Westpac Altitude Credit Card Rewards Program Review

Westpac Altitude Rewards is a loyalty program that offers you points for your everyday credit card spending, which you can then redeem for rewards through your online account. You also have the option of choosing to earn Qantas Points instead of Altitude Rewards points.

If you have a Westpac Altitude Rewards credit card, or are interested in getting one, you can use this guide to compare your options and learn more about the rewards program, including how to earn points and the rewards you can get.

Compare Westpac Altitude Rewards credit cards

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Name	Product	Bonus Points	Rewards Points per $ spent (Visa/Mastercard)	Annual fee
American Express Westpac Altitude Platinum Bundle - Qantas		60,000 bonus points	0.5	$249 p.a.	Earn 60,000 bonus Qantas Points when you meet T&Cs with Mastercard (issued by Westpac) & Amex (issued by Amex).	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express Westpac Altitude Platinum Bundle 2019 Winner		80,000 bonus points	1	$199 p.a.	Collect 80,000 bonus Altitude Points when you meet T&Cs with Mastercard (issued by Westpac) & Amex (issued by Amex).	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Westpac Altitude Platinum Card		80,000 bonus points	1	$150 p.a.	Earn 80,000 bonus Altitude Points when you spend $3,000 within 90 days. Plus, complimentary travel insurance covers.	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Westpac Altitude Black		150,000 bonus points	1.25	$250 p.a.	Earn 150,000 bonus Altitude Points when you meet the spend requirement. Plus, 2 yearly Priority Pass lounge invitations.	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express Westpac Altitude Black Bundle - Qantas 2019 Winner		120,000 bonus points	0.75	$499 p.a.	Up to 120,000 bonus Qantas Points with Mastercard (issued by Westpac) & Amex (issued & serviced by Amex). T&Cs apply.	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express Westpac Altitude Black Bundle		150,000 bonus points	1.25	$449 p.a.	Earn 150,000 bonus Altitude Points when you meet T&Cs with this dual Mastercard (issued by Westpac) & Amex (issued & serviced by Amex).	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Westpac Altitude Black - Qantas		120,000 bonus points	0.75	$300 p.a.	Earn up to 120,000 bonus Qantas Points when you meet the spend requirement. Plus, 2 yearly Qantas Club lounge invitations.	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Westpac Altitude Black - Velocity		120,000 bonus points	0.75	$300 p.a.	Earn up to 120,000 bonus Velocity Points when you meet the spend requirement. Plus, complimentary seat upgrades and lounge passes.	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express Westpac Altitude Platinum Bundle - Velocity		60,000 bonus points	0.5	$249 p.a.	Earn 60,000 bonus Velocity Points when you meet T&Cs with this dual Mastercard (issued by Westpac) & Amex (issued by Amex).	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express Westpac Altitude Black Bundle - Velocity		120,000 bonus points	0.75	$499 p.a.	Up to 120,000 bonus Velocity Points with Mastercard (issued by Westpac) & Amex (issued & serviced by Amex). T&Cs apply.	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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How to earn Westpac Altitude Rewards

Westpac Altitude Rewards credit cards earn points for every $1 you spend on eligible purchases. The number of points you earn varies depending on whether you have a classic, platinum or black account.

You’ll also have different earn rates if you get an American Express Westpac Altitude card bundle. With this option, you’ll get a Westpac-issued Mastercard as well as an Amex card issued by American Express.

What is an eligible purchase?

Eligible purchases cover most payments for goods and services, which means you’ll usually earn points on your everyday spending with an Altitude Rewards card. However, both Westpac-issued and Amex-issued Altitude Rewards credit cards list a number of transactions that are not considered eligible purchases, which we have outlined in the table below.
Transactions not eligible to earn reward points

What rewards can I get with Westpac Altitude Rewards points?

Frequent flyer points

You can transfer your Westpac Altitude Rewards points to your frequent flyer account with any of the following programs:

The number of frequent flyer points you'll get when you transfer your Westpac Altitude Rewards points varies between these programs. There is also a difference in the transfer rate you'll get before or after 9 November 2018, which we've outlined in the table below.

Note that you also need to transfer a minimum of 3,000 Altitude Rewards points for one-off transfers to Velocity, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Asia Miles or Malaysia Airlines Enrich. For Air New Zealand Airpoints, there is a minimum transfer of 2,700 Altitude Rewards points.

If you want more information on transferring your Altitude Rewards points to a frequent flyer program, visit www.altituderewards.com.au, select the “Travel” category and click through to “Frequent Flyer”. Alternatively, you can log in to your account and see accurate transfer details based on your Altitude Rewards account balance.

• Velocity Auto-Redemption

  As well as one-off point transfers to your Velocity Frequent Flyer account, you can choose to have your Altitude Rewards points automatically transferred to Velocity at the end of each statement period. With this option, known as Velocity Auto-Redemption, you only need a minimum of 2 Altitude points per transfer (instead of 3,000 for a single transfer) for transfers made before 9 November 2018. After that, you'll need a minimum of 6 Altitude Points per transfer. Your points will then be transferred to your Velocity account each month, after your statement is issued.

Other travel rewards

You can also use your Westpac Altitude Rewards points to book flights, hotels, car hire, travel activities or packages directly through Altitude Travel. With this service, you can search for travel options and book online or over the phone by calling 1300 887 820.

You also have the option of using a combination of points and cash to pay for your booking, although you will need a minimum of 3,000 points per transaction. The amount of points you’ll need varies based on a range of factors – including demand and availability – which means you’ll need to phone up or log in to your account and browse the options available to see how many points are required for each booking.

Cash back and account credit options

If you're focused on paying off your credit card balance, you could redeem your points for a credit on your account. While you'll typically be able to redeem cashback values of $50, $100, $500 or $1,000, the points required for a cashback redemption can vary. So, log in to your Altitude Rewards account to see what rates are available before redeeming this reward.

Pay with Points

This option allows you to use your points to pay off any eligible purchase made on your card in the past 90 days. Once you have logged in to your account and selected “Pay with Points”, you’ll see a list of eligible transactions, as well as how many points are required to pay each one off.

Note that Pay with Points does not count towards your minimum monthly payment. It also can’t be used for BPAY payments.

Gift cards and other financial options

Other financial rewards you can redeem with your points include:

Gift cards. The Westpac Altitude Rewards website lists a wide range of gift cards you can redeem with your points, with brands including Westfield, David Jones, Myer, Woolworths and Bunnings Warehouse.

Donations. Put your points towards a cause you care about by making a donation to a charity such as the Starlight Children’s Foundation, Cancer Council, Landcare or Oxfam.

Home loan fee rebates. If you have a home loan with Westpac, you could use your points to pay off some or all of your monthly loan maintenance fees or package fees.

Retail items

The Altitude Rewards website has a huge list of items you can get with your points, including wine and gift hampers, homewares, coffee machines, and computers and tablets. It also has a section for featured offers that could include bonus items or discounts on travel packages.

How do I redeem Altitude Rewards points?

1. Log in to your account on the Westpac Altitude Rewards website.
2. Browse the range of rewards available or select your chosen reward.
3. Click the “Add to cart” or “Redeem now” button and follow the prompts to complete your redemption.

Note that if you want to redeem your points for travel directly through Altitude Rewards, you will have to enter your desired details, such as the travel dates, number of passengers and fare class for flights. You can then browse the travel options provided and select the reward option that suits your plans.

What should I consider before getting a Westpac Altitude Rewards card?

Weigh up these pros and cons to help you decide if a Westpac Altitude Rewards credit card is right for you.

Benefits

• Earn points for your spending. If you regularly use a credit card and usually pay your account balance in full each month, reward points are an easy way to get something back for your spending.
• Bonus points. Westpac Altitude Rewards credit cards may offer introductory bonus points that can boost your balance when you first get a card. Just remember you’ll need to meet the offer’s spending requirements.
• American Express option. If you choose an American Express Westpac Altitude Rewards bundle, you’ll get both an Amex card issued by American Express and a Mastercard issued by Westpac. This gives you more options for earning points (which will be pooled into one rewards account).
• Frequent flyer partners. Westpac Altitude Rewards lets you transfer your points to five different frequent flyer programs. There’s also an option to earn Qantas Points by opting in to the Westpac Altitude Qantas Rewards program (for a fee of $50 p.a.). Just make sure you’re a member of the airline loyalty program you want to transfer your points to and add your membership number to your Altitude Rewards account.
• Flexibility of rewards. From travel options to paying for purchases or getting a gift card for your favourite store, the Westpac Altitude Rewards program offers a variety of options that can help you make the most of your points.

Potential issues

• Frequent flyer transfer rates. If your goal is to earn more frequent flyer points, you might find you get a higher earn rate from a frequent flyer card.
• Interest rates. If you struggle to repay your balance in full each month, the interest costs you collect could potentially outweigh the value of your rewards.
• Annual fee. Westpac Altitude Rewards credit cards have annual fees ranging from $150 for the Westpac Altitude Platinum Card up to $499 for the American Express Westpac Altitude Black Bundle – Qantas. If the value of the rewards and benefits is less than the annual fee, this type of card may not be worth it.
• Different accounts. If you choose one of the American Express Westpac Altitude Rewards bundles, you’ll get two accounts: a Mastercard account issued by Westpac and an Amex account issued by American Express. This also means you’ll have two statements and two lots of payments to make each month.

The Westpac Altitude Rewards program gives you a way to earn points for your everyday credit card spending, as well as an option for earning points on government charges (including payments to the ATO) through the American Express Westpac Altitude Rewards bundles. It also offers a variety of rewards, including transferring them to five different frequent flyer programs.

So, if you’re interested in getting a credit card linked to this program, start by comparing your options and check out individual card reviews. You may also want to look at other reward credit cards or frequent flyer cards so you can find one that works for you.

FAQs about Westpac Altitude Rewards

If you want to learn more about this credit card rewards program, check out our answers to common questions. You can also use the comment box below to ask your own question.

• What is the Westpac credit card contact number?

  Westpac has different phone numbers depending on the reason for your call, which we’ve listed below:

  Westpac Altitude Rewards Centre and Altitude Travel bookings numbers:

  • Altitude cardholders: 1300 887 820
  • Altitude Platinum and Platinum Plus cardholders: 1300 859 100
  • Altitude Black cardholders: 1300 651 999

  General account enquiries, lost or stolen cards issued by Westpac:

  • All cardholders: 1300 651 089
  • Overseas: +61 2 9155 7700

  Cards issued by American Express:

  • American Express Westpac Altitude Black Card Members: 1300 012 705
  • American Express Westpac Altitude Platinum Card Members: 1300 012 702
  • Lost or stolen American Express cards: 1300 132 639 in Australia, when overseas call +612 9271 8664

• Can I use my Westpac Altitude Rewards points to upgrade a flight?

  You can’t directly use Altitude points for a flight upgrade. But you could transfer your points to one of the participating frequent flyer programs and then request the upgrade through that frequent flyer program.

• Can I use Altitude Rewards points to book a flight for myself and my partner?

  Yes. As long as you have enough Altitude points, or a combination of points and cash, you can select a number of passengers for your travel redemptions on the Altitude Rewards website.

• Do signup bonus points count towards the points cap for a Westpac Altitude Rewards credit card?

  No. Bonus points offered to new customers are excluded from the points cap. Note that you will have to meet the eligibility requirements for bonus points to be credited to your account (ie spending a certain amount of points in the first few months you have the card). Check the offer terms and conditions for specific information.