Originally Posted by
QF Lad
I have a "Westpac Qantas Altitute Platinum Visa and American Express". The points accrual on these cards has been good. But I am actually going to apply to American Express directly for one of their Platinum cards. This is because I live on the road, and put well over a hundred thousand dollards for work and leisure a year through my American Express. However when I contacted American Express recently to access their "Fine Hotels and Resorts program" I was told that I did not have a Platinum American Express despite the name of my card having the words "Platinum American Express" in them.
I was pretty annoyed with this. I contacted the concierge number on the pack of my card, and they were hopeless, offering the same rates that were available to everyone. But American Express insisted this "Altitude Platinum American Express" was not a Platinum American Express and I could not access the FHR program.
Considering the amount of money I put through my credit card I might as well deal directly with American Express and get the benefits. So the Qantas Westpac Altitude program has not worked for me.
Amex were right. It's not issued by them, it's an American Express card issued by Westpac, hence you're not eligible to use the Amex program. If you get an Amex CC with Amex directly, you'll not be able to earn any QF points at all. You'll only be able to earn QF FF points if you get an Amex Platinum Charge Card which would also give you access to the FHR program amongst other things. Keep in mind Charge Cards have to be paid off every month, so no option to let payments slip (fine if you have an efficient employer who processes work expenses on time).