Changes to Westpac credit cards from 1 Oct 2026

[Flyfrequently]

Westpac have modified their Qantas points offer for the Altitude Black card

they have added in 50SC if you spend the $6k in 90 days.

Just pondering whether it could be the Westpac card/s that may be in the mix for SC's on Reward flights @Nate-Dawg .....?

 

[dairyfloss]

Westpac have modified their Qantas points offer for the Altitude Black card now that we're into 1st October. The bonus points haven't changed, but they have added in 50SC if you spend the $6k in 90 days.

I wonder if that will flow into the St George Amplify Signature card as well. They seem to be the same in every other way (except Visa v MC)

 

[Nate-Dawg]

Just pondering whether it could be the Westpac card/s that may be in the mix for SC's on Reward flights @Nate-Dawg .....?

It could be, although the 50SC part of the offer expires on 28th October.

 

[prozac]

I don't understand why the banks have devalued card rewards midnight 30Sept when it is the merchants that are covering the cost of their fees?

 

[transpactraveller]

I suspect they've mostly used the changes as a scapegoat, assuming consumers would be more likely to accept it if they could point the blame at something.

They've gradually devalued their programs many times before this.

 

[Nate-Dawg]

I wonder if that will flow into the St George Amplify Signature card as well. They seem to be the same in every other way (except Visa v MC)

It could, but hasn't yet. I suspect that this is a temporary offer by Qantas to encourage people to choose the Altitude Qantas card vs Altitude Velocity, as the points offers are identical. The Velocity version has a couple of Economy X vouchers.

 

[bernardblack]

I don't understand why the banks have devalued card rewards midnight 30Sept when it is the merchants that are covering the cost of their fees?

Isn't the banks' vig being reduced as well, though? I seem to recall RBA forced interchange down as part of the same initiative?

 

[elanshin]

Oh.. I didn't realise that Westpac had absolutely destroyed their Altitude> QFF conversion.

Its now 4:1 which is the same as other airlines, but really bad given it was 2:1 before.


Edit: Actually they're all 4:1 now. Was 2:1 for vff and qff, 3:1 for Asia Miles, krisflyer and air koru.

Makes Everyday rewards the best conversion? 3:2 which means 3:1 for QFF.

 

[aikman]

I have the Qantas Black card and according to the Westpac website, paying my water bills should earn 0.8 points per $.

Our 'everyday spend' category consists of 4 sub-categories: supermarkets, department stores, petrol stations and utilities. Below is a list of examples of merchants included in these 4 categories:

• Supermarkets include stores such as Woolworths, Coles, IGA, Harris Farm and ALDI
• Department stores include stores such as Kmart, Target, Big W, David Jones and Myer
• Petrol stations include stores such as 7-Eleven, Shell, Ampol, Caltex and BP
• Utilities include payments for water, gas, electricity, internet, mobile and streaming services (excluding BPAY® payments).

However, after analysing my account statement, I earned zero points for my water bills. I assume the payments were captured as a government transaction and earned zero points. It was two water companies as well (two different properties) so not an anomaly.

Is there any way to make Westpac accountable for their blatant lies?

 

[transpactraveller]

Is there any way to make Westpac accountable for their blatant lies?

You would probably have to raise a complaint with them, but based on my previous experience with Westpac they will probably just mark it as resolved with a generic email reply thanking you for your feedback. However you can then take it to AFCA.

 

[prozac]

I have the Qantas Black card and according to the Westpac website, paying my water bills should earn 0.8 points per $.



However, after analysing my account statement, I earned zero points for my water bills. I assume the payments were captured as a government transaction and earned zero points. It was two water companies as well (two different properties) so not an anomaly.

Is there any way to make Westpac accountable for their blatant lies?

Can you pay via Paypal. I paid my water rates this week to Sydney Water and used PayPal for my amex because they only accept Visa/Mastercard.
If I didn't have such a large credit limit I would be ditching my Westpac Black MC

 

[Flyfrequently]

I have trawled through the 100+ pages in PDS and will probably drop from Westpac Platinum (level 2 card) as the TI is  very basic.
For what we used to have included and the ability to apply for PE medical for a $45 admin fee, you now need to "upgrade".

Did a dummy quote, had it coming in close to purchasing a policy outright.
IMO not worth the annual and QF rewards fees - due next statement.
Might just switch to the low fee card and forgo TI cover.

From my reading of other complimentary TI associated credit cards, only *Level 1 cards are on par with what was in place prior to 1st October.

Happy to be corrected.
* fees upwards of $450