Westpac Singapore KrisFlyer Credit Card

[cove]

I did ask Westpac for a point a dollar on Visa and the answer was NO.
That Kris Flyer Visa is no longer in my two card wallets and I have not used it since they downgraded it to half a point a dollar.

 

[Chicken]

This is funny, since I ditched Westpac a few years ago, and now may have to come back.

And those who ditched Westpac, it shows what goes around comes around.

AmEx is reducing their Platinum charge card and Platinum Reserve cards, from $1 = 1.5 SQ mile, to:
- $1 = 1 mile for most transactions
- $1 = 0.5 mile for bills / utilities / governments

I wonder what should I do?

American Express Edge $1 = 1 mile, $149, one free return DJ cheap basic domestic per year.
Westpac Singapore Airlines Platinum $1 = $1.5 mile $250.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

This is funny, since I ditched Westpac a few years ago, and now may have to come back............................I wonder what should I do?

Yes it certainly could prove to be quite ironical.

Personally I kept the WSQ Plat cards because of:

1. 3pts/$1 spens on SQ products out of Oz on Amex

2. 1.5pts/$1 spend on the Visa O/S - but then I got Select 4 mths ago now earn 3.33pts/$1 O/S

But if WSQ Card does not suffer same reduction in earn rate at ATO well then the AMEX may get to be used again - interesting times ahead in the CC industry - jeez there is going to be shuffling taking place in a lot of wallets in Oz in next 12mths.

 

[burmans]

American Express Edge $1 = 1 mile, $149, one free return DJ cheap basic domestic per year.
Westpac Singapore Airlines Platinum $1 = $1.5 mile $250.

Not always $250 either, I have negotiated $125 last two years

 

[k3nnis]

Or just get the altitude plat plus amex which is also $1 = $1.5 SQ mile, but you have the choice to transfer to other FF programs as well...

This is funny, since I ditched Westpac a few years ago, and now may have to come back.

And those who ditched Westpac, it shows what goes around comes around.

AmEx is reducing their Platinum charge card and Platinum Reserve cards, from $1 = 1.5 SQ mile, to:
- $1 = 1 mile for most transactions
- $1 = 0.5 mile for bills / utilities / governments

I wonder what should I do?

American Express Edge $1 = 1 mile, $149, one free return DJ cheap basic domestic per year.
Westpac Singapore Airlines Platinum $1 = $1.5 mile $250.

 

[dan.1337]

Not always $250 either, I have negotiated $125 last two years

How did you do this? I was just charged $250 for my next year.

 

[penegal]

How did you do this? I was just charged $250 for my next year.

Ring the call centre and ask. Whatever they claim, they have the ability to waive the fee entirely, meet you halfway, or do nothing.

There is some discretion in the decision, but I suspect there are business rules at play as well. They may stonewall you, but it doesn't take long to ring and ask.

 

[burmans]

How did you do this? I was just charged $250 for my next year.

Yes, just ask. My wife did the same and she has nothing like the same volume as me. There are two ways to go about it, ring or write a letter (yes some people still do that), I actually did the second, Reasons
1. With a letter you will get the right person ringing you instead of having to tell your story to a few people. Note the retentions unit have greater flexibility to make offers so it pays to say you are have a better offer (should be plausible even if not true) and are seriously thinking of closing account.
2. A letter gives you time to lay out all the good reasons for switching (I suggest you do understand the market and be able to point to similar cards with lower fees even if by association) and basically say I'm thinking of leaving unless you offer me something better.

 

[cfellows]

Thinking of ditching this card, yearly fee is approaching. Is there any alternative for SQ points. I find their rewards flights are cheaper when compared to QF. Is there something that has a better earn rate with QF that would even this disparity out?
Just suck it up and pay the $250 because there isn't anything better out there for SIA / Comparable airline. The citibank select black or whatever is out of my price range, even $250 is pretty much pushing it as far as I feel the amount of points per year I earn vs CC price

 

[albatross710]

Thinking of ditching this card, yearly fee is approaching. Is there any alternative for SQ points. I find their rewards flights are cheaper when compared to QF. Is there something that has a better earn rate with QF that would even this disparity out?
Just suck it up and pay the $250 because there isn't anything better out there for SIA / Comparable airline. The citibank select black or whatever is out of my price range, even $250 is pretty much pushing it as far as I feel the amount of points per year I earn vs CC price

Check out the Altitude Plat cards. Points go to Alititude where you can warehouse them until you are ready to reddem them through KF. I believe the end result is the same for half the annual fee or free is you are on a Westpac Package.

 

[cfellows]

Thanks for the quick reply
I actually came across from Altitude Plat -> KF Plat when it first started out and was better on points when my main reason for joining AltPlat was it was the only card I found with a conversion to SIA.
Do you mean Plat or Plat Plus :evil: (stupid idea WBC)

Considering the Plus (old Plat) is $295 is is more then the KF card so not really worth my time.

Plat (old gold) is $150 and basically less insurence cover, and less points 2:$1AMEX compared to 3:$1AMEX $295(Plat Plus (old Plat). I am not good with the points per dollar conversion but I would assume it is less than the KF-WBC comparable card has.

KF Gold 1:$1 vs Plat(old Gold) 1:$1 and then converted into KF I would assume works out to be around 0.5KF:$1? or possibly less.

Warehousing of points is good but negated by the length of time it takes to convert the points over, I think last time I did points it was around 2 weeks before they were credited. Seems risky on the off-chance I want to book a flight at shorter notice (pretty slim chance I guess).


I think I have waffled on a fair bit to basically no resolution in my mind. Every few weeks I hunt around thinking maybe there is going to be a better deal out there that slaps me in the face to make the jump. But really with the current market getting tighter and tighter across the board with FF & CC points I don't think there is anything for my current situation. Switching from Plat-KF to Gold-KF might be ok, but the 0.5 less points on the AMEX may start to annoy me each time I use it for a large purchase. I find I am able to use the AMEX for a lot of things, don't get asked much for the VISA unless its a small private retailer really.

 

[albatross710]

I think I have waffled on a fair bit to basically no resolution in my mind. Every few weeks I hunt around thinking maybe there is going to be a better deal out there that slaps me in the face to make the jump. But really with the current market getting tighter and tighter across the board with FF & CC points I don't think there is anything for my current situation. Switching from Plat-KF to Gold-KF might be ok, but the 0.5 less points on the AMEX may start to annoy me each time I use it for a large purchase. I find I am able to use the AMEX for a lot of things, don't get asked much for the VISA unless its a small private retailer really.

Also consider factoring your spend profile. Can the extra annual fee offset the extra points anyway? Consider your ratio of Amex spend to Visa spend. I can feel a spreadsheet coming on.

One way I continue to use the KF card has also been the travel insurance, easily outweighing the annual fee of standalone travel insurance.

 

[joeymelb]

All,
Just want to let fellow WP SIA Plat card holders know of my recent experience.

My partner and I were holidaying in Bangkok few months ago. My partner suffered a near fatal heart attack and was taken directly to BNH Hospital. I had the presence of mind to PDF all of my travel documents (Airline eTicket, past CC statements, and most importantly WP SIA Plat Travel Insurance Terms and Conditions PDF file!!). I quickly email those documents (via GoogleDoc, thank god for Cloud!!) to the hospital, the hospital got in touch with Westpac and Zurich on our behalf. Westpac/Zurich via InternalSOS looked after us in Bangkok and paid for everything. (Actually, I paid everything first on the CC with increased Credit Limit and extended Credit period, then they pay me back straight away via direct debit into my bank account.)

Out of that near fatal experience, we got ourselves additional month holiday in Bangkok... and enough SQ points (from all the medical, hotel and food expenses) for 2 First Class Savers to Shanghai for our next year's trip.

For us, the annual fee is worth it given the benefit we received! However, I do not advise anyone to go on holiday and suffer any near-death experience.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Joey so glad everything workerd out OK - can't imagine how scary that experience would be in a foreign land.

Tell me did you buy the flights on your KF card?

 

[cove]

Great recovery joeymelb !
What I have found is I don't hesitate after a heart bypass operation.
I carry the anginine spray and tablets in my carry on plus the travel insurance card but have never had to use them.
18 years later I walk a lot more and I don't now travel to some places where the medical system is dubious.

 

[Flashback]

Great recovery joeymelb !
What I have found is I don't hesitate after a heart bypass operation.
I carry the anginine spray and tablets in my carry on plus the travel insurance card but have never had to use them.
18 years later I walk a lot more and I don't now travel to some places where the medical system is dubious.

So why are you in London right now then? :mrgreen:

 

[joeymelb]

Joey so glad everything workerd out OK - can't imagine how scary that experience would be in a foreign land.

Tell me did you buy the flights on your KF card?

Thanks very much.

Yes, I did buy the flight with my KF card directly from Thai Airways. I also bought accommodation on the same card few months later. When Westpac/Zurich contacted me, all they need was the eTicket and KF Visa Statement.

Thankfully, my partner only require 2 stents and tonnes of medication. I am surprised at the quality of medical care and service in Thai (Private) hospital, it was actually far superior and cheaper compare to Australia for equivalent care. Compared BNH Hospital to Epworth Richmond (Melbourne), ICU was THB8000++ in BKK and AUD$3500 per night in Melbourne.

Lastly, I am told that my partner can not be automatically covered by KF Plat Insurance within 6-month period after the heart attack. But we will be OK after 6 months.... could anyone confirm? I read/re-read the terms and conditions but I can't find any confirmation...

 

[cove]

SQ fly to London Flashware and last time I was here I had that staph infection on my ankle that was handled by the Harley Street doctor. He did great so I am back.
The big question on travel insurance is when you do points redemption flights and just pay the levies on your credit card are you covered?
I just went to Chubb for an annual cover to avoid getting sleazed by a Credit Card insurance policy so I do not know the answer.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

The big question on travel insurance is when you do points redemption flights and just pay the levies on your credit card are you covered?

Was wondering exactly the same thing cove - but i don't want to hijack thread - maybe this very topic deserves it's own thread?

 

[albatross710]

The big question on travel insurance is when you do points redemption flights and just pay the levies on your credit card are you covered?

This is definitely covered. It is in the T&Cs. I made a claim on a F Class redemption to ZRH in January last year. Insurance paid out cash for the equivalent value of a F seat. Included with my claim I printed a screen shot of an F booking for the day I had to cancel.