Keen to earn stacks of Velocity Points from everyday purchases? The American Express Velocity Platinum Card offers the highest everyday earning rate for Velocity Points in Australia. That solid earning rate is backed up with uncapped points-earning potential. Regardless of how much is spent every month or year on the Amex Velocity Platinum Card, every dollar continues earning points at the usual rate.
The Amex Velocity Platinum Card has a few other tricks up its sleeve, too. There’s unlimited airport lounge access, complimentary flights, and the ability to earn Velocity Status Credits on the ground, among other perks.
Here’s a closer look at how regular spenders could make the most of the Amex Velocity Platinum Card.
Maximising Velocity Points with the Amex Velocity Platinum Card
There’s no limit to the number of Velocity Points that could be earned using the Amex Velocity Platinum Card. Earn rewards 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 Cards under the one account. At no extra annual fee. This means primary Card Members could earn even more Velocity Points when a partner, trusted child or other Additional Card Member spends on the account. Additional Cards have their own unique Card number, making it easy to identify who’s spent what – and how much.
Beyond the mechanics of earning Velocity Points, it’s worth considering how to maximise those rewards with the Amex Velocity Platinum Card. For instance, using the Card to pay for everyday purchases can really rack up the points. 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
Once you’ve earned a nice little stash of Velocity Points, you can start putting them to use. 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 keep in mind that when booking domestic Economy Class, reward rates can vary. 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). So if you want to book flights at the best rates, booking far in advance and travelling at off-peak times can help.
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.
Further afield, you can travel far and wide with Virgin Australia’s partner airlines. In North America, look to Air Canada and United Airlines. 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.
Value beyond Velocity Points with the Amex Velocity Platinum Card
Primary Card Members with the Amex Velocity Platinum Card enjoy some serious travel perks. This includes 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 access is a year-round benefit.
Added to that, the Card includes a complimentary return domestic flight every year on Virgin Australia. And, for those who spend a reasonable amount on the Card, Velocity Status Credits can be a reward, too. 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.
There’s an annual fee of $440, sure. But when considering the value of unlimited airport lounge access, plus the included return flight every year, the travel benefits largely meet – if not, exceed – the initial cost. That’s before considering the Velocity Points, too.
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. All by earning Velocity Points: and it all starts on the ground.
Also read: How to transfer Velocity Points to KrisFlyer
Stay up to date with the latest news, reviews and guides by subscribing to Point Hacks’ email newsletter.
