Earth changed

[oz_mark]

Interest Rate on purchases on Earth+ moved from 15.99% to 17.99%. Earth card looks unchanged.

Earth and Earth+. Interest free days being reduced from (up to 55 days) to (up to 45 days) from 1 October 2008.

 

[oz_perspective]

I noticed that too. I don't think it will affect me, but not a positive step.

 

[Mox_Fulder]

Up to 45 days interest free now ? Hmmm, thats disappointing...Was looking to sign up for Earth+ when the next free Qantas points offer came up.

Will have to think twice now about the card....

 

[albatross710]

Looks like standard banking practice....get people signed on with a great offer...then slowly make the card less attractive by reducing days, increase rates....being careful not too be too radical...just subtle changes....such the the pain of changing is greater than the pain of staying.

I think it is called customer latency.

 

[straitman]

Looks like standard banking practice....get people signed on with a great offer...then slowly make the card less attractive by reducing days, increase rates....being careful not too be too radical...just subtle changes....such the the pain of changing is greater than the pain of staying.

I think it is called customer latency.

In all likely hood they have lost me at first renewal.

 

[albatross710]

In all likely hood they have lost me at first renewal.

I cancelled two months ago. Too much confusion about who is responsible for frequent flyer points...and it is Westpac anyway.

Fortunately, they transferred by Earth limit to my pre-existing Altitude card.

 

[oz_mark]

In all likely hood they have lost me at first renewal.

Ditto. And I think it is quite soon as well.

 

[codash1099]

In all likely hood they have lost me at first renewal.

Lost me before first renewal. What's their problem? Not making enough money out of credit cards?

 

[oz_mark]

Lost me before first renewal. What's their problem? Not making enough money out of credit cards?

Brings it into line with their other products I guess. I have been with Westpac long enough to know their product cycles! I've seen the cycle as per the post of albatross710 many times, but maybe I am not quite as latent as other customers!

 

[Mox_Fulder]

Just as I had expected, the 15000 points for Earth+ is now back or 10000 points for the Earth. You have to apply by Aug 15 and use your card 5 times before 30th Sep 2008. Application is thru the QFF webpage..

http://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyn/memberSpecials/cards/2008/jul/earth

Given the changes in the interest free day, is it still worth the effort for 15000 points ? Me thinks not....

Just noticed that the annual fee for Earth+ is now $125 !! However, on the normal Earth.com.au website, it still states $79...What gives ??

 

[oz_perspective]

Thanks for the info - I noticed that this morning as well. Pity the membership fee is so high.

 

[oz_mark]

Just as I had expected, the 15000 points for Earth+ is now back or 10000 points for the Earth. You have to apply by Aug 15 and use your card 5 times before 30th Sep 2008. Application is thru the QFF webpage..

Frequent Flyer - Member Specials - Cards - Earth

Given the changes in the interest free day, is it still worth the effort for 15000 points ? Me thinks not....

Just noticed that the annual fee for Earth+ is now $125 !! However, on the normal Earth.com.au website, it still states $79...What gives ??

According to Westpac:

7. $125 annual fee for all cards applied for on or after 1 July 2008. $79 annual fee for all cards applied for prior to 1 July 2008.

 

[straitman]

According to Westpac:
7. $125 annual fee for all cards applied for on or after 1 July 2008. $79 annual fee for all cards applied for prior to 1 July 2008.

That's this year. They can easily change the T&C's in the future.

 

[Mox_Fulder]

Well, I might pass on it...Its tempting...15000 points for $125. Nothing worse than applying for the card and find 6 months down the track, travel insurance has been removed or even the extended insurance cover for 12 months.

Kind of reminds me of what happened to the original Amex Gold credit card.

oh well...

 

[oz_mark]

That's this year. They can easily change the T&C's in the future.

I checked it out as the Earth page and Westpac site quote $125, although I didn't recall a notification about it. Seems that for the time being, existing cardholders are being grandfathered on the old rate - which of course can change any time.

Given the recent move to reduce the interest free days, plus a substantial hike in annual fees, I am thinking someone got their sums wrong!

 

[oz_perspective]

/me waits impatiently for a promo code to waive the annual fee...

 

[Mox_Fulder]

/me waits impatiently for a promo code to waive the annual fee...

Well, they may at some point but there is no guarantee there will be a 15000 point bonus attached at that time...

 

[oz_perspective]

Yeah that is true. Although anything is better than nothing at all

 

[SeaWolf]

No mention of cheap international transactions on earth+ anymore either. Looks like another feature that's gone.

 

[gibspmuh]

Certainly no regrets here in cancelling my Earth+ card in light of the changes recently implemented. The decent overseas exchange rates were the only real positives over the competition and with that gone it's just another mediocre card.