Westpac launches AMEX issued credit card bundles for all cardholders
Rewards lovers rejoice - Westpac and American Express have brought back AMEX companion credit cards for new cardholders.
At the beginning of this year, Westpac introduced a range of American Express issued rewards cards, which were available only to existing Westpac cardholders. Today's announcement means new cardholders will also be able to snag an American Express rewards card along with their Westpac plastic.
“The bundled offering is a great option for consumers who might have previously held an American Express card issued by a bank, and for those who want to pool their points into an Altitude Rewards or Qantas Frequent Flyer account while enjoying the benefits that come with American Express,” Adam Roberts, Vice President Partnerships at American Express said.
Aussie shoppers can now snag the Altitude Platinum Visa Card or the Altitude Black Mastercard and choose whether they want an American Express issued Westpac Altitude Card attached.
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The new American Express cards come with generous points earning rates, no points cap, a range of complimentary insurances and access to Amex Offers and Amex Invites.
Amex issued cardholders can also score 15,000 bonus Altitude or Qantas points on the Platinum option or 40,000 on the Black Card, which, when combined with the bonus offers on the regular Westpac cards, make for a bonus point offer of 75,000 or 120,000 respectively.
To snag these offers, cardholders need to spend a minimum of $3,000 within 90 days of approval on both cards (or $5,000 on the Westpac Altitude Black) and apply before June 11 2018.
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Getting down to the nitty gritty, both card bundles offer a 20.24% purchase rate, which is a pretty standard rate amongst rewards credit cards. The American Express Platinum card comes with a $49 annual fee, while the American Express Black card has an annual fee of $199.
| American Express Westpac Altitude Platinum Card | American Express Westpac Altitude Black Card |
|---|---|
| Up to 3 Altitude Points, or Up to 1.5 Qantas Points | Up to 5 Altitude Points, or Up to 2 Qantas Points |
| 15,000 bonus Altitude or Qantas Points | 40,000 bonus Altitude or Qantas Points |
| $49 annual fee | $199 annual fee |
| 20.24% interest rate | 20.24% interest rate |
But managing two credit cards is no mean feat, so check out our top tips below.
Mozo’s tips to staying on top of your plastic
- Steer clear of ATMs - When it comes to credit cards, hitting up the ATM is a big no-no, as you’ll be hit with the hefty cash advance rate.
- Pay off your balance in full - Whenever possible, you should be paying off your entire credit card balance, not just the required minimum. This will help save your wallet from getting stung by interest charges.
- Seek help if needed - If you are finding it difficult to keep up with your repayments, it’s a good idea to talk to your credit card provider. They’ll be able to suggest some solutions through their hardship program, which can help you manage your balance.
- Regularly review your card - Let’s face it, our needs change a lot more frequently than we expect, which is why it’s important to review your credit card from time to time. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on the market, to make sure you’re still getting the best deal around.
Ready to find your plastic match? Then head over to our credit card comparison tool to shop around on the latest plastic deals.