Westpac Singapore KrisFlyer Credit Card

[burmans]

The Prestige seems the go if putting a high spend through it

No doubt but at .33 points extra that's 3300 points per 10K spent. Notr this depends on your valuation but at 1c/point you'd need to spend over $200K/year to even break even on fee of nothing on Sig vs $700 on the Select.

PS. Citi Gold is definitely still available but cant see if the fee reduction still applies.

 

[Dr Ev]

No doubt but at .33 points extra that's 3300 points per 10K spent. Notr this depends on your valuation but at 1c/point you'd need to spend over $200K/year to even break even on fee of nothing on Sig vs $700 on the Select.

PS. Citi Gold is definitely still available but cant see if the fee reduction still applies.

The Citi Gold does not seem to be avail for new applicants: Citibank Gold Credit Card - Rates & Fees | Credit Card Finder
The Citi Signature has a fee of $299, so $400 more per year than Prestige (prev called Select)

Your reasoning is good if you can get Citi Sig fee free, but the fee free for life deal is no longer available.

For me with Westpac Krisflyer Platinum Amex and Visa as my only cards, I have to apply from scratch for another card.
My spend is enough that the extra $400 per year for 1/3 extra Krisflyer miles is worth it.

 

[burmans]

The Citi Gold does not seem to be avail for new applicants: Citibank Gold Credit Card - Rates & Fees | Credit Card Finder
The Citi Signature has a fee of $299, so $400 more per year than Prestige (prev called Select)

Your reasoning is good if you can get Citi Sig fee free, but the fee free for life deal is no longer available.

For me with Westpac Krisflyer Platinum Amex and Visa as my only cards, I have to apply from scratch for another card.
My spend is enough that the extra $400 per year for 1/3 extra Krisflyer miles is worth it.

Sorry I meant the Citi Gold program (google it) rather than the card.

Yes I did get the signature free for life, pretty sure the offer will come back as it has come back many, many times before! In fact just checked and it is still available

Citibank Australia

 

[Dr Ev]

Sorry I meant the Citi Gold program (google it) rather than the card.

Yes I did get the signature free for life, pretty sure the offer will come back as it has come back many, many times before! In fact just checked and it is still available

Citibank Australia

Thanks, will check it out

 

[andye]

....In fact NO card can beat 1.33 SQ miles per $ domestic spend after 1st April as far as I can tell....

Not 100% true. Diners gets better (1.875/$ where it is accepted) as does the Amex Business Accelerator (2/$ but capped at 100K (50K extra points)). Canberra not viable with either.

 

[Dr Ev]

Not 100% true. Diners gets better (1.875/$ where it is accepted) as does the Amex Business Accelerator (2/$ but capped at 100K (50K extra points)). Canberra not viable with either.

Very interesting.
Diners is too much of a pain to use in OZ, but the Amex Business accelerator might be a good option. It seems to be THE top earner per $ for KF miles Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Australia Guide | Credit Flyer
Only useful for $50K per year, but that is probably about my usual Amex spend anyway. Surprisingly low $160 annual fee. Not really running a business, but have an ABN, so could be the go.
American Express Business Accelerator Review | Credit Flyer
Singapore Airlines Westpac Platinum Card Discontinued - Credit Flyer

 

[Dr Ev]

Corrected for intent:

EFFECTIVE 1 APRIL 2015, THE EARN RATE ON THE
SINGAPORE AIRLINES WESTPAC PLATINUM AMERICAN
EXPRESS CARD IS CHANGING AND YOU WILL EARN 1.25
KRISFYLER MILES PER AUD$1 SPENT ON ELIGIBLE
PURCHASES USING THAT CARD AS WE KNOW YOU WILL
USE YOUR OTHERS AMEX CARDS INSTEAD THUS ALLOWING
US TO CLOSE THIS SUCKER DOWN.
THERE WILL BE NO CHANGES TO THE EARN RATE ON YOUR
SINGAPORE AIRLINES WESTPAC PLATINUM VISA CARD AS
YOU BUGGAS ARE ALL USING YOUR FREE FOR LIFE CITIBANK
SIGNATURE ANYWAY.

Been crunching the numbers:
Plan is to keep using Westpac Krisflyer Platinum Amex for ATO as long as it lasts. Then ditch it.
Will now apply for the Amex Business Accelerator for $50k of Amex spend at 2KF miles per $ (fee $160 pa good value)
Also apply for the fee free Citi Signature Visa for 1KF mile per $ . (At my yearly spend rate, the Citi Prestige will cost me $700 fee per year for about 50k extra KF miles, which is not worth it.)

Lonetravellingoz was basically spot on

 

[cove]

Yes Dr Ev lovetravellingoz knows which way is up for sure.
We all need to tailor our needs to our personal needs.
I have found Citi Prestige is good for us so we pay a bit for both cards as annual fees. The results have put a smile on my face.
Have 5 return Suites flights booked on SQ and we do look forward to them.
I looked up the cash value so I know AFF has helped us save a dollar or two.

 

[Arowana]

Corrected for intent:

EFFECTIVE 1 APRIL 2015, THE EARN RATE ON THE
SINGAPORE AIRLINES WESTPAC PLATINUM AMERICAN
EXPRESS CARD IS CHANGING AND YOU WILL EARN 1.25
KRISFYLER MILES PER AUD$1 SPENT ON ELIGIBLE
PURCHASES USING THAT CARD AS WE KNOW YOU WILL
USE YOUR OTHERS AMEX CARDS INSTEAD THUS ALLOWING
US TO CLOSE THIS SUCKER DOWN.
THERE WILL BE NO CHANGES TO THE EARN RATE ON YOUR
SINGAPORE AIRLINES WESTPAC PLATINUM VISA CARD AS
YOU BUGGAS ARE ALL USING YOUR FREE FOR LIFE CITIBANK
SIGNATURE ANYWAY.

This sucks..I wonder if they are trying to get people to close their accounts?

 

[burmans]

This sucks..I wonder if they are trying to get people to close their accounts?

I don't think so, in my opinion this is still competitive, just no longer a standout. Bear in mind the $ has gone down a lot so it is probably more expensive for them to buy points. Reducing to 1:1 or lower, they'd be trying to get you to close!

 

[cove]

For my circumstances this card will remain a number one jointly with Citi Prestige. This one is mostly for ATO and the Citi card is for lots of non ATO. Both are uncapped.

 

[legroom]

For my circumstances this card will remain a number one jointly with Citi Prestige. This one is mostly for ATO and the Citi card is for lots of non ATO. Both are uncapped.

Cove

What's wrong with Westpac Black for non BAS stuffs ?

1) No track record of unilateral devaluation like our Citi friends

2) AFAIK, the earn rate has not been changed (for non BAS)

For me, it is KF for the heavy lifting, Black for all AMEX-eligible, Citi for non-AMEX (when I have no XS, that is), Plat Edge for the daily living.

 

[Beta4Me]

Yep. Citibank Prestige, Westpac Altitude Black, Westpac KrisFlyer Platinum, Amex Platinum Charge/Reserve and Amex Platinum Edge is the dream team.

 

[knasty]

Yep. Citibank Prestige, Westpac Altitude Black, Westpac KrisFlyer Platinum, Amex Platinum Charge/Reserve and Amex Platinum Edge is the dream team.

That's an expensive team! At least you get guaranteed performance....

 

[Beta4Me]

That's an expensive team! At least you get guaranteed performance....

My turnover doesn't quite yet justify the Prestige and I missed out on applying for the KF card by about 2 days but the rest are great!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Cove

What's wrong with Westpac Black for non BAS stuffs ?

1) No track record of unilateral devaluation like our Citi friends

2) AFAIK, the earn rate has not been changed (for non BAS)

For me, it is KF for the heavy lifting, Black for all AMEX-eligible, Citi for non-AMEX (when I have no XS, that is), Plat Edge for the daily living.

IMHO the only problem of spreading Amex accros 2 or more cards is that is increases the ATO % of spend on KF - I too still hold Black but I have it fee free for 2 years so it will just lay dormant. I am happy to funnel ALL Amex spend through KF as it just helps to blend ATO / non ATO spend.

Only downer with my current pattern is am now warehousing in Citi - not ideal at all - KF direct sweep means no warehousing - <shrugs shoulders - what can you do>.

 

[Dr Ev]

IMHO the only problem of spreading Amex accros 2 or more cards is that is increases the ATO % of spend on KF - I too still hold Black but I have it fee free for 2 years so it will just lay dormant. I am happy to funnel ALL Amex spend through KF as it just helps to blend ATO / non ATO spend.

Only downer with my current pattern is am now warehousing in Citi - not ideal at all - KF direct sweep means no warehousing - <shrugs shoulders - what can you do>.

What's wrong with Citi warehousing? (I have just started doing it with the Citi Signature)
I know the KF miles earn per $ is 1:1 Citi Sig Visa vs 1.5:1 (about to drop to 1.25:1) with Westpac KF Plat Amex, but to me the miles expiry in KF is a pain. Although have grateful sons flying in Bus class to avoid miles expiring.

Even if the earn is less, it is a huge plus for me to be able to park points (pre transfer to KF miles) in Citi without them ever expiring. Also, I have noticed the pendulum might be swinging away from Amex acceptance again (e.g some Caltex, ALDI etc)

The Citi prestige Visa earn rate of 1.33:1 is very tempting, but $700 fee is steep.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

In the past Citi have unilaterally changed conversion rate on transfers - that is what makes me a tad uneasy. I have no problems with pts expiring as I spend so many each year - I would be much more comfortable warehousing in one of the Oz big 4 than in Citi.

 

[Dr Ev]

In the past Citi have unilaterally changed conversion rate on transfers - that is what makes me a tad uneasy. I have no problems with pts expiring as I spend so many each year - I would be much more comfortable warehousing in one of the Oz big 4 than in Citi.

Fair enough, we all have different circumstances.
Not sure I agree with you on the stability of CC terms and conditions of the Aussie banks though!

You raise a very good point re not using too many cards for ATO spend. I assume you mean that if your % spend on any one card is largely ATO, there is a greater chance of points not being given, as you are seen as rorting the system.

Was speaking with a colleague yesterday who says he still gets full points for ATO spend with Citi Sig, but ATO spend is less than 1/2 total spend. I guess there is still some discretionary "grey area" if the bank feels you are of value to them.

 

[legroom]

IMHO the only problem of spreading Amex accros 2 or more cards is that is increases the ATO % of spend on KF - I too still hold Black but I have it fee free for 2 years so it will just lay dormant. I am happy to funnel ALL Amex spend through KF as it just helps to blend ATO / non ATO spend.

Only downer with my current pattern is am now warehousing in Citi - not ideal at all - KF direct sweep means no warehousing - <shrugs shoulders - what can you do>.

I got your drift.

Blending vs Warehousing needs

We need to juggle balls at times !