Changes to Westpac credit cards from 1 Oct 2026

[Doctore1003]

Westpac is the latest to announce changes post-interchange / surcharging reforms.

Interestingly they're not lowering points earn rates, rather reducing travel insurance cover.

The Complimentary Insurance included with your card will now only comprise the following cover:

• Complimentary International Medical Travel Insurance; and
• Domestic Travel Insurance and Rental Vehicle Excess Insurance in Australia

All other cover is gone.

They're also introducing the following complimentary features to Low Fee Platinum and Rewards Credit Cards:

• Cardholders will be eligible to receive a complimentary 3GB Global Data Roaming plan, valid for 15 days across more than 150 destinations worldwide.
• You and up to four travelling companions may be eligible for complimentary access to more than 1,800 airport lounges worldwide if your registered flight is delayed by 120 minutes or more.

Interesting strategy from Westpac.

Important notice about our personal credit cards

Important notice about our personal credit cards

www.westpac.com.au

 

[Beer_budget]

Hopefully their St George etc brands take the same approach.

 

[kerfuffle]

Interestingly they're not lowering points earn rates

Because they already did that

 

[Rayesfeg]

That is an interesting strategy. Disappointing about the reduction in insurance as I have used that in the past.
The lounge delay pass is already a thing for their travel card (which is free by the way) so looks like they are just extending it to the rest of their cards.

Westpac charge a separate line item in their card annual fees for earning points with Qantas or Velocity points with their cards: "Annual Altitude Qantas Rewards Program fee" and "Annual Altitude Velocity Rewards Program fee". So an adjustment to the points earning rate, I would have expected an adjustment in this fee (not that they have done that in the past).

Because they already did that

Looks like they factored in the changes to interchange / surcharging rates ahead of time and have reduced benefits in order to lower their costs rather than increase fees and/or reduce earning rate.

 

[Rayesfeg]

Ouch - double kicker for the insurance:

The policy excesses are changing:

• Complimentary International Medical Travel Insurance is increasing to $500 (from $300)
• Complimentary Domestic Travel Insurance is decreasing to $100 (from $300).

Additionally, you now need to activate the travel insurance. Previously you were automatically covered if you spent $500 on travel-related costs on the card. From the PDS "Activate your cover by logging in to your Westpac App or Westpac Online Banking or call Allianz Global Assistance" in addition to spending $500 on travel costs.

 

[Doctore1003]

Because they already did that

Sure, but comparing like for like:

NAB Qantas Rewards Signature ($449 fee): earn 0.75 ppd for first $3k, then 0.25 ppd for $3-15k.

Westpac Altitude Qantas Black ($370 fee): 0.5-0.8 ppd for first $10k, then 0.25 ppd uncapped

Westpac is much better IMO

 

[jbman]

So they reduced the medical cover, increased the excess and removed anything else not medical related and can be added for an extra fee?

 

[transpactraveller]

Additionally, you now need to activate the travel insurance. Previously you were automatically covered if you spent $500 on travel-related costs on the card. From the PDS "Activate your cover by logging in to your Westpac App or Westpac Online Banking or call Allianz Global Assistance" in addition to spending $500 on travel costs.

Looks like it's partly so they can upsell:

At activation, you can choose to upgrade your cover by purchasing Comprehensive International Travel Insurance or add optional extras for an additional cost

(and of course deny claims of people who didn't realise they need to activate it each time they travel)

 

[Happy Dude]

Any hits to sign up bonuses flagged?

 

[oz_mark]

Westpac wound the points earning back last August. Maybe they don't need to see the need to wind further (or not yet!)

 

[kamchatsky]

Sure, but comparing like for like:

NAB Qantas Rewards Signature ($449 fee): earn 0.75 ppd for first $3k, then 0.25 ppd for $3-15k.

Westpac Altitude Qantas Black ($370 fee): 0.5-0.8 ppd for first $10k, then 0.25 ppd uncapped

Westpac is much better IMO

But NAB insurance is still the full-on version, rather than this lite version from Westpac? Of course if you don't use the CC insurance then yes this is better.

 

[Flyfrequently]

I have had a quick read on my phone and haven't noticed anything about pre existing medical.
Have used this card for PE ($45 admin fee to apply, no extra $ when accepted)
Any thoughts on if this is changing?