The mid-range card in Westpac’s Altitude rewards offering, the Westpac Altitude Gold credit card combines the same Altitude points-earning ability as you get with the classic version of the card with additional complimentary insurance. It’s not difficult to see why Money Magazine awarded the Westpac Altitude card as the best bank rewards card on the market.

Frequent Flyer Points

This isn’t a pure-play frequent flyer credit card. You earn Altitude points that can then be transferred to one of a few select airline loyalty programs. Your choice includes Virgin Velocity Rewards, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, New Zealand Airlines Airpoints, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles and Malyasian Airlines Enrich. As this is a dual card account, points are awarded at two different rates. Purchases made with the American Express version are rewarded at the rate of 2 Altitude points per dollar, while the Visa or MasterCard versions have a lower earn rate of 1 Altitude point per dollar. It’s worth pointing out that your points are not capped or have an expiry date by which they must be used.

Other Rewards

As a gold card, complimentary insurance cover is to be expected and the Westpac Altitude Gold credit card doesn’t let down. The card comes with free international travel insurance covering trips up to 3 months long. It also has purchase security insurance to cover goods purchased with the card for a period of 3 months against loss, theft and accidental damage. Cardholders also get extended warranty insurance to extend the standard manufacturer’s warranty by 12 months.

Pros

With the ability to earn Altitude points that can then be transferred to a variety of airline reward programs, this card’s main attraction, at least for frequent flyers, is flexibility. And if you don’t want to redeem your points for travel, you always have the option to redeem them for something else on the Altitude store. Furthermore, there is no points capping or expiry, so you don’t have to worry about redeeming your points by a certain date. Therefore, it’s possible to save up your points over a longer period of time for something you really want as opposed to being forced to cash them in for something you don’t really need, or even want, with a card that has an expiry on points.

The range of insurances are also a bonus, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars every year your account is open. Even if you decide to keep your existing travel insurance policy, it can’t help to be over insured – especially when it’s complimentary!

Contactless payment technology makes using a card to pay easier than ever, and is a real plus point. All you need to do is swipe your card to pay for something less than $100 (assuming the merchant has the correct equipment installed at checkout).

Cons

The current balance transfer offer on the Westpac Altitude Gold card (3.99% p.a. for 6 months) is not the most competitive available on the market, so look elsewhere if you want to consolidate your debts onto a new card. The $150 p.a. annual fee is about middle of the road for a frequent flyer rewards card – there are cheaper cards out there, but there are also more expensive ones too.

Eligibility

Westpac are looking for Australian permanent residents or citizens that are at least 18 years old. You’ll also need a good credit record and earn $50,000 at the bare minimum.

Is This Card Right For You?

If you want the flexibility of choosing who you can use your points to fly with, then this is a good choice. Qantas may not be an option, but the airlines that are available service practically anywhere in the world.