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AmEx Velocity Platinum Card - $375 Annual Fee - 100,000 Velocity Points + Domestic Return Flight

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AMEX Velocity Platinum Card 100,000 Velocity Points ($375 Annual Fee & $65k+ Annual Income). This introductory offer is available to new American Express Card Members only.

Main Features:

  • Receive 100,000 bonus Velocity Points when you apply directly through the website or via referral link, after spending $1500 on your new Card within the first 3 months.

  • Earn up to 2.5 Velocity Points per $1 spent on eligible purchases

  • Complimentary Virgin Australia return domestic flight after your first Card spend each year. Please Note that, from 30th of March 2017, Amex Platinum Edge and Reserve will no longer offer complimentary flights, but instead will come with travel credits, so if you prefer the flight, this is the card for you. As this card still offer value for money return flights such as Perth to Sydney. Destination Guide(americanexpress.com)

  • Earn 1.5 Velocity Points per $1 spent, except government bodies in Australia where you will earn 0.5 Velocity Points per $1 spent

  • Earn 1 additional Velocity Point per $1 spent with Virgin Australia

  • Complimentary Virgin Australia return domestic flight every year after your first Card spend each year

  • Enjoy 2 complimentary Virgin Australia lounge invitations each anniversary year at selected airports

  • 0% p.a. on balance transfers for the first 12 months — A one-off credit plan establishment fee of 1% applies.\

Edit: The referral link still shows the old 80,000 points bonus and old annual fee, old earning rates on the card, so it may take a few days to update (assuming it does)

Edit2: Referral shows 100,000 bonus points now. 30,000 bonus points for referrer.

Mod: Do not place another OzBargain member's referral link within the deal.

Referral Links

Business Explorer Card: random (5)

Referrer: 40,000 Reward Points

Centurion Personal Charge Card: random (7)

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

Related Stores

American Express
American Express

closed Comments

    • Who knows but many people tend to just make this part up.. this may have changed but in the past Amex pretty lax in checking.

      • Oh well, kept my application honest (below 65K income) and apparently my application was successful.

        Recently applied for and got a 28 degrees card aswell, neither amex or 28 degrees have asked for proof of income.

        I do know my credit score is fairly good from checking it online, but still amazed they don't ask for proof of anything in these cases.

  • I had this card before. Pretty good but I closed mine Sep 16 so not quite a full year yet.

  • Hmm this or explorer?

    • this

    • For the bonus offered at the moment, I would say this. And then you could try (if possible) to do a product change to Explorer after getting the bonus and redeeming the flight.

      • What are the other differences? Just he points?

        • Explorer equivalent of 1.5 miles per $, and flexibility across a wide range of different airlines. $400 travel credit can be used for flights, hotels or car hire. If you do fly with Virgin at least once a year, then Velocity Platinum has its value too.

        • @lilkid28:

          Hmm sounds like the explorer is better!?

        • @richmond12: For general spend yes, but because this bonus is better now, Explorer only 60k via referral now. So if I were to apply, I would apply for this one first, and then product change to Explorer after redeeming free flight and getting the 100k bonus points. YMMV

        • @lilkid28: Would that actually work as you would then hit the 'I have had an AmEx card in the last 18 month' gate?

        • @danielh:

          Assuming you referring to my comment about product change, it simply means ringing them up and asking to change your card type. You wont get bonus points for product change.

      • does amex still allow you to do product change without doing a credit check? i dont think so, you need to make a new application and cancel a credit card if you already hold two amex issued Aust credit cards. at least thats what i was told.

        • I think certain cards allow a product change. I was told the Velocity Amex can be changed to Platinum Edge but didn't go ahead. I have not asked for the Explorer before. Maybe someone has had experience can answer.

  • Anyone have any advice if you don't know how long it has been since you held an AMEX issued card?

    • Check last statement, or call Amex, they might be able to check.

  • Would you believe my wife applied using my referral link yesterday which showed 80k bonus! Do you think she will get the 100k or just the 80k?

    Lilkid28 - if you max out your referrals and feel like updating with a new link I am more than happy to help :P

    • Oh boy, maybe ring Amex when the points posted and try to get the the extra 20k if they only give 80k. All the best.

      • Has it been approved yet? If not, cancel then sign up again.

  • Pretty sure you can't link apart from in the referral part of this site?!

    Don't forget AMEX lounge passes x 2 annually as well

    Velocity redemption is pretty poor now, look at transfering over to Kris flyer when you get the 100k points if that suits your routes, I have found much better value there

    (with my 100k a couple of years ago I go to England return in economy for points + $300, don't think you'll see that kind of value any more!!)

    • +1 on the KrisFlyer transfer for better redemption but only transfer when you are ready to book because KrisFlyer points expire after 3 years whereas velocity doesn't.

      • Good point, but do they completely expire if you don't 'use' them, or can you redeem in the online store to keep alive? I forget, been a while. I've not had mine long, I transfered mine recently and put straight on a first class suite for later this year, can't wait!

        • They completely expire 36 months from when it appears on your account.

        • I've got a similar redemption next year! Redeeming in a store is typically worse value compared to flight redemptions (i.e 1 cent per point vs 5 cents plus per point) so I always just leave them until I am ready to book via Singapore air (velocity to KrisFlyer transfers are instant so you can do it all at the same time.

        • @Kirby: Yeah I agree best to leave in Velocity. Worst case rather than lose them you could move back to Velocity, but you'd obviously want to avoid exchanging back!

        • +1

          @nickyd84: Velocity is easy to keep them active as you can just pump at BP (for now) or just buy something from eBay through the Velocity estore.

        • @lilkid28: yep

    • I got this card deal 2 years ago - what an awesome deal. But when I tried to redeem my Velocity points with KrisFlyer for a return flight to Europe for me/wife/2 teenage kids 2 months ago, KrisFlyer had no better availability than Velocity did, and when I tried to redeem the Krisflyer seats, the final figure including all fees was still $4500! But I redeemed exactly the same seats on the same Singapore Airlines plane, using the Virgin Aus site, for $498 all up - for all 4 of us. So for us, Virgin worked out thousands of $$'s better - Sing Air didn't even get close to them. Of course, by the time we get back, these almost-free European return airfares in reality will end up representing a bill for about $20,000, which I never had before this DAMNED card deal came along! :-D

  • Is this worth the annual cost tho?

    • +1

      Even if you exchange it for gift cards, yes. The free flight itself is worth $250 easily, or more during peak periods where flights are expensive.

      • so still paying $145 for a card

        • +1

          100,000 points worth quite a fair bit when redeeming for flights, economy or business. Not going to debate the value for business redemptions or upgrades though. Or you can redeem 99,000 points for $550 Coles gift cards through Velocity store.

        • @lilkid28:
          used your link to apply for the card, how long will it take to receive the card?
          when will i get my referral link to link friends?

        • @Ameen:

          Thanks heaps, much appreciated. From approval, it should take 5-10 working days. In my experience, it's around 5 working days as I live in metro area. I think you will be able to get your own referral link once you are able to set up your internet log in account.

        • @lilkid28:
          I got my card long ago, I had to book some international flights but not sure will i get extra velocity points if i book through agent sites like auntbetty(via skyscanner).
          They even charge 1.25% cc, is it worth using cc for this transaction?
          thanks mate

        • @Ameen: I made a purchase once through Flight Centre (via pricematch so no Amex fees) and got 2 points per dollar. I would imagine Auntbetty to be the same. 1.25% surcharge depends on how much you value the Velocity points.

  • +1

    Oh don't forget to add it to PayPal so you don't pay surcharge or for when merchants don't take Amex but take PayPal.

    For those that aren't sure if it's worth the annual fee, if you like weekends away then I'd recommend. Hamilton Island return over Xmas is booked this year using my free return flight (depart Syd. Not to mention how much you could eat or drink in the lounges to get your money's worth…

  • +1

    Applied few minutes ago and immediately got approved.

    Thanks OP!

    • Great, enjoy the bonus points.

  • I signed onto this card with the exact same offer 2 years ago. Do you think they'll let me cancel and re-sign for the bonus again?

  • About $600 in BP fuel. Are there better ways to extract value of Velocity points? Can you get Westfield cards or something for a better point to dollar rate?

    • Flights are always the best value, however if you just want cash, put up an ad for them in the classifieds section, you'll get 1c per point or $1000, cash.

  • I got an AMEX card a few months ago so would be ineligible. My wife only works part time and earns well under 65k. However it does mention household income - so would it work to sign her up to get a second set of points? Has anyone else done this?

    • I guess if she is somewhere above $50k income, plus have a good credit score, and have a household income that meets requirement, you could give it a shot. Could be 130,000 bonus points for both of you.

  • If I bring a balance across to this card with a 0% balance transfer, but then use the card for purchases but pay off the new purchases in full each month.. Will I still pay no interest? Or will the new purchases negate the 0% balance transfer?

    • Any credit to the card will pay off the balance transfer first before any new purchases

  • +3

    if anyone applies for this and is already existing other amex issued card holder and does still receive the 100k bonus points please report back here so that i can apply too before july 31? i think it will be unlikely as they are cracking down on existing members. might have to get my dog to apply instead lol.

  • Anyone have any experience recently on getting bonus points despite having an existing Amex card or one that was closed within the last 18 months?

    • +2

      From what I've read on people's experiences, it seems that 1 out of many (wild guess maybe 50) reports, says he/she got the bonus. Seems Amex have gotten a lot stricter.

  • +1

    I have never had an AMEX before but since everyone keeps recommending it on OZB I am looking forward to getting one.
    I have no annual fee Citibank Platinum, Qantas membership and Velocity membership. So far I have only collected points on Citibank so can any please recommend this or Platinum edge?
    Thanks

    Edit: The first one to reply, I will use their referral :)

    • +1

      The velocity platinum has the bigger bonus. If you are after bonus, get this one first. Then when you have redeemed flight and get the 100k bonus points, request a product change to the Platinum Edge, perhaps before the next annual fee is due next year.

      • +1

        Thanks….you should change your username to 'richkid' now….lol…

        • He's only allowed 10 x referrals each year to the card then he gets 0 points per referral after that. I'm sure he'll get his 10 pretty quickly given the 1261 click throughs :)

  • +1

    Fantastic deal and great card. I still have mine from the original 110,000 bonus offer 2 years ago.

    It's the one card I keep and don't cancel as the flight from Adelaide/Brissy is very useful me to visit the relatives. Couldn't recommend this card enough.

  • What are the chances of the points qualifying for the Velocity Billion point giveaway? On the pigs fly chance that you get the points by end of may AND manage to have them transferred over?? Dare to dream?!

  • Hmm I already have 2 Amex Platinum Edge cards, that I was planning to cancel …annoying that I can't qualify for the points, but I think the card is still a great replacement for them. Now to decide whether its smarter to cancel and hold off amex for 18 months in the hope of a similar deal, or to just get this card for the domestic flight and good velocity earning rate

    • +1

      Yea shame that's 18 months waiting period now. And the big banks have dropped the earning rates on their Amex that still being offered. If you can find value in the domestic flight and have a reasonably high annual spend on purchases that take Amex, then it could still work out alright. Perhaps you could get one first and use a fellow referral link. And then the partner can wait 18 months to use your referral later on.

  • +1

    Damn, I just signed up to the Explorer deal (100k + $400 travel credit). Should have waited for this :|

  • Has anyone applied and been approved with an income less than 65k? Wondering if it's worth trying when I'm ~2k short.

    • +2

      IF you have a good credit rating, I'd say your chances are good. I've seen people with more than 5k short but they got approved. Interest from bank, dividends from shares also considered as income. Also, $65k could be combined household income.

    • I have 80K income and they still rejected mine….Don't know the reasons yet as Customer Service said they have posted the letter stating reasons….
      I currently have 25K limit with Citibank…I reckon that might be the reason…..

  • +1

    What amuses me is the ends they will go to get "new business" but sometimes they forget the "old business" Bottom of my Amex cards (Gold Charge and Platinum Credit) says Member since 1981 - That's 36 years, AMEX. At 10 years, as I recall (It's a while back) you sent me a bottle of wine.

    Since then, nothing.

  • Has anyone already been approved for theirs? Mine is still in processing….

  • +3

    For what it's worth (and OP feel free to add anything to post if you want) I went through and found what I thought would be the best value redemptions for 100,000 points. Everything is from Adelaide, however most of the awards are cheaper from Mel/Syd etc.

    The sweet spots really are the direct return business flights to Singapore.

    International:

    • Adelaide - Singapore 56,000 points return economy + $140 taxes flying Singapore Airlines
    • Adelaide - Singapore 106,000 points return business + $140 taxes flying Singapore Airlines
    • Adelaide – Auckland/Christchurch return economy, 35,600 points + $200 taxes flying Virgin
    • Adelaide – Auckland/Christchurch return business, 71,000 points + $200 taxes flying Virgin
    • Adelaide – Bali return economy, 44,600 points + $170 taxes flying Virgin (via MEL/SYD)
    • Adelaide – Bali return business, 109,000 points + $170 taxes flying Virgin (via MEL/SYD)
    • Adelaide – Los Angeles return economy, 89,600 points + $180 taxes flying Virgin
    • Adelaide – Maldives return economy, 90,000 points + $200 taxes flying Singapore Airlines
    • Adelaide – Abu Dhabi return economy, 94,000 points + $300 taxes flying Etihad
    • Adelaide – Any main European city – one way economy – 82,800 points + $244 taxes
    • Adelaide – Los Angeles one way business, 95,500 points + $120 taxes flying Virgin (Brand new with bar on board)

    Domestic:

    • Adelaide – Melbourne return economy, 15,600 points + $50 taxes
    • Adelaide – Melbourne return business, 31,000 points + $50 taxes
    • Adelaide – Sydney return economy, 23,600 points + $45 taxes
    • Adelaide – Sydney return business, 47,000 points + $45 taxes
    • Adelaide – Brisbane return economy, 23,600 points + $45 taxes
    • Adelaide – Brisbane return business, 47,000 points + $45 taxes
    • Adelaide – Perth return economy, 35,600 points + $40 taxes
    • Adelaide – Perth return business, 70,000 points + $40 taxes

  • Whats the likely hood of being able to talk the New Accounts team around to providing you with the bonus on a new Velocity Platnium Card even if you already hold an Essential Card? Or has anyone been able to do it?

    • Recent reports suggest that it's very unlikely if you are already an existing American Express cardholder of any type. But I've seen a few out of many who has been lucky to get the bonus.

      Maybe get the partner to apply first if they don't have an Amex card yet.

      • +1

        Ok thanks. I'm going to give it a go. Basically going to pull the,

        "I'm in the market for a new airlines reward CC (which I am) and feel this is the best on the market with the bonus included. I'm aware I already have an essentials CC which rules me out according to T&Cs. Can you pull any strings? …. If not I'm cancelling my essentials CC (which I will), if so happy days."

        See how much they will value existing customers :) Wish me luck.

        • All the best mate

        • let us know if u managed to get the bonus points as im waiting to hear back before trying my luck?

        • Progress update pls?

  • anyone else apply and get approved instantly without amex asking any proof of income of any sort?

    • I think there are a few.

      • +2

        me and my wife got approved instantly:)

  • hey guys
    I applied for one and got approved straight away, & i added my wife as a supplementary card holder.
    …Realizing now, i should really just get a card in her name.. so i put an application in today - what do you think the likelihood of approval / rejection would be for her?

    • +2

      If she meets the criteria and has never held a direct issued Amex in past 18 months as PRIMARY cardholder, then she is eligible. Adding her as supplementary does not make her ineligible.

  • Does bank interest count in "other annual income"?

    • I believe it certainly does mate. AMEX are seem to be VERY lax on their algorithm for approvals.

      Good luck mate. Don't forget to use one of the referees to get the full 100,000 bonus

      Cheers

      • 100,000 bonus points offer is regardless of whether you use the referral link.. but of course use it to benefit someone else :)

    • Yes it does and like dazzy says they are very lax, i dont think you will face any issue with respect to income.
      Good luck mate

  • Does anyone know how long it takes for the points to be rewarded into your account after you spend the $1500?

    • +1

      Normally within a day

      • Thanks

  • I've never had a card whereby there are free return domestic flights. How does this work? I read in the PDS you have to phone a number to book the flights… is it only flights that have reward seats available? I live in a small regional town that no longer has virgin flights only Qantas so I probably wouldn't use the flights. Is it possible to sell the flights? If so and someone else used the flights you couldn't cancel the card until that person had booked correct? Are the flights only between capital cities? Or could you say book Hervey Bay to Sydney?
    Thanks everyone for the help

    • Yes, you search on Velocity's website for flight availability. If there is reward seat then it should be bookable by Amex. You can refer to past listings by other sellers on Classifieds. They go for around $250 for the return flight.

      Refer here for the available routes: https://www.americanexpress.com/australia/campaigns/velocity…

      It seems like Hervey Bay to Sydney return and vice versa is available.

  • How long refferal bonus be credited in once account? my friend used my referral link and he got the card. how long does it take for me to get he refferal bonus? anyone who already got or have an idea?

    • You should be able to see it a day or two after this account is approved. I think you should be able to view your points summary and it show there as a referral bonus. At a particular date each month, then it sweeps all Velocity points earn during the month to date over to your Velocity account.

  • With all these regular Amex offers, I doubt any OP still left there without an Amex card

    • +1

      True. But worth a shot! I think with all the Big 4 moving away from Amex as such, it's the time to shine for Amex here in Aussie, and I'd expect bigger and better things for them.

  • So if you already have any existing card from Amex you are not eligible for the points?

    • Pretty much they've cut down, depending on what card you have mate?

      • Have velocity escape

  • +3

    I've taken the plunge to try my luck with points also. Had an Amex Explorer which I cancelled back in March, just got approved for this one so will see if the points turn up. Will report back.

    • Hope you get the bonus points! I've also only cancelled my Qantas Amex premium card in March and considering risking it and applying for this one to get the bonus points. Looking forward to your update 😁

    • +1

      Unfortunately looks like a fail :(

      I tested it out by purchasing a refundable hotel for just over the $1500 limit to trigger the bonus - and in the past Amex has deposited the bonus points immediately once that transaction went through.

      This time nada :(

      • oh damn… was thinking about applying tonight as well. Such a shame, maybe you can request to cancel to avoid the annual fee?
        If it does change, please report back :)

        • Yeh will cancel… hoping they will refund the full fee (or rather not charge anything as they haven't charged it yet)

      • call them and ask?

    • any update?
      Thanks :)

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