Westpac is offering up to a total of 120,000 bonus Qantas or Altitude Points for new cardholders of the two-card bundle.
It’s also worth noting that existing holders of American Express-issued cards are also eligible for bonus points from Westpac Altitude Black American Express too. We explain this in more detail in our guide below.
Westpac’s Altitude Black is aimed at those who want a decent Qantas Point earn rate, are happy to pay the larger annual fee and will get value from some of the additional benefits.
The current offer of up to 120,000 bonus Qantas or Altitude Points is split into two, with 80,000 points coming from the Altitude Black Mastercard after a minimum spend of $3,000, and an additional 40,000 points from the American Express card that also requires a separate minimum spend of $3,000, with both targets within the first 90 days of approval. So, in short, you need to be able to spend $6,000 in total within the first three months or so to get all the bonus points.
In addition, there’s also a $0 annual card fee offer for the first year on the American Express companion card but do note that you will still have to pay for the annual card fee on the Mastercard.
You may also be interested in the mid-tier Westpac Altitude Platinum bundle.
How you could use the bonus points from this card
All redemption figures shown are examples only and exclude accompanying taxes and fees. Points redemption price data is provided by a third-party, so inaccuracies may be present. Please check with the airline directly for a complete and accurate total redemption cost.
How the bundled American Express cards from Westpac work
This is a bit technical but American Express is now issuing cards for Westpac directly, instead of being issued by Westpac (as previously used to be the case). However, for bonus points eligibility, this card is considered to be a bank-issued card, so won’t affect your eligibility for bonus points on American Express-issued cards. You can read more about bank-issued vs American Express-issued cards here.
What does this mean? You essentially have two credit card accounts, one from each provider, which are linked for the purpose of earning points. You can also only apply for the companion Westpac American Express card once you’re an existing Westpac credit card cardholder of an Altitude Platinum or Altitude Black Mastercard, or at the time of making an application for Westpac’s own card.
When it comes to earning points, you’ll earn your points from each card into either your Qantas Frequent Flyer account or your Westpac Altitude Rewards account. We understand that points from either card will be credited to your rewards account separately.
The American Express Westpac Altitude card is 100% issued and serviced by American Express. This means you’ll be able to use their digital portal, including their dedicated website and the American Express app.
For existing American Express cardholders of other cards issued by Amex such as the American Express Explorer or Qantas Ultimate American Express, the Westpac card isn’t considered for bonus points eligibility purposes—we have been informed by Westpac that holding an American Express-issued card would not preclude you from earning the bonus points on a Westpac American Express card.
Finally, because the two cards are issued by two separate credit providers, it is likely that both will check your credit record.
The terms and conditions for earning points from Westpac’s American Express Altitude cards are here, while a number of terms documents for the Westpac Altitude Mastercard/Visa and associate rewards program and insurance policies are linked to from Westpac’s page, after clicking through from the link above.
Points earn rates from Westpac Altitude Black
Note that from 9 November 2018, Westpac has reduced transfer rates to all important frequent flyer partners and all figures in this guide have been updated. Further information can be found here.
Points from both Altitude Black cards can be earned as either Altitude Rewards (partners include frequent flyer programs like Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Virgin Australia Velocity, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Malaysia Airlines Enrich and Air New Zealand Airpoints) or Altitude Qantas to Qantas Frequent Flyer program for an additional $50 annual Qantas Rewards fee.
Card Details
| Card | Westpac Altitude Black |
| Loyalty program | Qantas Frequent Flyer or Westpac Altitude Rewards |
| Points earned from spend on the Mastercard | 0.75 Qantas Points or 1.25 Altitude Points per $ |
| Points earned from spend on the American Express | 2 Qantas or 5 Altitude Points per $ spent in foreign currency 1.25 Qantas or 3 Altitude Points per $ on domestic spend 0.5 Qantas or 1 Altitude Point per $ on government spend |
| Travel benefits | Per year: 2 x American Express Airport Lounge at Sydney and Melbourne with the Amex card 2 x Qantas Club Pass or Priority Pass invitations with the Mastercard |
| Included insurances | Extended Warranty & International Travel Insurance (PDS) |
| Points cap | uncapped |
| Overseas transaction fee | 3.0% of the converted amount |
| Minimum income | For Westpac: $75,000 p.a. (recommended) For Amex: $65,000 p.a. |
| Mastercard annual fee | $250 p.a. + ($50 annual Qantas Rewards fee if you choose to earn Qantas Points) |
| American Express annual fee | $199 p.a. (waived for first year) |
Effective Frequent Flyer Program Point Earn Rates
| Frequent Flyer Program | MasterCard | American Express Companion card | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic | Foreign currency/interntional | ||
| Qantas Points* | 0.75 points / $ | 1.25 points / $ | 2 points / $ |
| Velocity Points (auto-redemption) | 0.625 points / $ | 1.5 points / $ | 2.5 points / $ |
| Velocity Points | 0.41 point / $ | 1 point / $ | 1.67 points / $ |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Miles | 0.41 mile / $ | 1 mile / $ | 1.67 miles / $ |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | 0.41 mile / $ | 1 mile / $ | 1.67 miles / $ |
| *Qantas Points are only earned if linked to Altitude Qantas Rewards | |||
The American Express companion card (not the Mastercard) can be used for payments to the Australian Taxation Office, earning 1 Altitude Rewards point or 0.5 Qantas Points per $ spent, as ATO payments are classified as ‘government spend’ in the terms and conditions on the application page.
Airport lounge access benefits
If you opt for the Altitude Rewards Black, you’ll receive airport lounge access with Priority Pass membership and two included lounge visits per year, which are now valid at an increasing number of airports in Australia. Additional visits are charged at a $27 USD fee.
If you opt for Altitude Qantas Black, you’ll be digitally sent two single-entry Qantas Club invitations which can be used at any Qantas Club (domestic) or Qantas International Business Class lounge. The passes are sent after your first Altitude Black Card spend on selected Qantas products and services, defined as Qantas flights or Qantas Frequent Flyer or Qantas Club joining and membership fees.
Note: You must first register and then make the applicable card spend directly with Qantas to receive the lounge passes.
It is a useful lounge access benefit for those who don’t travel in Business Class often.
As part of the benefits that come with the new American Express Altitude Black card, you also get access to the Sydney or the newly-opened Melbourne American Express Lounge twice per year.
Included insurances and other benefits
The Westpac Altitude Black comes with travel and extended warranty insurance coverage. As I say with every credit card guide, the value of each card’s insurance can only really be assessed by you looking at the PDS and deciding whether it is a fit for your needs. Read the full PDS here for the Westpac Altitude Black here and for the American Express Westpac Altitude Black card here.
This guide references some of the benefits of insurance policies provided with this card.
You should read the PDS and obtain independent professional advice before obtaining this product.
You’ll also gain access to Westpac Concierge and their Black Concierge app, which could give some useful restaurant or ticket reservation shortcuts, amongst other potential uses.
Altitude Qantas vs Altitude Rewards
The Altitude Card range offers a choice of which points program you want to direct your points into: either Qantas Frequent Flyer or Westpac’s own loyalty program Altitude Rewards.
Note that there is an annual $50 Qantas Rewards fee on the Westpac Altitude Black Mastercard if you have selected to earn Qantas Points (rather than Altitude Rewards).
When choosing Altitude Qantas Black over Altitude Rewards Black, you’ll also need to factor in the different earn rates of each currency and transfer rates to partner programs. Our full guide to Altitude Rewards offers more detail about the program’s benefits.
In short, points can be transferred into Velocity, Singapore Airlines Krisflyer, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles and Malaysia Airlines Enrich at a rate of 3 Altitude Rewards points to 1 frequent flyer program point/mile. However, for those who are looking to transfer to Velocity, a better transfer rate of 2 Altitude Rewards Points to 1 Velocity Point is available if you set up auto-redemption.
The choice between Altitude Qantas or Altitude Rewards is dependent on your personal points-earning preference.
You might find the sign-up bonus from the card to be more valuable to take as Qantas Points but then using the card ongoing, there may be more value for you in taking advantage of Altitude Rewards’ flexibility from having a wide range of transfer options.
Summing up: the Westpac Altitude Black and Westpac Altitude Qantas Black credit cards
This is the kind of card that you need to take a critical look over the ongoing benefits and sign-up bonus to assess whether the annual fee is worth it for you, especially with the launch of the new American Express companion card, which could make earning points and paying your credit card bill a little more complex.
That said, the points earn rates from spend are fairly competitive, and the lounge benefits are also fairly good with both cards.
Most infrequent travellers may be able to get some use out of the lounge access and other World Mastercard as well as American Express benefits, particularly if you educate yourself on how to make the most of them.
Share this article
Keith Mason
Point Hacks Credit Card Information
Point Hacks is published by Point Hacks Australia Pty Ltd (ACN 622 987 160), a corporate authorised credit representative (Number: 504786) of MSC Advisory Pty Ltd ACN 607 459 441 (Australian Credit License: 480649). In some instances, Point Hacks Australia Pty Ltd receives a commission or benefit for referring you to the services of a credit provider. This commission or benefit is disclosed at the point of referral to the credit provider. This website does not provide credit, assist you in obtaining credit, or advise you to apply for any particular product from a provider.
We have not taken into consideration your personal circumstances or financial situation when providing the information on this website. It is important you read the relevant PDS from the product issuer and seek the independent advice of an appropriately qualified professional before making a decision on a product.
While we invest a great deal of time and energy into ensuring we provide with you with the most up to date and accurate information, we do not warrant the accuracy of statements or information contained on the Website relating to third party goods and services, including credit card information, loyalty schemes and rewards. You acknowledge that such information and materials may contain inaccuracies or errors and we expressly exclude liability arising from any person acting on those statements or information to the fullest extent permitted by law. Where conditions or warranties are implied by law and cannot be excluded, our liability will be limited to the re-supply of information. You should confirm the accuracy of information provided on this Website with the third party product provider before acting on it.
Is the amex-issued Westpac amex card subject to the limit of 3 amex cards?
For eligibility purposes, this card is considered a bank-issued card.
If I am already a Qantas FF member does the $50 Qantas rewards fee still apply?
Thanks
Yes, the fee still applies.
Just wondering about the bonus points if you don’t reach the spend for amex but I do for the linked card do you get the 80000 points just not the 40000?
Correct. To put in other words, if I spend $3,000 on the Mastercard, I will receive 80,000 bonus points. Separately, if I spend $3,000 on the Amex, I will receive another 40,000 bonus points.
Hi I have a few questions about the westpac altitude black, i’ve got both cards (amex too) i signed up to get a free qantas frequent flyer account. Linked the account to my westpac card does that mean it’s all sweet to go? There’s no indication that i’m elegible for my bonus points and if my points will go to QFF or altitude even though I clicked QFF. There’s also an annual fee that I don’t know why they haven’t asked for it.
It’s my first time doing this so I apologise for the excessive questions!
I would suggest contacting Westpac directly to clarify this.
Ken, unless you applied via the Qantas site (by 5/9/18) it is my understanding that the black MasterCard has an annual fee of $250. The wording of the deal is misleading in my opinion as only the Amex fee is waived in the first year.
I would still argue your case with Westpac.
Hi, just wanted to confirm for sure that holding the Westpac Amex will not impact my ability to earn a sign up bonus directly with Amex in the future?
Correct!
This site was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally
I’ve found something which helped me. Thanks!
This is a bit of an odd one, but I’ll ask anyway – I applied for the Platinum Visa with the Black Amex back at the end of July. The Platinum Visa was $0 then too, and I didn’t think the extra $250 annual fee was worth it for 20k QF (120k vs the 100k I’ll get from the above combo).
Anyway, Westpac have taken aaaages to process this, all approved finally today from their end, at which point the application was submitted to Amex, and approved pretty much straight away.
My question – because the application to Amex was technically submitted today, which offer applies? I feel I should benefit from the $0 annual fee on the Black Amex, given it’s taken so long for the application to filter through to them (although agree I’d have to suck it up on the Visa, I applied when I applied there, although would have applied for the MC if it’d been fee free, like it is now. Any thoughts?
I don’t have the answer to this. I would recommend calling Westpac.
Does anyone know if using PayPal to pay bills via Post BillPay count as “governement transactions”?
Nope it doesn’t, normal transaction (for me on the Amex Explorer anyway – I earned the 2 MR/$1, rather the 0.5MR/$1 which applies for govt txns).
That’s interesting. I recently paid my montly medibank private premiums using PayPal/AP Post BillPay and only received 0.5 point per $1. I am on the Westpac Alitutue Platnium AMEX.
Hi I am new to using a credit card to earn bonus points. I am wanting to know if I want to fly Emirates if getting this card using the qantas points option will allow me to use qantas points along with my current Emirates miles to book a flight? Also once you get your points bonus by spending the $3000 on MasterCard and $3000 on Amex in the first 90 days how much longer do you have to use those cards for and the amount of monthly spend you need to make?
Hey Adam, you cannot combine your Qantas Points and Emirates Skywards miles balances—you have to use them separately. However, you could book a one-way ticket using your Qantas Points and then the way back using your Skywards miles. As for the credit card question, we always recommend waiting out the full year at minimum but you do not need to meet a minimum monthly spend once you’ve already received your bonus points.
Great news it is confirmed with amex that it has no impact on obaining bonus points directly with snex on future applications.
However, Given there is a second credit check for the Westpac Amex, is it likely the impact on your credit rating would be the same if you signed up for the Mastercard/Amex combination as if you signed up for any 2 credit cards? If that’s the case, a separate application concurrent with the Westpac Mastercd May be more beneficial than the Westpac Amex?
Yes, there are two separate credit checks for this bundle. Totally up to you how you value which credit cards you want credit checks to be performed for.
Hi guys,
In regards to the Altitude platinum visa card, I understand government charges do not earn any qantas points. But do government charges count towards the minimum spend required for the sign up bonus points? As i can see they are not included in the list of ineligible transactions for the bonus points when you read the fine print. Can anyone confirm this?
Thanks!
Given that this card does accrue points on government charges, they should count towards minimum spend requirements. You may want to confirm this with Westpac directly to be 100% sure.
Can you bundle the Altitude Platinum Visa with the Altitude Black American Express?
Nope, has to be both Platinum cards or both Black cards.
What’s the source for the claim that “for bonus points eligibility, this card is considered to be a bank-issued card, so won’t affect your eligibility for bonus points on American Express-issued cards”? I like what you’re saying (I’d held off applying for this precisely for that reason), but would like to be 100% confident before going ahead and applying!
The source is us communicating directly with Westpac.
Thanks Matt, that’s great news, it must have been something that they sorted out with Amex themselves.
Would you know whether you could get points from ATO payments for the Amex card? Couldn’t find anything on the T&Cs. Thanks
Cards linked to the Westpac Altitude Rewards program do not earn points on ATO transactions, however, American Express-issued cards like the Explorer and Platinum Edge do. More here.
I just received my altitude black master card. Can I expect the AMEX will come in a mail or would I have a apply for it separately?? Thanks!
If you didn’t apply for the American Express at the time you applied for the Mastercard, then you’ll need to apply for that separately. I would recommend contacting Westpac.
Hi Keith, I think you need to update the points earn for this card. I just logged into my account and it says 0.4 conversion to KrisFlyer or Asia Miles from my altitude rewards points. Conflicting information on your website is confusing people.
The figures are correct. Yes, the transfer rate is 1 Altitude Rewards point to 0.4 KrisFlyer/Asia Miles. However, as the Mastercard earn rate is 1.25 Altitude Rewards points per $ spent, then for every dollar, you are earning 0.4 miles x 1.25 = 0.5 KrisFlyer/Asia Miles. Hope that clears it up for you.
Hi,
Can anyone advise whether holding/having the Westpac-Amex card makes you ineligible for bonus points offered through Amex-issued cards?
Reason being, my current Velocity Amex is about to expire. So could I:
1. Apply for Westpac-Amex and get bonus points (subject to meeting spend)
2. Cancel existing Velocity Amex and wait 18 months
3. Apply for Velocity Amex (or say Amex Explorer) and get bonus points (subject to meeting spend)
Yes, your scenario works. Thank you for that great question. I’ve updated this guide with eligibility info at the start, so check that to clarify.
Hi Keith
not sure if this has been answered already.
1. If you select the Qantas Points to start with. Once you have received your Qantas points, you change to Altitude points
2. You have not spent on Qantas products in that time so not eligible for the Qantas passes
3. Does that make you eligible for the Priority Pass in the first year or would you then have to wait for your anniversary for that to change over?
Oh, that is a very nifty idea but, unfortunately, I don’t know how that would work with the bank’s rules. Best to check with them.
Hi Keith
I received the Amex Altitude Black card with 40000 bonus points and no annual fee through a promo in March. My Westpac Black Mastercard will expire in April and I no longer want to keep that card, do you know if I can retain the Amex card without the Westpac affiliation. I have noticed my Amex points automatically transfer to my Altitude rewards account each month.I am getting conflicting reports from Westpac.
The Amex card is a companion card, so you need to have the Mastercard to keep that one as well.
Hi Keith,
New to the lounge thing.. Would a spend in the Qantas store i.e. paying via points&cash qualifes as an eligible spend in order to get the two free Qantas lounge invites?
Cheers,
I would check that with Westpac and/or Qantas. In the card’s PDS, it states:
Not sure if the flights have to be with cash only or points and cash.
As long as you apply by the offer end date, then the date you are approved does not matter, meaning you would be eligible.
The T&Cs state that you have to register your card, then spend on Qantas flights or Club before you can claim the lounge passes. Does that mean that I have to register “Every Year” prior booking Qantas flights in order to get the lounge passes?
I’m pretty sure you don’t have to register again as your preference for Qantas Points over Altitude Rewards will carry over from the previous year, meaning you just have to make the eligible purchase of Qantas products to trigger the lounge invitations each year. You may want to give Westpac a quick call to confirm this though.
Mark. Any idea if the purchase of flights/Qantas products can include the taxes/fees/duties if I wanted to use FF points to purchase the initial flight itself, and use the altitude black for the remainder of the purchase?
As far as I understand, taxes and fees on redemption flights do not qualify.
Yes! I didn’t get my full bonus, I was just given 50,000 which is Westpac’s standard bonus when you sign up via their site. I argued that I’d most certainly signed up via Point Hacks for the larger bonus and that I’d never been to the Westpac site unless it was a re-direct from Point Hacks, yet I was declined. Not a happy bunny, but short of having someone video record you making the application what can be done?
Will it be considered a new account if I am currently a supplementary card holder of my partners?
Being a supplementary cardholder does not preclude you from being able to get bonus points because, technically, you are a new customer (the primary cardholder is the one who is responsible for the original card’s expenses).