Velocity credit cards allow cardholders to earn Velocity Points, which can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, hotel stays, and more through the Velocity Frequent Flyer program. Some may also earn Status Credits and many come with airport lounge access too.
One of the most fundamental choices to make in any Velocity credit card comparison is whether you want to earn Velocity Points directly or to earn points in a rewards program that has Velocity Frequent Flyer as a transfer partner.
Cards that earn points that can be transferred into Virgin Frequent Flyer tend to offer more flexibility when it comes to booking flights on Velocity Points.
"Credit cards offer Virgin Australia loyalists an attractive way to earn Velocity Points and Status Credits. There is a range of offers available with differentiated earn rates on everyday purchases, bonuses on airline spending, and complimentary entry to airport lounges. However, it's important to look beyond the earn rate and sign-up bonus to consider important factors like interest rates and annual fees."
David Boyd
CEO at Credit Card Compare
Benefits of Velocity Points credit cards
Velocity credit cards offer a range of benefits to cardholders, including:
- Earn Velocity Points: Cardholders can earn Velocity Points on their everyday spending, which can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and more. Some earn on government spend, such as paying taxes.
- Free travel insurance: Many Velocity credit cards offer complimentary travel insurance, typically activated when using the card to pay for travel expenses.
- Airport lounge access: Some Velocity credit cards provide access to airport lounges, allowing cardholders to relax in comfort before their flight.
- Sign-up points bonus: Cardholders can take advantage of bonus points offers when signing up for a new Velocity credit card or meeting certain spending criteria.
- Special offers and discounts: Velocity credit cardholders may have access to exclusive offers, discounts, and benefits with partner companies.
How to choose a Velocity Points credit card
When selecting a Velocity credit card, consider the following factors to ensure it aligns with your financial needs and travel preferences:
- Earn rates: Look for a card that offers competitive earn rates on your regular spending categories.
- Fees and charges: Compare annual fees, foreign transaction fees, and other charges associated with the card.
- Bonus points offer: Consider any sign-up bonuses or promotion offers with the card.
- Additional benefits: Evaluate additional perks like travel insurance, airport lounge access, and partner benefits.
- Card features: Check for contactless payments, mobile wallet compatibility, and account management tools.
Methodology for our Velocity credit card comparison
When choosing cards for inclusion in our Velocity credit card comparison table and their rank order, we considered the following attributes and their associated metadata.
- Annual fee initial year: If there is one, how much the annual card fee is for the first year. Lower is better.
- Annual fee ongoing: Whether there is an ongoing annual fee and how much it is. Lower is better.
- Apple Pay enabled: Whether the card is compatible with Apple Pay. Considered beneficial if possible.
- Balance transfer offer: Whether the card has an introductory balance transfer offer and what the rates, fees, and terms are. Lower rates for longer are considered better.
- Card type: If the card runs on American Express, Mastercard, Visa, etc. since this can affect its acceptance.
- Foreign exchange fee: If there is a fee to process transactions overseas or in a foreign currency. Lower is better.
- Interest-free period: How many interest-free days are available if balance cleared in full. Longer is better.
- Introductory purchase rate: If an introductory offer on purchase is available and its associated rates, fees, period, and terms. Lower rates for a longer period is considered better.
- Late payment fee: The fee charged if the minimum repayment is not made by the due date. Lower is better.
- Lounge access: If provided, which airport lounges the card facilitates access to, limits on use, terms and conditions, etc.
- Maximum credit limit: If published, the highest possible credit limit offered.
- Minimum credit limit: If published, the lowest credit limit offered.
- Minimum income required: If published, the minimum amount of income required as part of the bank's criteria to qualify for the card. Lower thresholds make the card available to more applicants.
- Purchase rate ongoing: What the standard interest rate is on purchases that remain on the balance after any introductory offers expire. Lower is better.
- Rewards program: If the card is linked directly with Velocity Frequent Flyer or with a rewards program that is a transfer partner. Direct earn is typically preferred for similicity's sake.
- Samsung Pay enabled: If the card is compatible with Samsung Pay. Considered beneficial if possible.
- Sign-up bonus: If there is a sign-up bonus of Velocity Points or points transferable to Velocity Frequent Flyer and what the criteria is to get it. Larger sign-up bonuses with lower spending criteria are considered better.
- Status Credits: Whether the card earns Status Credits. Higher is better.
- Target market: Whether the card is available for businesses or consumers.
Our rankings may not reflect what matters most to you. Be sure to compare key rates, fees, and features against your own financial priorities before deciding.