Westpac launches new market-leading Earth Platinum card
2 October, 2008
Westpac today launched a new competitively priced premium credit card, Earth Platinum, offering customers accelerated frequent flyer points earning under the revamped Qantas Frequent Flyer program.
Earth Platinum continues Westpac's strong association with the Qantas Frequent Flyer program and will be co-branded with Qantas. It provides new cardholders who apply before 10 January 2009 with one of the highest earn rates in the market offering 3 Qantas Frequent Flyer points for every $1 spent on the Earth Platinum American Express® Card during the first six months to 31 March 2009 and then 1.5 frequent flyer points for every $1 spent ongoing.
Westpac General Manager Consumer Finance Pradeep Roy, said the new Earth Platinum card has been launched to ensure cardholders can maximise frequent flyer benefits following changes to Qantas' Frequent Flyer program.
"The new Earth Platinum accelerates earning of Qantas Frequent Flyer points so cardholders can enjoy the benefits sooner and the additional privileges of a Platinum card linked to the best frequent flyer program in the market," Mr Roy said.
"With the new Earth Platinum, Westpac is confident it will continue to provide a superior level of service for those cardholders who are high spenders and prefer the convenience of a credit card that earns Qantas Frequent Flyer points directly."
Earth Platinum joins Westpac's new-look Earth and Earth Gold credit cards, launched in 2006. New customers who take up an Earth Platinum card between now and 10 January 2009 will also receive 20,000 extra Qantas Frequent Flyer points just for using their cards three times before the end of March 2009.
Earth Platinum customers receive two cards - an Earth Platinum American Express Card to maximise points earning potential and an Earth Platinum MasterCard® card providing worldwide acceptance at over 27 million locations. The two cards will also have the convenience of being linked to one account, with one statement, one credit limit, one monthly repayment and one annual fee.
Mr Roy said that other benefits of the new Earth Platinum card included priority services and specialised features, including a personal concierge service, comprehensive travel insurance, extended warranty and purchase protection insurance.
"Those cardholders who are higher spenders and are already Qantas Frequent Flyer members or planning to join soon, will get great value from Earth Platinum's complimentary benefits which are designed to help make things easier," Mr Roy added.
Key features of Earth Platinum include:
- 3 Qantas Frequent Flyer points per $1 spent on purchases with the Earth Platinum American Express Card until 31 March 2009 for all new cardholders applying before 10 January 2009. From 1 April 2009 it reverts to 1.5 points per $1 spent
- 0.5 Qantas Frequent Flyer points for every $1 spent with the Earth Platinum MasterCard
- Cardholders can earn bonus Frequent Flyer points when they use their Earth Platinum cards to purchase a range of selected Qantas products and services2
- No points capping
- Points automatically added to customers' Qantas Frequent Flyer account each month.
- Complimentary Qantas Frequent Flyer membership (limited time)
Platinum service
Earth Platinum features priority services designed to save cardholders' time:
- Platinum Concierge - Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week from anywhere in the world, Concierge provides customers with a personal assistant who can help arrange entertainment bookings, dining referrals/reservations and emergency medical assistance
- Access to premium lifestyle programs from both American Express and MasterCard.
Peace-of-mind features and security
Earth Platinum cards come with complimentary insurance cover when a card is used for purchases or travel including, in accordance with the policy:
- Overseas travel insurance for up to six months
- Extended warranty & purchase protection insurance
- Rental vehicle excess insurance in Australia & overseas. Conditions and exclusions apply.
- EMV Chip security technology embedded on the Earth Platinum MasterCard.
Competitively Priced
Earth Platinum has market-leading points earning and service features at a competitive price:
- Annual Fee of $250 ($125 for first year)
- Up to 45 interest free days on credit purchases when the closing balance is paid in full by the statement due date
- Variable interest rates of 17.99%pa on purchases and 19.24%pa for cash advances.
For more details visit www.earth.com.au
