American Express is offering 60,000 bonus Velocity Points* for new American Express Card Members who apply for the American Express Velocity Platinum Card by 21 January 2025.

A minimum spend of $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of approval is required to receive the bonus. New American Express Card Members only.

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

This is still one of the highest Velocity Points-earning cards~ 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 flight$.

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 Access^ every time you fly domestically with Virgin Australia. Each membership year, you will also receive 2 complimentary Virgin Australia Guest Lounge Passes= 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 Passes^ to bring extra guests in.

Status Credits

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

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 $100#.

Other Benefits

There is also a range of insurances, including domestic and international travel insurance%, 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 support Support 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.

Eligibility criteria for bonus points for existing American Express Card Members

American Express are quite specific about whether existing Card Members will be eligible for bonus points if they apply for a card, are approved, and meet the minimum spend criteria.

Card Members who currently hold or who have previously held any Card product issued by American Express Australia Limited in the preceding 18 month period are ineligible for this offer.

American Express don’t allow existing Card Members, even for different types of American Express cards (e.g. Charge, Credit or Business) to be eligible for bonus points offers.

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.

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.

* 60,000 bonus Velocity Points

Receive 60,000 bonus Velocity Points when you apply online by 21 January 2025, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Velocity Platinum Card within the first 3 months from the Card approval date. This offer is only available to new American Express Card Members. If you previously held a David Jones American Express Card and have not held any other American Express Card(s) in the past 18 months, you will be eligible for the offer. All other 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. 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. 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 fee applies. This advertised offer is not applicable or valid in conjunction with any other advertised or promotional offer.

^ 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. 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.

= 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.

+ 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 Status Credits, Velocity members need to fly on Virgin Australia marketed flights to earn Eligible Sectors to upgrade or maintain a level of membership. To find out more about the Status Credit and Eligible Sector requirements for Velocity membership levels please visit velocityfrequentflyer.com/content/Status/.

~ 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.

# 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.

$ 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 after your first Card spend in the first year, and then after your first Card spend each year after the anniversary of your 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 at Conditionsofcarriage/VirginAustralia.com.

% 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.


Earn 60,000 bonus Velocity Points* with the American Express Velocity Platinum Card was last modified: November 30th, 2024 by Daniel Sciberras