Holden MasterCard gone

[ATOMICSS]

Got a letter from Holden today announcing changes to the Holden card where no more rebate can accumulate after Oct 2010. Must say after using the card to assist with the purchase of 10 new holdens over the years ( incl for friends and relatives) This is a disappiontment. Then again after my next new car I'll be able to choose from all sorts of brands not just Holden

[MTC]

Well that's a Bugger. i've used the rebate six times I always loved getting the extra 3k off when pickup up the cars ah well no more I guess:bawl:

[GazzSS]

Holden had a card? what did you get from the card?

[MTC]

Holden had a card? what did you get from the card?

Yep Westpac gm MasterCard.
http://www.westpac.com.au/personal-banking/credit-cards/manage-my-credit-card/manage-my-gm-holden-card/

[EddieVE06]

Poor effort I think. I have $6K accumulated. Does that just disappear or is there a timeframe to use it.

I've used my card on 6 new holdens, came in very handy

[Wonky]

Yep - loved it and have used it for a few $3,000 rebates but knew it couldn't last forever........ The rebate of 10% of your purchases was extremely generous, meaning you only had to spend $30,000 to get the max $3k rebate on a Commodore!! Other cards are only a fraction of that! For example, my Westpac Altitude card rewards work out at $100 rebate (eg Myer/Harvey Norman/David Jones etc vouchers) for $16,700 of purchases (although at places you can use Amex you get 3 points for every $1 instead of 1).

You can now get money towards your Holden with Westpac Altitude points (Mastercard/Visa) and again whilst not as generous as the actual Holden card it's still much more generous than any other retailer. :yup: To get the max $3k rebate you "only" need 150,000 points i.e. $150,000 of purchases (or $50,000 on Amex). Instead of $3,000 on Holden the same amount of purchases would get you under $900 with any other retailer on Altitude's voucher system.

PS Caltex the scummy *****s require 18,200 points for a $100 voucher.......... :mad:

[JONE5Y]

My interpretation of the letter was that I had 5yrs to cash in. As it stands atm I think I've accumulated enough to by 3 new commodores. Hopefully some diirect family members need a new car soon.

[JONE5Y]

that should read "enough to use my allowable $3g rebate 3 times" I dont have enough to by 3 brand newies :)

[ATOMICSS]

My interpretation of the letter was that I had 5yrs to cash in. As it stands atm I think I've accumulated enough to by 3 new commodores. Hopefully some diirect family members need a new car soon.

Yeah that sounds right think I'll spend lots on friends and rellies bills over the next three months to get my rebate up to $6000 and get another two discounted cars in the next five years. Works for folks like me who get a new car every two years but not much fun for people who keep them for five years.

[Aussie Pete]

The card was key to me buying a Captiva and a Commodore in quick succession. Shame. Just means I'll have to factor in another 3k when looking at turning my car over - i.e. definitely means I'll take longer to buy another car.

[Wonky]

The card was key to me buying a Captiva and a Commodore in quick succession. Shame. Just means I'll have to factor in another 3k when looking at turning my car over - i.e. definitely means I'll take longer to buy another car.

Or get a Westpac Altitude Platinum card - not as good as the Holden card as explained above but not bad still.

[Highway]

My interpretation of the letter was that I had 5yrs to cash in. As it stands atm I think I've accumulated enough to by 3 new commodores. Hopefully some diirect family members need a new car soon.

Last I heard you can give the rebate to anyone they do not have to be a family member.

Mike

[COSMOS]

damn... I've got like $5600 worth of rebate on mine and I cancelled the card 2 yrs ago. Too bad I have no need to use the rebate anymore. If only I had a "friend" in the Sydney area looking to buy a new holden who wanted $3k off the price in exchange for some "small consideration" of not more than 30% of the value of the rebate for me... of course we would need to have a beer first to discuss the type of car they were buying.

Yep... if only...

[MTC]

damn... I've got like $5600 worth of rebate on mine and I cancelled the card 2 yrs ago. Too bad I have no need to use the rebate anymore. If only I had a "friend" in the Sydney area looking to buy a new holden who wanted $3k off the price in exchange for some "small consideration" of not more than 30% of the value of the rebate for me... of course we would need to have a beer first to discuss the type of car they were buying.

Yep... if only...

You can even Apply for the rebate upto six weeks after you picked up a New car So if you have a "Friend" who has recently bought a New Holden you can still do it. i've done this before for my Brother inlaw who told us he had a new commmodore a month after he got it. we went 50/50:1peek: & He was happy as a pig in mud getting $1500 he was not expecting.

[BEARWOOD]

Where can you see how much rebate you have accumulated?

So if i have $6k rebate and used 3k do i still have 3k left or does it start over once you use any of the rebate?

[MTC]

Where can you see how much rebate you have accumulated?

So if i have $6k rebate and used 3k do i still have 3k left or does it start over once you use any of the rebate?

it's on your credit card statement or you call westpac & check. if you used 3k you would still have another 3k to use

[COSMOS]

You can even Apply for the rebate upto six weeks after you picked up a New car So if you have a "Friend" who has recently bought a New Holden you can still do it. i've done this before for my Brother inlaw who told us he had a new commmodore a month after he got it. we went 50/50:1peek: & He was happy as a pig in mud getting $1500 he was not expecting.

Wow 50/50 six weeks later huh... I would be very happy with 66/33 in favour of the purchaser for sure. 2k off a new car just like that for the cost of a beer.

If only....

[spank]

ive used my card for more rebates than i can remember, for me and relatives, once i bought 2 new VY clubbies at the same time so 6k was good to option up the one i drove with a sunroof, exhaust, lowering , tint etc. i honestly dont know if it will effect my next new car that i buy but ive bought 7 new/demo HSV CARS in the last 10 years so the rebate was definately worth it for me as at the time i would have bought them anyway so it really was a bonus. having said that my last new car was my GTO in 2006 so since then ive used the rebate for family so it will be missed. :bawl:

[ATOMICSS]

I remember when all holdens used to be $3000 off with the card, was great to buy a $10500 Barina and sell it in the paper the next week with 20km on the clock for $12500, did that a couple of times.

[Wonky]

One of the reasons they dropped the rebate on Barinas back to $500 no doubt! :D Plus slim margins on cars Holden import like that.

[NonSense]

There is still going to be a points Card.
Alltitude from Westpac but need 150,000 point for 3k Voucher off your next Holden

Can claim on 100's of other items as well.

[Wonky]

There is still going to be a points Card.
Alltitude from Westpac but need 150,000 point for 3k Voucher off your next Holden

Can claim on 100's of other items as well.

See post #6. Nowhere near as generous though. :(

[Carby]

Oh well looks like my daughters won't be getting Holdens at replacement time - only got the Astra and Barina because I could use the full rebate -(got them before they put the limits on the smaller cars and Captiva).

Will definitely look around more myself when looking for a replacement.

[BruceSS]

damn... I've got like $5600 worth of rebate on mine and I cancelled the card 2 yrs ago. Too bad I have no need to use the rebate anymore. If only I had a "friend" in the Sydney area looking to buy a new holden who wanted $3k off the price in exchange for some "small consideration" of not more than 30% of the value of the rebate for me... of course we would need to have a beer first to discuss the type of car they were buying.

Yep... if only...

If you cancelled the card you forfeited any rebate you had

[COSMOS]

If you cancelled the card you forfeited any rebate you had

Not according to Westpac and the GM office that administers the card. I have my full compliment of rebates for 5 years from the time the points accrued.

In writing from Westpac and GM and checked twice. I even kept my card number to be sure and they have reaffirmed that yes I can redeem the points even though I changed banks.

[falcom]

The Holden Mastercard was major reason why I have been loyal to Holden. For the first time in my life my next car maybe something other than a Holden.

[BEARWOOD]

The Holden Mastercard was major reason why I have been loyal to Holden. For the first time in my life my next car maybe something other than a Holden.

Ye there might be a few people thinking along that line..

Like everything in life thats half good, it doesn't last long. It's all about the big fish making more $$$

[SCiFiRE]

I wouldn't say it "doesn't last long", It's been around atleast 8 years.

Some of you guys really were really only buying Holdens because of a $3k mastercard discount?
Wow.

[falcom]

I have just received my letter and it says they are changing the rewards program because of customer feedback.

To get $3,000 Holden rebate with the Altitude Card you have to spend $150,000 compared to $30,000 with the Holden Card.
Spend $30,000 on the Altitude card and you can get a frypan(Wow!!).

I love to know what type of customer feedback they got to slash the rewards.

I say they are pulling the wool over our eyes.

We have been duped!!!!!!!!

[ATOMICSS]

Some of you guys really were really only buying Holdens because of a $3k mastercard discount?
Wow.

Yep, I only buy a new Holden every 2 years or there abouts due to the card. But I am a tight arse. With a base SS ute for example and good negotiation skills its usually about $3k every 2 years out of pocket to get a new car. And you never need to buy new tyres or spend big on repairs or big services. It's about the cheapest decent motoring you can get I reckon.

In five years, and just before the rebate runs out I'll buy my last new Holden and probably keep it 10 years. Its going to cost Holden about 5 less sales from me.

[BEARWOOD]

I wouldn't say it "doesn't last long", It's been around atleast 8 years.

Some of you guys really were really only buying Holdens because of a $3k mastercard discount?
Wow.

It's not the only reason people might buy one but if your tossing up between two cars and can't decide which one the 3k off a holden may give it the edge.

I'd like to know what customer feedback they were getting to change a 3k rebate to a $40 frying pan.

[Carby]

I'm really starting to think they are in dire straights!

Haven't cracked a profit in 5 years, no access to parent funds (read US govt)the leaked changes to the 4year old VE seem limited (externally) to boot lid lip and (internally) new touch screen and round air vents, it's main competitor , Falcon slowly clawing back sales from the Commodore and now a cancelling of the excellent rebate scheme.

I think the General is struggling for survival................

[Carby]

I
Some of you guys really were really only buying Holdens because of a $3k mastercard discount?
Wow.

Wow indeed! if you were looking at a 35K Commdore and a 35K Falcon and you could get one for 32K it's a pretty substantial saving. I also liked how you could negotiate as much as you liked push hard for the best deal and then hit them for the $3K as well - actually the dealers didn't care, it was Holdens discount.

[falcom]

Wow indeed! if you were looking at a 35K Commdore and a 35K Falcon and you could get one for 32K it's a pretty substantial saving. I also liked how you could negotiate as much as you liked push hard for the best deal and then hit them for the $3K as well - actually the dealers didn't care, it was Holdens discount.

I agree. unless you blindly buy one brand or another you will nearly always go for the one that is $3k cheaper.

I personally have directly been involved in the sale of 8 Holdens over the years thanks to the Holden Mastercard rebate.Of those 8 cars only 1 would have still been purchased without the rebate.

This will cost Holden sales!!

[rgmast]

I agree. unless you blindly buy one brand or another you will nearly always go for the one that is $3k cheaper.

I personally have directly been involved in the sale of 8 Holdens over the years thanks to the Holden Mastercard rebate.Of those 8 cars only 1 would have still been purchased without the rebate.

This will cost Holden sales!!

All depends what Holdens profit margins are on the cars it might be better off without the 3k rebate . back in the day when GM/Holden were flying it was great but when things are tight giving 3K away might be hurting Holden.
They make money on sales of cars not on after sales service

[Aussie Pete]

Its not just a discount of 3k. Everytime I used my rebate I used it to pay for options. So given the gross margin on accessories and options it is a good deal for them. Consider too they are probably getting kick/commission from Westpac as well. On my Captiva I optioned all the usual accessories like steps, mats, cargo liner and satnav (okay satnav wasn't holden because I couldn't get it). On my VE I got the works on the car I could get, auto, satnav, key, blah blah. So, next time maybe no satnav... who knows. Having said that I have so much rebate the next two times they will still pay LOL.

Maybe I could use the 3k to pay for the seals to stop my auto flaring....

[SCiFiRE]

I understand that it's great to tip a buyer in favour of Holden, but it just sounded like some people here saying it's a deal-breaker without it.

I've used the rebate twice myself, but it was more of a bonus. With or without it, $32k or $35k, your still looking at cars in the same price bracket. It's not like a whole new field of choice opens up when you're spending an extra $3k.

Anyway, I agree that it sucks. I remember for a little while they opened up to let you give your rebate to friends or family, I gave full discount to two people. They were stoked.

[RUN41T]

My interpretation of the letter was that I had 5yrs to cash in. As it stands atm I think I've accumulated enough to by 3 new commodores. Hopefully some diirect family members need a new car soon.

Hey im from wollongong too!!! We are practicaly brothers..... I need a new VESSV please :goodjob:

[falcom]

My interpretation of the letter was that I had 5yrs to cash in. As it stands atm I think I've accumulated enough to by 3 new commodores. Hopefully some diirect family members need a new car soon.

It does not have to be a family member.You can give your rebate to friends as well. I rang the Mastercard line and they confirmed this.

[SCiFiRE]

It does not have to be a family member.You can give your rebate to friends as well. I rang the Mastercard line and they confirmed this.

Unless they changed the rules just now to allow people to use up the last of their points, then they are having a lend of you.
Mastercard Holden Rebate Rules (http://www.westpac.com.au/docs/pdf/pb/GMR001_Rebate_Prog_Rules_FI1.pdf), Direct from the westpac website

[falcom]

Unless they changed the rules just now to allow people to use up the last of their points, then they are having a lend of you.
Mastercard Holden Rebate Rules (http://www.westpac.com.au/docs/pdf/pb/GMR001_Rebate_Prog_Rules_FI1.pdf), Direct from the westpac website

I know it says that on the Westpac website but you can give the rebate to friends as well. I have now given my points to three friends now(not related) with no problems.

I might add that all three of those friends were going to buy a different brand but when I offered my rebate it was enough to push them over to the Holden.

Now that the rebate is gone I guess this will mean less sales for Holden because without that rebate they difinetely would not have bought a Holden.