AmEx Deal Needed to Replace ANZ Black by Feb 2017

gormsby on 13/12/2016 - 08:51

Hi all,

I signed up for the ANZ Frequent Flyer Black (AMEX + VISA) in Feb 2016. The first year annual fee was waived and I got my 75k QFF bonus points. Since then I've earned about 45k QFF points through normal purchases using the cards.

My plan is to cancel this card before the end of the first year (to avoid paying the $425 annual fee) and find another CC deal with bonus points to replace it.

The Westpac Altitude (AMEX + MC) with 100k bonus seems like the best deal right now, just not sure about paying the $395 annual fee. I've never paid an annual CC fee before but none of the current deals seem to waive the annual fee - except the ANZ Black!

I like the idea of having a linked card that earns points at places where AMEX is not accepted.

Should I keep waiting in the hopes of finding a deal equivalent to ANZ Black or take one of the deals already on the table? If so, what deal do you recommend?

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Comments

  • dbui8743 on 13/12/2016 - 09:25

    Close now and open ANZ Rewards Black instead.

    • reno on 13/12/2016 - 09:52
      +1

      and when that's done, u go back to the flyer again. win win =)

      • gormsby on 13/12/2016 - 10:23
        -1

        I didn't think I could sign up for the ANZ Rewards Black and get the bonus points if I already have the ANZ FF Black?

        • dbui8743 on 13/12/2016 - 10:46

          you can.

          To ANZ, they are two different cards, you won't be considered to have held the card within the last 12 months.

          By the time you are done with ANZ rewards, you will be eligible for the FF again, as Reno pointed out.

    • brainactive on 13/12/2016 - 10:55
      +2

      ANZ Rewards Black is currently $375 annual fee. This is not worth 75K rewards points (which equates to only around $320 in gift cards). My current preference would be AMEX explorer (110k bonus) + CBA Low Fee ($250 cashback, $0 annual fee).

  • ChaseTheSun on 13/12/2016 - 10:04
    +1

    Have you considered the amex explorer card with 110k points qith referral and 400 travel credit with 395 annual fee? Even if it doesnt have a non amex linked card. It's worth considering imo.

    • gormsby on 13/12/2016 - 10:37

      Thanks for the suggestion. I checked it out but looks like you can't transfer the points to QFF.

      The Qantas American Express Ultimate looks similar but with 100k QFF bonus and free return flight (still no linked non-amex card). Might be a goer if nothing better available.

      • Zaenille on 14/12/2016 - 13:33

        I'm interested in getting this card. Any experience or heard of anyone swapping the free domestic return flight to flight credit or an international one? I don't really fly domestic.

        • Holysmoke on 27/12/2016 - 07:45

          Unlikely to get a swap.

        • The Champagne Mile on 28/12/2016 - 11:43

          No way to swap, but if you're only interested in the bonus points, consider cancelling the card a couple of months down the track (leaving the annual flight unused and making sure your bonus points have posted), then ringing AMEX to cancel the card and request an annual fee refund. In my experience, AMEX will provide a pro rata refund, in line with the number of months of the year you've held the card, and it's never impacted on my ability to subsequently sign up new AMEX cards.

        • Zaenille on 28/12/2016 - 12:04

          @The Champagne Mile: And if the flight has been used, it's less likely (or not possible) to get a pro rata refund, is that correct?

        • The Champagne Mile on 28/12/2016 - 12:06

          @Zaenille: correct. Reports from others are that AMEX are not willing to provide a pro rata refund if you've used the 'main' perk (i.e. flight or travel credit).

  • hotmustardsauce on 13/12/2016 - 11:13

    If you visit David Jones, they are offering a $100 gift card for their credit cards.

    So basically $100 gift card and ~20k qantas points for $95 annual fee

    • Zaenille on 13/12/2016 - 11:50

      Can you link me this deal? I'm interested.

      • hotmustardsauce on 13/12/2016 - 11:58

        You have to go in store. It was offered to me on the weekend when walking around DJs

        • Zaenille on 13/12/2016 - 12:10

          Cool, thanks.

    • kerfuffle on 13/12/2016 - 17:42
      +1

      It's not really a $100 Gift Card. They'll give you equivalent points to redeem for a $100 Gift Card. And the annual fee is $99.

      • Zaenille on 28/12/2016 - 18:16

        Are those DJ points or QFF points?

        • kerfuffle on 28/12/2016 - 19:01

          Depends on the program you enrol in.

  • dny on 14/12/2016 - 09:35

    Westpac is offering $0 first year annul fee for existing customers. 75k bonus points with 2.5k spend.
    Sign up for their free transaction account (may need to deposit $2,000 initial balance to avoid $5 fee) and apply for the credit card through there.
    Once approved cancel the transaction account.

    • gormsby on 14/12/2016 - 10:34

      Thanks for the tip. I have a Westpac account and found this promotion by signing in and clicking through to Products > Credit Cards. The Altitude Platinum and Altitude Black both say they'll waive the 1st year annual fee for existing customers but only show 50k bonus points…

      • dny on 14/12/2016 - 10:58
        +1

        Sorry my mistake for some reason I thought it was 75k instead of 50k. The rest of the details still apply though for anyone else who might be interested :)

  • ozstig on 28/12/2016 - 14:47

    Is this one also free for existing customers?
    http://info.westpac.com.au/creditcards/westpacblack/altitude…
    Offering 100000 points

  • bigsky on 02/01/2017 - 23:12

    I got this card at the start of the year and also later joined the Qantas club.
    I'm going to cancel the card this week (unless they waiver the fee) but wouldn't mind renewing the QF club card at the cheaper ANZ corporate rate beforehand - does anyone know the ANZ corporate code for the club renewal?
    Thanks for your help

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