• long running

Westpac Altitude Black Card: 130,000 Points $200 Fee 1st Year ($6k Spend in 120 Days), 50,000 Points $295 Fee 2nd Year

720

The pickings are getting slim given the introduction of 18 & 24-month exclusion periods. Classic banks ruining the fun.
- This one is a 24 month exclusion period.

To be eligible for bonus Altitude Reward Points, you must apply and be approved for a new Altitude Black Rewards credit card before the offer is withdrawn. You will receive an initial 130,000 bonus points if you spend $6k or more on eligible purchases within 120 days of card approval.

There's a choice of the Qantas Altitude, Velocity Altitude or this, the generic Altitude. The generic Altitude is the only one with a $200 discounted AF (usually $295.) If you're already with Westpac this drops to $99.

130,000 points is equivalent to ~$550 in cashback with spend spread out over 4 months as opposed to the usual 3 months.
- Bonus of a Priority Pass membership and 2 complementary passes.
- There is the additional 50,000 points for the second year, but given it's a $295AF it's not really worth it to us churners.

Net profit of $350 which i'm not going to complain about. Yes there's better but i've burnt almost every bank for another 6 months.

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Comments

  • +28

    I think we're past the golden age of card churning :-(

    • sad days that's for sure.
      i thought they wouldn't mind the churning since they pay F all for those points + they get the annual fee and the min. spend to get the points

      • +2

        The points cost them money

        • +2

          yes, but as I said, they pay F all for them.

        • You'd be surprised how many people fail to pay back each statement so there's money for them there. Not everyone is disciplined or random events happen.

    • +9

      Agreed,

      I was still in uni when the $0 ANZ Black cards w/120,000 QFF points were available. They really were the golden days.

  • -8

    I called up Qantas support and they said that the lounge passes were only for Qantas flights and had to be booked far in advance. Not sure if priority pass is different and if it uses the free passes.

    • +8

      Priority pass is very different

      • Is priority pass for non Qantas lounges?

        • Yep,

          Priority pass has agreements with the multitude of non-airline lounge providers (there are a couple of airline affiliated lounges but they're fairly rare.)

          • @Drakesy: Ah fair enough. So I just scan my priority pass card to an approved lounge and I get two free. Sounds good.

            • -3

              @donman92: Priority pass is a different system. Usually a crap lounge if you're travelling anywhere outside of the US. Unlimited use.

              The two complimentary passes you get are for Qantas (or Virgin Domestic, if getting the Velocity card), separate from priority pass.

              • +1

                @Evanlet: Not crap lounges at all. Plenty of choice at both Bangkok and Singapore.

    • You can apply a Qantas lounge pass 24hrs prior to pretty much any confirmed Qantas or Jetstar flight booking. If the lounge is at capacity they coukd refuse entry i guess but I don't think that's common.

  • +5

    Internet login with them, without any active account will bring down annual 1st yr fee to$99

  • what is excluded matters.

    Existing Westpac customers who currently hold an
    Earth Classic,
    Earth Platinum,
    Earth Platinum Plus,
    Earth Black,
    Altitude Classic,
    Altitude Platinum or
    Altitude Black credit card,
    or who have held one in the last 24 months, are not eligible for this offer

    the question is if Westpac Altitude Qantas Black = Altitude Black (this card) for the purpose of exclusion. My understand is that it is not, so even if you had the qantas version of the card, I believe you are not excluded from this card. Someone will correct me soon enough

    • +4

      It also says

      Offer not available if you’ve held an Altitude Platinum or Altitude Black card with Altitude Rewards, Qantas or Velocity in the last 24 months.

      So sounds like you would be excluded for holding the Qantas version.

      • missed that. thanks for correcting.

  • can i convert altitude points to velocity points? and if so, whats the conversion rate?

    • Coincidentally I was looking at this card this arvo and it's only 3 Altitude to 1 Velocity point, so ended up choosing the Velocity Black card for $225 ($150 annual fee as Westpac customer & $75 Velocity fee) for 90,000 Velocity points. Instant approval with digital card as well which is nice.

      • -1

        Yeah was about to say this.

        The $300 AF is a bit rough though for only 90,000 points.

      • +1

        OTOH it is 3 Altitude for 1 KrisFlyer (or Velocity) too, when usually 1 KF is 1.55VFF. So if looking for KF, this card is better than the Velocity one

  • Can I simply open a transaction account to be eligible for the lower AF? Anyone tried this?
    EDIT: I am interested in the velocity card, not the one in this post

    • +2

      Yes that’s what I did for the velocity card too. Having an account also makes for easy auto payments

  • +7

    I miss the KrisFlyer card of the old. Much more valuable than QF and VA points that hyper inflate.

    • +1

      And it earned points on everything, including the ATO. When Westpac announced they were discontinuing the card, I prepaid tax almost a year in advance. The ATO should have thanked me 😆

      • +1

        Oh behalf of the ATO*: thank you, T-man.

        *I don’t really work for the ATO, but it sounds good.

  • is the annual 75 Qantas program fee compulsory even if you are a QFF member?

    • +2

      Yes. It's a Westpac fee, not a Qantas fee.

  • +2

    The 5.8% return on investment is pretty terrible (net $350 from $6000 spend). In fact I've never achieved worse than 8% across many many credit cards.

    Sadly, it is slim pickings these days!

    • Yeah

      ANZ black rewards still has the best yield but I’m afraid that may be coming to an end

  • Maybe worth mentioning, I did this card in April last year, and actually got the annual fee refunded pro rata on their live chat before cancelling the account. Not sure if they have changed their terms and conditions, but if they haven't it can make this a great card, I ended up getting around 80% of the annual fee refunded, pretty good value.

    • +1

      Doubt this would still work.

  • This or ANZ Black?

    • +2

      Por que no los dos?

  • +3

    if you are on westpac home loan package, it will be no annual fee for all credit cards

  • how about existing home loan customers

    • As long as you are home loan package $385 !?which is offset account

      • Do you still get the points?

        • +2

          I was told that they do get the points and no annual fee (one card per year per loan)

          • @bohn: Thanks for this, I'm getting the loan and my last westpac credit card was closed in May 2024. I hope the fee waiver also applies to future cards

  • Wait until tomorrow and this will be a better offer. Lower credit limits for servicing, etc.

    • +1

      Yup, gonna do the monthly getcreditscore.com.au :)

  • Have about 700,000 points on this card. What’s the best value/way to use? Looking at Krisflyer

    • Converting to KF is best value as it is same conversion rate to VFF.

  • +2

    After 1st.August Westpac is increasing the Mastercard annual fee from $100 to $175 and halving the Points when used for everyday spending like at Supermarkets,Aldi,patrol stations,cafes,restaurants
    et al. Enough is enough….time to go to ING methinks.

    • Oof, 0.5 QFF points per dollar on the Qantas Black card? That's rough for a Level 1 card, wonder if other banks will follow suit.

      Though at the end of the day the earn rate is pretty irrelevant for us churners I suppose, the sign-up bonuses are the real silver tuna that we look for.

  • what are other good credit cards to churn at the moment

    • Stick to the source for best value. Normally virgin money or Qantas cards.

    • Just got the Citi Premier card with 110K velocity points; have a look if it suits you.

  • +1

    For ones getting the card, be aware of the reward change from 1st August….

  • I have to ask this silly question about Priority Pass membership: If i am the primary cardholder, how many people can come with me to a lounge? My family is 2 adult and 2 kids under 10.
    thank you in advance.

    • +1

      https://memberhelp.prioritypass.com/en-GB/support/our-lounge…

      With my Westpac Altitude Black, I get 2 free entries per 12 months. I can use 1 for guest, plus myself, or 2 single entries by myself. You can pay for other guests at the applicable rate for the lounge, although some lounges may have restrictions.

    • +1

      It varies I guess, I have a bankwest that started with 2 passes a year, now its 10. Anyone accompanying me can go as far as I know.

      • you mean 10 entries/year?
        Is it "More World Mastercard"? and is this priority pass like Westpac card?

        Thanks

  • I wish they had no overseas transaction fees for this card, I'd likely go for it if they did.

  • Do Sniip transactions count towards the $6,000 spend requirement for the bonus points?

  • Its a good deal but personally I would pick the St George version of this card the St.George Amplify Qantas Signature credit card.

    As it has a 55 day interest free period compared with 45 days on this card. The WBC direct card is only better if your a current customer of them.

  • +1

    Seems you're not excluded if you've held an Amplify CC with St. George/BankSA/Bank of Melb? Thought they were all overlapping in their exclusion periods but I guess not then.

    • +1

      Yeah, Westpac isn't part of their scheme, although do share the naming conventions.

  • Any idea on how long it takes to receive bonus points? Looking to travel at the end of the year..

  • New card policy, seems like an overall nerf but I like that woolies gift cards will get a little more points:

    https://www.pointhacks.com.au/news/credit-card-changes-may-2…

    Below is a list of examples of what is included in the new everyday spend category.

    Supermarkets include stores such as Woolworths, Coles, IGA, Harris Farm and ALDI.

    Department stores include stores such as David Jones and Myer.

    Petrol stations include stores such as Shell, Ampol, Caltex and BP.

    Dining includes restaurants, cafes, fast food, bars, hotels and entertainment venues.

    Utilities include payments for water, gas, electricity, internet, mobile and streaming services (excluding BPAY® payments).

  • Applied on Sunday night, uploaded requested payslips/rental income statements right away, and my application is still being reviewed three days later. Westpac really is the worst bank I've ever had to deal with in the past too, probably should've gone for the NAB deal…

  • does anyone know how to track/view when you can reapply to another bank credit card after the exclusion period? p.s. ive lost track how many i've turned in past 6 months but dont know when i can reapply again

  • Applied online and got declined automatically after finishing the application. Is this normal? I currently hold the NAB Signature Reward Card and will be expiring this June. Can I call them maybe there was something wrong?

    • Probably not much point, Westpac seem to hate churners more than any other bank and are very rejection happy.

      • -3

        As my primary bank, I am happy that Westpac employs sound banking practices. 👍

        • It's hilarious that you're thinking of your fellow card applicants as competition rather than be grumpy with the banks for their price gouging

          • @soan papdi:

            ……. you're thinking of your fellow card applicants as competition…..

            That is a very long bow you have managed to draw there. 😲

            • @jackspratt: Have I really?

              @GS9891 said

              Westpac seem to hate churners more than any other bank

              You replied

              I am happy that Westpac employs sound banking practices.

              You are supporting the banks over churners. How do you personally benefit when churners get knocked back? The reason churners even exist is because long term customers receive nothing in return for loyalty. Banks can fix this situation easily but they won't, because they're greedy.

              • @soan papdi: How am I "competing" with other card applicants - I already have my cards, so have no need to compete.

                If Westpac is rejecting churners, it must be because there is a cost relating to them - otherwise they would be happy to take them all on.

                That cost must be reflected in the benefits I receive, or don't, in my overall banking with Westpac.

                • +1

                  @jackspratt:

                  That cost must be reflected in the benefits I receive, or don't, in my overall banking with Westpac.

                  Yes, it sure makes a tremendous difference in the billions they make in profits each year annd I’m sure they pass on savings to loyal customers like yourself. Enjoy your improved service.

  • +3

    Finally approved after 12 days. They asked for additional docs after a week, uploaded them right away, but still another week to approve after that. Slowest bank in the country.

  • Do payments via PayPal no longer receive points?

  • I keep getting unable to be processed at this time. Do I need an active savings account with money in it?

    • I was able to sign up to the existing customer deal with just an inactive Westpac ID with no accounts at all in it.

  • Is there a full fee waiver for premium advantage customers?

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