Cancel or Keep Black Westpac AmEx?

icanfly on 04/12/2018 - 12:02

I got the Westpac Mastercard / AMEX black combo deal here: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/401343

I already got the points for both cards and have cancelled the Westpac Mastercard but still got the AMEX

I have read if I want to do this deal again I need to wait 18 months after cancelling both cards?

I see I can switch the AMEX to a $0 annual fee which still earns Qantas points does anyone know if the 18 months to reapply is only if you didnt have a black AMEX card for 18 months or is it any AMEX card?

Because I am thinking its beneficial to switch to $0 AMEX card and I can keep that and re-apply for the black in 18 months thats good but if having any AMEX makes me ineligible than it's better to cancel the AMEX now and not switch it.

Anyone else in the same boat? Does anyone know if this deal is even offered all the time like the ANZ one etc? Maybe its a one off and if I cancel the AMEX this deal wont come up again anyway so I am better off keeping?

Cheers

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Comments

  • djkelly69 on 04/12/2018 - 12:10
    +1

    I haven't looked into it recently, but believe the requirements for Amex bonus points are usually that you haven't held any Amex in the past X months (possibly excluding DJs Amex, charge card, and maybe some other specific/rare cards).

  • trotsky on 04/12/2018 - 12:19
    +2

    The Westpac Black AMEX has an annual fee, so not sure what option you are referring to in terms of the $0 fee?

    It is going to end up being a pretty decent earner next year in comparison to other AMEX cards as it is not being dropped, the QANTAS Ultimate is getting dropped to 1.25 earn rate (same as this card) however the QANTAS Ultimate's $450 annual fee converts directly into a $450 flight credit, whereas this card has no such benefit.

    I won't be keeping the WBC AMEX personally, as I'm not interested in paying for it next year.

    As djkelly69 points out, the 18 month exclusion period is for bonus point incentives when signing up for an AMEX card.

  • gaz3342 on 04/12/2018 - 13:13

    How soon did you get your points after completing min spend? Still waiting on mine

    • CyberMurning on 04/12/2018 - 13:17

      i got the amex fast but westpac, not yet.

      and i will cancel right away as soon as possible no delaying immediatelly

    • straafe on 04/12/2018 - 14:09

      I got my Amex Qantas points the next month, but the Altitude took three months to come through

  • icanfly on 04/12/2018 - 13:17

    thanks all I have cancelled the card and its good to have less liabilities anyway as now doing the st george deal anyway

    @gaz3342 not long I think they came at the statement date on or 1 after I hit the minimum spend

  • rankmanugly on 05/12/2018 - 15:50

    I have read several times in comments here on this card that a partner amex (like this westpac one) does not exclude you from bonus points on amex direct cards.

    That is, the 18 months exclusion only applies to a direct amex issued card.

    However, i have not confirmed this directly myself but am curious to know.

    • djkelly69 on 07/12/2018 - 14:03

      I don't think any banks actually issue Amex cards any more, so they are all Amex-issued and the exclusion applies. It used to be the case that they all did, but that has changed in the last year or two.

      The Westpac one is Amex-issued.

  • vchan on 05/12/2018 - 16:27

    I received both of the bonuses pretty quickly. And I ended up cancelling my westpac (without having to cancel my AMEX). TBH I wasn't aware of the 18 months condition. I can already see the points in my qantas account, not sure if they will redact if I cancel my AMEX.

  • starburstyellow on 05/12/2018 - 19:13

    I closed mine as soon as I got the points.

  • coldazure on 06/12/2018 - 09:30

    this card is still one of the best earn rate cards with no annual fee (waived first year), so i actually held onto mine.
    it also comes with some other benefits like airport lounge visits and AMEX connect benefits, which is nice especially if you don't currently hold any other AMEX card.

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