Credit Card Frequently Asked Questions

I applied for a Balance Transfer on my credit card application. When will this be processed?

When will my promotional Balance Transfer offer expire?

I am an existing customer. How do I take advantage of advertised Balance Transfer promotions?

How is Interest calculated?

How often should I make a payment?

How are my payments allocated?

How do I take advantage of the 55 days' interest free on purchases?

What happens when I make a Cash Advance on my credit card?

Can Bankwest send a credit card to a PO BOX address?

Can I change the date that I receive my statement?

Why have I been charged a Late Fee?

Why has my balance been allowed to go overlimit?

Can I increase my credit limit?

When does my Annual Fee raise?

How can I find out more information about the Bankwest More Rewards program?

I applied for a Balance Transfer on my credit card application. When will this be processed?

Your Balance Transfer will be processed when you activate your credit card.  If there are any issues with processing your Balance Transfer, we will contact you. 

When will my promotional Balance Transfer offer expire?

At the base of your statement is a summary box which displays the number of months remaining on your promotional Balance Transfer.  When this number is 1, you will need to ensure that you pay this current statement balance in full to avoid incurring any interest at the go to rate.

I am an existing customer. How do I take advantage of advertised Balance Transfer promotions?

Advertised Balance Transfer promotions are for new customers.  If you do not already have the product advertised, you may apply for this, but you will be assessed as a brand new customer.

Bankwest do send Balance Transfer promotions to existing credit card customers, so check with us to make sure that you have opted in to receive offers. 

How is Interest calculated?

Interest is calculated on the average daily unpaid balance from your previous statement using the annual percentage rates outlined in your Schedule.  If you have been charged interest, it will be displayed on your statement as follows:

1. Debit Interest Purchase - This is charged on any purchases made on your credit card.  Refer to Q7 on Purchase Interest Free days for more information.
2. Debit Interest Cash - This is charged when you make a cash advance. This is charged from the day you complete the advance, no interest free period applies.
3. Debit Interest Special - This is charged when you have a promotional rate on Balance Transfers or Purchases.  You may see more than one entry for this if you have multiple promotional rates.

If you require further information, click here and view section 24. 

How often should I make a payment?

You must make a monthly payment between your statement date and your Payment Due Date.  Please check each statement carefully for the Minimum Due and ensure that a payment reaches us between these dates.

Payments made prior to the statement date do not count towards the Minimum Due. 

How are my payments allocated?

Payments are allocated in the order of interest, fees and then transactions.  Payments will be applied to interest, fees and transactions on your most recent statement first and then to any interest, fees and transactions applied since your most recent statement date.

Bankwest will allocate payments to the amounts which attract the lowest rate of interest first and then in ascending order to the amounts which attract the highest interest rate. 

How do I take advantage of the 55 days' interest free on purchases?

To take advantage of the interest free period on purchases, you will need to pay your total statement balance in full (including any cash or BT balances) by the Payment Due Date.  Any outstanding balance at the Payment Due Date will be charged interest from the date that the purchase was made. 

What happens when I make a Cash Advance on my credit card?

Cash Advance interest will accrue from the day the advance is completed. A Cash Advance fee will be charged according to the amount withdrawn. To stop Cash Advance Interest accruing, a payout figure will need to be obtained. 

Can Bankwest send a credit card to a PO BOX address?

For security reasons, Bankwest can only send cards to a residential address.  Please ensure that you provide us with a residential address at application. 

Can I change the date that I receive my statement?

Yes.  You can change the date that you receive your statement to best suit your lifestyle.  Changing the statement date will also change the due date, so please check the new Payment Due Date on your statement to avoid missing a payment. 

Why have I been charged a Late Fee?

You must make the minimum payment detailed on your current statement by the Payment Due Date, otherwise a Late Fee will be charged.  Setting up a Direct Debit for the minimum or full statement balance is a simple way to avoid charges.  See Direct Debit Service Agreement for more details. 

Why has my balance been allowed to go overlimit?

To avoid any embarrassment on your part with a transaction being refused, we will sometimes approve transactions over your agreed limit.  This decision is linked to how you manage your credit card account and any associated risk that Bankwest identifies. 

Can I increase my credit limit?

We will assess your account on a monthly basis and you may be eligible for a limit increase.  Our customer service advisors can let you know if you are eligible and the limit available to you. 

When does my Annual Fee raise?

Your Annual Fee raises on the anniversary of your card opening.  The fee raises automatically and is a one off payment in advance for maintaining that credit facility.  If you close your account part way through a year, no part of the fee will be refunded.

If your annual fee has just been charged, please ensure that you keep using it to take advantage of all of the benefits. 

How can I find out more information about the Bankwest More Rewards program?

Please refer to the FAQs on the Bankwest More Rewards website www.bankwestmorerewards.com.au. 

This is general information. Further information about our Credit Cards is outlined in our Conditions of Use and Credit Card Account Access Conditions of Use.