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| 15,000 +5,000 bonus = 20,000 Velocity Points up to 31 January, 2014 |
Why is this such a great deal, and why did I feel it was worth it to spend $99?
I need to go to Melbourne next year for a large convention and in pricing flights, I'd be looking at close to ~$400 including luggage. Unless a sale came along. But you can't count on those. I could always take Tiger or Jetstar, and I have tried both in the past. They were fine, thought Tiger was delayed, but if I can choose I'd rather go on Virgin and pay just $99 to get there and back! For a much better experience overall. I'll save the budget airlines for when I have no other options.
With that in mind I looked into the offer for the Velocity Gold card. I only got 15,000 points, which is the standard offer if you apply from the American Express website. But in this post I've included my new referral links, so you get 20,000 points, and they give me some points for the referral.
American Express in Australia prefers to give new and existing clients bonuses in order to gain new clients. This marketing strategy is good value, since those extra 5,000 points have at least $50 value by my estimate.
The offer is good up until 31 January, 2014. So if you're seriously thinking about it do it soon.
For me the math was easy, $99, for a return flight to Melbourne. Or $400. It was a no-brainer. My wife and I both got one the same day, so our flights will cost $198. Hers wasn't instant approval, but was approved the next day. That will save us a total of $600 over paid flights!
Plus, add in the 2 free lounge passes that come with each card, usually $65 each. Now, we'd never pay $65 to get into a lounge, but we do love lounges and we'll go in when it's cheap or free. But they are wonderful when waiting at the airport.
If redeemed the points for last-minute flights, this 1 card with 20,000 points could save you upwards of ~$500.
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| Brisbane Velocity Lounge |
What are the card terms?
CONDITIONS & TERMS
- $99 signup fee, $199 fee after 1st year.
15,00020,000! points for spending $500 within 90 days; for a total of 20,500 points.- Also, when redeeming for a flight you get one free checked bag ($30 value).
- Must not have been a previous card holder of this product or any AMEX card in the past 12 months.
- Comes with 2 complimentary passes to the Virgin lounge. Depending on how valuable these are to you (normally $65/person) this card rises in value.
- Earn up to 2 Velocity Points for every $1 spent on your Card with Major supermarket and petrol stations in Australia
- Earn up to 2 Velocity Points for every $1 spent on your Card with Virgin Australia and 1 Point for every $1 spent everywhere else.
- Must have an income of $40,000.
- Sample redemption 20,500 miles, on a return flight leaving in a fortnight:
- Brisbane to Adelaide (18,400 points + $42 fees) Paid ticket costs $330.
- Brisbane to Hobart (18,400 points + $29 fees) Paid ticket costs $399.
- Sydney to Townsville (20,600 points + $17) Paid ticket costs $398.
How can you spend $500 in a month? Most of us will have no trouble doing that but here are some ideas.
1. Grocery shopping. Lots of folks spend $500 just in groceries. You could always buy a few gift certificates for shopping in coming weeks and months in advance as well, to reach the $500 spend. Most big chain stores sell certificates.
2. Petrol. I used to spend a minimum of $50 a week even when I worked close to home. That $200 a month or more for most of us; maybe more for you.
These are just a few ideas to help you meet the spend requirement. I will have a future post where I detail all the different ways possible to meet spend requirements.
CONCLUSION
If you need to make a future flight somewhere, or just have some points up your sleeve, this card is a bargain. If you've decided to get it, do it well before 31 January, 2014.
Click to apply now
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| 15,000 +5,000 bonus = 20,000 Velocity Points up to 31 January, 2014 |
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