This Card Gets You 100,000 Velocity Points + Lounge Access & A Domestic Return Flight!
Unlock Travel Rewards: Your Ultimate Guide to the Amex Velocity Platinum Card!
American Express has just dropped their first big offer for 2025, 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 30th April 2025, 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 Card also gets you a complimentary domestic economy return flight every year with Virgin Australia, a solid Velocity earn rate on your everyday spending, lounge access every time you fly with Virgin Australia (provided a lounge is available at your airport of departure!), 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 30th April 2025.
The Offer: Amex Velocity Platinum
- 100,000 bonus Velocity Points when you apply online via Flight Hacks by 30th April 2025, 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 economy return flight with Virgin Australia each year you are a Card Member.*
- Be awarded 50 Status Credits when you spend $25,000 on eligible purchases each Membership year and a further 50 Status Credits when you spend another $25,000 in the same Membership year*
- Lounge Access each time you fly Virgin Australia (enrolment required & only available at domestic airports where there is a Virgin Australia lounge).
- Two complimentary Virgin Australia guest lounge passes 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: 82,000 Velocity Points + $91.28
- Tokyo – Sydney: 82,000 Velocity Points + $72.58
- Perth – Tokyo: 82,000 Velocity Points + $86.79
- Tokyo – Perth: 82,000 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 102,000 Velocity Points plus around $110 in taxes. Not bad for a 14-hour flight!
While you get 100,000 bonus points once you meet the eligibility and spend criteria, you also earn points on your minimum spend of course! This means that you'll at least have 103,750 Velocity Points by the time you hit the minimum spend!
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 74,000 Velocity Points plus $226.31 in taxes. Continue to Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong and more from 79,500 Velocity Points plus taxes and fees.
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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?
- Apply for the Amex Velocity Platinum, meet the minimum spend requirements and wait for your points to arrive.
- Locate your preferred flight that has Velocity Business Reward seating available (tip: try searching with Seats.Aero).
- 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! The Amex Velocity Platinum Card now includes Virgin Australia Lounge Access for the primary Card Member. This allows you to relax in comfort when flying Virgin Australia on domestic routes, provided the airport has a Virgin Australia lounge.
To enjoy this benefit, you must be flying with Virgin Australia and complete the required enrolment. Additionally, each year you hold the Card, you will receive two guest lounge passes. T&Cs apply.*
How to Activate Virgin Australia Lounge Access
- Enter your 15-digit American Express Card number and CID code on the enrolment page.
- Select "Log In" and complete the enrolment process.
- Make an eligible purchase on your American Express Card to activate lounge access.
Score Up To 100 Bonus Velocity Status Credits
The path to elite Velocity Frequent Flyer Silver, Gold and Platinum status is that bit shorter for Amex Velocity Platinum Card Members!You can earn up to 100 Velocity Status Credits per year. Receive 50 Status Credits when you spend $25,000, plus an additional 50 Status Credits when you reach $50,000 in eligible spending within the same membership year.
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 $440, 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!
