This Card Gets You 100,000 Velocity Points + Two Free Flights

[Update: this offer has been extended until May 15th, 2024]

American Express has just dropped their first big offer for 2024, and it’s a good one! For a limited time, you can get a massive 100,000 bonus Velocity Points when you apply online for the American Express Velocity Platinum by 15th May 2024, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Card Members only.

That’s enough points to book two Virgin Australia business class seats on any direct domestic flight, United Airlines business class to the United States or even ANA business class to Japan. If you prefer to travel in economy, you could use a fraction of those 100,000 bonus Velocity Points to book literally any destination served by Virgin Australia’s airline partners, or even return flights for that annual Bali getaway!

As if that wasn’t enough to get us excited, the American Express Velocity Platinum also gets you a complimentary domestic economy return flight every year, a solid Velocity earn rate on your everyday spending, four airport lounge entries per year, comprehensive travel insurance and 100 Velocity Status Credits each year you meet the required spend.

To earn 100,000 bonus Velocity Points, you will need to apply via this link, before May 15th, 2024.

The Offer: Amex Velocity Platinum

• 100,000 bonus Velocity Points when you apply online via Flight Hacks by 6 February 2024, are approved and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card within 3 months.*
• Up to 2.25 Velocity Points per $1 spent on eligible purchases within Virgin Australia.
• Up to 1.25 Velocity Points per $1 spent on eligible purchases.
• Complimentary domestic return Virgin Australia flights per year.
• 100 Velocity Status Credits when you spend $50,000 during your membership year.
• Two complimentary Virgin Australia lounge passes each year.
• Two complimentary entries to the Amex Centurion Lounge each year.
• Complimentary travel and shopping insurance.

*T&Cs apply. New Card Members only.

Tell Me About The Business Class Flights!

Naturally, the huge 100,000 bonus Velocity Points is the main benefit of the Amex Velocity Platinum Card. But you’ll also receive one of the highest Velocity earn rates in Australia on everyday spending, at 1.25 points per $1 spent on purchases. You’ll also earn 2.25 Velocity Points per $1 spent with Virgin Australia and 0.5 points per $1 spent with government bodies.

Of course, nearly everywhere in Australia accepts Amex, so there’s no shortage of opportunities to let your frequent flyer account soar. Plus, there’s also no cap on how many points you can earn.
As well as redeeming directly with Virgin Australia, you can use those points to fly on some of the world’s best airlines, including;

• Etihad Airways
• Air Canada
• Singapore Airlines
• Qatar Airways
• Virgin Atlantic
• United Airlines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• All Nippon Airways
• South African Airways

Example 1: ANA Business Class To Tokyo

The latest report from Expedia shows Tokyo as the top destination Australians are visiting right now. Of course, ANA (All Nippon Airways) offers a superb business class service from Perth and Sydney to Tokyo, which typically clocks in at a cool $5,000 one-way.

Thanks to Amex, we can get that done for less than $100! Here’s how many points and taxes you need for a Velocity Business Reward Seat;

• Sydney – Tokyo: 78,000 Velocity Points + $91.28
• Tokyo – Sydney: 78,000 Velocity Points + $72.58
• Perth – Tokyo: 78,000 Velocity Points + $86.79
• Tokyo – Perth: 78,000 Velocity Points + $61.62

At least for now, ANA appears to be offering some tempting last-minute business class availability to and from Australia. If you’re the sort of person who prefers to book well in advance, finding a seat could take some time.

Example 2: United Business Class To The United States

United operates from San Francisco and Los Angeles to/from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, as well as between Houston and Sydney. In business class, you will enjoy the brilliant Polaris service which offers improved food and some of the best business bedding in the skies.

Instead of paying at least $8,000, you can get to the states from 95,000 Velocity Points plus around $110 in taxes. Not bad for a 14-hour flight!

Example 3: Singapore Airlines Business Class To Asia

Singapore Airlines offers a brilliant business class service, with an expansive reach throughout Australia. Plus, 100,000 Velocity Points will stretch pretty far with Singapore Airlines, even in Business Class.

For example, you could fly business class from Melbourne to Singapore for 67,000 Velocity Points plus $226.31 in taxes. Continue to Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong and more from 78,000 Velocity Points plus taxes.

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Ready to apply? Unlock the Amex Platinum Velocity bonus offer here!

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How Do I Book These Cheap Flights?

1. Apply for the Amex Velocity Platinum, meet the minimum spend requirements and wait for your points to arrive.
2. Locate your preferred flight that has Velocity Business Reward seating available (tip: try searching with Seats.Aero).
3. Once you find a seat, book via the Virgin Australia website to redeem your points.

Explain That Complimentary Flight To Me?

After your first eligible spend on the Card, you’ll get a complimentary flight linked to your Velocity account. You can then easily redeem this online via this website: www.compflight.virginaustralia.com.

There’s a catch, though. In order to book a complimentary flight, the fare codes “T” or “Q” must be available. These are the cheapest Economy Choice fares and will include checked baggage.

The easiest way to check which fare code is available is on ITA Matrix. Simply search for your desired route and dates, and look for the fare code when browsing the flight screen. If you can see “T” or “Q” listed, you will be able to redeem your complimentary return flight!

You don’t even have to fly it yourself; it’s perfectly fine to book the flight for family or friends, as long as it’s not for an unaccompanied minor.

Remember to redeem your flight within your membership year, as it’s not possible to extend or carry over the flight.

The complimentary flight is between selected cities, as outlined on Amex’s interactive flight map, but most of Virgin’s direct domestic flights are listed. For example, you could travel from Sydney to Perth return, a route that typically costs at least $700 return on a Choice fare.

Arrive Refreshed With Airport Lounge Access

Relax before your flight, or get on the beers, it’s your choice in the airport lounge! Each year, Amex will automatically load two digital lounge passes your Velocity membership, which can be used to access any Virgin Australia Lounge before your flight.

You’ll also receive two lounge passes per year to Amex’s exclusive The Centurion Lounges in Australia. Currently, there’s one at Sydney International and one at Melbourne International. Simply present your Amex Card at the door to gain access.

Score 100 Bonus Velocity Status Credits

The path to elite Velocity Frequent Flyer Silver, Gold and Platinum status is that bit shorter if you plan to spend at least $50,000 on eligible purchases during a membership year. Once achieved, you could receiving 100 Status Credits.

Not everyone will make the spend, but for those who do, it’s a handy perk to have. After the bonus, you only need 150 Status Credits to unlock Silver, 400 to unlock Gold or 900 to unlock Platinum. To retain status for subsequent years, you’ll need even less.

Included Travel And Shopping Insurances

Amex doesn’t skimp on comprehensive travel and shopping insurance cover, provided you pay with your Card. This cover extends to your partner and dependent children up to the age of 25 when they are travelling with you.

In many circumstances, you will be covered for;

• Card Purchase Cover for eligible stolen or damaged items.
• Card Refund Cover for the cost of unused purchases if a return is refused.
• Fraud Protection Guarantee for unauthorised charges made on your Card.
• Emergency Card Replacement to get a new Card to virtually anywhere.
• Medical Emergency Expenses up to $2,500,000.
• Public Transport Accident Cover up to $400,000.
• Travel Inconvenience up to $200 if your flight is delayed.
• Damage To Baggage up to $10,000 for loss/damage to baggage, money or documents.

Remember to read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure adequate coverage.

What about the fees?

The annual fee of the Amex Velocity Platinum is $375, which is easily offset by the complimentary return flight. Being a premium Card, the interest rate is 23.99%, but of course, it’s 0% if you pay your balance on time and in full, and you also get up to 55 interest-free days to pay for your purchases.

Summing Up: My Take

The Amex Velocity Platinum Card is ideal for those ready to level up their Velocity Points balance through everyday spend. If you fly a lot with Virgin Australia this Card is the obvious choice as it will earn up to 2.25 points per dollar on Virgin Australia bookings.

The complimentary flight and lounge passes also go a long way to offset the annual fee. Plus, being an uncapped Card, big spenders are rewarded with more points and a bonus 100 Status Credits each year you spend $50,000 or more using your Card.

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Ready to apply? Unlock the Amex offer here!

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Disclaimer: Seek professional advice and consider your personal circumstances before deciding to apply for credit. This article is not written to suggest that you should apply for a credit Card. If you decide to apply for a Card via our links, we may receive a commission. This is how we keep Flight Hacks free for all – thanks for your support!