Macquarie Bank Credit Cards FAQ: Complete Guide To Your Macquarie Bank Credit Card
Posted January 8th, 2010 and last modified December 20th, 2011
Interested to have a Macquarie Bank Credit Card? Know the application process and requirements necessary.
Learn everything you need to know about Macquarie Bank credit cards. The definitive guide to owning and using your credit card, with all the most commonly-asked questions answered in a simple and succinct manner. Find out what extra privileges you can enjoy with the Macquarie Gold and Platinum credit cards.
Applying for a Macquarie Bank Credit Card
Eligibility criteria for a Macquarie Bank credit card?
Anyone who is an Australian resident of 18 years or over, who has an Australian mailing address, and who earns a minimum income before tax of $50,000 per year
How do you apply for a Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum credit card?
You have three options: apply online; request an application pack be sent to you online; or apply by phone on 1800 196 128, 8:30am to 5:30pm (EST) Monday to Friday.
How do you apply for a Hilton Macquarie Platinum Card?
You have three options: apply online; request an application pack be sent to you online; or apply by phone on 1800 196 128, 8:30am to 5:30pm (EST) Monday to Friday.
How do you apply for a Macquarie Bank Visa RateSaver credit card?
You have three options: apply online; request an application pack be sent to you online; or apply by phone on 1800 196 128, 8:30am to 5:30pm (EST) Monday to Friday.
How do you apply for a Macquarie Bank Visa Gold Card?
You must be invited to apply for this Macquarie Bank credit card.
What is a MAC ID?
Your MAC ID is your Macquarie Access Code Identification Number. This identifies you as a Macquarie customer and you can use this to access Macquarie’s self-service banking facilities. Existing Macquarie customers will already have one of these.
What if your previous address is an overseas address?
Your previous overseas address should be listed on your Application Form in the previous residential address field. Your current residential address must be an Australian address.
What does “additional cardholder” mean?
This is anyone you have authorised to make transactions on your account who will be issued with their own credit card linked to your account. Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum Founding Members are allowed up to four free additional cardholders. An additional cardholder on a Macquarie Bank Visa RateSaver credit card will cost $10 per year. Details of this person should be included in the relevant section on your application form.
Are partners and children allowed a Macquarie Bank credit card?
Naturally, if they fit the criteria already detailed, the answer is yes. However, you can authorise a child of 16 years or over to be an additional cardholder on your account. Details of this person should be included in the relevant section on your application form.
How do I describe myself if I am a franchisee?
You should select “self employed” as your employment status.
How long do applications take to process?
Applications are usually processed within 10 working days.
How is my credit limit decided?
Your credit limit is based on the information you give on the application form, and in accordance with Macquarie’s credit policy.
Can I find out my credit limit before I apply?
No. Once your application is approved, you will find out what your credit limit is.
Can I apply for a higher credit limit?
Yes, but you will need to wait six months to apply for this. Macquarie may also review your credit limit and contact you to offer you an increased level if you are eligible.
Does Macquarie do business credit cards?
Not yet. One will be launched later in the year.
Credit card features
What annual fees are charged on Macquarie Bank credit cards?
The Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum Card annual fee is $200; the Macquarie Bank Visa Gold Card is
$100 and the Macquarie Bank Visa RateSaver Card is $50.
How and when are annual fees charged?
Annual fees are charged when your card is activated, then every subsequent year on the anniversary of your account opening.
What interest rates apply to Macquarie Bank credit cards?
Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum Card:
20.95% p.a.pa for purchases and 21.95% p.a.pa for cash advances.
Macquarie Bank Visa Gold Card:
20.95% p.a.pa for purchases and
21.95% p.a. for cash advances
Macquarie Bank Visa RateSaver Card:
14.95% p.a.pa for purchases and
21.95% p.a.pa for cash advances
Do interest rates change?
This is possible. Macquarie Bank reserves the right to change interest rates, although you will receive advance notification via a national newspaper.
How is interest calculated?
Interest depends on your outstanding statement balance on each day of the statement cycle. Your interest rate – known as the “Annual Percentage Rate” (APR) – is shown on the front page of your statements and is calculated based on the APR divided by the number of days per year.
How many interest-free days are available with Macquarie Bank credit cards?
Depending on when your purchases are made, you can have up to 55 days interest-free on purchases.
What other fees and charges apply?
Annual Primary Cardholder Fee
- Platinum cardholders: $200, debited to your account on first use of the account, including Card activation, and then on each anniversary of the date the card was issued.
- Gold cardholders: $100, debited to your account on first use of the account, including Card activation, and then on each anniversary of the date the card was issued.
- RateSaver cardholders: $50, debited to your account on first use of the account, including Card activation, and then on each anniversary of the date the card was issued.
Annual Additional Cardholder Fee
- Platinum cardholders: Up to four additional cardholders at no extra charge.
- Gold cardholders: $30 for each additional cardholder, debited to your account on first use of the card, including card activation, and then on each anniversary of the date the card was issued.
- RateSaver cardholders: $10 for each additional cardholder, debited to your account on first use of the card, including card activation, and then on each anniversary of the date the card was issued.
Information Request Fee
- $7 for written information, including duplicate statements.
Cash Advance Fee
- $5, or 3% of the transaction value, whichever is the greater.
Currency Conversion Fee for VISA transactions
- A 3% international processing fee for VISA transactions made outside Australia.
Over the Counter Transaction Fee
- A $2 fee for each payment made at Australia Post outlets by cash, cheque, or EFTPOS.
Dishonour Fee
- $40 when a payment to your account is dishonoured.<
Credit Card Over-limit Fee
- $40 for the statement period it relates to.
Credit Card Late Payment Fee
- $40 for the statement period it relates to.
Voucher Request Fee
- $8 for third party sales receipts, refunded if a dispute is resolved in your favour.
Is it possible to link a Macquarie Bank credit card account to another Macquarie product?
Currently, Macquarie Bank credit cards cannot be linked to other Macquarie products, although a direct debit can be set up from a Macquarie Cash Management Trust or other Macquarie account to pay your credit card bill.
Where can Macquarie Bank credit cards be used?
Wherever VISA is accepted, which is at 24 million merchants and in 1 million ATMs in 160 countries.
Are online purchases possible?
Yes, and all Macquarie credit cards have a Zero Liability guarantee on unauthorised or fraudulent internet purchases.
Can a Macquarie VISA credit card be used in ATMs?
Yes, using your card PIN where the ATM displays the VISA, Maestro or Cirrus symbol.
What is the chip on my card?
This is an embedded security microchip that makes your card more secure and harder to copy than those that only have the magnetic strip on the back.
Contactless technology
What does “contactless payment technology” mean?
This refers to the ability to pay without signing your name or entering your PIN by passing your card in front of a contactless terminal, thus significantly speeding up the payment process.
Are there any limits that apply to contactless payments?
Yes, a maximum of $100 per single transaction applies, although different merchants may set different limits within this amount.
Does a lack of signature or PIN increase the risk of fraud?
As your Macquarie Bank credit card never leaves your hand there is no chance that it can be copied or compromised. The $100 transaction limit is in place to limit fraud if the card is used by someone else.
Can I upgrade my card to contactless technology?
If you are an existing Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum cardholder, you can have a contactless Platinum Card reissued on your account. Macquarie Bank Visa RateSaver cards will not be reissued with this technology.
Access/PINs
What passwords are needed to use Macquarie Bank credit cards?
- Telephone Banking PIN: Used to access telephone banking.
- Macquarie Access Code (MAC ID) and temporary password: Used to access MyCards.
- Retail/ATM PIN: Used to authorise point-of-sale purchases, or to withdraw cash from ATMs.
- Macquarie Bank Rewards Password: Used to access MyRewards.
Can PINs be changed?
Your Retail/ATM PIN cannot be altered, but you can choose your own Telephone Banking PIN (TPIN) through Macquarie’s telephone banking service.
What if you forget your PIN?
Call Macquarie on 1300 150 300 and they will resend your Retail/ATM PIN or reset your Telephone Banking PIN.
What if you forget your MyCards password?
Call Macquarie on 1300 150 300 and they will reset your internet password and post it to you within 5 working days.
What if you forget your Macquarie Bank Rewards site password?
You can use your Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum Card number, date of birth and registered email address of the primary cardholder to generate a temporary password on the Macquarie Bank Rewards website. This password will be sent to your registered email address and you will have 24 hours to log in to your online account before the temporary password expires.
Balance Transfers
What is a balance transfer?
This is when you request to transfer all or part of an outstanding balance from another credit card to your Macquarie Bank credit card account. The transfer to the other credit card will be made by BPAY funds and debited to your Macquarie Bank credit card account. Balance transfers take up to 5 working days to be processed.
Is there a limit for balance transfers?
Yes, it is $500 less than your credit limit.
How are balance transfer requests made?
You can apply when you complete your application form or at anytime by completing a balance transfer request online.
Insurance
What insurances are included with Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum Cards or Macquarie Bank Visa Gold Cards?
- Overseas Travel Insurance
- Purchase Security Insurance
- Extended Warranty Insurance
- Transport Accident Insurance
- Interstate Flight Inconvenience Insurance (Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum Cardholders only)
All the above are subject to the Terms and Conditions on the card.
How are Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum Card and Macquarie Bank Visa Gold Card insurance benefits accessed?
If you are a Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum or Macquarie Bank Visa Gold cardholder, you have automatic access to these benefits, which are detailed in the Terms and Conditions.
Who is covered by Macquarie Bank Platinum Credit Card and Macquarie Bank Visa Gold Credit Card travel insurances?
Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum cardholders and Macquarie Bank Visa Gold cardholders who purchase their return overseas travel tickets in Australia on their Macquarie Platinum Card or Gold Card are eligible for certain overseas travel insurances, as detailed in the Terms and Conditions. The cardholder’s spouse and dependent children travelling with the cardholder for the whole journey are also covered if their return overseas travel tickets were also purchased on the primary cardholder’s credit card account.
How should Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum Card and Macquarie Bank Visa Gold Card customers obtain approval for medical expenses in a medical emergency overseas?
Call the Emergency Assistance Company on +61 2 8907 5666 and give your Macquarie Bank credit card number and all relevant information, including your contact details.
Are purchases made overseas covered under the Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum Card or Macquarie Bank Visa Gold travel insurance?
Yes, subject to the Terms and Conditions.
In the event of a claim under the Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum Card or Macquarie Bank Visa Gold travel insurance, is it necessary to report the incident to the police?
Yes, any claims for loss, theft or criminal damage must be reported to the local police, carrier, tour operator or accommodation manager within 48 hours of the incident occurring, and a written report obtained. In the case of claims for items damaged in transit, the carrier must be informed and a written report obtained within 24 hours.
Are successful claims under the Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum Card or Macquarie Bank Visa Gold travel insurance subject to an excess?
Yes, a $100 excess applies to the following travel insurance benefits:
- Travel Cancellation Cover
- Medical Emergency Expenses Cover
- Travel Delay Cover
- Resumption of Journey Cover
- Purchase Security Insurance
What does Overseas Travel Insurance cover?
If you purchase your travel ticket prior to your departure in Australia on your Platinum or Gold Card or with your Reward points, then you are automatically eligible for complimentary Overseas Travel Insurance. This includes unlimited medical emergency expenses cover, unlimited travel cancellation cover (limited for agents’ cancellation fees), and cover for travel delays, lost and stolen belongings, and excesses on rental vehicles. Overseas trips must begin and end in Australia and are limited to 120 days per trip for Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum cardholders, and 90 days per trip for Macquarie Bank Visa Gold cardholders. Depending on the circumstances, the cardholder’s spouse and dependent children travelling with the cardholder may also be covered.
What does Interstate Flight Inconvenience Insurance cover?
Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum cardholders receive cover for interstate trips of up to 14 days if the interstate flight tickets are purchased on your Platinum Credit Card. Your Platinum Credit Card will also cover certain meals or essentials if your trip is delayed, or your luggage is delayed. Trip cancellation is covered in the event of the unexpected death, serious injury or serious illness of your travel companion or close relative.
What does Transport Accident Insurance cover?
Transport Accident Insurance covers certain accidental death and dismemberment situations for Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum cardholders or Macquarie Bank Visa Gold cardholders. Tickets must have been purchased before departing Australia and the accident must have happened whilst travelling outside Australia.
What does Purchase Security Insurance cover?
Purchase Security Insurance covers Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum cardholders and Macquarie Bank Visa Gold cardholders for the replacement of personal goods bought with their eligible credit card that are then lost, damaged or stolen. Cover lasts up to 90 days from the date of purchase.
What does Extended Warranty Insurance cover?
Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum and Macquarie Bank Visa Gold cardholders who purchase good using their eligible credit card can enjoy up to 12 months extended warranty beyond that offered by the manufacturer, provided this is between 6 months and 4 years.
Security
What is the complimentary Identity Theft Toolkit?
This is a free guide on how to avoid identity theft, and how to cope with it if you become a victim.
What is the chip on my card?
This is an embedded security microchip that makes your card more secure and harder to copy than those that only have the magnetic strip on the back.
What happens in the event that your card is lost or stolen?
Contact Macquarie straight away 24/7 on 1800 618 167 in Australia, or +61 2 9017 9520 if calling from overseas.
Rewards
Who can join the Macquarie Bank Rewards program?
Platinum or Gold credit card holders are automatically part of Macquarie’s Rewards program.
How are rewards chosen?
By using a Visa Gift Card, or by logging into MyCurrency and redeeming your points for your choice of product. Platinum cardholders have their own selection of rewards that require a minimum of 150,000 points redemption and a dollar value of at least $1,000. Macquarie Bank Rewards Centre is available on 1300 653 192, 9am to 5pm.
How are Reward points earned?
By using your Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum Card where you would normally use cash, debit or cheque, you will earn 1.25 Reward points for every dollar spent, and with a Macquarie Bank Visa Gold Card you will earn 1 Reward point for every dollar spent. There is also the opportunity to earn extra points when you spend with Macquarie’s bonus partners, and extra points per dollar using your Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum or Gold Card for travel purchases through MyChoice Travel. Platinum cards used in this way earn 3.25 Reward points per dollar, and Gold cards earn 3 Reward points per dollar.
How do you redeem points for rewards?
You can do this online or by calling the Macquarie Bank Rewards Centre on 1300 653 192, 9am to 5pm.
What sort of choice is there when redeeming points?
You can exchange your points for a wide range of products, including gifts, entertainment offers, magazine subscriptions, gift cards, homewares, electronics, and travel options including flights.
Do Rewards points expire?
No, there is no expiry date on Reward points so long as the Macquarie Bank credit card account remains open and valid according to the Terms and Conditions.
What is Points Plus Pay?
You can use Points Plus Pay if you wish to redeem your points for a reward but you do not yet have sufficient points for that particular reward. This therefore allows you to top up your points with a payment from your Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum or Gold Card. Top-ups of this sort are also eligible for Rewards points, so you earn 1.25 points per dollar with a Platinum card, and 1 point per dollar with a Gold card. You can make use of this option online or by calling the Macquarie Bank Rewards Centre, but it is only available on merchandise and travel rewards (excluding vouchers).
What is MyChoice Travel?
This is the telephone travel-booking service for Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum cardholders. This allows Platinum customers to books flights, accommodation, car hire, tours, etc, and to use their Reward points to pay for all or part of the amount. Or if the purchase is fully charge to the card, you earn 3.25 Reward points per dollar with Platinum cards or 3 Reward points per dollar with Gold cards. Flight-only bookings can be redeemed online with a minimum of 5,000 Reward points.
Are Reward points still earned when travelling overseas?
Yes, the normal points-per-dollar ratios apply while travelling overseas.
How are bonus points earned?
By shopping with Macquarie’s bonus partners, you earn at least 1 additional Reward point for every dollar spent.
Do all transactions earn Reward points?
No. Points are not earned on cash advances, interest charges, gambling purchases (real-world and online), credit fees and charges, credit card payments, transactions being disputed, foreign exchange purchases and traveller’s cheques.
Are Reward points lost if a transaction is refunded?
Yes, you lose the points you earned from that particular transaction.
Can Reward points be transferred to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program?
No, but you can use your points against flights with MyChoice Travel, and that includes Qantas flights, provided you redeem a minimum of 5,000 Reward points.
When are rewards points credited to accounts?
Normally within 28 days.
What is the validity on Rewards vouchers and gift cards?
This varies, but they are normally valid for up to 12 months from the date of issue.
Is delivery of rewards charged for?
This varies depending on the reward. Vouchers are not charged, but Macquarie’s Rewards Centre has all the necessary information.
How do you know which rewards are available?
This information is available online, so you can check which rewards are currently being offered.
How do you query a Reward points balance?
By calling the Macquarie Bank Rewards Centre on 1300 653 192, 9am to 5pm
What happens if your account is closed?
If your Platinum or Gold credit card account is closed, then your Macquarie Bank Rewards account is also cancelled and all points are lost.
How is the Macquarie Bank Rewards password changed?
There is a Change Password page at the Rewards website in the My Account section. This requires that you log in with you registered email address and password.
Account Maintenance
How is a cash advance made?
Cash advances can be made using your PIN at any ATM that accepts VISA, or over the counter with signature and photo ID at any bank that accepts VISA.
Is there a cash advance limit?
Yes, the daily limit is $1,000 at an ATM and $5,000 over the counter.
When do statements arrive?
Once a month if you have made transactions in that time.
Can the due date for statements be changed?
Yes, by contacting Macquarie you can choose any date from the 1st to the 28th.
Are statements available via email?
Yes, by logging onto MyCards or calling Macquarie.
Does any additional cardholder also get a statement?
No, only the primary cardholder receives a statement detailing all transactions affecting the account.
Do additional cardholders have the same account access as the primary cardholder?
Yes, but they are unable to make changes to the account, such as altering the address.
How is the monthly credit card bill settled?
- Direct Debit: You can set this up from the bank account of your choice.
- BPAY: Instigated via phone or internet banking using your 16-digit card number as the reference and the biller code of 423251.
- Post: Complete the payment slip and send it along with a cheque payable to Macquarie Bank, and including your account number, to: GPO Box 46990 Sydney NSW 2001.
- Post Office: Payments using cash or EFTPOS may take up to 48 hours to reach your account. Payments by cheque may take up to 6 working days to clear, although funds are considered to have been received on the day the cheque is deposited. A $2 fee applies to all cash, EFTPOS or cheque payments made at Australia Post.
What is an outstanding authorisation?
This is any transaction that has yet to be presented by the merchant, but the customer should realise that their credit limit will still have been reduced.
Can a third party be authorised to access account information?
Yes, by completion of an Authorised Representative Request Form, downloadable via MyCards.
How are replacement credit cards ordered?
Any Macquarie Bank credit card that has been damaged and needs replacing can be ordered by calling Macquarie. A replacement will be sent out within 7 working days.
What happens in the event that your card is lost or stolen?
Contact Macquarie straight away 24/7 on 1800 618 167 in Australia, or +61 2 9017 9520 if calling from overseas.
Online Maintenance
How do you access your account details online?
You can view your account information by logging into MyCards, where you can check your balance, transactions, payment information, request electronic statements, and more.
Can BPAY be used for future-dated payments?
Internet and telephone banking cannot be used for this purpose.
Additional Cardholders
What does “additional cardholder” mean?
This is anyone you have authorised to make transactions on your account who will be issued with their own credit card linked to your account. Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum Founding Members are allowed up to four free additional cardholders. An additional cardholder on a Macquarie Bank Visa RateSaver credit card will cost $10 per year. Details of this person should be included in the relevant section on your application form.
Do additional cardholders have the same account access as the primary cardholder?
Yes, but they are unable to make changes to the account, such as altering the address.
How are additional cardholders added to and removed from accounts?
Additional cardholders can be added by completing an Additional Cardholder Request Form. They can be removed by calling Macquarie.
Founding Member Status
What is the Founding Member offer?
Founding Member status will be given to a strictly limited number of people who are the first to apply for the Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum Card. Founding Members will enjoy exclusive events and offers, and their status will be printed on their credit card.
How do you purchase tickets to Founding Member events?
You need to call 02 8585 4343, 9am to 5pm EST and purchase your tickets with your Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum Card.
Benefits at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) and Sydney Football Stadium (SFS)
Can Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum Cards be used to make payment at the SCG and SFS?
The SCG and SFS both accept the Macquarie Bank Visa Platinum Card for contactless payments.
Are express lanes available at the SCG and SFS?
Yes, these are available to Macquarie Bank cardholders.
Where are these express lanes?
They are at selected food and beverage outlets in both stadiums, and they are signposted.
Image source: ABC Money
Check out today's featured offers:
| Westpac Low Rate | Citibank Clear Platinum | Qantas AMEX Discovery | ANZ Platinum |
 |
 |
 |
 |
0% p.a. for 6 months on purchases & balance transfers |
2.9% p.a. for 12 months |
$0 annual fee Up to 10,000 Bonus QFF Points |
0% p.a. for 6 months on purchases & balance transfers |
|
|
|
|
Subscribe to our newsletter and get "The Ultimate Guide to Balance Transfers"
If You Like This Post...
Get all the latest deals, guides and loopholes go in Credit Card Finder's free bi-monthly email. Don't miss out - join the thousands who get it emailed!
Ask A Question