Our picks of the best Velocity credit cards & offers
Our experts selected the top Velocity points credit cards in several categories. These are not card recommendations. This is a guide only based on the opinions of our experts.
Top Velocity credit card sign-up points bonus
Westpac Altitude Velocity Black Credit Card - Up to 120,000 bonus points The top Velocity bonus points offer we could find is on Westpac Altitude Velocity Black Credit Card, but there are a few important caveats/catches. The headline offer is great, but remember you’ll need to meet minimum spend criteria and hold the card for more than 12 months to get the full benefit. That means paying two years’ worth of annual card fees – a total of $740 including rewards program fees. But if you take the view that good things come to those who wait, this is an offer worth considering.
Top Velocity credit card for ongoing points earning
Virgin Australia Velocity High Flyer Credit Card - Up to 1 point per $1 This is Virgin Australia’s top-tier credit card with a high points earn rate on eligible transactions. Unless you’re eligible to shop among business credit cards, you likely won’t find a higher earn rate on Velocity points. The top rate of points earned is capped, but not until you spend $8,000 in a statement period. The average credit cardholder won’t come close to that. Even after that cap, the rate only drops to 0.5 points per $1 which is still decent. You can also earn two extra Velocity Points per $1 spent directly with Virgin Australia. A $329 annual card fee applies.
Top low-fee Velocity credit card
NAB Rewards Signature Credit Card with Velocity - $0 per month (subject to min spend) On the face of it, this is not a low fee credit card. The $24 monthly would add up to $288 over the course of a year. But if you spend $5,000 on your card per month, the monthly fee drops to $0. Five grand a month is above average for credit card customers overall, but on a rewards card like this, many customers will be spending that. Just don’t start spending more to qualify. It’s worth checking if the card will be worth it for you with the fee. Then, if you manage to get it waived based on your typical spend, consider it a bonus. No fee for international transactions and no fee to add an additional cardholder add to the appeal here.
Top Velocity credit card for business customers
American Express Velocity Business Card This is not a particularly competitive field, but nonetheless the American Express Velocity Business Card represents decent value for business customers looking to earn Velocity points. The highlights are the bonus sign up offer (120,000 when you apply, are approved and spend $3k on eligible purchases on your new Card within 2 months of approval – new Amex Card Members only, T&Cs apply), plus the ongoing points earn rate. You can get 1 Velocity point per $1 on eligible everyday business spend, 2 points per $1 spent on travel with Virgin Australia, and 0.5 per $1 on ATO and government spend. The annual card fee is $249.
Note: There are no genuinely low rate credit cards with Velocity points, so we have excluded that as a category for comparison.
How to choose the best Velocity points credit card
Here are some of the key factors to look at when comparing Velocity credit cards.
1
Sign up bonus points
All but one of the Velocity credit cards on our database offer bonus sign up points, ranging from 20,000 to 120,000 points. Bigger isn’t always better, however, and you’ll need to factor in the conditions for getting the bonus. The most common one is that you’ll need to spend a certain amount in your first few months with the card. Some offers are staggered across the first two years, which is the provider’s way of ensuring you pay at least two annual card fees.
2
Points earn rate on purchases
When it comes to earning Velocity points over the long term, this is what you need to pay attention to. Check what the earn rate is for different types of spending, and what purchases are eligible (e.g. cash advances, fees and interest costs may not be eligible). Also check for caps on the number of points you can earn per month or year.
3
Card fee
All Velocity credit cards we analysed come with either an annual or monthly card fee as standard. That said, there are examples where the credit card fee is waived if you meet certain criteria. But in most cases there will be a fee, and the aim is simple: find the card that offers the most valuable benefits for you for the lowest fee.
4
Extra cardholder fee
Having an extra cardholder (e.g. a spouse) can help you earn more Velocity points on your credit card, but in some cases there will be a fee per extra card.
5
Foreign exchange fees
If you’re a regular traveller, or spend a lot of money overseas, this is important. A credit card with no international fees could save you a decent amount of money over time, and if you can earn Velocity points on top, that’s a bonus.
6
Extra perks
Most Velocity credit cards offer other rewards, like complimentary credit card travel insurance and discounts at partner retailers, airlines, restaurants and hotels. There are also some Velocity credit cards that will get you into an airport lounge for free a couple of times per year.
7
Interest and interest-free days
Pretty much all Velocity credit cards have a similarly high interest rate on purchases above 20%. So it’s very important to pay off the balance on time every month if you can. Where you may be able to differentiate the cards is on the number of interest-free days you get to pay off transactions without being charged interest. The options are usually 44 days or 55.
How do Qantas credit cards compare?
See some of the best credit cards for earning Qantas points
Is a Velocity credit card from Virgin better than a card from another provider?
Velocity is the loyalty/frequent flyer program for Virgin Australia. But does that mean a Virgin Australia credit card will be the best for Velocity points? Not necessarily.
Virgin Australia’s credit cards are actually issued by major bank, NAB, with some similar features and costs to other NAB cards. In fact, Virgin Australia’s cards are broadly similar to Velocity frequent flyer credit cards in the market overall. So it really comes down to deciding on what card features are valuable to you and comparing Velocity cards from as many providers as possible based on that.
Where Virgin Australia cards tend to have a bit of an edge is on offering extra Virgin Australia perks like bonus status credits and flight vouchers to eligible cardholders. Just figure out whether you will actually get value from these benefits before deciding one way or another.
How to earn maximum points with a Velocity credit card
Look for Velocity point sign up bonuses
Make sure you’re eligible for the offer and won’t end up needing to spend way more than you otherwise would to qualify. Be mindful of switching cards very regularly to get sign up deals. Card providers are wise to this and you may be declined if you take that strategy too far.
Get the highest earn rate you can
1 Velocity point per $1 is about as good as it gets on everyday spending, but watch for points caps and purchase types that aren’t eligible. If you fly regularly with Virgin Australia, you may earn Velocity points at a higher rate on spending with the airline on some cards.
Combine the card with a home loan offset account
If you have a home loan with offset, a strategy some people deploy is to put most of their day-to-day spending on their credit card to maximise points, and then clear the balance using funds from their offset account. You could also do this with a high interest savings account. Just remember that some savings accounts slash your interest rate if you make a withdrawal. Factor in your own financial situation and spending habits if you're considering this approach.
Add an extra cardholder
With most credit cards you can add an extra cardholder who can make card purchases using using the same account. Any Velocity points earned through the additional card would be added to the overall points total. Some cards charge a fee to add cardholders but it's fairly common to get one extra cardholder for no additional cost.
BONUS TIP: Spend your points wisely... Once you’ve earned your Velocity points, think carefully about how to use them. This is a slightly boring approach, but consider spending the money on something you definitely need, like a grocery voucher. It maybe goes against the spirit of ‘reward’ points, but this way you are definitely getting a tangible benefit. With that saving locked in, you may find you’ve freed up space on your budget for a treat elsewhere.
Don’t overspend just to earn velocity points
Sean Callery, Editor
Ultimately the purpose of credit card rewards points is to reward and incentivise spending. But avoid the temptation to spend more than you normally would just to earn Velocity points. It’s extremely unlikely that you’ll be able to recoup that extra money you spent by putting the points towards flights or another purchase. In particular, watch for cards that offer more points for overseas spending. Chances are you could be charged more in fees to spend overseas.
Sean Callery, Editor
