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American Express Velocity Platinum - 100,000 bonus Velocity Points¹

Offer ends: 30 Apr 2026

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by Michael Ebstein — Written by Daniel Sciberras

Michael Ebstein Verified reviewer

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Point Hacks' content is created, fact-checked, and reviewed by qualified experts across credit cards, loyalty programs, personal finance, and travel rewards.

This article went through a multi-step process led by our Editors, Financial Reviewers, Loyalty Specialists, and Compliance Advisors to ensure accuracy, clarity, and practical value for Australian travellers.

We continuously update our content to reflect:

  • New credit-card offers & bonus points
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  • Shifts in redemption availability and points valuations
  • Regulatory updates in the finance space
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Our Editorial Team

Michael Ebstein

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL REVIEWER

Daniel Sciberras

PR MANAGER & MEDIA SPOKESPERSON

Offer available to new American Express Members only. T&Cs apply.

Card Overview

Earn up to 100,000 bonus Velocity Points¹. That’s 70,000 bonus Velocity Points when you apply online by 30 April 2026, are approved, and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Velocity Platinum Card within the first 3 months. Plus, an additional 30,000 bonus Velocity Points when you spend a min of $1 on your Card within 90 days of paying your second year annual Card fee. 

Key Attributes

Earn

Velocity Points per $1

2.25 Points

on selected Virgin Australia purchases²

1.25 Points

on eligible everyday spend²

0.5 Points

on Government spend²

Travel Benefits

Virgin Australia Lounge Access

Virgin Australia Lounge Access every time you fly with Virgin Australia³

Virging Australia Lounge Passes

2 Virgin Australia Guest Lounge Passes⁴

Complimentary Flight

Complimentary Virgin Australia Domestic Return Flight⁵

Status Credits

Up to 100 Bonus Velocity status credits⁶

Points Cap

No

Annual Fee

$440 p.a.

ATO Points

Yes

0.5 Points per $1²

Overseas Transaction Fee

3%

of the converted amount

Interest-free Period

Up to 55 days9

Purchase Rate

23.99% p.a.

Cash Advance Rate

N/A

Why Choose This Card

The American Express Velocity Platinum Card continues to be one of the strongest options for Virgin Australia frequent flyers. With an annual fee of $440, it gives real value back through benefits many travellers will actually use — a Complimentary Domestic Return Flight each year⁵, Virgin Australia Lounge access every time you fly domestically with Virgin Australia³, and two Guest Lounge Passes for friends or family⁴.

Frequent travellers can also earn up to 100 Velocity Status Credits each year⁶, helping accelerate your climb through Velocity tiers — a valuable extra for anyone chasing Priority Boarding.

Also, it’s among the highest Velocity Points-earning cards available², making it a smart choice for those who want to grow their Points balance quickly and enjoy a more comfortable flying experience.

American Express ‘Plan It⁸’ allows Card Members to pay off eligible transactions or a portion of your balance in equal monthly instalments. You can choose between a 3, 6 or 12 month plan, and there’s no interest, but a fixed monthly fee applies to access this feature. The minimum plan amount is $100.

This guide references some of the benefits of insurance policies provided with this card. You should read the PDS and obtain independent professional advice before obtaining this product.

Where could 100,000 Velocity Points take you?

You could redeem them for the following:

More comfort, more legroom, more Singapore

More comfort, more legroom, more Singapore

Fly one-way from Melbourne to Singapore in Premium Economy on Singapore Airlines for 60,000 Points (redemption value calculated on 2 February 2026). Taxes and carrier charges apply**.

Touch down in Bali, rested not rushed

Touch down in Bali, rested not rushed

Fly one-way from Sydney to Bali in Virgin Australia Business Class for 60,000 Points (redemption value calculated on 2 February 2026). Taxes and carrier charges apply**.

Extra Benefits

Complimentary Travel Insurance

Complimentary Travel Insurance

Travel with domestic and international insurance⁷ for you, your partner and your dependent children, when you pay for your return trip on your Card. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply (such as maximum age-limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits).

Mobile Wallet

Mobile Wallet

Apple Pay, Google Wallet and Samsung Pay

American Express is offering up to 100,000 bonus Velocity Points¹ for new American Express Card Members who apply for the American Express Velocity Platinum Card by 30 April 2026. T&Cs apply. New American Express Card Members only.

The bonus is split into two parts, with the first 70,000 bonus Velocity Points to be received after spending a minimum of $5,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of approval and an additional 30,000 bonus Velocity Points when you spend min. $1 on your Card within 90 days of paying the 2nd year annual Card fee. T&Cs apply. New Card Members only.

The American Express Velocity Platinum Card has a $440 annual fee, with the benefits helping to offset this including a Complimentary Domestic Return Virgin Australia Flight⁷ between selected cities, Virgin Australia Lounge Access² every time you fly domestically with Virgin Australia and two Virgin Australia Guest Lounge Passes³ for your companion.


This is still one of the highest Velocity Points-earning cards⁵ in the market and is handy for ongoing use for Virgin Australia frequent flyers and Velocity Points hunters.

The American Express Velocity Platinum is a Card to consider holding for the frequent Virgin flyer, especially for those who travel in Economy and can make good use of the included Virgin Australia Lounge Access^ every time you fly domestically with Virgin Australia and the also for the complimentary return flight7.

Virgin Australia 737 Business Class
Travel in Virgin Australia’s 737 Business Class using Velocity Points.

Digging into the benefits of the American Express Velocity Platinum Card

The American Express Velocity Platinum is the ideal Card for frequent Virgin Australia flyers, offering bonus points on Virgin Australia purchases and Virgin Australia Lounge Access every time you fly domestically with the airline.

Card Details

CardAmerican Express Velocity Platinum
Loyalty programVelocity Frequent Flyer
Points earned from spend1.25 Velocity Points earned per $1 on all eligible spend except for government bodies~
2.25 Velocity Points per $1 spent on selected Virgin Australia purchases~
0.5 Velocity Points per $1 on Government spend~
Points capNone
Earns points at ATOYes (reduced earn rate of 0.5 point/$)
Travel benefitsEach year:
Virgin Australia Lounge Access every time you fly with Virgin Australia^,
2 Virgin Australia Guest Lounge Passes=,
Complimentary Virgin Australia domestic return flight $
Included insurancesTravel Insurance%
Travel Inconvenience Cover%
Card Purchase Cover and Card Refund Cover%
(T&Cs)
Overseas transaction fee3% of the converted amount
Mobile walletApple Pay, Google Wallet and Samsung Pay
Annual fee$440 p.a.

Earning Velocity points from spend

When using your card in Australia, you’ll receive 2.25 Velocity Points per dollar spent with Virgin Australia, and 1.25 Velocity Points per dollar on all other expenses except for government bodies where you will earn 0.5 Velocity Points per dollar spent.

Your Velocity Points will be swept over to your Velocity account on a monthly basis, and you can add up to 4 Additional Cards for no extra fee.

Complimentary Virgin Australia domestic return Economy Flight

With the American Express Velocity Platinum Card, you can also redeem the complimentary domestic return flight with Virgin Australia to selected cities each Card Membership year.

It differs depending on your departure airport. However, in a nutshell, it is to/from most cities within a couple of hours’ flight time of the departure airport. Use the online tool here for the full list of available destinations from each origin airport.

Virgin Australia 737 Economy
The free flight benefit could easily recoup your annual fee.

In all likelihood, the complimentary domestic flight will cover the cost of the annual fee of the card alone — or close to, at least.

Virgin Australia Lounge Access

The American Express Velocity Platinum Card comes with Virgin Australia Lounge Access2 every time you fly domestically with Virgin Australia. Each membership year, you will also receive 2 complimentary Virgin Australia Guest Lounge Passes3 to treat friends or family to VA Lounge access, when travelling with you on a domestic Virgin Australia flight.

Virgin Australia Perth Lounge
Virgin Australia Perth Lounge

If you don’t have Velocity status, this is a nice little perk which will see you enjoy their excellent domestic lounges.

Even if you do have Gold or Platinum status (and therefore, a guest allowance), you could still use the 2 single entry VA Guest Lounge Passes2 to bring extra guests in.

Status Credits

Another noteworthy ongoing benefit of the American Express Velocity Platinum Card is the Velocity Status Credits4.

Earn up to 100 Velocity Status Credits each year. Status Credits help you jump Velocity tier status and escape the crowds and skip the queues. 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.

This applies to both existing and new Amex Velocity Platinum Card Members and is a neat way of bumping up your Status Credits balance if you are on the hunt for Silver, Gold or Platinum Velocity status.

Velocity status cards
Status Credits are the key to unlocking elite Velocity Frequent Flyer perks.

American Express Plan It

American Express ‘Plan It’ allows Card Members to pay off eligible transactions or a portion of your balance in equal monthly instalments. You can choose between a 3, 6 or 12 month plan, and there’s no interest, but a fixed monthly fee applies to access this feature. The minimum plan amount is $1006.

Other Benefits

There is also a range of insurances, including domestic and international travel insurance8, which includes Travel Inconvenience Cover, when you use your Card to pay for your return trip. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply (such as maximum age limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits).

There are also retail insurances including Card Purchase Cover and Card Refund Cover% when you use the Card to pay for eligible items. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply.

The full insurance terms and conditions outlining the details of all the benefits included with the American Express Velocity Platinum Card can be found here. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply (such as maximum age limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits).

This guide references some of the benefits of insurance policies provided with this Card. You should read the terms and conditions and obtain independent professional advice before obtaining this product.

Mobile wallet integration

American Express Cards work with Apple Pay®, Google Wallet™ and Samsung Pay, meaning you can use this card on your smartphone for easier payments.

Read the Point Hacks guide to using Apple Pay or for using Google Wallet and Samsung Pay, including instructions on how to add your American Express card to those services.

With this feature set up, it means you could still use your NFC-enabled phone to make purchases with your American Express account, even if your physical card is lost or stolen and pending replacement.

Summing Up

The American Express Velocity Platinum Card is aimed at those looking to maximize their Velocity Points earned from spending, especially those who frequently travel with Virgin Australia.

The complimentary Virgin Australia domestic return flight, VA Lounge Access, two VA Guest Lounge Passes, Status Credits, insurances, and other perks make this a very compelling Card to have.


Earn up to 100,000 bonus Velocity Points with the American Express Velocity Platinum Card was last modified: April 7th, 2026 by

Eligibility Criteria

These are the minimum requirements to be eligible to apply for this Card. Other additional eligibility criteria, such as proof of income, will generally be required later on.

  • Be aged 18 years or over

  • Be a permanent Australian resident or a non-permanent resident with more than 12 months remaining on your visa

  • Have a good credit history and no payment defaults

  • To be eligible for the bonus offer, you must not hold, or have held, any American Express® Card issued in Australia in the past 18 months

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I use my complimentary return flight to?

You can use your complimentary return flight to most cities within a couple of hours from the departure airport (such as Sydney – Cairns). Use the online tool here for the full list of available destinations from each origin airport.

Can additional cardholders be added and does their spend earn points?

Yes, you can add up to four Additional Cards (at no extra fee) and their eligible purchases contribute to the primary cardholder’s Velocity Points.

What lounge access benefits are included?

The card offers the Primary Card Member access to Virgin Australia domestic lounges every time you fly domestically with them, along with two Virgin Australia Guest Lounge Passes each year.

Who is eligible for the bonus Velocity Points on this card?

New Card Members only (those who haven’t held any Amex card issued by American Express Australia in the past 18 months) and who meet the minimum spend requirement.

Does this card include travel insurance?

Yes, complimentary cover is available when you pay for your trip with the card, including baggage, delay and accident insurance⁷. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply (such as maximum age-limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits).

Terms and Conditions

Cards are offered, issued, and administered by American Express Australia Limited ABN 92 108 952 085, Australian Credit Licence No. 291313.

American Express income and credit approval criteria applies. Subject to Terms and Conditions. Interest rates, fees and charges apply. All interest rates are quoted as an Annual Percentage Rate. All information, including fees, charges and interest rates are correct as at 30 October 2024 and are subject to change.

1. Up to 100,000 bonus Velocity Points

To earn up to 100,000 bonus Velocity Points you must apply online by 30 April 2026, be approved, and meet the following criteria – You’ll receive 70,000 bonus Velocity Points when you spend $5,000 or more on eligible purchases on your new Card in 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.  60,000 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.

2. Velocity Points

As long as your Account remains current and in good standing and you must be a member of the Velocity Frequent Flyer program to earn and redeem Velocity Points. Velocity Points are earned in accordance with the American Express Velocity Cards Points Terms and Conditions available at americanexpress.com.au/VelocityPointsTerms, and are subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Velocity Frequent Flyer program available at experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com/member-support/terms-conditions. Exclusions apply. Eligible purchases do not include Card fees and charges, for example annual fees, interest, late payment fees, cash advances, balance transfers, fees for traveller’s cheques and foreign currency conversion. These do not earn Velocity Points. For the full list of exclusions, please refer to the American Express Velocity Cards Points Terms and Conditions. Certain transactions will earn 0.5 points per dollar with Merchants classified as; government, including the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Postal Corporation (Australia Post), federal/state and local government bodies. Industry specific earn rate may apply when you use a payment account, payment aggregator, services of a third party or online retailers that sell goods for another merchant. For example, a payment made to local government bodies processed through payment aggregator may earn rates at the government earn rate. Velocity Points earned on Virgin Australia spend are only valid for purchases made in Australia.

3. Virgin Australia Lounge Access

 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.

4. Virgin Australia Guest Lounge Passes

Virgin Australia Guest Lounge Passes are subject to the American Express Velocity Platinum Card Benefits Terms and Conditions. Two single entry passes to the Virgin Australia lounge will be activated on the Primary Card Member’s Velocity Frequent Flyer membership account annually, on or after each anniversary of membership. Additional Card members are not eligible. Complimentary single entry Virgin Australia Guest Lounge Passes are not transferable, but may be used to enable other people (who are travelling with the Primary Card Member) to gain access to the lounge. The Virgin Australia lounge is operated by Virgin Australia Airlines Pty. Ltd. in selected domestic airports in accordance with the Virgin Australia Lounge Terms and Conditions, available at virginaustralia.com/lounge and as amended from time to time. Visit the Virgin Australia website for up-to-date information on Virgin Australia’s Lounge network.

5. 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 Conditionsofcarriage/VirginAustralia.com..

6. Velocity Frequent Flyer Status Credits

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.

7. Complimentary Insurance

Velocity Platinum Card Insurance: The insurance on American Express Cards is subject to terms, conditions and exclusions (such as maximum age limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits). You must use your American Express Velocity Platinum Credit Card to pay for your trip in order to be covered under the travel insurance and pay for eligible items for those items to be covered under the retail insurance benefits. It is important you read the American Express Velocity Platinum Credit Card Insurance Terms and Conditions and consider whether the insurance is right for you. We do not provide advice about the insurance or whether it is appropriate for your objectives, financial situation or needs. This insurance is underwritten by Chubb Insurance Australia Limited (ABN 23 001 642 020, AFSL No. 239687) under a group policy of insurance held by American Express Australia Limited (ABN 92 108 952 085, AFSL No. 291313). Access to this insurance is provided solely by reason of the statutory operation of section 48 of the Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth). Card Members are not a party to the group policy, do not have an agreement with Chubb and cannot vary or cancel the cover. American Express is not the insurer, does not guarantee or hold the rights under the group policy on trust for Card Members and does not act on behalf of Chubb or as its agent. American Express is not an Authorised Representative (under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)) of Chubb.

8. Plan It® Instalments

You can create an Instalment Plan as long as your account is in good standing. We may withdraw this offer, prevent you from creating any new Instalment Plans or cancel any of your existing Instalment Plan(s) at any time if your Card Account is overdue, or if you do not comply with your Card Conditions. The minimum Plan amount is AUD$100. We may also limit the amount that can be transferred to an Instalment Plan. You will be charged a Monthly Plan Fee for each Instalment Plan created (unless a promotional plan is available). This fee will be charged each month your Instalment Plan is active and will be disclosed to you at the time of creating your Instalment Plan. Each Instalment Plan will begin from the date it is successfully created, as communicated to you in your Online Account. Payment of your first Monthly Instalment will be due in your next payment cycle. You may request to cancel your Instalment Plan(s) at any time through your Online Account or the Amex App. Any billed Monthly Plan Fees will remain payable, but no further Monthly Plan Fees will be billed after cancellation is effective. As cancellation can take 24-48 hours to process (“Processing Time”), you may be charged a further monthly plan fee after requesting cancellation if the Processing Time occurs on your payment date. View the full Plan It® Instalment Terms and Conditions here.

9. Interest Free Period

You will have up to 55 days interest free on purchases provided you pay the full closing balance of your monthly statement by the due date each month. There is no interest free period on balance transfers or if you carry forward a balance from the previous statement period. The total of interest free days will depend on when you make the purchase and when your statement is issued.

** Reward Seat fares

Reward Seat fares are based on Economy Reward Seat availability on Virgin Australia and partner airlines for the selected route (correct as at 2 Feb 2026). The base fare is payable in Velocity Points, with applicable taxes, fees, and carrier charges payable in addition to the Points redeemed.

Reward Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights or during peak travel periods. Bookings must be made via the Virgin Australia website. Reward Seat bookings and associated charges do not earn Velocity Points. A payment surcharge may apply.

Changes or cancellations can be made for a fee and any fare difference, provided they are requested at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure. For international partner airlines, voluntary changes may require cancellation and rebooking on a new ticket. Where eligible, the original ticket value will be refunded.

Some flights may be operated by partner airlines, and different baggage allowances or conditions may apply. For full fare rules and conditions, visit velocityfrequentflyer.com.