Westpac Hotpoints World MasterCard Credit Card

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The Westpac Hotpoints World MasterCard Credit Card is a rewards credit card that allows you to earn 2 Hotpoints for every $1 spent on your card up to (and including) $15,000 then 1 Hotpoint for every $1 spent on your credit card each month. Other benefits of the Westpac Hotpoints World MasterCard include Priority Pass lounge access to over 1,500 airport lounges around the world, overseas travel insurance for up to 120 days per round trip and extended warranty on purchases made with your Westpac Hotpoints World MasterCard Credit Card for up to 12 months. For all the benefits you get the Westpac Hotpoints World MasterCard Credit Card charges a high annual fee of $285 but a relatively low interest rate of 16.95% p.a.

An alternative to this credit card is the Amex Airpoints Platinum credit card which is the FASTEST Airpoints earning Platinum credit card in NZ.

Rewards Points Cash Equivalent

Up to $15,000 spend:

$100 spend earns you $1.11 cash-equivalent^.

Over $15,000 spend:

$100 spend earns you $0.55 cash-equivalent^.

^ To help you compare reward points across different credit cards and rewards programs, we provide an estimate of the cash-equivalent of the reward points that you will get back for every $100 you spend on eligible purchases with your card. The cash equivalent value given is an estimate only based on a specific redemption example. In some cases reward points cannot be redeemed for cash directly. See below to find out how the estimate was calculated.

Points Cash Equivalence Calculation

If $1 spend (up to $15,000) earns you 2 Hotpoints then $100 spend earns you 200 Hotpoints. If $1 spend (above $15,000) earns you 1 Hotpoints then $100 spend earns you 100 Hotpoints. We know that 18,000 Hotpoints gets you a $100 Bunnings Gift card. Which means 200 Hotpoints equal (100x200/18,000) = $1.11 cash-equivalent and 100 Hotpoints equals (100x100/18,000) = $0.55 cash-equivalent.

Key Features

Purchase Rate: 16.95% p.a.
Cash Advance Rate: 22.95% p.a.
Balance Transfer: 5.95% for life of balance transferred
Annual Fee: $285
Interest Free Days: 44 days
Minimum Repayment:
Card Reward Details: Earn 2 hotpoints® for every $1 spent on the card
Credit Limit: $18,000 Minimum credit limit
Other Fees:

IMPORTANT NOTE: please review the credit card details on the provider's website again before applying.

Westpac Hotpoints World MasterCard Credit Card Review

Pros and Cons

We've compiled below the pros and cons of the Westpac Hotpoints World MasterCard Credit Card to help you decide.

Pros

Earn 2 hotpoints for every $1 spent on your card up to $15,000 then 1 hotpoint for every $1 spent on your card each month
Priority Pass lounge access to over 1,500 airport lounges around the world
Overseas travel insurance for up to 120 days per round trip, with no limit to the number of trips you’re covered for each year
Extended Warranty Insurance of up to 12 months for goods purchased on your hotpoints World Mastercard, plus 90 days’ Purchase Protection that could cover loss, theft or accidental damage
Relatively low interest rate for a reward credit card

Cons

Relatively high annual fee but which can be easy offset by the Priority Pass benefit if you plan to take advantage of it.
Hotpoints value is harder to understand as 180 points equals $1 NZD
No signup bonus rewards

What we like about the Westpac Hotpoints World MasterCard

Hotpoints Earning

With the Westpac Hotpoints World MasterCard, you can earn 2 hotpoints for every $1 spent on your card up to $15,000 each month. After reaching this limit, you will still earn 1 hotpoint for every $1 spent.

Priority Pass

If you are frequent traveller and plan to take advantage of the Priority Pass lounges then this is an outstanding benefit.

Travel Insurance

Overseas travel insurance for up to 120 days per round trip, with no limit to the number of trips you’re covered for each year

What is not so great about the Westpac Hotpoints World MasterCard

Reduced Earn Rate the more you spend

If you spend more than $15,000 each month your earn rate decreases which seems to penalise you for using your card more

Foreign Transaction Fees

If you frequently travel abroad or make purchases in foreign currencies, the foreign transaction fees associated with this card can add up. These fees can make international spending more expensive, so it is worth considering if you plan to use the card frequently outside of New Zealand.

Is the Westpac Hotpoints World MasterCard Right for me?

When deciding if the Westpac Hotpoints World MasterCard is suitable for you, consider your spending habits. This card offers 2 hotpoints for every dollar spent up to $15,000 each month, then 1 hotpoint per dollar after that. If you frequently spend within this range, you can maximise your rewards.

This card is ideal for frequent travelers. It includes Priority Pass lounge access to over 1,500 airport lounges worldwide and overseas travel insurance for up to 120 days per trip. If you travel often, these perks can add significant value.

In general, we recommend comparing all credit cards on our website to help you make an informed decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the hotpoints earning system work?

With the Westpac Hotpoints World MasterCard, you earn 2 hotpoints for every dollar you spend up to $15,000 each month. After that, you earn 1 hotpoint for every dollar spent.

How much is a Westpac Hotpoints worth?

1 Hotpoint = 0.55 of a cent when redeemed for Gift Cards.

The value of Westpac Hotpoints varies based on how and where you redeem your points. We have provided one example below to give you an indication of the value but for a more precise figure, you should check the specific redemption options available through the Westpac site.

18,00 Hotpoints = $100 Bunnings Gift Card

This means 1 Hotpoint = 0.55 of a cent in Gift Cards.

How can I redeem my Westpac Hotpoints?

Westpac Hotpoints can be redeemed in several ways, including as gift cards, products, charity donations, KiwiSaver contributions or by using Hotpoints Pay which allows you to use your Hotpoints wherever MasterCard is accepted (essentially turning your Hotpoins into cash). You can find out how to redeem your Hotpoins on this site.

Are there any travel perks with this credit card?

Yes, this card offers travel perks such as Priority Pass lounge access to over 1,500 airport lounges worldwide and overseas travel insurance for up to 120 days per trip.

What are the annual fees and interest rates?

The annual fee for the Westpac Hotpoints World MasterCard is $285. The interest rate on purchases is 16.95% per annum, and for balance transfers, it's 5.95% for the life of the balance transferred.

Is there a foreign transaction fee?

Yes, there is a foreign transaction fee of 1.95% when you use your card for purchases in a foreign currency.

What is the minimum credit score needed for this card?

While Westpac doesn't specify an exact credit score, you generally need a good credit score to qualify for the Westpac Hotpoints World MasterCard.

Eligiblity Criteria

Your eligibility for this card would depend on a few criteria listed below. When you apply for a Westpac credit card, Westpac would ask you a few questions about these criteria to determine your eligibility.

Income
Expenses
Debts
Assets
Savings
Investments

**You have to be a New Zealand permanent resident, and have a good credit history to apply for a Westpac Credit Card.

Documents:

In general the following documents are usually required for credit card applications.

Proof of Income

One of the following:

your most recent payslip or salary notice
copies of bank statements that show your pay or salary deposits
a letter from your employer confirming your income
an Inland Revenue Department (IRD) “summary of earnings” notice.

If you’re self-employed, you must supply:

signed financial statements for the past two years
a signed personal Statement of Financial Position
your personal tax return.

Proof of Identity:

A copy of one or two items from List 1. If you provide only one item from List 1, you must also provide one item from List 2.

List 1:

Current passport
New Zealand drivers licence
18+ card
Photo Credit Card

List 2:

Most recent bank statement
Debit card
Credit card
Community services card
Club or society card.

Are you interested in a rewards credit card? Compare ALL Rewards credit cards on our rewards credit cards page.

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What is the best credit card in New Zealand?

We've been asked this question a lot so we have compiled our pick of the best credit card in NZ but keep in mind that the best credit card for you depends on your personal circumstance and needs. To find the best credit card for you, we recommend that you compare all credit cards in NZ on our website or narrow down your search by popular credit card types as shown below. Use the top menu of the page to select more credit card types.