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AmEx Channel Exclusive Offer: 100k Bonus Points with American Express Velocity Platinum Card ($375 Annual Fee)

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The Champagne Mile and Flight Hacks have partnered to bring you an AMEX channel exclusive offer for the American Express Velocity Platinum Card.

Receive 100,000 bonus Velocity Points when you apply online between 9am 21st December and 29th January 2018, are approved and spend $1,500 on your new card within the first 3 months.

As this is an AMEX Channel Exclusive, you can't access this promotion on the main AMEX website (currently offering 50k bonus) or via the AMEX Refer a Friend Program (currently offering a 60k bonus) – you must apply through an exclusive AMEX Affiliate Partner link

100,000 points is the largest sign on bonus currently available for a Velocity-branded credit card, and enough to get you one way from Australian cities to the USA in business (or return in economy) flying Virgin Australia, or flying first class from SYD / MEL to Singapore or Hong Kong one way on Singapore Airlines.

You’ll access the best earn rate on a Velocity card in Australia, with 1.5 Velocity points earned per $1 for everyday spending categories (and no points cap).

In line with OzBargain affiliate guidelines, we are unable to link directly to the card application form. By clicking through to the deal, you’ll be taken directly to a landing page at either The Champagne Mile or Flight Hacks with more information about the card (we’ve applied randomisation in order to distribute traffic equitably across both sites – you’ll have a 50/50 chance of hitting either site. It's kind of like our own version of the AMEX referral wiki!). You can then directly access the exclusive application link from the landing page.

Key Card benefits:
*100,000 bonus Velocity points when you apply online by January 29 2018, are approved and spend $1,500 on your new Card within the first 3 months
*A complimentary Virgin Australia domestic economy return flight between selected Australian capital cities each year after your first Card spend. (Using this perk can partially or fully offset the annual card fee of $375)
*100 Velocity Frequent Flyer Status Credits when you spend a minimum of $50,000 within your card membership year
*A suite of comprehensive insurances
*A total of four lounge passes each year - two annual invites to the exclusive American Express Lounge at Sydney International Airport (with a new AMEX Melbourne Airport lounge opening early 2018), and two complimentary visits to Virgin Australia's domestic lounges when flying with Virgin Australia
*Obtain free Supplementary cards for family members – handy for maximising benefits from promotions like AMEX Connect Offers and ‘Shop Small’

Card fee and eligibility
The card comes with an annual fee of $375 each year, which can easily be offset by the card benefits above. You’ll need to report a minimum income of $65,000 (this includes household income – so you may be eligible to apply even if you don’t personally meet this income threshold). To be eligible for the bonus, you must not have held a credit card issued directly by American Express Australia in the last 18 months. Previous and existing bank-issued AMEX card holders (cards issued by: Australia New Zealand Banking Group Limited, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank, Westpac Banking Corporation) and those holding a supplementary or corporate card are eligible.

A reminder- the 100,000 bonus point offer is not available via the main AMEX website or via the Refer a Friend program – you must apply through an exclusive AMEX Affiliate Partner link

Disclaimer: The Champagne Mile and Flight Hacks receive a commission when you apply for the card using one of our links.

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closed Comments

  • So I could sign up, and my wife could also sign up to get the benefits each? But at the cost of $375 each.

    Or the option is there to share the one account with a supplementary card it appears for a single charge of $375?

    • Hi, yes, either scenario would work. If you'd rather only open one account up, then the free supplementary card represents great value :)

      • But opening two accounts would give you double the travelling rewards?

        • Yes, that's correct. And you'd each score enough points for a one way first class flight from Syd / Mel to Singapore or Hong Kong, flying Singapore Airlines, if you fancy :)

        • +1

          My wife and I opened seperate cards early this year, now 200,000 points between us. My only regret is choosing Virgin over Qantas who had the same exact deal running.

  • +24

    *** You must not have held a credit card issued directly by American Express Australia in the last 18 months ***

    Good luck as most ozbargainer's would have at least one if not more !

    • +8

      Saved a lot of $$$ from amex statement credits so I can't justify cancelling all my amex cards, waiting out 18 months, and re-applying, just to get a one-off chunk of bonus points. Not to mention a major case of FOMO during shop small if i was to cancel all amex cards.

      • +5

        David Jones AMEX cards don't count but still give the benefits.

        • Did not know that - thx for sharing!

        • @ilubbargains: Double check but it used to be the case. I was able to get bonuses despite still having a DJ's AMEX

        • +2

          @rollypollym:
          You can get the DJs bonus offer while holding other Amexes but I’m not sure it works the other way around.

        • +3

          @rollypollym: I just called and confirmed it works both ways..You learn something every day!

    • +5

      Ouch, kills the deal for most OzBargainers

      • Yeah, I'm still waiting till April or May before i can pick up another one.

  • you must not have held a credit card issued directly by American Express Australia in the last 18 months

    Shame… do people bounce between bank issued and Amex AU issued cards to get recurring bonuses?

    • Some banks have/will cancel their amex option. There goes that option.

    • I have one of those Citibank cards with the $0 annual fee for life offer that I use as a back up card when I don't have one of these other velocity cards with the bonus points.

  • can anyone tell me if I will be getting the bonus points? I had an amex Qantas discovery for years..but only cancelled sometimes earlier this year?

    • +2

      Hi, unfortunately if you have held a direct-issued AMEX in the past 18 months, you'll be unable to get the bonus points. You need to wait until the 18 months has passed.

      • What if wife has had a supplimentry AMEX with your AMEX, can she still sign up?

        • +2

          She can as she was not the person liable for that Amex card.

      • What if I've had a corporate amex in my name, organised and paid by my employer?

        • +2

          Hi, yes, if it is a corporate AMEX card provided by your employer, then you are eligible for the bonus points :)

      • Do you have to have cancelled it for 18 months or just 18 months from when it was first issued?

        • +1

          It must have been cancelled for at least 18 months.

    • On these very boards people claimed they got bonus points while having other Amex cards. My friend was also successful in getting another card and receiving the bonus points. Anyone else have luck in the past?

      • They've really cracked down on this recently, my brother applied for an Explorer, while holding a Platinum Edge, went through all necessary precautions to make the application "as far distant as possible" from the Plat Edge, but got denied the bonus points. What a bummer!

        • +1

          what a bummer indeed.

  • Has anyone else received a letter from their bank about cancelling the bank issued Amex cards come 1 April 2018? I am trying to get my head around what that means for me!

    https://www.ausbt.com.au/westpac-to-stop-directly-issuing-am…
    https://www.westpac.com.au/personal-banking/credit-cards/rew…

    • It means your bank issued Amex card (from Westpac) will be cancelled - you will only have your visa/mastercard.

    • Actually you will be getting from Westpac an Amex issued Amex card and so I would consider applying for one of these deals now to get the points as after April we (ie Westpac Amex card holders) might discover we are no longer eligible for the bonus points as Westpac applied for us already.

      • +1

        This is not correct. Westpac has not indicated that they will be submitting your details to Amex and having it issued automatically, they have said they are launching a new product in collaboration with Amex that you will be invited to apply for. They may streamline the application, but it would actually be illegal for them to directly apply for you.

        Also, it is likely that as it will be a co-brand card, it will be treated like a David Jones Amex. This means that you'll log into a cobranded portal to manage your account (and won't be able to link it to your existing Amex member account) and it won't be treated the same as a direct Amex relationship (i.e. will not disqualify you from bonus offers). This is similar to the situation in the US with the multitude of Amex cobrand cards such as Ameriprise which don't count despite being direct issued and serviced Amex cards.

  • I thought AMEX normally allows 2 amex issued cards per person?

    • ^ I remember I kept seeing this before…I guess I will be risking the annual fee if it doesnt work?

      • Yes, I believe you can hold two direct-issued credit cards per person, however unfortunately the bonus points will not be credited if you currently hold a direct-issued AMEX, or have done so within the past 18 months.

    • I believe it's 2 Charge, 3 Credit or something like that. It's been covered on FlyerTalk a few times.

  • Wife is a complimentary card holder on my amex velocity, is she eligible to take out her own and get the 100k points?

    • Yes, absolutely. Supplementary card holders are eligible for the bonus points.

      • +1

        Awesome, ill get her to apply, thanks!

      • oh cool

  • is there any chance that you can provide a bonus 5k points for supp cards? I only ask because i know AMEX was running this promo some time this year although i dont know if it was targeted as it was offered to me when I called them.

    • Unfortunately that's not something that AMEX Affiliate partners are involved in - but we'll certainly let you know if the promotion comes up again :)

  • +2

    sorry a dumb question - I never had a paid card in my life.
    Why shall I pay for this card - I mean What is the worth of 100K points, can someone give me an example. Also Velocity vs Qantus which one is better if one has a choice to make..

    • Hi, the AMEX Velocity Platinum is one of the more generous card offers, and in my opinion easily worth the $375 annual fee, particularly if you travel occasionally. In addition to the 100k points, you'll get a return domestic airfare each year (this alone can offset the $375 annual fee), 4 x lounge passes (two to Virgin Australia domestic lounges and two to the AMEX lounge) and travel insurances.

    • +1

      I was on a lookout for an AMEX deal for quite some months now. It got me excited initially, but the excitement didn't last much longer.

      The $375 annual fee makes the deal not so attractive. The 100K Points can get you a USA economy return flight, but then US economy return flights are cheap these days. Here is a recent example, $725 MEL to LAX return. And even when you pay with Points, in many cases, you still need to pay for taxes on top of points.

      I would have jumped on it, if they have waived the fee for at least the first year. Lounge passes are useless for me as I am not in Sydney, don't fly domestically much, so the complementary domestic flights are of no use. Also, some other AMEX cards (like Platinum Edge) give your more points per $ spent. Passing it this time. Hunt for better deal continues ….

      • +5

        I sold my RT domestic flight for $300 booked a friend to Hobart RT from Brisbane. Just call Amex and book anyone on the flight. The card cost me $75 and i received 110K points at the time. Signed up my wife got 20K worth of points and she received 110K points then sold her domestic rt flight. A month later they had a promo and I signed my friend up for 30k points - so for $150 i ended up 270,000 points. Virgin taxes to the US are about $110-$150 total RT

        So your telling me that I spent $450 on 2 RT tickets to Los Angeles and got to sit in the Amex lounge in Syd using 184,000 points is a bad deal

        Before commenting - do your research and don't put others off - This is an awesome deal

        Considering if you plan early you can get a RT Business to Europe with just over 200,000 points

        I would negative vote you - but my account is less than 30 days old - so i will just have to type it - NEGATIVE VOTE

        • +7

          @tnarg, You are making lots of assumptions …. like

          • Selling the ticket to a friend for $300 (Not everyone here can sell their ticket to a friend for $300).
          • Catching a flight from Sydney to access their lounge (Not everyone in Australia is catching flights from Sydney).
          • The card cost you $75, but it will cost $375 here, in this deal. How can you even do a comparison ?

          If it worked for you, it doesn't mean it will work for everyone.

          Grow up, and try to see the deals in totality mate. For example, I see lots of deals here for AMEX cashbacks, it DOES NOT work for me, because it don't have AMEX, but that DOES NOT mean I go on negging those deals. I didn't even negged this deal. I think its an average deal, but it may be great for some people, like yourself.

        • Considering if you plan early you can get a RT Business to Europe with just over 200,000 points

          Any tips on where to find these….my search on virgin velocity 1 year ahead just shows 900,000 points for a return Paris flight :(

        • @cycleops: Best way to do this is transfer your points across to SQ. They have a 15% off points on redemption's from time to time - they also have a lot more availability - but you do need to book early

          If you are looking to book with Virgin - they now have flights on their own metal on this route: MEL-HKG-LON-PAR

          Etihad is way to expensive now with their taxes per sector for Bus class.

          Pointshack website has dome great info on tricks to redeeming fights for points

        • @tnarg:

          I'm looking for information too! I have close to 400k points, excluding if I sign up to this AMEX.

          I was told also, to transfer points over to SQ.(Krisflyer, right?) Where can we find the 15% off point redemptions?

          I'm looking to book America, around OCT/NOV 2018 and Europe August!

          Thank you!

        • @tnarg: Thank you !

      • +1

        MEL-LAX return is 90k points plus $170 in taxes. So $375 + $170 spend and you still get other benefits like free return domestic flight, etc

      • +1

        Sell your points? Even if you don't use the return flight you'll make $625….

    • 100k points are worth $1000 on their own if sold. Fairly easy to organise, so if you only use for 1 year and don't take out return flight bonus you make $625. Generally youd use the bonus though so I'd estimate it's +$900 roughly.

      • +1

        @PhilipJWitow Where to sell ? Is there a legal/safe marketplace/online website where anyone can openly sell/buy points ?

        • +2

          Just search for tuvz.

  • And the redirects appear to be fully set up now - so deal is now live. If you have any problems accessing the deal, sing out as I'll be around :)

  • How do the lounge passes work for a family of four? ie The wife and I, and two kids.

    • Hi, Virgin Australia's website states that "Additional Guests (adults and children over 2 years) over a Member's complimentary allowance will be charged the Guest Entry Fee." So I imagine that if the children are aged 2 or under, you'd get them in for free. But if older, you'd need to use passes for them.

    • Children aged 2-17 years can again join you at no cost, although further visit beyond those included with your card will set you back $55 per adult and $35 per child.

      from: https://www.ausbt.com.au/who-can-access-the-american-express…

  • @The Champagne Mile: Sorry but do you know if the return domestic airfare can be onsold to someone else ie. does it come in a physical/evoucher? I don't fly domestically for certain every year so this would probably be of no use for me and would help with the fee if it is able to be sold.

    • +1

      Hi, there is no requirement for the flight to be attached to your name. You are able to book it for someone else. Hope that helps.

      • aewsome, thanks! :)

  • Hi,

    I have a djs amex. Is this considered amex issued?

    So would i get the bonus 100000 points?

    Thanks

    • Hi, yes you are eligible as the David Jones card is a different product category :)

  • Hi, are people on VISA's valid to apply?

    • Hi, you can apply so long as you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident or hold a current Business Long Stay Visa (subclass 457).

  • Can i confirm that if we apply via your affiliate link that the bonus 100k will be credit as it redirects you to the standard AMEX page which shows the original 50k..or should it be redirecting somewhere else?

    • Hi, the offer will display 100k points on the application page - I've checked and it is definitely live. Perhaps try in a private window to bypass any caching issues? Let me know if you are still experiencing problems and I'll test further.

  • I signed up for this card about 15 days ago. Any chance I can be considered for this offer?

    • Unfortunately I can't advise you on that. You would need to telephone AMEX (via phone number on the back of your card) and see what they say.

  • +1

    Not happy that existing Amex customers are excluded, regardless of what type of Amex they’ve held. I have a platinum edge, and looks like I’ll be ineligible.

    Seriously, what’s the point. This stance will just piss off majority of your target audience.

    • +2

      This is a very common T&C for many credit cards, not just this card or AMEX. No way around it, so apply for a card, carry out the req'd spend etc and cancel the card and wait 18 months.

  • When they say "you must not have held a credit card issued directly by American Express Australia in the last 18 months" is this based on issue date or cancellation date? i.e I had an Amex card issued 3 or 4 years ago and cancelled 6 months ago. Do I qualify?

    • You need to wait an additional 12 months.

  • Dammit I'm flying Virgin on Christmas Day - how long does it take to get the complimentary AMEX lounge passes if I apply now?

    • The two Single Entry passes to the Virgin Australia lounge will be activated on the the card member's Velocity membership card annually on or after each annual Card fee renewal date. Given AMEX levies the annual fee towards the first month of membership, so unfortunately, it's unlikely you'd have the passes in time for your upcoming trip. However, you could give AMEX a call to see what they might say (remember: you'll need to apply via an AMEX partner link to get the 100k bonus points).

  • +1

    Surprised that no one has mentioned it yet but 100,000 Velocity points is worth ~$1,000 and before you ask, Tuvz can provide some assistance.

    I actually have NOT applied for an AMEX issued card yet and was considering getting the $1,200 one with 80,000 points but with better lounge access and hotel perks. Might consider this one as an alternative but will need to do some more research (as well as confirming with the wife where she wants to holiday for the next 12 months or so). :-)

    • Please post your investigations on here or private message me. Sounds like I am in the same boat as you! Adam

      • Hi, yes, some people here do sell points at around 1 cent per piece, however it's important to note that this is against Velocity's terms and conditions, and accounts have been suspended for this activity in the past. Personally, my favourite use of Velocity points is Singapore Airlines first class (where I feel I get much better value than 1 cent per point), but appreciate that everyone is different :)

        • +1

          Haha. Yeah. I'm usually a hard core Qantas person (currently Gold) but I have a family friend who has effectively unlimited UA FF points (he gets to fly for free anywhere he wants and can claim the points and credits due to some sort of loan he made to the airline many decades ago) and he lets my family purchase Business class airfares on his points for the cost of the Economy equivalent. This means I'm stuck with the Star Alliance side of things including Singapore but this also means I'm a but 'meh' on saving Velocity points for flights because of it.

        • @danielh: wow, that sounds amazing!

        • @The Champagne Mile: Yeah, my mum and auntie are in HK now because of this. This is good if you know when you are going far in advance.

      • Details for the Amex Platinum Charge card is here.
        Just realised that it is 80,000 MEMBERSHIP REWARDS as opposed to Qantas or Velocity so the conversion rate will be less.
        For me the Pros are:
        * $300 travel credit annually
        * Unlimited access to certain airline lounges - including Virgin Australia Domestic, Delta and American Express lounges globally
        * Access to American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts perks & discounts
        * Charge card, not credit card - balance requires payment in full each month but with no pre-set spending limit

        Cons:
        * $1,200 annual fee
        * only 80,000 MR which will convert to a lesser amount in QFF or Vel (don't know the conversion rate off hand)

        At the moment I think I would go with the American Express Velocity deal. I lose out on unlimited lounge access and Hotel status but I'll just have to suck it up and limp along with my only my IHG Platinum to keep me going.

        • +1

          only 80,000 MR which will convert to a lesser amount in QFF or Vel

          It actually converts at a 1:1 ratio as it's in Ascent Premium.
          You might be thinking of Gateway, where it converts at 1:0.75!

        • $1,200 annual fee??? what is the extra $800~ dollars worth? :/

        • @lowrider88: When you factor in $800 for the points and $300 for the flight then you could then say it cost you $100 to get unlimited airline lounge access plus hotel status upgrades.

          Doesn't seem so bad now. The only problem for me is that the other deal means I come out AHEAD from a $$ point of view. IE. $1,000 (from points) - $395 (yearly fee) + $?? Free flight (assume $300) then this will GAIN me $905 overall.

        • @MathNerd: Thanks. That MR vs MR Gateway thing is bloody confusing. I saw that but thought it was just a website type error.

  • How lenient is AMEX with the minimum income requirement? I was planning on getting the AMEX essential but this deal is awesome considering how much bonus points you get.

    • I managed to get it while stating under the required amount. May depend on your credit score though.

  • Pretty sure we've gone past the 18 months from cancellation on our last AMEX cards….Anyone know if we can call AMEX and ask?

    Already tried to log into our old AMEX online account…but that's closed.

    • Hi, yes give AMEX a call and they should be able to advise. Just remember that you can't get this offer direct through them - you need to go via an AMEX affiliate partner.

  • Is booking via virgin the same as qantas where you need to pay tax on top?

    Also can we use the points to book for someone else?

    • You will still need to pay tax on top and you can use the points to book for other people.

    • Yes, you'll need to pay taxes along with the points. Virgin taxes are usually slightly cheaper than Qantas. And if you use your points to book Singapore Airlines flights (my recommended use of the points), you'll find the taxes very cheap indeed. You can use the points to book flights for family members, same as with Qantas.

  • +2

    Damn, with the amount of talk in this post and at least $180 per successful application, you guys are going to have a very Merry Christmas. :-)

    • Just applied a few minutes ago. Hope you guys enjoy the $180. :-)

  • "A complimentary Virgin Australia domestic economy return flight between selected Australian capital cities each year after your first Card spend. (Using this perk can partially or fully offset the annual card fee of $375)"

    How does that work exactly ? How do you get the complimentary flight, do you have to book by yourself online and claim a refund ?

    • Hi, the flight is booked via AMEX - you call them up and advise the route you want to take. If flights are available, they'll book them for you free of charge, and send you through the tickets :)

      • In this case what if I have 2 credit cards (one for my wife, one for me). Can they book 2 tickets on the same flight for me ? (Of course if it's available).

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