Virgin Australia Travel Card

[Aussiefamof5]

Hi everyone. Im sure you prob already know, but for those that don't. Virgin Australia have released their global visa travel wallet. What I find really exciting is it doubles as your velocity card, you can have up to five travel wallets, it costs nothing to purchase and only $1 to load, lock in exchange rates, no monthly fees, Which I think is quiet good compared to other pre-paid travel cards on the market. The best think is for every $2 you spend on that card in australia, you accrue 1 point, in the USA for every $1 you spend you accrue 1 point.

And a great comp they are running if you request a card before 31/8/2013 you can go in to the draw to win one of ten $1000 loaded on to your card. For more info check out this link.

http://www.velocityrewards.com.au/content/ProgramBenefits/GlobalWallet/

Just thought I'd share

 

[alicia1506]

i had previously requested new velocity cards with the travel wallet thingo feature included, but thank you for reminding me to follow up and check that it's on it's way to me

 

[gogo65]

I thought i read somewhere there was a fee if not used in 12months, however probably easy enough to just have a transaction once a year!
Will be in direct competition with the qantas one being released, might be interesting competition!

 

[MsMinne]

I thought i read somewhere there was a fee if not used in 12months, however probably easy enough to just have a transaction once a year!
Will be in direct competition with the qantas one being released, might be interesting competition!

This post reminded me of the Qantas one - do we know the date it is being launched?

 

[Aussiefamof5]

a fee of $1.95 charged monthly if no activity after 12 months, some cards charge $4.00.

Definitely in direct comp with Qantas, which will be interesting, i think theirs is set for release in september. Well every little point accrued helps us get to the pointy end of the plane lol

 

[kylieh]

This post reminded me of the Qantas one - do we know the date it is being launched?

I heard around September, but I'm not sure. Both DH and I received a few weeks ago a "confirm your address" email, and once confirmed you went in a draw to win something.

 

[Sugarglider]

that load fee of only $1 is fantastic!

they are charging for ATM withdrawals ($2.95 in the USA) but if careful this card is as good as the others - with points!

Does anyone know what their exchange rate is like?

 

[Franrose]

Does anyone know what their exchange rate is like?

Just what I was coming to ask!

I do like the Auspost cash passport because there are no start up fees to get it, the rate is usually better than other cash passport outlets, and there are no ATM fees... but also, no points.

 

[aussietravellers]

I've had an email to say that mine's on it's way and I should receive it by the end of this month. That's here so wonder if it's waiting in my mail box (am in the US at the moment)

 

[Marlea98]

I'm sure DH's turned up but I'll be darned if I can find it

 

[Aussiefamof5]

that load fee of only $1 is fantastic!

they are charging for ATM withdrawals ($2.95 in the USA) but if careful this card is as good as the others - with points!

Does anyone know what their exchange rate is like?

I havn't been able to locate the exchange rates, but im sure they will be comparable. Once it arrives in mail I'll post it.

Still love the idea of getting points

 

[Anne_Aus]

Mine showed up yesterday. I am ywt to activate it yet I just had a quick look at fees they seem reasonable

 

[Aussiefamof5]

Mine showed up yesterday. I am ywt to activate it yet I just had a quick look at fees they seem reasonable

Hi Anne, does the PDS disclose the exchange rates?

 

[teddykins]

My brother's card came today, he's having issues activating it online as he has no drivers licence, no passport, not on the electoral roll so the only thing that works is his medicare card but it's only worth 31% of the 100% you need to activate it. There is a choice to upload documents, it takes several days for them to activate the card if you do this route. Seems rather stupid to me?? Why not have an option to do Photo ID, birth certificate, bank card, credit card, pension card(other centrelink card) and stuff as well? I mean not everyone has a drivers licence, passport or is on the electoral roll..

Also he did not get the PDS in his letter, they say you need to download that from the website. He rang the customer service and the lady he spoke to also said that the ability to charge the card at Australia Post is "coming soon" - this should have been available from day 1 imo especially since it's a prepaid card and b-pay & poli take several days to be received.

 

[Anne_Aus]

Hi Anne, does the PDS disclose the exchange rates?

Nope no exchange rates, I haven't had a chance to even activate it yet. But I can't seem to find rates anywhere

 

[Sugarglider]

Because the exchange rate changes all the time, they won't be able to publish it in the PDS but i am hoping someone has got one operating and can do an online load/reload - which will show the rate.
I wonder if they are close to Aust Post or Travelex?

 

[alicia1506]

i got mine tonight, read through the FAQ (it states that the exchange rates are visible through the 'manage my wallet' function) and went online.

it took all of about 20seconds to activate it. no drivers license or passport etc were necessary, only ticking a box that said they could verify my identity and adding my name, address, date of birth, setting up a password and answering 2 security questions. easy peasy.

all funds loaded onto the card are in aud. which means it's easy to figure out how much you're loading at any given time.

you then go into the 'manage my wallet' section and it will show your current aud (default) balance, and you can choose how many other currencies you want to have access to via the wallet. i dragged the usd currency into my 'active wallet' and up pops a message box asking if i wish to transfer funds from aud into my usd fund now.. if so, it displays an exchange rate valid for a 20-30 second window. it counts down in a timer and then refreshes the rate.

the rate it displayed tonight 10.28pm EST on 01/08/2013 was AUD 1 = USD 0.8608, $0 to buy, $1 bpay/poli load, $1 reload, $2.95 o/seas atm fee

in comparison, the following cards have current exchange rates (as at today, at this time) of:

commbank travel card: AUD 1 = USD 0.8554, $15 to buy, $0 load, 1% (max $15) reload, $2.50 o/seas atm fee
nab travel card: AUD 1 = USD 0.8531, 1% load fee, 1% reload fee, no o/seas atm fee ($3.75 if in aus)
anz travel card: AUD 1 = USD 0.8620, $0 load fee, 1.1% reload, $2.50 o/seas atm fee
auspost multi currency travel card: AUD 1 = USD 0.8581, $15 or 1.1% to buy & initial load, 1% or $10 reload (min $100 reload), no o/seas atm fee ($2.95 if in aus)
amex travel card: AUD 1 = USD 0.8627, $15 to buy & initial load, 1% or $10 to reload (min $100 reload), $2.00 o/seas atm fee


hope this helps those who are not quite sure how the fees/charges/exchange rates etc all stack up

 

[Toy Story]

Thanks for doing the research Alicia. I was thinking about using the Virgin card to keep my spending $ separate

 

[Sugarglider]

Oh Alicia - you are the very generous girl! doing all the hard work for us!
thank you!

 

[alicia1506]

glad i could help