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Westpac is changing the terms for complimentary credit-card travel insurance from 1 October 2026, but it is not removing every benefit. The key change for international medical cover is that eligible cardholders must activate it before leaving Australia if they meet the new policy’s eligibility criteria on or after that date. Travelers who qualified under the previous terms before 1 October may remain covered under those terms for a qualifying trip, subject to Westpac’s transition conditions.
Which Westpac cards are affected?
Westpac says the new policy documents apply when a cardholder meets the eligibility criteria on or after 1 October 2026. The listed cards are:
- Westpac Low Fee Platinum
- Altitude Platinum Mastercard
- Altitude Qantas Platinum Mastercard
- Altitude Velocity Platinum Mastercard
- Altitude Black Mastercard
- Altitude Qantas Black Mastercard
- Altitude Velocity Black Mastercard
Terms, conditions and eligibility criteria apply. Check the policy documents for your specific card rather than assuming all Westpac cards provide the same cover. Westpac’s card and insurance information.
What changes for international travel insurance?
For eligible international medical cover under the new policy, the primary cardholder must activate the cover before leaving Australia. Westpac says activation can be completed through Westpac Online Banking or the Westpac App. Activation is not a substitute for meeting the policy’s other eligibility requirements.
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Westpac’s stated criteria include a return overseas ticket, at least A$500 in prepaid travel costs charged to the eligible card before leaving Australia, a permanent home in Australia with qualifying residency, visa or Medicare status, and being under 81. Spouses and dependants have additional conditions. These include meeting relevant residence, status and spending requirements, and travelling with the cardholder for at least half of the cardholder’s covered journey. Dependants must be under 25 when cover is activated. The applicable Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) sets out the complete rules. Westpac’s FAQ on activating complimentary international medical travel insurance.
What the new complimentary cover includes
Westpac describes the complimentary international benefit as Overseas Emergency Assistance, Overseas Emergency Medical Costs and Personal Liability. It is not a complete substitute for every type of travel insurance: benefits such as luggage, cancellation and trip delays may require a paid Allianz Comprehensive International Travel Insurance upgrade or another policy. Optional cover examples include cruises and snow sports. Cover, exclusions, limits and premiums depend on the applicable policy documents and eligibility. Westpac’s international travel insurance information.
Which policy applies to a trip booked before 1 October?
The booking date by itself does not decide which policy applies. Westpac says travelers who met the old terms and all eligibility requirements before 1 October 2026—including any applicable minimum prepaid-travel spend—continue under the former policy, even if they depart later. The journey must finish by 30 September 2027, and the former policy’s maximum cover-period limits still apply. Someone who meets the eligibility criteria on or after 1 October 2026 falls under the new policy. Westpac’s FAQ on existing and future travel bookings.
To work out which terms may apply, check when you satisfied every eligibility condition, not simply when you booked or bought tickets. Confirm when the required prepaid travel costs were charged, whether the trip ends by 30 September 2027, and the maximum duration permitted for your card. Westpac says travelers already eligible under the former policy do not need to complete the new activation step.
How trip duration varies by card
Westpac’s explainer gives different maximum international trip durations by card group. Confirm your card’s limit and the full conditions in its current policy document before relying on cover. Westpac’s travel insurance explainer and Westpac’s policy documents.
| Card group | Maximum international duration stated by Westpac |
|---|---|
| Altitude Platinum variants | One month |
| Altitude Black variants and Low Fee Platinum | Three months |
What stays in place, and what has separate rules?
Domestic travel and rental-vehicle excess
Westpac says domestic travel insurance and rental-vehicle excess insurance in Australia do not need activation. For domestic travel eligibility, the entire cost of the return domestic flight ticket must be charged to the account holder’s card before the journey. Check the applicable card terms for any other conditions. Westpac’s card and insurance information.
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Extended warranty and purchase protection
Extended Warranty Insurance and Purchase Protection Insurance continue under the old policy for eligible purchases made before 1 October 2026. Do not assume those protections apply to purchases made on or after that date without checking the current card documents. Westpac’s information on purchase-related insurance changes.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to decide whether you need extra cover
Compare the cover you can actually qualify for with the risks and costs of your trip. Read the relevant PDS and policy booklet; Westpac’s summary pages do not reproduce every benefit limit, exclusion or excess.
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- Establish whether you qualify under the previous or new policy, including any activation requirement.
- Identify the benefits you need, especially cancellation, luggage, delays, medical expenses and cover for planned activities.
- Check age rules and the maximum trip duration for your card.
- Compare benefit limits, exclusions and excesses in the policy documents.
- Compare the premium and terms for Westpac’s paid upgrade or a separate policy, without assuming either is better for every traveler.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
