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How do Velocity frequent flyer credit cards work?

A Velocity credit card allows you to earn Velocity Points for each dollar you spend using the card. The points are then added to your Velocity Frequent Flyer account and you can redeem them for rewards like flights, upgrades, shopping and more. You’ll need to have a Velocity Frequent Flyer account and it is free to become a member. Velocity Frequent Flyer is the loyalty program tied to the Virgin Australia airline.

Frequently Asked Questions about Velocity Credit Cards

A Velocity credit card can be a good way to earn some extra points, which can be redeemed for flights, upgrades and other rewards. But the downside is Velocity and other frequent flyer credit cards often charge higher annual fees and interest rates compared to non-rewards cards. If you are considering a Velocity credit card, it’s a good idea to first consider the following questions:

  • Do you pay your closing credit card balance in full each month? Interest rates on frequent flyer credit cards are typically around 20% p.a.
  • Do you want to earn points to redeem for flights or flight upgrades?
  • Are you already a member of the Velocity Frequent Flyer program, or keen to join?

A frequent flyer credit card might not be the best option if you rarely pay off your credit card balance in full, only plan to use your credit card occasionally or want to redeem points for other things like cash back, gift cards and shopping vouchers, rather than flights.

If you are likely to have some debt on your credit card, it’s possible that your interest charges will outweigh the potential benefits of the card. If this is the case, you may want to consider other options like a low interest rate credit card instead.

There are a few things to look for when comparing Velocity frequent flyer credit cards. These include:

  • Points earn rate – check how many Velocity Points you can earn per dollar spent. Also look at whether there are any point caps that apply.
  • Sign-up bonus – many frequent flyer credit cards offer large bonus points to attract new customers. You’ll usually need to spend a certain amount within the first few months of having the card to get the sign-up bonus.
  • Annual fee and interest rate – frequent flyer credit cards usually charge higher annual fees and interest rates than other cards. So it’s important to make sure that this higher cost is worth the rewards you expect to earn on the card.
  • Extras – some cards come with extra features like complimentary travel insurance, purchase protection insurance and lounge access. Remember to read the T&Cs to make sure any complimentary policy suits your needs.

If you’re considering taking out a Velocity frequent flyer credit card, you can start your search by comparing cards with Canstar.

There are a few ways to earn Velocity Points with a credit card, such as using a Velocity credit card directly or exchanging rewards points on other credit cards for Velocity Points.

  • Frequent Flyer Credit Cards: You can earn Frequent Flyer Points per dollar spent and they will be transferred to your Qantas Frequent Flyer account. The number of Qantas Points you earn could vary from card to card.
  • Rewards Credit Cards: You can also transfer reward points into Velocity Points. Rewards credit cards have their own reward programs where you can earn reward points per dollar spent. Many of these programs allow you to transfer your points into airline points, including Velocity.

Explore further→ 8 hacks that could help you earn more frequent flyer points

Velocity Points can expire if you don’t earn or redeem any points over a 24-month period. Using a Velocity credit card could help you avoid having your points expire as you can earn points per dollar spent.

Most everyday purchases will be eligible purchases. But some exclusions apply, which will be set by the credit card provider. Common exclusions include interest, fees and charges, cash advances, balance transfers and government-related transactions.

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Looking for an award-winning credit card product or to switch providers or brands? Canstar rates products based on price and features in our Credit Card Star Ratings and Awards. Our expert Research team shares insights about which products offer 5-Star value and which providers offer outstanding value overall.

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