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AmEx Velocity Platinum Card - $349 Annual Fee - 100,000 Velocity Points + Domestic Return Flight

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AmEx Velocity Platinum Card - $349 Annual Fee - 100,000 Velocity Points + Domestic Return Flight
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wazza23 on 01/07/2015 - 12:41 americanexpress.com (4888 clicks)
Last edited 03/07/2015 - 11:37 by 1 other user

$349 annual fee
100,000 velocity points
Return domestic Virgin flight yearly
2 virgin lounge passes yearly

If you book a flight using the velocity points - Perth to Abu Dhabi one way BUSINESS = 70,000 points + $80. That ticket costs $3,774!!

To save time before you apply for your American Express Velocity Platinum Card, it's best to make sure you can say yes to the following:

I am aged over 18
I am an Australian citizen or permanent resident or hold a current Business Long Stay Visa (subclass 457)
I have a personal gross (pre-tax) annual income of $65,000 or more
I have no history of bad debt or payment default
And if self employed, I have been trading for at least 18 months or 12 months if I hold an existing American Express issued Card

AmEx Referral Wiki (Bonus of a further 10,000 points with referral link)

Referral Links

Business Explorer Card: random (1)

Referrer: 40,000 Reward Points

Centurion Personal Charge Card: random (7)

Referee gets 200,000 MR points. Referrer gets 150,000 MR points.

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Financial Airfare American Express Credit Card Frequent Flyer Velocity Frequent Flyer Virgin

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closed Comments

        • madseason on 02/07/2015 - 08:33

          @prolo: Thanks for that mate, appreciate the input.

        • anna10 on 07/07/2015 - 11:58

          Why is the Edge better? I will be following the same strategy, but not au fait with the Edge.

        • madseason on 07/07/2015 - 15:07
          +2

          @anna10: In my opinion the Edge is better because it has a cheaper rate of $195 per year including the return flights with virgin but mostly it is better for an everyday card because of the points. 3 points per dollar at supermarkets, 2 points per dollar for fuel and 1 for $1 everywhere else. You can transfer Membership Rewards points to Virgin Australia’s Velocity program, Singapore Airlines Krisflyer, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Malaysia Airlines Enrich, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and the Starwood Hotels Preferred Guest programs.

          Great card, just this one trumps it with the 100k velocity points currently. Read more here: http://www.pointhacks.com.au/american-express-platinum-edge-…

        • illumination on 08/07/2015 - 09:41
          +1

          @stevil:

          Completely agree with you and I reckon you should definitely apply for this card first and then the Plat Edge either through the Priceline offer ending 31 Dec or through referrals.

  • jastreb on 01/07/2015 - 15:48

    By a good coincidence I am in the middle of shopping for a new card and also going to travel to Europe with the family in about 3 months time. Do I follow correctly that if I get this card, I have to fly business class to make use of the velocity points? Or can I pay for one ticket or part of the ticket with the bonus velocity points for an economy ticket?

    • Sharp on 01/07/2015 - 22:35

      You can use the points for any class ticket. You can do pay+points as well.

  • ellave on 01/07/2015 - 15:55

    I got an Amex card a few months back for 50k QFF which was great, however I struggle to find anywhere that accepts amex without charging a silly fee

    • Jayphen on 01/07/2015 - 16:14

      Where do you live? I've been using my card for the past 3 weeks in Hobart + Sydney and so far haven't been charged a fee anywhere (just no acceptance at some cafes)

      • ellave on 01/07/2015 - 17:07

        Melb pretty close to the cbd!! maybe I aint looking hard enough.

        I just had to buy $2000 worth of stuff for work & the company wanted 4% for amex

        • Jayphen on 01/07/2015 - 17:53

          Sometimes it's worth it — for flights and upgrades the points can be sometimes be worth ~6-7 cents each. 4% is too much though

        • illumination on 02/07/2015 - 18:55

          @Jayphen: Well if you can find ~6-7 cents value than 4% isn't too much because 4% would be 4 cents!

  • stargalaxy on 01/07/2015 - 15:57

    Annual domestic return tickets should be worth more than $349 annual fee, if there is no exclusions. BNE-Perth is more than that one way, so I have put in my application as well although I generally loathed paying the annual fee for any credit card.

  • dublin101 on 01/07/2015 - 16:04

    Velocity Points are the biggest load of crap ever, I regret doing this very similar deal from about 18 months ago.

    I'm so disappointed as I assumed that you could get flights with your points as per what it advertised as being the rate - the reality is totally different. Melbourne to London is priced at about 3x the normal points rate, so to get the advertised rate you'll have to book a year ahead and in a time when it doesn't suit you.

    If you put in a flight for Velocity Melbourne to London for September ….You won't even get in, or it'll cost you 300k Points. I asked my friend to do the same with QFF and they were only charged the 125k points.

    • [Deactivated] on 01/07/2015 - 16:20

      I think Virgin prices are depending on demand, oppose QF will cost the same amount of points but once the seats run out, you are out.

    • Schumi5 on 01/07/2015 - 16:33

      if your booking for 3 months before, I wouldn't have thought it would be cheap either even not having the card… it does make sense that you would need to book as far in advance to benefit either by points or paying for a flight normally

    • smit0847 on 01/07/2015 - 16:44

      Award seats (ie at the lowest points rate) are strictly limited - everyone knows that and that is the same for every frequent flyer program in the world. Availability through Velocity is much better than through Qantas Frequent Flyer.

    • vvti85 on 01/07/2015 - 17:00
      +7

      I just did a quick search and found the following:

      Virgin:
      MEL - LHR 25 SEP (62500 points + $78 tax)
      LHR - MEL 04 OCT (62500 points + $251 Tax)
      Total = 125000 points + $329 tax

      Qantas Return is 144000 + $912 tax

      That's about $600 difference in taxes and 19k points. I know which I would rather.

    • Gooddeal21 on 02/07/2015 - 12:44
      +1

      it's funny because I found the opposite !
      like QFF are a rip off compared to VA
      With QFF you always have to pay a lot or cost you millions of points
      with VA you can do points + pay and we just booked one way to Paris (BNE-CDG) we booked in May for August and cost us 112000 points + $200
      all those points coming mainly from citibank signature card and amex plat edge
      With Qantas I have 200k QFF points waiting but I would only have enough for 1 return to europe and adding $700 !

  • NotAMoodle on 01/07/2015 - 16:46

    Amazing deal, only just got the 80,000 point for my self, time to sign the mrs up as well. Great card.

    • Paul Atreides on 01/07/2015 - 18:00
      +3

      refer her now, and youll get 20k and she'll get 110k

      collectively 130k

  • cheapo999 on 01/07/2015 - 16:50

    Good deal. Just remember that applying too many credit cards will lower the maximum home loan you can get.

    • stargalaxy on 01/07/2015 - 17:10
      -1

      Cancel those that is not used much or no longer have special deals.

      • Bloodfart on 01/07/2015 - 17:19
        +2

        I think it goes by number of applications, not number of cards you have currently.

        • cheapo999 on 01/07/2015 - 19:50

          Yes it will clutter your credit report.

        • KillerKabal on 01/07/2015 - 22:58

          it shows up on the system that you have cancelled or reduced the limit on a card. so it's a good thing to drop some

        • montorola on 02/07/2015 - 11:03

          @KillerKabal:

          Does it show the actual limits of those cards or current balances?

        • KillerKabal on 02/07/2015 - 12:15
          +1

          @montorola:
          No. Just that it has been reduced or cancelled

        • montorola on 02/07/2015 - 12:26

          @KillerKabal:

          Ahh thanks for that, so I guess I could tell them I have cards with low limits…

  • dynamike on 01/07/2015 - 16:53
    +1

    Anyone knows if the flight is transferable as with the platinum edge?

    • dynamike on 06/07/2015 - 12:54

      Yes you can.

      PDS page 34:
      6. You may book your Flight in the name of another individual, but not for an unaccompanied minor

  • konazz on 01/07/2015 - 17:19

    Can my wife and i each apply, then claim the 100k in points, then do a family transfer onto 1 account?

    To be clear… the 100k points is in addition to the free flight? So i could potentially book the free flight, then upgrade to business domestic?

    Or is it worth using the points only on int. trips. We were planning on flying to NZ for a week, so could I purchase an economy ticket, then upgrade it to business? I've never had this many points to use :)

    • DealzEddy123 on 01/07/2015 - 17:26

      you cant use points to upgrade a reward flight (which the complimentary flight is)

      you can upgrade using your points on some fare types.

      usually it excludes super sale fares e.g. Red eDeal fares

      • Paul Atreides on 01/07/2015 - 17:41
        +1

        @edwinlin88: not sure if you read this somewhere, but i can personally confirm you can upgrade a syd-mel complimentary amex flight

        imo its not worth it, esp when you consider last month its 11730 points (or 13800 normally) + $21.11 in taxes to book a business reward flight from scratch, or you can upgrade your complimentary flight for 10k points

        so 11730 (13800) * 2 = 23460 (27600) points + $42.22 in taxes

        minus the cost of upgrading your complimentary flight for both legs = 20000 points

        so if you upgraded your complimentary flight, you valued this flight at 3460 (7600) points and $42.22

        street value of $34.60 ($76) + $42.22, so $76.82 ($118.22)

        you could sell your reward flight for more.

    • Paul Atreides on 01/07/2015 - 18:01
      +3

      its better if you apply one at a time,

      i.e you click a random referral link and get 110k

      then once you get your account up and running, refer your misses and youll get 20k and she'll get 110k

      all up 240k doing it this way, vs 200k doing it your way

  • smit0847 on 01/07/2015 - 17:33
    +4

    Referral amount has been increased from 80,000 to 110.000 points!!!

    • Schumi5 on 01/07/2015 - 18:04

      This makes things interesting doesn't it. Could apply, get the 100,000 points, then refer partner which gives you an extra 20,000 on your card then 110k to partner, so essentially an extra 30,000 points.

      • DealzEddy123 on 01/07/2015 - 18:30
        +1

        wish i had a partner :(

        • prolo on 01/07/2015 - 18:49
          +8

          Wish i had a partner who earned more than $65k per annum. ;)

        • XCelR8 on 01/07/2015 - 20:05
          +1

          @prolo:
          And over 18?

        • prolo on 01/07/2015 - 21:47
          -1

          @XCelR8: yes that's non-negotiable too. Not too fussed about the permanent residency thing though.

        • montorola on 02/07/2015 - 11:04

          @prolo:

          Well you didn't specify female, so it looks like I'm your man ;)

          Jk I'm straight lol

      • vvti85 on 01/07/2015 - 20:21

        Or an extra 40000 points if you use someone elses referral when you apply the first time

  • Schumi5 on 01/07/2015 - 18:10

    here is the referral link for those interested

    https://www316.americanexpress.com/iFormsSecure/un/iforms.do…

    • prolo on 01/07/2015 - 18:50
      -2

      You can't leave that there! :) get in line on the referral page!

      • Schumi5 on 01/07/2015 - 18:56
        +1

        its not my referral link lol… its the link in order for you to create your referral haha

        • konazz on 01/07/2015 - 20:01

          I assume i have to wait until my card is issued? I already applied and got the SMS code that I've been accepted (although no email strangely).

        • prolo on 01/07/2015 - 21:43

          Ah fair enough, my bad.

  • moo on 01/07/2015 - 18:58

    If you cancel your card during the year, do you get the prorated fees back?

    • prolo on 01/07/2015 - 21:44

      Depends (i think if you have used the free flight and been awarded sign on bonus it is less likely, but don't know for sure)

  • PaperplaneXXX on 01/07/2015 - 19:25
    +1

    Thanks OP. Applied.
    Have already few cards.
    Maybe I should stop.))))

    • rubig on 02/07/2015 - 01:36

      It is likely to be declined, but no one is sure unless you try. Let us know how you go :)

    • brongz on 02/07/2015 - 08:26

      bank usually have 10% margin

  • zrach on 02/07/2015 - 00:43

    can you sell your flights?

    • smit0847 on 02/07/2015 - 13:42

      You can book for anyone you like.

  • louuisc on 02/07/2015 - 01:10

    Do velocity points expire?

    • prolo on 02/07/2015 - 07:17
      +1

      No

      • 2real4u on 08/07/2015 - 22:33
        +1

        Yes, got hit with this "EXPIRED POINTS due to inactivity for 36 months"

  • Zerosignal on 02/07/2015 - 10:41
    +1

    Do not forget the referral bonus - extra 10k points.

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/wiki/american_express_referrals…

  • uniqualz on 02/07/2015 - 11:16

    I have no idea about these things - aren't they all not worth the cost in real redemption terms? So if I want to book return economy flights to (say) Singapore for 2 adults + 2 kids, should I buy this? And if so, does it mean I need to buy one for the wife too? So $698 up front cost, then try to jag air tickets with the points?? Soz for my lack of loyalty card and FFlyer experience.

    • Zerosignal on 04/07/2015 - 15:52
      +1

      That is essentially correct, with flights to Singapore you would transfer the points to a Krisflyer account which you can do with Virgin as they link between each other and there can be point savings to be had by booking with Singapore Airlines for this route.

      If you want to further help with this PM me and I can explain in some more detail.

  • Powderhound303 on 02/07/2015 - 11:33
    +2

    Ok I just registered and then received my text message 30 seconds later approving the request.

    A couple points to consider for anyone who has a green work related or Corporate AMEX. I used a different postal address and email address, I forgot to tick the "already have an AMEX card" as it's in my name but used only for my company and business related purposes, not personal transactions.

    Overall I'm not a fan of AMEX cards due to the high upfront transaction fees some merchants try imposing but this deal is fabulous and is a no brainer as I fly Virgin all the time and can use to the points for upgrades etc. The $350 card is step but in line with other high end cards plus the free flights counter balance this cost. The real bonus i the 100,000 points for upgrades.

    I also used the AMEX Ozbargain links for give myself an extra 10,000 points and some lucky person another 20,000 points.

    Good luck to everyone on this one.

  • illumination on 02/07/2015 - 19:03

    This card with the sign-up bonus is a fabulous deal.

    Probably not worth the annual fee for most people though. Plat Edge ongoing is still better on an ongoing basis.

    For those interested in Gift Card value on ongoing spend, at 3pts/$ it equates to ~1.67%. At 1pt/$ at most places, it'll be ~0.56%.

  • baz123 on 02/07/2015 - 19:33

    Remember to use the referral bonus - extra 10k points for you and 20K bonus for the referrer.

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/wiki/american_express_referrals…

  • goblues on 02/07/2015 - 20:01
    +2

    I'm trying to protect my credit rating. I was Above Average and I applied for Virgin Mobile for an iPhone then it dropped down to Below Average. WTF!!! So as tempting as this is, I am going to decline this offer. It is a great offer though.

    • montorola on 02/07/2015 - 23:05
      +8

      No I think Virgin was rating your choice in phones, so when you selected iPhone, it dropped to Below Average :P

  • illumination on 03/07/2015 - 13:31
    +1

    I've just gone through to try and figure out whether the lounge pass is issued as a physical invitation or just via the card (was trying to find out the possibility of reselling). It appears to be tied to the card so therefore cannot be sold, as per #6 on Page 32. #9 also explicitly states that it cannot be sold, but Qantas lounge passes say the same.

    So unlike Qantas lounge passes which are sent to you in physical form and can be (kind of) be resold, these cannot.

    • [Deactivated] on 03/07/2015 - 15:11

      I don't understand the lounge passes either. On the Velocity FF website it says that Platinum members get priority check in/boarding/baggage and complimentary lounge access in domestic and international airports. https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.com/content/Status/Platinu…

      I don't understand if the Amex Velocity Platinum is different to Velocity Platinum…

      • illumination on 03/07/2015 - 15:21
        +4

        Oh, you're confusing the status with the card.

        The Velocity FF website saying that Platinum members get priority check-in/baggage/boarding refers to Velocity Frequent Flyer members who have a Platinum level of membership.

        This is a card that is called a AMEX Velocity Platinum Card.

        I was talking about lounge access that is provided as part of this card, two entries to VA lounges per year. I was just trying to find out if it was a physical pass or whether you need your AMEX Velocity Platinum Credit Card, and it turns out you do indeed need your card.

  • PaperplaneXXX on 04/07/2015 - 14:49

    Be careful with Credit Rating in VEDA guys.

    I have got recently a free cope of my credit rating (without a score) from Veda
    I found there 5 enquiries for credit cards which i have done.
    But the recent one to ANZ bak showing 50 000 AUD I asked. CRAZY! other enquiries showing 0 AUD.
    i got approved only for 15 000 for this deal from ANZ

    ALready called Veda and ANZ. Veda guys said it is critical if there is such a big enquiry in your profile. not good at all!
    Hope it would be corrected soon.

    Anyway today i was approved for this deal from AMEX.
    I have no idea what is the limit though.. I don't need a big limit anyway.
    Just wanna points)

    cheers.

    • jyoti on 07/07/2015 - 13:07

      Hi Furan, during my application, there was an option to select the credit limit amount (rather then the default maximum amount which AMEX determines).

  • anna10 on 04/07/2015 - 16:27

    Any one tha already has this, is it ATO friendly - is it 1 for 1?

    • wazza23 on 04/07/2015 - 16:28

      Nope. None of the amex distributed cards are from what I know.

      • anna10 on 04/07/2015 - 16:29

        thanks, but ;(

        Just looked at another site and it says .5 point per $. We'll need to check. It's not cost effective, but I need to spend the $500 asap.

  • montorola on 04/07/2015 - 18:24

    Guys, this free domestic flight, is it per calendar year or do we have 1 year after we appy to use it? (i.e. not expiring on 31 dec?)

    • baz123 on 04/07/2015 - 19:43
      +2

      I have the Amex Platinum edge card and it's every 12 months from date of first opening the account, e.g. open it 11 June 2015 and you have to book the flight by 10 June 2016, but the flight could be sometime in the future, i.e. you might fly after 10 June 2016. I'd imagine the same would apply to these flights.

  • gadgetguy on 06/07/2015 - 18:44

    Just got acknowledgement of my successful application in the mail. However it says that as I already have an Amex card this has been taken into account in deciding my credit limit (which is not specified). I didnt mention another card in my application.

    I'm guessing this means I won't get the points :-(

    Probably have to cancel it when the final paperwork arrives.

    • montorola on 07/07/2015 - 11:44

      The AMEX card you currently have - is that bank issued or an AMEX issued one?

    • anna10 on 07/07/2015 - 12:00

      Some people are getting the bonus even though they already have direct AMEX. Let us know once you hear one way or the other.

      • gadgetguy on 07/07/2015 - 13:10

        Mine is direct Amex card.

        I will call them once I get the card - if they say no points I will cancel there and then.

        • gadgetguy on 08/07/2015 - 18:33

          No go - just called and they confirmed no points for me.

          I have cancelled.

    • SuiCid3 on 16/07/2015 - 15:21

      I received the 80k bonus points from the last deal even though I was already an AMEX Platinum Edge holder.

  • Powderhound303 on 06/07/2015 - 20:35
    +1

    just got my card. 2 days from start to finish. All direct debits setup, 110,000 points… here I come Hawaii.

  • jyoti on 07/07/2015 - 12:00

    @gadgetguy - Is the AMEX card that that you already have issued by AMEX Australia Ltd or a Bank/Credit Institution? the point restriction applies to those that have been issued an AMEX by AMEX Australia Ltd.

  • jyoti on 07/07/2015 - 13:20

    Not sure if this has been posted before but the card PDS highlights which cities you can book your domestic return flight from.
    https://www.aexp-static.com/intl/au/campaigns/velocity/pdfs/…

    Refer to page 33 for details.

  • zrach on 07/07/2015 - 13:49

    How do we pay the annual fee? Does it come up in the statement?

  • killabob on 07/07/2015 - 16:48

    Does anyone know if i can book reward flights for my family of 4? Seems like if i book just for me then i can select the reward flights but as soon as i say me, wife, child and infant the option disappears and it only shows flexi fares.

  • eriktufa on 07/07/2015 - 19:27

    Applied if it goes through then someone will get extra 20,000 points.

    Just curious going forward if I decide to keep either Platinum Edge or this card, which one is better?

  • deebeetbc on 07/07/2015 - 20:26

    I've recieved the card and logging in to my account there is no reference to the 100,000 points once I spend 1k on the card? Will the points automatically just appear in my velocity account once I spend 1k on the card?

  • PaperplaneXXX on 07/07/2015 - 22:00

    got my card with 3500 limit)) not much! heheh
    i have already got 5 other cards from other Banks - thanks to OZ bargain mileage Bonanza)

  • eriktufa on 08/07/2015 - 12:05

    New Update. My card has been approved by Amex. Please note that I only had my platinum edge for 3 months and they approved me so I think everyone can get it. I only applied for $3,000 card limit though.

  • gasb22 on 08/07/2015 - 20:50

    You can book rewards ticket for as many people as you like considering you have enough points for all tickets. you cannot do it if you do not have enough points for all the tickets

  • pennae on 08/07/2015 - 21:42
    +1

    I received my card 2 days after applying. Whoah. That's kind of scary.

  • dtox on 09/07/2015 - 11:04

    Can anyone confirm that the 2 Virgin lounge passes are available during the first year? The terms say "Two Single Entry passes to the Virgin Australia lounge will be activated on the Basic Cardmember's Velocity membership card annually on or after the anniversary of membership"

    • anawth on 09/07/2015 - 12:37
      +1

      They seem to appear on my online account, and it's only been activated in the last day, so I'd say yep.. They're available straight away.

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