Westpac earth card Qantas bonus points loop hole in bank favour

[albatross710]

I've started this as a new thread so that any Westpac earth+ card holder needs to check that they have been receiving bonus points over and above the base points for partner purchases

I've run up against an issue with Westpac and expect that Westpac will soon change earth cards Terms and Conditions.

The card's T&Cs say that bonus points accrue for

Eligible Qantas
products and services are currently:
(i) Qantas fl ights;
(ii) Qantas Club and Qantas Frequent Flyer
Program membership;
(iii) purchases from Qantas Holidays;​

Their system is set up so that points don't accrue for purchases not made through "Qantas". ie Qantas flights through Flight Centre.

Initially they quote this page as proof (earth - Qantas Rewards) where it mentions purchases must be purchased directly from Qantas. This link only refers to the low percantage rate offer though.

Took a little more discussion until they saw the error in their Terms & Conditions which doesn't clarify that the Qantas Services have to be on a Qantas Merchant account.

Anyone wanting to follow this up with Westpac will need to lodge a formal complaint as the standard Westpac & Earth call centre response is to call Qantas. It is not a Qantas issue.​

 

[oz_mark]

Indeed the terms are specific that for the reduced interest rate that it must be on a Qantas merchant account, but there is no such specific statement about what qualifies for Bonus Points

 

[Hvr]

To get to the terms quoted above you have to press on a link which reads thus:
Special benefits when you spend with Qantas

• An extra point per $1 you spend on selected Qantas products and services

Therefore to me you are required to read the bit above first and include that with the link you have clicked on. To put it in once sentence, 'if you use your Earth AMEX card to purchase Qantas flights directly with Qantas you get an extra point per dollar spent'.

I've had an Earth Plus card since August last year and have understood this to be the requirement since I got my card. Nor have I had any problems getting the extra points including purchasing duty free on the plane.

 

[JohnK]

One trap I have found is that only Qantas Airways Mascot spend is eligible for bonus points. If you book flights through QF website that originate in SIN or NZ etc this is not eligible for bonus points as the merchant name is different.

I also have some issues with the Earth card and I will get rid of it at first opportunity. I have found that eligible bonus points do not always credit correctly and I have to follow them up. I then have to call them to have eligible QF purchases transferred to the 6.9% rate for the life of the balance. I also got charged a $35 late payment fee last month for being 2 days late with the BPay. Considering I am paying >$200 in interest every month this is rude....

 

[albatross710]

Therefore to me you are required to read the bit above first and include that with the link you have clicked on. To put it in once sentence, 'if you use your Earth AMEX card to purchase Qantas flights directly with Qantas you get an extra point per dollar spent'.
quote]

My point is that the published Terms and Conditions must reflect the entire basis of the bank/consumer relationship and not information which needs to be read in a particular order and which the bank may choose to change on their website from time to time.

If they intend to only bous credit Qantas merchant account then they should reflect that in the T&Cs.

 

[chrizzz14]

i have never had issues with my Earth card.

In fact every month i check my QF point balance to make sure points have transferred, and every month i seem to receive bonus points of some kind ( even months where ive not used qantas)

I just smile and keep my mouth shut. But you are right - unless payment is debited by Qantas Mascot you will not get the bonus points.