Westpac Altitude Rewards is Westpac’s loyalty program for its credit cardholders. It is a flexible points program, meaning relevant cardholders can redeem their reward points to partners. These include some leading airline frequent flyer programs.
The program has a number of great frequent flyer program partners. These include:
This guide details the features of the Altitude Rewards program and the range of credit cards linked to the program.
Just remember not to confuse Altitude Rewards with the Amplify Rewards program. The latter is the rewards program of St.George Bank, Bank of Melbourne and Bank SA. While Westpac Group owns these banks, the rewards programs are separate.
In this guide: Westpac Altitude Rewards guide contents and quick links:
Using points: program partners and transfer rates
The partner airline programs are shown above. For each of these programs with he exception of Airpoints, the transfer rate is 3 Altitude Rewards points to 1 frequent flyer point/mile. With Airpoints, the transfer rate is 180:1. Given that Airpoints is structured to be an ‘any seat’ rewards program, it represents very poor value.
With personal Alutiutde Rewards cards, you cannot transfer to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. However, you can do so with the Altitude Business Platinum Card.
Earning points: the Altitude Rewards credit card range
You can choose from a few Altitude Rewards cards in the market. Specifically, these are the Altitude Rewards Black and the Altitude Rewards Platinum. The basic-level Altitude Mastercard is no longer being offered to new customers.
Altitude Rewards Black
The Altitude Black is Westpac’s top-tier card offering. It is geared towards high spenders and has a corresponding high earning rate per dollar of spending and an associated higher annual fee.
Card Details
| Card | Westpac Altitude Rewards Black |
| Loyalty program | Westpac Altitude Rewards |
| Points earned from spend | 1.25 Altitude Points per $ of eligible spend |
| Travel benefits | 2 Priority Pass invitations per year |
| Included insurances | Extended Warranty & International Travel Insurance (PDS) |
| Overseas transaction fee | 3.0% of the converted amount |
| Mobile wallet | Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay |
| Minimum income requirement | $75,000 p.a. |
| Card fee | $295 p.a. ongoing |
Effective Frequent Flyer Program Point Earn Rates
| Frequent Flyer Program | MasterCard |
|---|---|
| Qantas Points* | 0.75 points / $ |
| Velocity Points (transferred from Altitude Rewards) | 0.41 point / $ |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles | 0.41 mile / $ |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | 0.41 mile / $ |
| *Points earn rate only if linked directly to Qantas | |
Read the full credit card guide to the Altitude Black and Altitude Qantas Cards. Benefits of the Altitude Black Card include:
- Airport lounge access with Priority Pass membership and two included lounge visits. Or if opted into Altitude Qantas, two Qantas Lounge passes
- Broader insurance coverage, including travel and extended warranty (See PDS here)
- Access to Westpac Concierge
This guide references some of the benefits of insurance policies provided with this card. Before obtaining this product, you should read the PDS and obtain independent professional advice.
Altitude Rewards Platinum
The Altitude Platinum is the mid-range credit card in the Altitude range.
Card Details
| Card | Westpac Altitude Platinum |
| Loyalty program | Altitude Rewards |
| Points earned from spend | 1 Altitude Points per $ of eligible spend 2 Altitude Points per $ on eligible overseas spend |
| Minimum income requirement | $30,000 p.a. |
| Included insurances | Extended Warranty & International Travel Insurance (PDS) |
| Points Cap | uncapped |
| Overseas transaction fee | 3.0% of the converted amount |
| Card fee | $175 p.a. ongoing |
| Mobile wallet | Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay |
Effective Frequent Flyer Program Point Earn Rates
| Frequent Flyer Program | Mastercard |
|---|---|
| Qantas Points* | 0.5 point / $ |
| Velocity Points (transferred from Altitude Rewards) | 0.33 point / $ |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles | 0.33 Mile / $ |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | 0.33 Mile / $ |
| *Points earn rate only if opting for the Altitude Platinum Qantas card | |
It comes with fewer benefits than the Altitude Black but gives access to the Altitude Rewards program with uncapped earn rates and a friendlier annual fee.
With the Altitude Platinum card, you’ll get a range of insurances, including overseas travel insurance for trips of up to three months, transit accident insurance and an extended warranty. You should check the descriptions for each policy if you plan to rely on them. Read the PDS 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.
Altitude Mastercard
The entry-level Altitude Rewards Card is no longer available to new customers.
Card Details
| Card | Westpac Altitude Mastecard |
| Loyalty program | Altitude Rewards or Qantas Frequent Flyer |
| Points earned from spend | 0.5 Qantas Points or 1 Altitude Points for every $ spent on the Mastercard |
| Points Cap | 5,000 Altitude points or 2,500 Qantas Points per statement period |
| Overseas transaction fee | 3.0% of the converted amount |
| Annual fee | $100 |
Effective Frequent Flyer Program Point Earn Rates
| Frequent Flyer Program | |
|---|---|
| Mastercard | |
| Qantas Points* | 0.5 point / $ |
| Velocity Points | 0.33 point / $ |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles | 0.33 Mile / $ |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | 0.33 Mile / $ |
| *Qantas Points are only earned if linked to Altitude Qantas Rewards. | |
The earn rates are the same as the Altitude Platinum Mastercard but there’s a reduced points cap of 5,000 Altitude Rewards points or 2,500 Qantas Points per statement period.
Business Cards
Altitude Business credit cards are available to any ABN/ACN holder who meets the approval criteria. The cards need to be used for Business or Investment purposes. A great feature of Altitude Rewards business cards not offered with personal cards is the ability to transfer your reward points to Qantas Frequent Flyer. With personal cards, you must enrol directly in the Altitude Qantas program to earn Qantas Points, excluding you from earning Altitude points that can then be transferred to other airline programs.
Altitude Business Platinum
Card Details
| Card | Altitude Business Platinum Mastercard |
| Loyalty program | Altitude Rewards |
| Points earned from spend | 1 Altitude Points per $ on domestic spend 2 points per $ on overseas transactions 0.5 points per $ on Government transactions |
| Points cap | No |
| Earns points at ATO | Yes - as a Government transaction |
| Included insurances | Travel insurance, purchase insurances and some business related insurances (PDS) |
| Overseas transaction fee | 3.0% of the converted amount |
| Mobile wallet | Google Pay, Samsung Pay |
| Annual fee | $200 |
Effective Frequent Flyer Program Point Earn Rates
| Frequent Flyer Program | Domestic Spend | Overseas Spend |
|---|---|---|
| Qantas Points | 0.5 point / $ | 1 point / $ |
| Velocity Points | 0.33 point / $ | 0.66 point / $ |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles | 0.33 Mile / $ | 0.66 Mile / $ |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | 0.33 Mile / $ | 0.66 Mile / $ |
Altitude Business Gold
Card Details
| Card | Altitude Business Gold Mastercard |
| Loyalty program | Altitude Rewards |
| Points earned from spend | 1 Altitude points per $ spend 0.5 Altitude points per $ on government transactions |
| Points cap | 20,000 points per statement period |
| Earns points at ATO | Yes - as a Government transaction |
| Included insurances | Travel insurance, purchase insurances and some business related insurances (PDS) |
| Overseas transaction fee | 3.0% of the converted amount |
| Mobile wallet | Google Pay, Samsung Pay |
| Annual fee | $150 |
Effective Frequent Flyer Program Point Earn Rates
| Frequent Flyer Program | Domestic Spend | Overseas Spend |
|---|---|---|
| Qantas Points | 0.5 point / $ | 0.5 point / $ |
| Velocity Points | 0.33 point / $ | 0.33 point / $ |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles | 0.33 Mile / $ | 0.33 Mile / $ |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | 0.33 Mile / $ | 0.33 Mile / $ |
Altitude Rewards vs Altitude Qantas
Westpac makes it relatively easy to swap between Altitude Rewards and Altitude Qantas.
All Altitude cardholders holding personal cards are eligible to switch from Altitude Rewards to Altitude Qantas (and visa versa) at any time, without a cap on the number of times this can be done. Remember, business cardholders can transfer their Altitude points to Qantas Frequent Flyer at any time.
Personal cardholders wishing to switch should allow at least ten business days for a request to be processed or as advised at the time of your request.
There is an annual $50 Qantas Rewards fee if you opt-in to earn Qantas Points (rather than Altitude Rewards).
The ability to switch between programs allows you to effectively earn a signup bonus in one currency (e.g. Altitude Qantas), and then earn points ongoing in another (e.g. Altitude Rewards).
Which program to choose? There is no right or wrong here. Obviously, if you wish to earn Qantas Points, then it is Altitude Qantas. And if you want to earn anything but Qantas Points, it is Altitude Rewards. If you’re indifferent between the two, the latter does offer ‘flexibility’ in points programs that the former doesn’t. But of course, unless its a business card, the latter will not let you earn Qantas Points.
Who are the Westpac Altitude Rewards and the Altitude Card range for?
Westpac Altitude Rewards is a versatile program with a range of points transfer partners, making it suitable for those looking for flexibility in using their points.
This is a key benefit for when your ‘go-to’ airline or frequent flyer program isn’t offering points redemption seats for your chosen routes or dates and may make it easier for you to use more of your hard-earned points in the long run.
Originally written by Matt Moffit.
