Yes, Virgin will offer paid upgrades at check-in. The cost is the difference between the fare you've currently paid, and the best available fare in the class you want to fly.Enjoy.

I'd take the NAB Velocity Rewards card. Low annual fee (something like $70), and it earns 1 point per dollar on AMEX and 1 point per 2 dollars on VISA.You get both the VISA and AMEX cards on the same account.There's a 10,000 point signup bonus.The eligibility is pretty low too, I signed up whilst...

5A's definitely the pick of the bunch -- I sat there on my first Business Class jaunt on VA, and it still beats the forward cabin. See my review for all the details!

Air NZ Airpoints is good if you intend to fly with Star Alliance airlines -- probably only makes sense in Europe vs Velocity. I'd personally stay with Velocity if you mostly fly with Virgin.

For Status Credits, remember that *most* Singapore Airlines entry level "flexi saver" fares are cheaper by booking through the SQ site, and earn at the "Full Economy" rate. The entry level fares for SQ flights on VA codes are roughly the same price, but earn at the "Discount Economy" rate.So basi...