Altitude Rewards Credit Cards

Compare credit cards linked to Westpac’s Altitude rewards program. Redeem points for consumer goods, cinema tickets, gift cards, flights & hotels.

By Verified by David Boyd   |   Updated 24 Sep 2024

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Comparing of 3 Altitude Rewards credit cards

Westpac Altitude Black Credit Card (Altitude)

On Westpac's website

Rewards program

Altitude Rewards

Points per $1 spent

1.25 points

Sign up bonus

100,000 points

Annual fee

$150.00 for 1st year

Highlights

  • Earn up to 150,000 bonus Altitude Points. Receive 100,000 Altitude bonus points by spending $6,000 on eligible purchases within 120 days of card approval. Additionally, get 50,000 points after your first eligible purchase in year 2. Exclusions apply.
  • Initial $150 p.a. annual fee ($295 p.a. thereafter), applicable to new cardholders only.
  • Earn 6 Altitude points per $1 on Qantas, Jetstar, Singapore Airlines, and Emirates flights bought in Australia, subject to eligibility criteria.

Pros

  • Earn up to 150,000 bonus Altitude Points when you meet the criteria.
  • Additional savings with the $150 first-year annual fee ($295 p.a. thereafter).
  • Earn 1.25 points per $1 spent on eligible purchases
  • Get 2 complimentary lounge passes each year with Priority Pass.

Cons

  • The high annual fee of $295 p.a. after the initial year.
Westpac Altitude Business Platinum Credit Card

On Westpac's website

Rewards program

Altitude Rewards

Points per $1 spent

1 point

Sign up bonus

N/A

Annual fee

$0.00 for 1st year

Highlights

  • $0 annual card fee for the first year (usually $200 p.a.)
  • 4.99% p.a. for 12 months on balance transfers with no balance transfer fee on amounts transferred.
  • Includes complimentary cover for international travel insurance, along with an extended warranty and purchase protection.

Pros

  • Uncapped points.
  • Includes Personal Concierge Service.
  • Interstate Flight Inconvenience Insurance.
  • Extended Warranty Insurance

Cons

  • After the initial year, you will be charged a $200 p.a. annual fee.
  • No sign-up bonus offer.
Westpac Altitude Business Gold Mastercard

On Westpac's website

Rewards program

Altitude Rewards

Points per $1 spent

1 point

Sign up bonus

N/A

Annual fee

$0.00 for 1st year

Highlights

  • $0 annual fee for the first year (reverts to $150 p.a. thereafter)
  • 4.99% p.a. for 12 months on balance transfers with no balance transfer fee on amounts transferred.
  • Includes complimentary overseas travel insurance.

Pros

  • $0 first-year annual fee.
  • 4.99% p.a. for 12 months on balance transfers.
  • Earn 1 Altitude Point per $1 spent on eligible transactions.
  • Add an additional cardholder at no extra cost.

Cons

  • The high interest of 20.24% p.a. on purchases
  • There is a 3% fee if you use your card overseas.
  • A cap of 20,000 points applies per each statement cycle.

Westpac Altitude Rewards credit cards provide value and benefits through rewards points. Accumulating every time you make eligible purchases, these points can be redeemed for a wide array of items or services, from travel tickets to merchandise.

The program has several great frequent flyer program partners. These include Velocity Frequent Flyer, Singapore Airlines Krisflyer, Cathay Asia Miles, and Air New Zealand Airpoints.

When comparing Westpac Group's loyalty programs, it is important to understand the difference between Altitude Rewards and Amplify Rewards. Although Westpac owns St.George Bank, Bank of Melbourne, and BankSA, each bank operates a separate rewards program. Amplify Rewards is the loyalty program associated with St.George Bank, Bank of Melbourne, and BankSA, while Altitude Rewards is a separate program.

David Boyd of Credit Card Compare

David Boyd, co-founder of Credit Card Compare, said, “Opening my first Westpac Altitude Rewards credit card was a turning point. The ability to earn while spending was a revelation. If you have the Altitude Black card and choose to connect it with the Qantas Frequent Flyer program, you can use it for daily purchases, from buying groceries to paying utility bills. This everyday spending earns Qantas Points, which can be redeemed for Qantas flights or upgrades.”

How do Westpac Altitude Rewards credit cards work?

These cards work by offering a points program tied to your regular spending. Under the rewards scheme, distinct amounts of points per dollar spent are awarded, depending on the card version and how you utilise it. These points are then stored within your member account, ready to be redeemed when you choose.

Westpac Altitude Rewards credit cards are appropriate for spenders who can pay their balance in full each month, frequent flyers who will benefit from travel rewards, and for shoppers who enjoy getting their rewards as gift cards or shopping vouchers.

Types of Westpac Altitude Rewards credit cards

Westpac offers a range of Altitude Rewards credit cards, such as the Altitude Platinum and Altitude Black. Each card caters to different spending habits and earning preferences, with unique terms and perks such as bonus points and Qantas club complimentary invitations.

How to choose a Westpac Altitude Rewards credit card

Choosing the right card requires an understanding of your spending habits and reward preferences. Use the following step-by-step process:

  1. Assess your spending: Look at where and how much you generally spend.
  2. Identify your rewards preference: Be it flight upgrades, shopping vouchers, or cash back.
  3. Card perks: Consider the annual fees, interest rates, and bonus offerings.
  4. Compare cards: Compare cards against each other to find one that suits your needs the best.

Altitude Rewards vs Altitude Qantas

Altitude Rewards and Altitude Qantas. While both programs allow customers to earn points on their spending, they differ in the type of rewards points earned and the redemption options available.

Personal Altitude cardholders can switch between Altitude Rewards and Altitude Qantas at any time without restrictions on the frequency of these changes. However, it is important to note that business cardholders can transfer their Altitude points directly to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program at their discretion.

When a personal cardholder requests to switch between programs, they should expect the process to take at least ten business days or as indicated at the time of the request. Opting to earn Qantas Points through the Altitude Qantas program incurs an annual Qantas Rewards fee of $50.

The option to switch between programs can be advantageous for cardholders who wish to earn a signup bonus in one currency (e.g., Altitude Qantas) and then continue earning points in another program (e.g., Altitude Rewards) on an ongoing basis.

Choosing between Altitude Rewards and Altitude Qantas ultimately depends on the cardholder's preferences and redemption goals. Altitude Qantas is the clear choice for those who wish to earn Qantas Points, while Altitude Rewards offers greater flexibility regarding the variety of points programs available. However, it is important to note that personal Altitude Rewards cardholders cannot directly earn Qantas Points, a feature available to business cardholders.

Help choosing a Altitude Rewards credit card

Learn the basics of how Altitude Rewards credit cards, pros and cons and alternatives.

  • FAQs

  • Pros & cons

  • Alternatives

How do I redeem my points?

Points can be redeemed by logging into your Westpac Altitude Rewards account and choosing your desired reward from the available options.

What counts as an 'eligible purchase'?

Eligible purchases typically include everyday transactions, but do not cover advances, cash equivalent transactions, or transactions with an agency via BPAY.

Pros

Bonus points

Bonus points opportunities can significantly boost your points balance.

Diverse rewards

Diverse rewards options, including travel, shopping, or even cash back.

Earn rewards points

Earn rewards points for every dollar spent on eligible purchases.

Cons

Limited transactions earn points

Not all transactions earn points – terms and conditions apply.

High interest rates

Interest rates can be high if you don’t clear your balance.

Annual fee costs

Certain cards come with an annual fee.

Cards linked with other bank rewards pograms

Altitude Rewards points can be transferred to several airline partners. Therefore, it may be worthwhile to compare cards linked from other banks as points earned into rewards programs operated by banks are typically transferable to airlines and have similar benefits.