Home :: Virgin Australia Credit Cards :: American Express Velocity Platinum Credit Card
American Express Velocity Platinum Credit Card
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Key Features
- Introductory Offer - 30,000 bonus Velocity Points if you apply, are approved by 29 February 2012 and spend $500 in the first 3 months of Card membership
- A complimentary return domestic economy flight on Virgin Australia between a wide range of Australian destinations, every year.
- Book a Business Class Flexi fare with V Australia to any international destination and you're entitled to another complimentary business class ticket for the same flight. All you need to pay are the taxes and surcharges. This also extends to flights with V Australia that codeshare with Delta.
- Escape the hustle and bustle of the airport with two complimentary single entry passes to the Virgin Australia lounge each year.
- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on your Card in Australia with the Virgin Australia group of airlines and 1.5 Points for every $1 spent everywhere else
- Complimentary Domestic and International Travel Insurance - if you have paid for travel with your American Express Velocity Platinum Card, or with Velocity Points, you will have access to a range of travel insurance
- Add Supplementary Credit Cards to your account at no extra cost, with all Velocity Points earned on each Supplementary Card credited to your Velocity Account - the perfect way to earn Points faster.
- Start your application here.
Review & Analysis
Introducing the American Express Velocity Platinum credit card, one of the best cards on the market to earn Velocity Rewards points. With this card you can earn up to 3 Velocity Rewards points for every dollar spent with no points capping. But that’s not all! It also offers a free return domestic flight with Virgin Australia, unlimited 2 for 1 business class flexi fares on any international route with Virgin Australia and two free single access passes to the Virgin Australia lounge per year. There’s even more to this card, and all will be revealed in our through American Express Velocity Platinum credit card review!
Frequent Flyer Points
As you would have guessed from its name, this card is linked with the Velocity Rewards program. Don’t worry if you haven’t got an account there already as membership is free with the American Express Velocity Platinum credit card.
This is a veritable points earning machine! For every dollar spent with Virgin’s Australian airlines you’ll earn 3 Velocity Rewards points. The rate of rewards drops to 1.5 Velocity Rewards point per dollar spent on other purchases. However, there is no points capping so you’ll be able to keep them and redeem them for as long as you keep the account open.
Points can be redeemed for flights with Virgin’s airlines and partners including Virgin Atlantic, Delta Airlines and Malaysia Airlines, meaning you can use them to go practically anywhere in the world. If you’re looking for something other than flights, the Velocity Rewards store is a treasure trove of goodies!
Other Rewards
The American Express Velocity Platinum credit card isn’t all about earning Velocity Rewards points, although it does excel in that capacity. Cardholders get a complimentary domestic return economy class flight on Virgin Australia each year as long as your account is open as well as unlimited two for one business class flexi fare tickets to any international destination so long as the second passenger flies with you on the same flight. (Note that this offer also extends to codeshare routes operated by Delta Airlines.) You’ll also get two single use passes for the Virgin Australia lounge per year, allowing you to relax, get something to eat and drink or catch up on email using their free WiFi before boarding.
Pros
If earning up to 3 Velocity Rewards points, getting free flights and free airport lounge access isn’t enough, you’ll also get domestic and international travel insurance. Normally you only get overseas travel insurance cover, so this is a real plus point. Other insurances include travel inconvenience cover against delayed flights, missing baggage or missed connections; purchase protection to repair or replace any damaged goods purchased using your American Express Velocity Platinum credit card within 90 days of the date of purchase; and, refund protection to cover you against businesses who refuse to refund a transaction.
You’ll also get fast emergency card replacement, online fraud protection and a top class internationally available customer service team accessible at any time of day or night.
Anyone looking to open a new American Express Velocity Platinum account and balance transfer to it will be disappointed, but the purchase rate is about average when compared to other cards.
Cons
As we just touched on, there is no balance transfer. If you want to open an account, you won’t be able to bring your existing debt over to it and save on the interest. Also, while it is possible to earn 3 points per dollar spent, this only applies to purchases with Virgin’s Australian group of airlines. Realistically you’ll do most of your spending elsewhere and therefore get rewarded at the lower rate of 1.5 points per dollar.
Also, as this is not a dual account with an Amex and Visa or MasterCard, you may be limited in the number of times you can actually use the card as some businesses do not take Amex as a means of payment. Bear this in mind before applying, as it will impact how many points you’ll earn.
Eligibility
The normal criteria apply here. You’ll need to be an Australian citizen aged 18 or more and have a good credit history, which is especially important when applying for an Amex card. Applicants must also be able to prove their annual taxable income is $65,000, or higher.
Is This Card Right For You?
If you do fly with Virgin regularly and want a way to earn more Velocity Rewards with additional perks such as free travel insurance and airport lounge access, then apply now. Before you do though, don’t forget to compare this card with the other Velocity Rewards linked offers currently available!
The small print
Points are earned in accordance with the American Express Velocity Cards Points Terms and Conditions available here . Exclusions apply. Velocity membership and Points earn and redemption is subject to the Velocity Membership Terms & Conditions available at velocityrewards.com.au, as amended from time to time. Earn rate of 3 Points per $1 spent on Virgin Australia group of airlines only applies to purchases made in Australia. Offer provides a 50% discount for you and a guest when you purchase standard adult Business Flexi fares for you and your guest flying with V Australia or V Australia flights that code share or interline with Delta Airlines. Flights to European sectors on Etihad are not included in this offer. Availability of the offer is subject to the seat availability in the nominated class of the Business cabin. The Basic Card member must be one of the passengers travelling and both passengers must be travelling together on the same flight, at the same time. Credit card payment fees, taxes and surcharges apply to both guests and are not discounted. Offer applies to new bookings made via American Express Membership Travel Services only. Payment with your American Express Velocity Platinum Card is required. Seats must be booked in the same fare class and are strictly limited. Seats are subject to availability which may be limited at peak times such as weekends, Christmas or school holidays. Neither American Express nor V Australia guarantee that seats will be available at the times you may wish to fly. Offered in accordance with the American Express Velocity Platinum Card Benefits Terms and Conditions available here . Velocity membership required. Travel with V Australia is subject to the V Australia conditions of carriage available at vaustralia.com.au The complimentary domestic economy Virgin Australia return flight is available between selected Australian cities and is available for booking by American Express Velocity Platinum Card members after your first Card spend in the first year, and then after your first Card spend each year after the anniversary of your membership. All flights are subject to availability and Virgin Australia or American Express do not guarantee that seats or tickets will be available on the dates or at the times you may wish to fly. Seat availability may be limited to certain dates and/or flights and it may be more difficult to book seats around public holidays, school holidays or special events. Some flights may not have any seats available. Route availability is subject to change without notice. Booking is subject to the American Express Velocity Platinum Card Benefits Terms and Conditions available here and travel is subject to Virgin Australia Conditions of Carriage available at virginaustralia.com Offer only available to new American Express Velocity Platinum Card members who apply via the online application form and are approved by 31 January 2012 and spend $500 in the first 3 months of American Express Velocity Card membership. Please allow 6 to 8 weeks after the $500 spend benchmark has been met for the 30,000 Velocity Points to be awarded to the Card member’s Velocity Platinum account. All redemptions are Reward Class seats, subject to availability and to the Velocity Membership Terms & Conditions. Fares are correct as at 15 August 2011 and are subject to change. Additional baggage charges may apply and are payable in addition to Velocity Points redeemed. When booking by phone fares are $15 more. Seats are limited and may not be available at peak times or on all flights. Any pay component is not eligible for Points earn. These fares do not include checked baggage. For Red Velocity Members, Pre–pay AUD $10 or 1,100 Points online for up to 23kg of checked baggage per person per one–way sector or pay AUD $20 at the airport for the same allowance. Fees will be incurred for excess baggage. Complimentary baggage allowances apply for Silver and Gold Velocity Members, Flexi, Premium Economy and Business Fares. Conditions and travel restrictions apply for all fares. For full details see virginaustralia.com/velocity Virgin Australia lounge entry passes are subject to the American Express Velocity Platinum Card Benefits Terms and Conditions available here. Two single entry passes to the Virgin Australia lounge will be activated on the Basic Card member’s Velocity membership card annually on or after the anniversary of membership. The Virgin Australia lounge is operated by Virgin Australia Airlines Pty Ltd in selected domestic airports and entry is subject to the Virgin Australia lounge Terms and Conditions, available at virginaustralia.com/lounge and as amended from time to time.
