Westpac credit card - what happen?

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Forums › Finance and wealth management › Westpac credit card - what happen?

nakedmolerat

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#143276 8-Apr-2014 22:33

I came across this article on Stuff - Premium-credit-card-comes-at-a-cost

Anyone knows what is going to happen to those on Titanium/Ultimate account? I hate to give up my current SideCard

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#1020955 9-Apr-2014 01:09

I suspect you'll be migrated to the new card when you current one expires. that's what happened to mine anyway.

nakedmolerat

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#1020962 9-Apr-2014 06:31

What happen to your SideCard?

mrgsm021

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#1020993 9-Apr-2014 08:26

The Titanium/Ultimate credit cards will remain in place. I got one of these card and was sent an invitation to upgrade to the more premium credit card.

Due to the annual cost, I don't think this new premium card is going to replace Titanium cards.

Westpac however is replacing their gold visa cards with platinum marstercards though.

timmmay

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#1020998 9-Apr-2014 08:44

Access to airline lounges on any ticket is almost worth the $390 cost - if I flew more often than once or twice a year on average, and if airline lounges were better, I'd go for it.

nakedmolerat

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#1021015 9-Apr-2014 08:55

mrgsm021: The Titanium/Ultimate credit cards will remain in place. I got one of these card and was sent an invitation to upgrade to the more premium credit card.

Due to the annual cost, I don't think this new premium card is going to replace Titanium cards.

Westpac however is replacing their gold visa cards with platinum marstercards though.

Do you get to keep the SideCard?

I like my credit card stuck onto the key-ring.

Talkiet

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#1021067 9-Apr-2014 10:37

timmmay: Access to airline lounges on any ticket is almost worth the $390 cost - if I flew more often than once or twice a year on average, and if airline lounges were better, I'd go for it.

Hmmm, where did you see that airline lounge benefit? WHat card is that with?

Cheers - N

[edit - Oh I see, a line in the stuff article. I wish there was a real site that explained the details instead... For all we know it might mean you are allowed to peer through the glass at the other half given the usual quality of Stuff reporting]

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

timmmay

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#1021080 9-Apr-2014 10:46

I flew business class within Thailand recently. The Chiang Mai lounge had sofas, snacks, and toilets, and was more comfortable than the hard backed public chairs, but was hardly worth paying much for. I think it was pretty poor as business class lounges go - some have meals, showers, etc. That would be super useful if you flew internationally often, and if it applied to your husband/wife, if it applied outside New Zealand.

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dafman

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#1021084 9-Apr-2014 10:47

Classic rout, tell people they are premium, make them feel important, then charge them like wounded bulls for the 'privilege.'

Bank is smiling.

My annual card fee = $0

timmmay

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#1021085 9-Apr-2014 10:49

I have a relatively high level card, discounted by my bank because I spend a shedload of money on it each year. I only keep it because I get more reward dollars.

Talkiet

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#1021088 9-Apr-2014 10:53

If this gives me the chance to ditch Koru membership then I'll be in... AirNZ have been reducing the benefits of Koru significantly over time but I travel just often enough to make it worth grudgingly handing over the discounted membership fee...

Add to that the fact that AirNZ always seem significantly more expensive for the International places I want to fly internationally and Koru ain't worth much to me anymore. If this is a shortcut to lounges in Dubai, HK and Milan, then it would be worth it just for my next trip alone.

Unfortunately the touted "Lounge access" seems to exclude all the NZ domestic lounges.

Cheers - N

https://www.westpac.co.nz/world/

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

mrgsm021

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#1021092 9-Apr-2014 10:57

nakedmolerat: Do you get to keep the SideCard?

I like my credit card stuck onto the key-ring.

I am not sure about the SideCard sorry since I don't have one.

timmmay

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#1021104 9-Apr-2014 11:00

Seems like it gives you access to third party lounges, not airline lounges.

rayonline

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#1021112 9-Apr-2014 11:07

Depend on airport right? I mean didn't Wellington take down the indepent airport lounge? Or were they renovating?

You can pay for Priority Pass by itself.
$79US PA then $27US per visit
$199US PA with 10x free visits.
$319US PA with unlimited visits.

I just have a Gold Amex GlobalPlus b/c it gives the highest APD accumulation than even the GlobalPlus Plat or AMEX themselves issued cards. Gold no longer get status points but I don't get anywhere near that LOL so mind as well don't start. I go for Gold just for travel insurance and the APD gives me some cash back in a way. I then have a Kiwibank Masterard Zero without fees. My mum has a half price ANZ Cashback Plat due to superannuation package might have been the same as half price Gold (?), she got invited, she prev ha the Gold for travel insurance. But she doesn't do the concierge stuff or MC/VISA premier select entertainment stuff. But yeah even in some countries, they just relabel the card to Plat and charge you more fees and they even have a Plat Student CC, LOL. At least it looks cool right? Now gonna get a Gucci handbag with it. Stay in a flash hotel for the first night before moving to a backpacker / guest house. :D

rayonline

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#1022678 10-Apr-2014 10:44

I'll just add that the Priority Pass is included with this card. But Auckland International is the only one (in NZ). I had a wee look with Tokyo and the United lounge is a Priority Pass lounge but it doesn't allow members from US Financial Institutions not sure if this Mastercard is part of that or if it only means US residents.

I mean in a way this card is about $250 more than a Platinum AirNZ card. But $360 you can get the discounted Koru club which provides more lounges in NZ and probably in AU, might not be an issue with further abroad though .. A few other stuff like 4 months travel insurance, 12 months extended warranty, 3 months insurance for lost and broken items. You do get Gold Starwood Hotel membership but with Accor Hotels they provide the occasional online Gold and even Platinum free enrolment. Which gives you also the room upgrade for free as well as lounge access which Starwood doesn't.

I've always cautioned Hotpoints or any inhouse reward programmes. It's not linear like ANZ's cashback or AirNZ's where 1APD is $1 equivalent cash, peak or offpeak season, premier business, sky-bed (?), or rock bottom grabaseat available on the morning.

nakedmolerat

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#1022726 10-Apr-2014 11:53

rayonline: I've always cautioned Hotpoints or any inhouse reward programmes. It's not linear like ANZ's cashback or AirNZ's where 1APD is $1 equivalent cash, peak or offpeak season, premier business, sky-bed (?), or rock bottom grabaseat available on the morning.

Yes, 1 APD = NZ$1, but how much do you have to spend to get 1 APD?

I think for cashback, you will get maximum of 1% return of total spending, if you do not meet the threshold you will only receive 0.5% (this was the rule when I was with national bank).

I received the invitation to upgrade yesterday and decided to go ahead - even if I have to lose the SideCard! It is not much more expensive than the ultimate card ($305 vs $390).

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