most FF programs.

Earn rates aren't that bad (for those with low/2nd level status compared to other programs) and if you fly a lot you can always credit your flying to a different *A program that allows one-way awards, e.g. BMI.

• Not always possible to get the WHY saver awards on most routes. Yes I know poor example but ample availability SYD-SIN-BKK and return around Christmas/New Year but poor availability BNE-SIN-BKK return around the same time.

You can always redeem for a Star Alliance Reward, 55k for Economy BNE/SYD-BKK on TG. No 15% discount, but really not that much more than a SQ Saver Award. You can check availability online using ANA. Probably less YQ (fuel surcharge) redeeming on a partner than on SQ.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

you really need to be a heavy user of the credit card to get any reasonable benefit from this offer.

You need to be a reasonably heavy user for any of the cards to stack up unless they are free...ie the Citibank free for life deal.

Asa heavy user one can often get the fee waived or at least reduced.

Light users that have to pay the full card fee...would IMO often be better off without a FF CC in favour of a free card...and if they have a card balance..a low interest card.

In terms of FF cards this card is a good deal...IMO currently the best if you have the cash flow to pump through it...and in the first year that cash flow does not have to be that great...due to fee being reduced to $126, 10K bonus...and upto 3 points per $$$

If you don't have the cash flow to get that to work...then most likely any FF CC would not stack up (accept for completely free one).


however we all have our own circumstances.

ie someone that flies QF a lot might find it better for them to top up their flight earn (to QF or AA) rtaher than divert points to SQ even though in theory with this deal they could get more bang for their point at SQ.....as overall they will get more bang for their points by pooling.

In my circumstances I don't have to pool..so I can just maximise individual programs and cards. But we each have different circumastances and hence optimisations.

The fun and skill is working out what is best for ones own circumstances.

 

[kamchatsky]

I mainly agree with your statement but there are a few things to beware of the KrisFlyer FF program.

• Points expire after 3 years so if you do not have enough for an award no way to extend except if you have high status and you pay money and extend them for an additional 6 months
• While burn rates may sound great, earn rates are poor compared to most FF programs.
• Premium saver awards are not available on all flights although this is slowly starting to change
• Not always possible to get the WHY saver awards on most routes. Yes I know poor example but ample availability SYD-SIN-BKK and return around Christmas/New Year but poor availability BNE-SIN-BKK return around the same time.

Once we start to get away from saver awards availability, and 15% online discount, the value of the KrisFlyer FF program dimishes somewhat.


KrisFlyer program is not for everyone and you really need to be a heavy user of the credit card to get any reasonable benefit from this offer. Anyway juist my thoughts and as always we should consider the lowest common denominator and YMMV....

Also another problem with KF is that when redeeming for SQ flights their fuel surcharges is hideously high, even much higher than Qantas and others. I tried to quote for SYD-SIN-LHR return and taxes comes like 800AUD!!!!

However, the fact that SQ is part of Star Alliance means that it does cover a lot more places than OW, even though not all *A airlines are of "highest quality". It is probably the best *A program that has Australia credit card point earn ability (another *A program with such facility is NZ airpoint dollars but in terms of earn/burn it is nowhere as good as SQ).

So depending on your circumstances SQ KF may or may not be best for you, but I have to say that the current offer is excellent, even though I am still not sure whether I should apply for it as I don't believe in annual fees, and at the moment I could not get them to waive annual fees even though I am a Westpac Premier Advantage customer ......

 

[JohnK]

Earn rates aren't that bad (for those with low/2nd level status compared to other programs) and if you fly a lot you can always credit your flying to a different *A program that allows one-way awards, e.g. BMI.

The reason I mentioned this point is a lot of the cheaper SQ airfares do not earn miles/points in most FF programs.

You can always redeem for a Star Alliance Reward, 55k for Economy BNE/SYD-BKK on TG. No 15% discount, but really not that much more than a SQ Saver Award. You can check availability online using ANA. Probably less YQ (fuel surcharge) redeeming on a partner than on SQ.

There was very little availability which prompted me to search for SYD-SIN-BKK.

You may well be right but there were a number of factors in my calculation. With my limited spend on credit cards there is a big difference between 55,000 miles and 46,750 miles even taking into consideration the high taxes SQ charges.

I could have six (6) 55,000 trips or I can have ~seven (7) 46,750 trips but paying a few extra dollars in taxes. To me the extra trip is worth a whole lot more than the taxes I am likely to save on a partner award.

You need to be a reasonably heavy user for any of the cards to stack up unless they are free...ie the Citibank free for life deal.

Not really.

I have had an Amex Gold card since 2000 and I have accumulated ~290,000 MR points. I was not always on Ascent so I predict I have spent ~$700 on membership fees. I think my 290,000 MR points are worth a lot more than ~$700.

I have already redeeemed a return WHY flight SYD-SIN-BKK and have ~260,000 rMR points remaining which should be enough for another ~6 trips SYD-SIN-BKK on SQ plus taxes and surcharges. This should last me through to 2012 and by then I should have some more Amex MR points.

however we all have our own circumstances.

That is so true. An $80 annual fee when one pays interest but also gets enough points for a trip worth ~$1200 is more than worth it in my opinion. Others may not agree but I have done my calculations.

Not quite the same but people keep asking me why I do not stay in Brisbane every week. Boredom is one reason and just because I can do it is another reason. Sure I spend a lot of money commuting back and forth every week but when I can redeem 2 Oneworld awards for my father and muself the money or the agony suffered every week seem so insiginificant.

Also another problem with KF is that when redeeming for SQ flights their fuel surcharges is hideously high, even much higher than Qantas and others. I tried to quote for SYD-SIN-LHR return and taxes comes like 800AUD!!!!

I agree with you but a small price to pay to get the desired award.

Personally I think this card has limited clients and in my opinion the only reason it exists is because of QF changes in place since March 31....

 

[cove]

How easy is it to use Kris Flyer points to redeem for business or first class travel?Can it be done ?
My first view on this credit card is that it gives you a second chance at getting to places that QF dont go.
The 3 year termination of points could hurt someone who is not watching.

 

[futaris]

I could have six (6) 55,000 trips or I can have ~seven (7) 46,750 trips but paying a few extra dollars in taxes. To me the extra trip is worth a whole lot more than the taxes I am likely to save on a partner award.

I think you're right, for BNE-SIN-BKK:
6 * 55,000 SQ + 432.92 AUD taxes = 330,000 SQ points + 2597.52 taxes
7 * 46,750 SQ + 308.72 AUD taxes = 327,250 SQ points + 2161.04 taxes

250 SQ points + 436.48 AUD taxes different.

But there are cases where a partner award is good value, e.g. BNE-AKL-PPT or better value, e.g. AKL-LAX-LHR or AKL-HKG-LHR.

NB, I don't think that you can really say you earnt 290,000 MR point for $700 membership fees, since I suspect that most of those points were earnt from promos.

Otherwise, I could say I earnt xx_ MR points for $0, since I don't pay an annual fee for my Amex.

Not quite the same but people keep asking me why I do not stay in Brisbane every week. Boredom is one reason and just because I can do it is another reason. Sure I spend a lot of money commuting back and forth every week but when I can redeem 2 Oneworld awards for my father and muself the money or the agony suffered every week seem so insiginificant.

You're still only earning 1,000 QF points each way as Plat. That means 71 return trips for a Oneworld award, ignoring loyalty bonuses. Or close to $10k-$15k spent to get a $3.7k RTW ticket. Of course, this is assuming that you're on the cheapest fares flying on QF.

If you're flying on DJ, then it probably would have cost as much anyway...