If you’re banking with Westpac or one of its divisions, such as St.George Bank, BankSA or Bank of Melbourne, chances are you’re part of the Altitude or Amplify rewards programs. These are similar ‘flexible points’ programs, where you earn Altitude or Amplify points on your regular spend and can send the points to other partners later.

Here’s a look at the differences between the two programs, as well as practical strategies on how to maximise your points with everyday spending.

The difference between Altitude and Amplify

The most crucial point to note is that you can’t switch freely or swap points between the two programs. The bank you sign up with dictates which rewards program you can use.

Altitude Rewards is the loyalty program for Westpac-branded, points-earning credit cards, including the Westpac Altitude Platinum and Black cards. However, it does not include the bank’s credit cards that earn points directly with an airline, such as Altitude Qantas or Altitude Velocity.

Amplify Rewards is attached to points-earning plastic from St.George – a Division of Westpac Banking Corporation – and other related brands, including Bank of Melbourne and Bank SA. The program is the same among those three banks, with identical earning and redemption rates.

Earning points with Altitude and Amplify

Here are the main cards that earn points with Altitude and Amplify. For simplicity’s sake, we are focusing only on personal cards here and are not considering Velocity or Qantas direct-earn cards.

Altitude Cards

The Westpac Altitude Platinum and Black cards.

Westpac’s Altitude Platinum earns up to 3 Altitude points per dollar spent when booking flights.

  • 3 points per A$1: Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights, up to $10,000 spend a month (then it reverts to the standard rate of 1 point per A$1).
  • 2 points per A$1: Uber, Uber Eats, Spotify Premium, Airbnb and overseas spend.
  • 1 point per A$1: All other eligible spend.

The Altitude Black doubles down and earns up to 6 Altitude points per dollar spent when booking flights.

  • 6 points per A$1: Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Singapore Airlines and Emirates flights, up to $10,000 spend a month (then it reverts to the standard rate of 1.25 points per A$1).
  • 2 points per A$1: Uber, Uber Eats, Spotify Premium, Airbnb, David Jones, Myer and The Iconic
  • 1.25 point per A$1: All other eligible spend.

Amplify cards

At St. George, Bank of Melbourne, and Bank SA, the Amplify cards share a simple earn rate.

Amplify Rewards cards with St.George, Bank of Melbourne and Bank SA.
  • Amplify Rewards Platinum (any issuer) – 1 Amplify Point per $1 spent on eligible purchases, uncapped
  • Amplify Rewards Signature (any issuer) – 1.5 Amplify Points per $1 spent on eligible purchases, uncapped

How can you use Altitude and Amplify points?

At Point Hacks, our favourite use of flexible reward points is invariably transferring them to frequent flyer partner programs. We don’t just love to travel – it’s usually the best way to maximise the value of our points. However, knowing which frequent flyer program to choose is also essential, depending on your travel goals.

Transfer partnerAltitude Rewards
Westpac		Amplify Rewards
St.George, BoM, BankSA
Air New Zealand Airpoints180 pts to $1n/a
Cathay (Asia Miles)3 pts to 1 ptn/a
Everyday Rewards1.5 pts to 1 pt1.5 pts to 1 pt
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer3 pts to 1 pt3 pts to 1 pt
Velocity Frequent Flyer3 pts to 1 pt2 pts to 1 pt

Should you choose Altitude or Amplify?

There is no straightforward answer to this, as it depends on your financial circumstances and travel goals. Here are some key points to consider, though.

  • Consider the sign-up bonuses: The different banks within the Westpac group may offer varying sign-up bonuses at any given time. If you’re eligible for them, you may want to consider the card that offers the best deal for your circumstances.
  • Will you reach earning caps? While Altitude cards offer higher tiered rates with certain spend, the points you earn are also capped for the airline bonus category.
  • Look at the transfer partners and rates: As we’ve mentioned earlier, you can’t switch between Amplify or Altitude without changing bank products. Consider your future travel plans and see which program aligns with them the best.
    • Want to fly on Cathay Pacific or partners such as Qantas with Asia Miles? You’ll want the Altitude program.
    • Prefer to fly Virgin Australia and partners such as Qatar Airways? Amplify offers better rates.

Point Hacks pro tip: There is a two year exclusion period for the sign-up bonus on an Altitude or Amplify card, if you’ve previously held a points-earning Altitude or Amplify card, respectively. However, holding a card in one program does not exclude you from the other.

For example, if you’re currently an Altitude member and haven’t held an Amplify-earning card in the last two years, you could theoretically apply for the Amplify card and receive the sign-up bonus if you’re approved and meet the minimum requirements

Westpac Altitude Rewards Platinum

Westpac Altitude Rewards Platinum - Up to 100,000 Altitude Rewards Points
Sign-up Bonus:
Up to 100,000 Altitude Rewards Points
Rewards Earn Rate:
2 Altitude Points per $1 on international spend, 1.25 Altitude Point per $1 on everyday spend, and 1 Altitude Point per $1 on all other eligible spend, capped at $5,000 per statement period. Then 0.5 per $1 thereafter
Annual Fee:
$99 for the first year, $175 p.a.
The Westpac Altitude Platinum Credit Card has up to 100,000 bonus Altitude Rewards Points on offer for new cardholders. Comes with a discounted first-year annual fee, complimentary insurance, and earns decent Altitude Points on spend.

Westpac Altitude Rewards Black

Westpac Altitude Rewards Black - Up to 160,000 Altitude Points
Offer Currently Not Available
Sign-up Bonus:
Up to 160,000 bonus Altitude points
Rewards Earn Rate:
3 Altitude Points per $1 on international transactions, 2 Altitude Points per $1 on everyday spend, and 1 Altitude Points per $1 on all other eligible spend up to $10,000 per statement period. Then 0.5 Points per $1 thereafter, uncapped
Annual Fee:
$200 for the first year, $295 p.a.
The Westpac Altitude Rewards Black has up to 160,000 Altitude Points, $0 Foreign Transaction Fee for the first 12 months, plus a reduced first year annual card fee on offer for new cardholders, the points can be redeemed for up to $700 in e-gift cards or transferred to Velocity Frequent Flyer, KrisFlyer or Cathay miles at a 3:1 ratio. The card offers high points earn rates plus ongoing benefits, including Priority Pass lounge invites.

St.George Amplify Rewards Signature

St.George Amplify Rewards Signature - Up to 160,000 Amplify Rewards Points + a reduced first year annual fee
Offer Currently Not Available
Sign-up Bonus:
Up to 160,000 Amplify Rewards Points
Rewards Earn Rate:
3 Amplify Points per $1 on international spend, 2 Amplify Points per $1 on everyday spend, and 1 Amplify Points per $1 on all other eligible spend up to $10,000 per statement period. Then 0.5 Points per $1 thereafter, uncapped
Annual Fee:
$199 in the first year, $295 p.a. ongoing
St.George is offering up to 160,000 Amplify Rewards Points (equivalent to 80,000 Velocity Points or up to $700 in eGift cards) plus a reduced first-year annual fee for new cardholders of the Amplify Rewards Signature Card. Includes two complimentary airport lounge passes, complimentary insurances and access to Visa Luxury Hotels program.

Also read:

Featured image courtesy of A2Z / Adobe Stock.


Stay up to date with the latest news, reviews and guides by subscribing to Point Hacks’ email newsletter.
How to maximise points with Westpac’s cards: Altitude and Amplify tips was last modified: May 1st, 2025 by Point Hacks