Bankwest have made the previously ‘invite-only’ Qantas World MasterCard open to applications for new Bankwest customers, not just existing Platinum cardholders, with a $270 annual fee.
The card suffered some changes from June 2016, when the Qantas Point earn was reduced from 1 Qantas Point per $ to 0.66. This was a significant blow to the utility of a key benefit of the card.
Otherwise the card is issued as a ‘World MasterCard’ and includes all its benefits, however, as of 14 July 2017, the Starwood Preferred Guest Gold status after a one night stay benefit is no longer included with this card due to Mastercard removing it as a benefit of World Mastercard.
Another key benefit is the lack of overseas transaction fees too, like Bankwest’s regular Platinum MasterCard.
There’s no points cap on this card – by comparison the cap is 200,000 Qantas Points annually on the Bankwest Platinum card. This is outlined in the Bankwest Qantas Rewards PDS (pdf).
This card is a decent option for travellers, with these key benefits:
- 10% off participating Hertz car rental
- No overseas transaction fees
- Three months of Purchase Cover Insurance
- International Travel Insurance
- Interstate Flight Inconvenience Insurance (within Australia)
Summing up – Bankwest Qantas World
The Bankwest World Mastercard has a unique place in the market as the only Qantas Point earning card with no overseas transaction fees. The 0.66 Qantas Points per $ earn rate is not the best out there for a Mastercard, but any signup bonus on offer for this card may increase the appeal to new cardholders.
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Keith Mason
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I wish there is a Velocity equivalent or transferrable points to Velocity!
The no foreign transaction fee is a winner for this card with frequent flyer points earned on the side with a great earn rate of 1:1.
shame there’s no airport lounge access with this card. but still great for overseas spending
would you know the bank promotion code for the SPG registration?
Great question, just spent 5 mins looking for it or a dedicated link but can’t find. I assume Bankwest aren’t being helpful?
Keith – I’ve read differing views on whether Government Charges constitutes ATO payment (or OSR Land tax payments). Eg HSBC still gives points on ATO despite stating exactly the same. Does the Bankwest platinum card definitely not gives points for ATO?
No personal experience here, sorry. Although I have the card I don’t think I made an ATO payment on it this FY. If anyone else has a positive experience, please share.
Looks like the page to upgrade is no longer? How are others going about securing this now? I’m about to send off a letter asking about it.
Indeed, good spot. I’d give them a try using secure messaging in online banking, please report back what they reply with!
The link in the above article (to upgrade to the World MC) now appears to be disabled – but I was glad that my upgrade slipped in 🙂
I’ve just transferred across at 17k limit and $160 annual fee.
FYI, I was advised that everyone can upgrade their Platinum to World Mastercard after owning it for at least 6 months.
I tried to get one of the sales rep in Bankwest to upgrade my Platinum immediately during the application process however it was declined by the credit team.
How did you manage to secure it Peter and at what credit limit?
I managed to secure this card with a significantly lower credit limit than $12k, though I do spend a lot on the card and repay it in full each month.
Any idea when/if it’ll be open for direct applications? Been wanting to transfer to this from my 28Degrees card for ages now, but don’t want to risk going the BW Platinum + upgrade page route in case it gets denied.
Nothing public on this from Bankwest at all, unfortunately.
I applied for the Platinum card and asked about the World card. Had to have a limit of at least $12k, stayed with Platinum for the 4 months until my 50k bonus clicked in, then a simple email got me a form to fill out and sign to switch to the World card.
why don’t you use this for ATO payments ? Is there a rate reduction on ato payments ?
Bankwest terms state that govt charges are ineligible for points earn.
I checked that with them before applying (had a $9k HECS debt to pay which was going to happen anyway in my tax return so might as well get some points!). Govt charges only refers to anything that might be taxed directly in the future, not ATO payments. Points all credited for my ATO spend.
Thanks, definitely paying my bill with mine then!
Was that with the Platinum or Black card? I assume it would both be the same though.
For anyone who hasn’t received an invite it is still possible to get this card. I held the BW platinum card (for several years) and was able to increase my limit to $12k before I effectively invited myself to apply through the link in the above article.