If you’re eyeing off Velocity Points for your next holiday jaunt, it could be worth considering a credit card that provides these in a high quantity. As it happens, the American Express Velocity Platinum Card offers the highest everyday earning rate for Velocity Points in Australia, on a per-dollar-spent basis. There’s also no points capping, to keep things simple.
The Amex Velocity Platinum Card also includes unlimited airport lounge access, complimentary flights, and the ability to earn Velocity Status Credits on the ground. Here’s a closer look at how regular spenders could make the most of the Amex Velocity Platinum Card.
American Express Velocity Platinum
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Maximising Velocity Points with the Amex Velocity Platinum Card
Using the Amex Velocity Platinum Card, rewards can be earned without capping or tiering at the following rates:
- Eligible Virgin Australia spend (e.g. flight bookings): 2.25 Velocity Points per $1.
- Spend with government bodies in Australia: 0.5 Velocity Points per $1.
- All other purchases: 1.25 Velocity Points per $1.
The Amex Velocity Platinum Card also allows up to four additional cardholders under the one account, at no extra annual fee. This provides an avenue for earning extra points when a partner, trusted child or other additional cardholder spends on the account. Additional cards have their own unique number, making it easy to identify who spent what – and how much.
Beyond the mechanics of earning Velocity Points, also consider how to maximise those rewards with the Amex Velocity Platinum Card. For instance, using the card to pay for all possible everyday purchases can help deliver the greatest volume of rewards. American Express is accepted by most major businesses in Australia, and many smaller merchants, too.
There are also services that allow you to pay bills and other expenses using American Express, even where Amex isn’t directly accepted by the merchant. Consider platforms like Payment Logic Personal and Sniip for personal bill payments, and services such as Pay.com.au (affiliated with Point Hacks) for business spends.
Don’t forget too, there are many cases where you could earn Velocity Points twice on a single transaction. For instance, buy fuel at 7-Eleven or take a Didi rideshare journey to earn Velocity Points directly from that business. But pay for those charges with a Velocity points-earning credit card – such as Amex Velocity Platinum – and you could earn points again from the transaction.
Redeeming Velocity Points
A few of the most popular uses of Velocity Points include:
- Redeeming for reward seats on flights with Virgin Australia.
- Using Velocity Points to upgrade to Business Class on Virgin Australia.
- Booking reward flights with partner airlines.
Reward flights start at 5,900 Velocity Points on Virgin Australia itself – such as a short hop from Sydney to Melbourne in Economy. But reward rates can vary in domestic Economy Class. The number of Velocity Points needed tilts upward and downward depending on commercial demand, among other factors. (On the same route, the same seat can cost up to 12,900 Velocity Points plus taxes and fees). Booking far in advance and travelling at off-peak times can help secure flights at the lowest available rates.
Reward seat bookings in Virgin Australia Business Class follow fixed rates, and the same applies for points-based upgrades. Just don’t forget to compare the points needed for an upgrade with the points needed for an outright booking – it’s often very close. Upgrades are often best when you’re already flying on a paid Economy ticket: such as for work. But if booking from scratch on your own dime, using Velocity Points for an outright Business Class reward seat can be a more efficient use of points.
Beyond Australian domestic routes, look to Air Canada and United Airlines for flights to North America. For travels to Asia, Singapore Airlines sits as the region’s flagship partner – and it’s great for onward flights to Europe, too. Qatar Airways is also well-placed for flights to Doha, as well as destinations across Europe and Africa.
Other Amex Velocity Platinum Card benefits
Primary cardholders of the Amex Velocity Platinum Card enjoy unlimited Virgin Australia Domestic Lounge access on departure when flying with Virgin Australia. Unlike some cards that give a pair of single-use lounge passes every year, this lounge perk is a year-round benefit.
There’s also a complimentary return domestic flight every year on Virgin Australia. And, Velocity Status Credits can be a reward as well, for those who reach the spending thresholds. Earn 50 Status Credits after spending $25,000 on the card each year. Then another 50 Status Credits if spending a further $25,000 on the card.
American Express charges an annual fee of $440 for the product. But those who travel regularly may be in a position to extract much greater value back in yearly benefits, compared to the upfront cost of the annual fee.
One final tip: Virgin Australia has a number of international partners. But if you need to spread your wings even further, it’s also possible to convert Velocity Points into Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles at a 1.55:1 rate. This can get you flying with carriers like Air China, Lufthansa, Thai Airways and more.
American Express Velocity Platinum
All opinions expressed in this article are solely those of Point Hacks’ editorial team.
Also read: How to transfer Velocity Points to KrisFlyer
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