November's top Virgin Australia credit card sign-up deals

With summer just around the corner, November's top Virgin Australia Velocity credit card sign-up deals are heating up, with over 300,000 Velocity points on the table across the top five cards, and as many as 100,000 points to be had from a single card application.

Here's what's sizzling this month, including how many bonus points you can earn, what you'll pay in credit card annual fees and how many points you'll pocket as you continue to spend on your new card.

1. American Express Platinum Charge Card

American Express' top-of-the line Platinum Charge Card continues its reign in first place with an offer of 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards Ascent Premium points for eligible new AMEX customers, equal to 100,000 Velocity points when converted on a 1:1 basis.

Those points are unlocked after spending $1,500 on the card within the first three months, atop the card's annual fee of $1,200.

You'll also earn three points per dollar spent at most Australian restaurants; two points per dollar at most travel-related companies and on all overseas spend; 0.5 point per dollar with utilities, most insurers and on government spend; and one point per dollar everywhere else.

2. American Express Explorer credit card

For a less-pricey annual fee, take a look at the American Express Explorer credit card, instead with a bonus of 100,000 Membership Rewards Gateway points, on-par with 75,000 Velocity points when converted on a 4:3 basis.

Just spend at least $1,500 on the card within the first two months, in addition to the annual fee, and those points are yours. You'll also scoop up a $400 travel credit each year to spend on flights and hotels, which more than offsets the $395 annual charge.

What's more, you'll earn the equivalent of 1.5 Velocity points per dollar spent – including on insurance and utility charges which earn fewer points on some AMEX cards – except on government charges (such as with Australia Post and the ATO) where you'll earn 0.375 Velocity points per dollar.

3. American Express Velocity Platinum Card

American Express takes out Gold, Silver and Bronze this month, with its direct-earn Velocity Platinum Card delivering 50,000 Velocity points to eligible new cardholders, plus a free domestic return flight each year against a reasonable $349 annual fee.

As with Explorer, those points come your way after charging at least $1,500 worth of purchases to the card, but you'll have three months to spend that amount, instead of two.

The card also churns out three Velocity points per dollar at most Aussie restaurants and on Virgin Australia flight bookings; two points per dollar on other travel and overseas spend; 0.5 points per dollar with the usual line-up of utilities, governments and insurers, and one point per dollar everywhere else.

4. Westpac Altitude Black American Express, MasterCard

Westpac also tempts this month with an offer of 100,000 Altitude points with a new Altitude Black American Express + MasterCard credit card combo, equal to 50,000 Velocity points when converted on a 2:1 basis.

Don't get this confused with Westpac's standard offer of 50,000 Altitude points – a quick Google search will find the almost-hidden 100,000-point deal on the Westpac website, for which you'll pay an annual fee of $395 and must spend at least $5,000 within 90 days of card approval to earn your bonus.

As you continue to spend, you'll also earn the equivalent of 1.5 Velocity points per dollar via the Altitude Black AMEX, plus 1.5 Velocity points per dollar when using the Altitude Black MasterCard abroad and a lower 0.625 Velocity points per dollar when paying by MasterCard in Australia.

5. ANZ Rewards Black & Citi Rewards Visa Signature credit card

Fifth place this month sees a tie between the ANZ Rewards Black American Express + Visa combo and the Citi Rewards Visa Signature card: both offering the equivalent of 37,500 Velocity points.

Here's the deal with each bank:

• ANZ Rewards Black credit card: Earn 75,000 bonus ANZ Rewards points after your first eligible purchase within the first three months. Annual fee $375.
• Citi Rewards Visa Signature credit card: Pocket 75,000 bonus Citibank Rewards points after your first eligible spend, paying an annual fee of $195 in the first year and $395 thereafter.

ANZ Rewards Black cardholders will also earn the equivalent of 1.5 Velocity points per dollar when using the Rewards Black AMEX and 0.625 Velocity points per dollar via the companion Visa.

Citibank instead awards the equivalent of 0.75 Velocity points per dollar on spends of up to $20,000 per month in Australia (no points thereafter), with no earning cap on foreign spend at the same rate.

Also read: The five best credit cards for earning Velocity points

Connect with other business travellers in our Virgin Australia discussion group

Chris C.

Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.