Westpac Altitude Points Devalue September 2016
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kpc
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After the devaluation, Westpac Altitude will be 1.2 KF miles per $ spent whereas Amex Explorer is 1.5KF miles per $ spent (current pre devaluation Altitude rate)
prozac
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I am about to transfer points and looking for collective wisdom of members (Cove?).
I have around 1.5m Altitude Points. My travel requirements will be for myself and mrs prozac, so 2 people. On SQ I count around 190,000 pts per person Euro J return or 380k as a couple. I haven't delved into CX but figure it will not be too different for either Europe or US.
Plan A is to transfer 600k Altitude pts to KF and 600k to Asia Miles (CX). This will set up 300,00 pts in each scheme and allow some travel planning flexibility. I can top up from the Amex MR acct.
This will leave 300k remaining for use with Velocity which remains unaffected by the points devaluation. The acct will continue to accumulate and top-ups can be made from Amex MR.
Does Asia Miles have time restriction for points use as KFers 3 year window?
I welcome comments from the brains trust.
I have around 1.5m Altitude Points. My travel requirements will be for myself and mrs prozac, so 2 people. On SQ I count around 190,000 pts per person Euro J return or 380k as a couple. I haven't delved into CX but figure it will not be too different for either Europe or US.
Plan A is to transfer 600k Altitude pts to KF and 600k to Asia Miles (CX). This will set up 300,00 pts in each scheme and allow some travel planning flexibility. I can top up from the Amex MR acct.
This will leave 300k remaining for use with Velocity which remains unaffected by the points devaluation. The acct will continue to accumulate and top-ups can be made from Amex MR.
Does Asia Miles have time restriction for points use as KFers 3 year window?
I welcome comments from the brains trust.
CX has similar 3 year points expiry with points recently transferred expiring end of February 2020.
CX J SYD-LHR rtn is 175,000 Asiamiles and $590 approx in charges.
I now have similar points bank in CX and SQ though retain the ability to dump more in if needed. CX is a great alternative to US and Canada east coast particularly when not going to NY though still probably wins out avoiding the LA transit. Also cheaper than QF for going across the ditch when not able to get on EK or VA.
CX J SYD-LHR rtn is 175,000 Asiamiles and $590 approx in charges.
I now have similar points bank in CX and SQ though retain the ability to dump more in if needed. CX is a great alternative to US and Canada east coast particularly when not going to NY though still probably wins out avoiding the LA transit. Also cheaper than QF for going across the ditch when not able to get on EK or VA.
I had quite a lot of warehoused points and I left 75 behind after transfers to SQ and VA.
CX is better for folks who live on the east side of Australia as you don't go backwards to get to Hong Kong rather than Singapore.
Of course I now have way more points/miles than I really wanted in those two accounts but I am thinking about flying more frequently. With SQ the redemption charges can be way too high for travel on a coach class ticket so you are forced to look at Premium Economy,Business,First and Suites redemptions.
CX is better for folks who live on the east side of Australia as you don't go backwards to get to Hong Kong rather than Singapore.
Of course I now have way more points/miles than I really wanted in those two accounts but I am thinking about flying more frequently. With SQ the redemption charges can be way too high for travel on a coach class ticket so you are forced to look at Premium Economy,Business,First and Suites redemptions.
The last day or so, my Westpac app on Android (which as of a couple of days ago has moved to the Ws in my app list now that it's "Westpac" and not "Banking") has been flaky with available balances. And when I went to convert points just now, the Altitude site was also very flaky. I don't know whether these things are related to each other or to the imminent devaluation. But I would advise people if they're concerned not to wait until Tuesday as I had been planning to do.
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Altitude site was fine just now. Emptied the warehouse of 2.5M altitude into Kris. Did the maths earlier and I shouldn't have an issue using them before Sept 2019. Just nervous about Kris moving the goal posts like velocity did with the EY surcharges. Anyway SQ have always served me well to this point so fingers crossed.
Oh and the banner at the top of the altitude web page says maintenance sat 24th 9 am til sun 25th 9am so beware if you are leaving it late!!
BillytheFIsh
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After umming and ahhing, I just did the same (although nowhere near your balance !).
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Altitude were not on the list last time there was a 15% bonus
https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.com/transfers/index.htm?icmpid=VFF_indirect_10birthdaylandingpage
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prozac
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Can people get to Altitude Rewards web site today? I login to westpac but overtime I click on rewards, I am presented with a black page.... has been like that all day :-(
(I waited till today as I was expecting last few 10,000s rewards points to be hit my account before transferring to SQ/CX)
(I waited till today as I was expecting last few 10,000s rewards points to be hit my account before transferring to SQ/CX)
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Yep working here but a bit slow. Direct log in using altitude rewards website not thru Westpac internet banking link . Windows IE 11 if it makes a difference
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