Westpac dumps AMEX - changes points earn on MC

[jastel]

40K winner!

You must have double my credit limit!

 

[Lendav Orav]

Anyone else found the link isn't working when you try to start an application?

 

[albyd]

I haven’t received an offer yet. Will report back what it is. Sounds very underwhelming compared to the original promos about it but will give it a look and report back.

 

[jbman]

I wonder if this will be counted as part of the only two allowed for Amex cards

 

[burmans]

Received my offer via online banking with a 4 digit PIN to use. Unlikely to take it up. Especially concerned that if I take up this new card directly with AMEX that will mean I wont be eligible for other much more generous bonus point offerings on other AMEX products.

Yes, I was wondering how having 2 Amex cards would affect affect an application for this one!

 

[d00dz]

I got mine approved after 1 day of submission.
I also have 2 amex amex's.
So will see what happens when cards arrive.

 

[jbman]

I got mine approved after 1 day of submission.
I also have 2 amex amex's.
So will see what happens when cards arrive.

Did you get a credit enquiry for applying for this one?

 

[d00dz]

Did you get a credit enquiry for applying for this one?

As in credit check or them ringing me up?

I did get some unknown missed call which I didnt answer on the day. But otherwise no. I got sms next day saying my card is approved.

 

[jbman]

I was thinking of a credit enquiry on your credit score

 

[d00dz]

oh I will need to check. I havent checked in ages what are the best (free) methods to do this.

 

[tim374]

Anyone else found the link isn't working when you try to start an application?

Yes, it hasn't been working since at least yesterday afternoon for me. I'm interested to see what kind of information will be requested to assess the application given some of it will be sent by Westpac.

 

[burmans]

I was thinking of a credit enquiry on your credit score

Would be interesting to know this, its more than possible that if you already have accounts with Amex and Westpac you may not but credit decisioning is an arcane art. I've managed significant credit decisoning programs and yet have had the experience of the credit decisioning people being very reluctant to let me in on their decisioning rules. For the avarage Joe Blow your chance of deciphereing why they pull your credit sometime soon and sometimes not would be extremely low and this is very deliberate on the banks part.

After all if people discover the rules people can and will game it, for those with short memories this was essentially one of the main causes of the GFC.

 

[gizzard]

I have been speaking to Westpac as I know that I have no chance of getting through a new cc application.

As compensation they offered me 50% extra points earn for 6 months on the Mastercard (big deal). Wouldn't budge on fee. I keep all of the other benefits.

For the Priority Pass, as it's linked to the current Amex, you have to sign up again using your Mastercard number.
Guess what? The link to sign up isn't working even though it was supposed to be from today:
https://www.prioritypass.com/altitudeblack

Update: Westpac now tell me that there's a problem with the link (really?) and that it "might" be ok tomorrow afternoon and, if not, try again on Monday (5th Feb)

 

[d00dz]

My Card arrived today.

Activated, but didnt link to my existing account incase they cancel my other 2 cards.

This one will replace the Westpac one when they drop it.

 

[bobe]

40k for me. Not the most exciting offer but at least it’s free. After the initial spend required this card will be kept in the drawer mostly unused same as the current black AMEX.

Soooo if you take up the first year FREE , you can cancel after that , CORRECT.???

 

[gizzard]

Soooo if you take up the first year FREE , you can cancel after that , CORRECT.???

They can't force you to keep a cc!

 

[Dr Ralph]

Soooo if you take up the first year FREE , you can cancel after that , CORRECT.???

Yes. But this will likely reset your 18 month AMEX exclusion period date.

 

[bobe]

Yes. But this will likely reset your 18 month AMEX exclusion period date.

What does this mean , sorry for my ignorance.

 

[jbman]

What does this mean , sorry for my ignorance.

Amex have an 18 month exclusion for any bonus point offers. Once you close all your AMEX accounts you have to wait 18 months to apply again to get any bonus sign-up points. If you apply before this time you get zero bonus points

 

[Dr Ralph]

What does this mean , sorry for my ignorance.

Amex have an 18 month exclusion for any bonus point offers. Once you close all your AMEX accounts you have to wait 18 months to apply again to get any bonus sign-up points. If you apply before this time you get zero bonus points

Yes. And the 20 to 40K points being offered for this card is very ordinary. Normally you'd be looking at around 100K as a sign up bonus.