Westpac reduces points on credit card spend

[Infreq]

From Westpac 22 Jun re Westpac Altitude Black Card:
The Reserve Bank of Australia has announced new regulations that impact Australian bank issued credit cards. In response, Westpac is reviewing its rewards program, and from 1 July 2017 there will be the following changes:

• Earn 1.25 Altitude Points for each $1.00 you spend on eligible purchases at Merchants located outside of Australia using your Altitude Black World Mastercard® (currently 3 Altitude Points for each $1.00 spent)
• Earn 2.5 Altitude Points for each $1.00 you spend on eligible purchases using your Altitude Black American Express® Card (currently 3 Altitude Points for each $1.00 spent)
• You will no longer earn Altitude Points for payments made to the Australian Taxation Office using your Altitude Black American Express Card (currently 1.5 Altitude Points for each $1.00 paid).

You will continue to earn 1.25 Altitude Points for each $1.00 you spend on eligible purchases at any Merchant located within Australia using your Altitude Black World Mastercard®, and the number of points you earn on your Altitude Black Card Account will remain uncapped.

 

[zzyss]

The only reason why I'm gonna keep mine now is for the free lounge pass, and because I get it "free" as part of a home loan package (the annual fee is pretty much the home loan package fee). But as soon as my fixed term expire I'll probably refinance and ditch this card. Was good while it lasted, I have to admit.

 

[Infreq]

Try Qantas American Express Discovery Card ; American Express Velocity Escape Card; St. George Amplify Signature Visa ; Commonwealth Bank Business Platinum Awards Master Card; Bankwest Qantas World MasterCard but mind the surcharges and possible point capping.

 

[crowman28]

Lucky the Westpac Kris Flyer card earn rate is still the same after July 1, with the Visa card earning 1.5 Kris miles per dollar spent with merchants located outside Australia. The AMEX is still kept at 1.25 Kris miles per dollar spent anywhere.

 

[KLN]

i've just checked my last few WBC Black statements and the "AND NO
LONGER EARN ALTITUDE POINTS FOR PAYMENTS MADE TO THE ATO USING ALTITUDE BLACK
AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD (CURRENTLY 1.5 POINTS PER $1 PAID)". no mention about no more points on the Mastercard of of the Altitude Black. i did a 33,100 BAS during the week, just wondering whether the points are just slow at posting. i know, 1st world problem!

 

[KitKat]

It has been a while WP Blk MC did not accrue points with ATO, only Amex WP Blk and this stopped in July 2017

 

[KLN]

It has been a while WP Blk MC did not accrue points with ATO, only Amex WP Blk and this stopped in July 2017

thanks KitKat, i hadn't realised that as i had always used the WBC Black Amex. now have a headache thinking about what a waste of points of any sort. i still have an Amex issued card. might start investigating Rewardpay after all

 

[KLN]

just want to let you know that i was successful using Reward Pay, to pay the ATO, i can still get the 2.5 ppd on my WBC Black Amex