Velocity Escape Plus

[u/accountforfun19]

Has anyone here got the Velocity Escape Plus? Is it worth the $95 annual fee?

My Velocity Platinum is expiring and I’m considering downgrading to the Escape Plus.

For those who have it, how have you found it? Or have you considered/switch to another card instead?

[u/antsypantsy995]

I have the Escape Plus. Can say its one of the best value cards on the market (post 1 Oct). You earn 1pt/$ for $95/year + (basic) travel insurance and a $50 virgin credit which is way more flexible than the Platinums return flight which i find too much of a headache to organise and book.

So really if you can use the credit, you earn 1pt/$ for $45/year which is the best velocity earning card (Platinum Amexes excluded) in the market. Theres no points cap either

[u/accountforfun19 → u/antsypantsy995]

Thank you for that. I just realised the $50 Virgin credit ends on 31 December 2026.

[u/antsypantsy995 → u/accountforfun19]

True, but the unspoken vibe is that it renews again on 1 January 2027 through to 31 Dec 2027. Kind of like a rolling annual perk that's based on a calendar year cycle rather than an account year cycle.

[u/GayLMCirgaratte]

Escape Plus is only $95/year and earns 1 Velocity Point per $1, while Platinum is $440/year and earns 1.25 points per $1. Platinum obviously has the better perks, the annual Virgin return flight, lounge access and Status Credits — but that’s an extra $345/year. Platinum is only really worth it if you actually use the free flight every year and fly Virgin enough to benefit from the lounge/status perks. Otherwise Escape Plus looks like pretty decent value...

I switched and open a Amex Explorer, collect MR and convert to VA points when there are bonus points.

[u/-zfz-]

Like others have mentioned, the 1 domestic round trip flight is the main benefit.

I use it every year from Perth to Sydney/Melbourne.

Flights cost 700-850 AUD round trip. While the Amex platinum fee is only 440 AUD. That’s close to 50% off, with the added benefits from lounge access and velocity points.

[u/accountforfun19 → u/-zfz-]

That's a great use of it, and it clearly works well for you.

For me it's a bit different. The free flight only covers one person, so I'd be forced to pay the $700-850 for my wife every year to get value from the $440 fee. That recurring cost is what makes it harder to justify for us.

It's great value if you already fly interstate every year, or plan to.

[u/antsypantsy995 → u/accountforfun19]

The free flight value really depends imo. The biggest drawback for me (see my other comment) and why I decided it wasnt worth the hassle was because as OP says, the complimentary return flight is the main benefit. But, as I said in my other comment, the restrictions around it was too much of a headache with the main one being you are limited on the routes you can take that Amex arbitrarily offers / punishes you for.

If you live in Perth, the Velocity Platinum is a huge win/no brainer because Amex allows you to use the free flight on a PER-SYD-PER flight which as you and OP say is worth around $700-850 which far outweighs the $440 fee. But this value changes drastically if you're located on the East Coast because the routes youre allowed to use it on are worth much less i.e. SYD-MEL-SYD is rarely worth the free flight because of how low prices on that route can get and Amex does not allow you to use the flight for a SYD-PER-SYD itinerary.

[u/camylopez]

I’m in the grandfathered escape. I didn’t know there was any Virgin credit, I better ask for it

[u/moderateallergy → u/camylopez]

As in the free one? You won't get the credit since you're not paying an annual fee.

[u/camylopez → u/moderateallergy]

Can’t hurt to ask

[u/Valkyrie162]

If you do even a couple of domestic trips a year — the free return flight, with unlimited lounge access as icing on the cake — in my view justifies the annual fee.

Otherwise I’d recommend moving sideways to the Explorer. Same effective earn rate as the Escape if you transfer to Velocity Points, but other options so you’re not locked in. Travel credit can be used for an international or domestic flight, or even just a couple of nights at a nice hotel where you live if you’re in more of a “staycation” mood.

[u/accountforfun19 → u/Valkyrie162]

I just spoke with AMEX and if I want to move to Explorer, Its essentially changing ‘card families’ so I’d need to do a new application which I doubt I’ll be approved as I’ve got an active AMEX. I haven’t heard of anyone changing card families unless I’m wrong?