American Express Velocity Platinum Credit Card
Unlock a complimentary Virgin Australia return domestic flight, lounge access at selected domestic airports + more!
For a limited time, you can receive 50,000 bonus Velocity Points when you apply online, are approved, and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Velocity Platinum Card within 3 months of your approval date. T&Cs apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.
The American Express Velocity Platinum Card is built for Australians who fly with Virgin Australia and want to earn meaningful rewards from everyday spending. The card offers a complimentary return domestic flight each year, Virgin Australia lounge access when you fly, up to 100 bonus Status Credits per year, plus one of the most competitive Velocity Points earn rates in the market.
If earning Velocity Points is your priority, this is one of the more competitive Velocity Points-earning credit cards in Australia.
Key Benefits of Amex Velocity Platinum
Velocity is one of Australia's best loyalty programs, thanks to a huge collection of redemption partners, and the relitave ease of finding a Business Class Reward Seat. If earning Velocity Points is your priority, the Amex Velocity Platinum should be top of mind when it comes to a credit card stacked with perks!
Each year, you’ll receive a complimentary Virgin Australia return domestic flight, while ongoing spending earns up to 2.25 Velocity Points per $1 on eligible Virgin Australia purchases and 1.25 points per $1 on everyday spend.
When flying domestically, the card also includes Virgin Australia lounge access for the primary cardholder, plus 2 guest lounge passes each year.
Receive 50,000 bonus Velocity Points when you apply online, are approved, and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Velocity Platinum Card within 3 months of your approval date. T&Cs apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.
Where Can 50,000 Velocity Points Take You?
The 50,000 bonus Velocity Points can unlock anything from a premium international experience to multiple trips within Australia. Here are three practical ways to use them.
1. Business Class To Bali
Fly from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra or the Gold Coast to Bali in Virgin Australia Business Class for 49,500 Velocity Points + taxes.
This is one of the strongest redemptions using the current signup bonus. Although Virgin only offers a 737 recliner seat on the route, you'll be significantly more comfortable.
2. Return Business Class To Cairns
Fly return from Sydney to Cairns in Virgin Australia Business Class for 47,000 Velocity Points + taxes.
This is a great way to experience a premium cabin on a domestic route, with priority check-in, lounge access, and a more relaxed travel experience.
3. Four-Person Hobart Getaway
A practical option for families or group travel. You can book 4 return Economy flights from Melbourne to Hobart from 47,200 Velocity Points + taxes.
It's worth noting that this is based on the lowest price point. Virgin Australia prices some Economy rewards dynamically, with the shortest flights ranging from 5,900 to 12,900 points one-way. Even so, this is a cost-effective way to turn your bonus into a shared trip.
Card Fees & Details
Like most premium rewards cards, the Amex Velocity Platinum comes with a higher annual fee and stronger perks. Here’s a quick breakdown of the key fees and features to consider before applying.
Virgin Australia Lounge Access
The Amex Velocity Platinum Card offers Virgin Australia Lounge Access for the primary Card Member. This means you can unwind in comfort every time you fly Virgin Australia domestically, when departing from an airport with a Virgin Australia Lounge.
The Amex Velocity Platinum also offers two guest lounge passes each year you hold the Card.
Virgin Australia currently operates lounges at the following airports:
- Adelaide
- Brisbane
- Canberra
- Gold Coast
- Melbourne
- Perth
- Sydney
How to Activate Virgin Australia Lounge Access
To get this special benefit, you will need to enrol online via your American Express Account. Here's how:
- Enter your 15-digit American Express Card number and CID code on the enrolment page.
- Select "Log In" and complete the enrolment process.
- To activate lounge access, make an eligible purchase on your American Express Card.
- Allow up to 7 days for lounge access to be added to your Velocity account.
Good To Know
- Eligible Purchase Definition: Any transaction of $1 or more, excluding fees and interest charges.
- Activation Time: Allow up to 7 days after the eligible purchase for lounge access to activate on your Velocity Frequent Flyer Membership linked to your Card.
- Renewal: To renew lounge access each year after your Benefit Anniversary, make another eligible purchase on your Card.
Complimentary Virgin Australia Return Flight
One of the great benefits of the Amex Velocity Platinum Card is the complimentary domestic return flight you get each year. This benefit goes a long way to offsetting the cost of the annual fee, and best of all, you don’t need to redeem it for yourself if you are not planning to travel. You can also use the flight to book a return trip for friends or family.
How to Book The Complimentary Amex Velocity Virgin Australia Flight
To book the complimentary flight simply visit: http://compflight.virginaustralia.com/ and log in with your frequent flyer number.
Note that not all the destinations on the Virgin Australia network are available for booking. To see all the available routes, visit the Amex Velocity Flight Routes page.
The complimentary flight is also perfect to keep as a backup for the busy travel periods in the year, unlike regular tickets, the price of your complimentary flight is well…zero. This means that when you try to fly during an important sporting match, for example, you won’t be stung by inflated airfares.
Keep in mind that flights are subject to availability, and travel may be limited to certain dates and/or flights may be more difficult to book during busy periods.
Bonus Velocity Status Credits
Earn up to 100 Velocity Status Credits annually. That's 50 Status Credits when you spend $25,000 and a further 50 Status Credits when you spend another $25,000 in the same membership year.
Travel & Shop With Confidence
Wherever your next adventure takes you, know you’re protected by the world-class service and protection of American Express with these great benefits:
- Card Purchase Cover for eligible stolen or damaged items purchased with your Card
- Card Refund Cover for the cost of recent and unused purchases when a store refuses a return
- Fraud Protection Guarantee protects you from unauthorised charges made on your Account
- Emergency Card replacement for lost or stolen Cards to virtually anywhere in the world
- Travel Inconvenience for flight delays
- Medical Emergency Expenses Cover for unexpected medical costs while travelling
- Public Transport Accident Cover for serious incidents while travelling on public transport
- Damage To Baggage Cover protects against loss or damage to your belongings while travelling
Terms, conditions and exclusions apply (such as maximum age-limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits).
Amex Velocity Platinum Conclusion
The Amex Velocity Platinum Card is well-suited to those looking to maximise their Velocity Frequent Flyer Points through everyday spending. If you regularly fly with Virgin Australia, the card is a no-brainer with 2.25 Velocity Points per $1 spent on Virgin Australia tickets.
The combination of a complimentary annual return flight, lounge access, and bonus Status Credits adds meaningful ongoing value. For many cardholders, the return flight alone can go a long way towards offsetting the $440 annual fee.
Bottom line: If you’re a frequent Virgin Australia flyer, the American Express Velocity Platinum Card can deliver solid long-term value.
Terms & Conditions
50,000 bonus Velocity Points are only available to new American Express Card members who apply online, are approved, and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Velocity Platinum Card within the first 3 months from the Card approval date. Eligible purchases do not include Card fees and charges, for example annual fees, interest, late payment, cash advances, balance transfers, traveller’s cheques and foreign currency conversion. Card Members who currently hold or who have previously held any Card product issued by American Express Australia Limited in the past 18 months are ineligible for this offer. 50,000 bonus Velocity Points will be awarded to the eligible Card Member’s account 8-10 weeks after the spend criteria has been met. Velocity Points are earned in accordance with the American Express Velocity Cards Points Terms and Conditions available here and are subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Velocity Frequent Flyer program available here. $440 annual Card fee applies. This advertised offer is not applicable or valid in conjunction with any other advertised or promotional offer.
Complimentary Domestic Return Virgin Australia Flight: The complimentary domestic economy Virgin Australia return flight is only available between selected Australian cities and is available for booking by American Express Velocity Platinum Primary Card Members each year after the anniversary of your Card Membership. All flights are subject to availability and neither Virgin Australia nor American Express guarantees 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 for redemption. Route availability is subject to change without notice. All travel 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 Conditionsofcarriage/VirginAustralia.com.
Virgin Australia Lounge Access: The American Express Velocity Platinum Card Virgin Australia Lounge Access is subject to the American Express Velocity Platinum Card Benefits Terms and Conditions. The Virgin Australia Lounge Access provides the Primary Card Member with access to Virgin Australia lounges at Australian domestic airports whenever they are flying on a Virgin Australia operated domestic flight on the same day. To qualify for Virgin Australia Lounge Access, your Card Account with American Express must be in good standing. American Express Velocity Platinum Primary Card Members will receive 12 months of lounge access on your Velocity membership. Enrol via your online American Express Account. This is your benefit anniversary date. After enrolling, activate the VA Lounge Access by making an Eligible Transaction on your American Express Velocity Platinum Card. Eligible Transaction does not include annual Card fees, cash advances, interest, balance transfers, fees and charges for traveller’s cheques and foreign currencies. After 12 months, at each subsequent benefit anniversary, make an Eligible Transaction on your Velocity Platinum Card to reactivate the VA Lounge Access. Please allow up to 7 days for the benefit to be processed on to the Primary Card Member’s Velocity membership. The Primary Card Member must provide their Velocity Frequent Flyer membership details to Virgin Australia lounge staff and present same day boarding pass on a Virgin Australia flight. Additional Card Members are not eligible. Virgin Australia lounge access is subject to space availability. Virgin Australia lounge is owned and operated by Virgin Australia Airlines Pty. Ltd. in selected domestic airports in accordance with Virgin Australia lounge Terms and Conditions, available at virginaustralia.com/lounge and as amended from time to time.
Velocity Frequent Flyer Status Credits are subject to the American Express Velocity Platinum Card Benefits Terms and Conditions. 50 Velocity Frequent Flyer Status Credits will be awarded when you spend $25,000 on Eligible Spend within your membership year, and a further 50 Status Credits when you spend another $25,000 on Eligible Spend within the same Membership year. Membership year is defined as commencing upon Card activation and renews on the day of your Card activation each subsequent year. Eligible Spend does not include Card fees and charges, for example annual fees, interest, late or dishonoured payments, cash advances, balance transfers, traveller’s cheques and foreign currency conversion. Please allow up to 2 weeks after you meet the minimum spend requirement for the Status Credits to be credited to your Velocity account. In addition to the Status Credits earned with this American Express Velocity Platinum Card offer, to upgrade or maintain membership status, Velocity members must earn a percentage of their Status Credits on eligible Virgin Australia marketed and/or operated flights, flown by the member. To find out more about Status Credits and the amount of Status Credits required to be earned on eligible Virgin Australia marketed and/or operated flights, flown by the member for Velocity membership levels please visit velocityfrequentflyer.com/the-basics/status.
