ANZ Credit Card Changes Effective 28th October 2026

[Port Power]

I have had the ANZ QFF platinum card for decades, particularly for the travel insurance from Allianz. I have had to claim four times over the years for major events. I was covered for last year’s world cruise of five month’s duration (no claim eventuated), and had spent the necessary $$ to cover three months consecutive travel next year. I haven’t called yet to see if this pre-existing insurance will be honoured. After this, ANZ is done for me.

 

[brucemoon]

I have had the ANZ QFF platinum card for decades, particularly for the travel insurance from Allianz. I have had to claim four times over the years for major events. I was covered for last year’s world cruise of five month’s duration (no claim eventuated), and had spent the necessary $$ to cover three months consecutive travel next year. I haven’t called yet to see if this pre-existing insurance will be honoured. After this, ANZ is done for me.

Given the literarure, I doubt it.

I looked at the price of travel insurance and decided that the rewards black (3 months cover) is significantly cheaper than travel insurance.

 

[offshore171]

P30 of the linked Notice of Change states that in Phase 2 (from 24 March 2027), th

I'm seeing this on the link above:

" Phase 2 – on and from 24 March 2027:

As a Level 1 Card, the following changes will be made to the International Travel Insurance cover for the ANZ Frequent Flyer Black credit card on and from 24 March 2027:"


Edit: Ah ok seems there are two cards with similar names

ANZ Frequent Flyer Black (stays level 1)

ANZ Rewards Black (gets demoted in March '27)

Is that right?

 

[fkcn]

Yes, seems right. Just not clear why 2 Black level cards would be treated so differently

 

[Tea-Aholic]

Well yes… but why should I subsidise points earning when I don’t have a points-earning card myself?

I am saying you shouldn't! If someone wants to pay EFTPOS or cash for free at Aldi, then they should be allowed to. If I want to use my points card and pay 0.5% then I should be allowed to as well.

On 1 Oct if Aldi raises all prices to 0.5% to cover the surcharge ban, then people paying EFTPOS or cash will be worse off. This is of course a speculation but we all know they are going to pass the cost to the consumer.

 

[Port Power]

Given the literarure, I doubt it.

I looked at the price of travel insurance and decided that the rewards black (3 months cover) is significantly cheaper than travel insurance.

That used to be the case. As my next trip is now fully paid, changing to a black card won’t help. Also, being retired, I would probably have difficulty being approved.

 

[woodyren]

That used to be the case. As my next trip is now fully paid, changing to a black card won’t help. Also, being retired, I would probably have difficulty being approved.

We are in the same situation. I have used 2 cards for years to cover our travel insurance. My ANZ travel rewards card was one of them but apart from the no forex fees it is of little use now. We rarely travel for less than one month. The problem is that as a retiree I now will likely not be approved for any new cards so I need to hang on to the ones I have to cover future contingencies in order to carry enough available credit (rather than points or insurabnces).

 

[albyd]

You can cut the discussion in several ways.

For mine, the cost of banking has always been included in the overheads. The permission to surcharge didn't bring the price down. Rather it annoyingly added an extra dimension to the exchange.

It seems the US model of GREED IS GOOD has become the norm for many operators.

I agree, it’s always been part of the cost of doing business. Now merchants especially in the hospitality sector have seen it as a way to get some more until the RBA puts an end to it in a few weeks.

I agree, the changes are a populist response to uneducated consumers thinking no surcharges are good, they’re not subsidizing us points collectors anymore. It’s killed our hobby and everyone pays more as many merchants (especially in the hospitality sector) re-add this to their prices …

 

[Jacques Vert]

I think the thing that has killed our hobby is the reduction in interchange fees, rather than the banning of surcharges.

 

[brucemoon]

Well yes… but why should I subsidise points earning when I don’t have a points-earning card myself?

ok, so it looks like small business is going to increase their costs and potentially keep the (very small) profit themselves, instead of going to the bank. Perhaps this isn’t an entirely bad thing with so many businesses under increased pressure with wage increases superannuation increases payroll tax and you name it.

Less CC churning, less points out there perhaps = a better chance at reward seats for the rest of us?

How sad that folk believe the hype. Surcharges NEVER went to the bank. They were an option provided to the vendor to add value to the sale. The surcharge ALWAYS went to the vendor.

 

[brucemoon]

That used to be the case. As my next trip is now fully paid, changing to a black card won’t help. Also, being retired, I would probably have difficulty being approved.

I've been retired for 25 years. I went and got a Rewards Platinum St George CC (90 days insurance on $500 spend) with no drama. Bendigo offers similar but I had to be 75 or younger to apply.