If you are a regular Virgin flyer, you might be considering getting a credit card that lets you earn Velocity points. But before you take the plunge, it’s important to make sure it’s the right option for you.
Please note that Velocity Frequent Flyer members can now redeem points for travel on certain domestic flights with Virgin Australia, as well as redeem points for flight upgrades. Velocity points can also be redeemed for certain hotel stays, to book car hire with Europcar and some shopping. Some redemptions are still currently unavailable. Please check with your credit card provider directly for details before making any decision relating to your card or points.
Why get a frequent flyer credit card?
If you are looking for a frequent flyer credit card where you can earn points with Virgin airlines in particular, it’s a good idea to first consider the following:
- Do you pay your closing credit card balance in full each month? Keep in mind interest rates on frequent flyer credit cards are typically around 20% p.a.
- Do you want to earn points to redeem for domestic flights (or international flights, when overseas travel becomes possible again)?
- 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.
It can be worth keeping in mind that in some cases, the costs of owning and using these types of rewards-based credit cards can quickly cancel out the benefits of the frequent flyer offers. For example, if you are likely to have some debt on your credit card, any interest you pay may well outweigh the benefits of the card. If this is the case, you may want to consider other options like a low interest rate credit card instead.
Canstar-rated Velocity frequent flyer credit cards
The table below displays some of the frequent flyer cards, that are partnered with Virgin Velocity, currently available for Australians on Canstar’s database. The results are based on a monthly spend of $3,000 and are sorted by Star Rating, then highest Airline points per $1, then alphabetically by company name. Consider the Target Market Determination (TMD) before making a purchase decision. Contact the product issuer directly for a copy of the TMD. Use Canstar’s credit card comparison selector to view a wider range of credit cards. Canstar may earn a fee for referrals.
Find out more information about credit card bonus offers, including their pros and cons.
What to look out for in a frequent flyer credit card
There are a few things you may want to consider when comparing frequent flyer credit cards to find which product is best for you. Some of these include:
- Earn rate on points – check the rate at which you can earn points for each dollar you spend on the card.
- Annual fee – consider the annual fee on the card and whether or not it is worth the rewards you expect to earn on the card each year.
- Promotional rates and features – if the card has a promotional period attached to it, be aware of the extra expenses you would have to pay after this period ends. For example, some providers may waive the annual fee for the first year, but then start charging it after that.
- Complimentary extras – some frequent flyer credit cards offer additional features such as complimentary travel insurance. Remember to read the T&Cs to make sure any complimentary policy suits your needs.
- Star Ratings – Canstar’s Research team gives credit card products a Star Rating from one to five based on their costs and features. You might like to consider this when comparing frequent flyer credit cards.
Cover image source: Sky Sajjaphot/Shutterstock.com
Co-author: Tamika Seeto.
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This content was reviewed by Sub Editor Tom Letts as part of our fact-checking process.
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