Westpac Altitude/Qantas Platinum Visa/AMEX no annual fee up to 90k points

[Einherjar]

From looking at this:
Altitude Platinum | Westpac

There seems to be no mention of any 18-month waiting period, or any other eligibility conditions for existing cardholders on the Amex side?

Interesting. I can't find the 18 month clause here. I have an active Amex card but do not have Altitude in my name. Might give them a call to see. Get the points, transfer, get out.

What I also realised when signing up, you could get the Platinum Altitude Visa and mix it up with the Black Amex? Considering the Black Visa has a $15000 minimum limit, choosing the Platinum Visa for $6000 and both Amex has a limit of only $3000. Probably an option who want to keep their ccard debt limits low for future loans.
Having an upgraded black amex for the amex lounge and more point value can be an option for some.

 

[Einherjar]

Interesting. I can't find the 18 month clause here. I have an active Amex card but do not have Altitude in my name. Might give them a call to see. Get the points, transfer, get out.

I decided to call them up and the rep confirmed that even having an existing Amex, I will still get the welcome bonus for this bundle. Much like the DJ Amex. So he said (paraphrasing)

"As you have the Edge card, if you were to apply for this Westpac Altitude bundle, you will get the welcome bonus for this. Then you can also sign up for the David Jones Amex and get the welcome bonus for this as well"

 

[Strategic Aviation]

I recall past AFF comments that bonus points have been received despite Amex's various rules. I'd be comfortable taking that gamble.

 

[Dr Ralph]

From looking at this:
Altitude Platinum | Westpac

There seems to be no mention of any 18-month waiting period, or any other eligibility conditions for existing cardholders on the Amex side?

From memory, this was confirmed some time ago.

The problem is that if you take this card it will impact on any exclusion period you may be waiting out for a standard AMEX offering. You want to take the standard AMEX offering first, then apply for any others.

 

[get me outta here]

@inMotion, Hi, what did you find out whether a govt spend will qualify for the bonus req'd spend of $3K?

Does anyone think I could get away with paying my ATO bill for the qualifying spend?

Bonus Points:
"Eligible purchases do not include fees, cash, cash equivalent transactions, BPAY, BPAY equivalent transaction, refunds and balance transfers debited from the card account."

Then later:
"You do not earn Altitude Points or Qantas Points on payments to the Australian Taxation Office."

I assume this means I can complete $3000 qualifying spend on ATO, but it wont earn regular points.

 

[Scr77]

Has anyone used the online income verification system? I wonder if it’s automated or if it takes a copy of your transactions and then a human get to look through all of your transactions.

 

[GSP]

Has anyone used the online income verification system? I wonder if it’s automated or if it takes a copy of your transactions and then a human get to look through all of your transactions.

I didn't go down that route and sent through my 2 previous payslips. Was approved a couple of hours later. I didn't like the idea of them seeing a number of payments to other CC accounts...and something nagging me "just in case" the email I sent was a scam.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Has anyone used the online income verification system? I wonder if it’s automated or if it takes a copy of your transactions and then a human get to look through all of your transactions.

Didn't use. All I could think of was that something would go wrong and cause a delay in the process.

 

[Scr77]

I didn't go down that route and sent through my 2 previous payslips. Was approved a couple of hours later. I didn't like the idea of them seeing a number of payments to other CC accounts...and something nagging me "just in case" the email I sent was a scam.

Didn't use. All I could think of was that something would go wrong and cause a delay in the process.

I can see all sorts of issues with this process. My wage goes in to a joint account but how do I prove it’s my income. Then will I have to justify any loans in my wifes name that come out of the joint account. Will they be able to identify the rental income? No doubt there are plenty of other issues.

 

[get me outta here]

Edit 2, thought I'd ask the same question about whether a govt spend will count towards the sign on bonus points. Yesterday, below I was told on FB that it did not. I didn't necessarily believe that, so I just double checked with Westpac on their chat online. 'Eric' confirmed that it does towards the sign on bonus, but will not get points - this is as per 'normal' in my experience. Here's 'Eric's' reply:

Eric
at 13:45, Jul 11:
Yes, It does count for the spend for the bonus points, It won't earn any rewards points as a purchase as it is a government payment

__________________________________ _______________________________

Answering my question about govt payments for the bonus points on FB, Westpac said:

Good question! Government payments do not count as eligible transactions for any bonus points offers. Merchants classified as government include the Australian Taxation Office, Australia Post, federal/state and local government bodies. ^Mike

@inMotion, Hi, what did you find out whether a govt spend will qualify for the bonus req'd spend of $3K?

 

[blacksultan]

Would applying for this package preclude you from bonus point offers on other Amex cards

don`t think it would.

 

[blacksultan]

Does anyone know if it would be easy to get this card if you are not an existing westpac customer?

 

[AIRwin]

Does anyone know if it would be easy to get this card if you are not an existing westpac customer?

I'm not an existing Westpac customer and received my card in the mail on the Thursday after applying online on Sunday...

 

[rock86]

Looks like you can also create a 'combo' between card types with the Westpac/AMEX bundles. 100,000K points for $250 (including the $50 QF fee) looks to be the best deal if you want that extra few points, but the 75,000 standard Platinum bundle for $50 is still the best bang for buck if your willing to take the 2 credit enquiries.

American Express Get Started | Westpac

 

[Strategic Aviation]

Looks like you can also create a 'combo' between card types with the Westpac/AMEX bundles.

Building your two-card Westpac, American Express credit card combo - Australian Business Traveller

the 75,000 standard Platinum bundle for $50 is still the best

Even better with no fee

 

[Einherjar]

Looks like you can also create a 'combo' between card types with the Westpac/AMEX bundles. 100,000K points for $250 (including the $50 QF fee) looks to be the best deal if you want that extra few points, but the 75,000 standard Platinum bundle for $50 is still the best bang for buck if your willing to take the 2 credit enquiries.

American Express Get Started | Westpac

View attachment 131588

Kind of what I mentioned in my above post: Westpac Altitude/Qantas Platinum Visa/AMEX no annual fee up to 90k points

 

[Waypoint]

I can see all sorts of issues with this process. My wage goes in to a joint account but how do I prove it’s my income. Then will I have to justify any loans in my wifes name that come out of the joint account. Will they be able to identify the rental income? No doubt there are plenty of other issues.

Didn't have a problem doing this. Just blacked out any CCs and wife's name. Also sent a scanned page briefly identifying my income and what identifiers to look for on each statement. Used that strategy several times now with no problems, even though the joint account transactions look very confusing.

 

[Scr77]

Didn't have a problem doing this. Just blacked out any CCs and wife's name. Also sent a scanned page briefly identifying my income and what identifiers to look for on each statement. Used that strategy several times now with no problems, even though the joint account transactions look very confusing.

A paper version is understandable. I was referring to the system where you login to your online banking and give permission for Westpac to suck 6 months of transactions into their system for assessment.

 

[GSP]

A paper version is understandable. I was referring to the system where you login to your online banking and give permission for Westpac to suck 6 months of transactions into their system for assessment.

They ask for your complete access details - there is of course a risk of a scam and I was 95% sure it wasn't but not 100%, they also have access to all sorts of other information as other posters have referred to as could be problems, there is the risk the staff member could use your access for nefarious reasons (granted low risk but why expose).....where the alternative is the simple well troden path of uploading a couple of pay slips.

I really can't see how this practice (ask your login details to verify schnitz) becoming regular as It will clearly be seen as an opportunity for the robbers of the world.

 

[blacksultan]

I recall past AFF comments that bonus points have been received despite Amex's various rules. I'd be comfortable taking that gamble.

Do you mean that people have referred bonus points for a new amex card even though they are an existing cardholder?
that seemed to happen when I applied for a friend -she received the referral points even though we used her own link.