Tricky question about Velocity Visa card

[starlight]

Hi guys

just signed up to get this forums opinion on something (have lurked a bit, you guys seem to really know your stuff). I work for one of the Virgin Group subsidiaries and i've been interested in picking up a MC/VISA that will rack up some Velocity FF points

I'm interested in getting a Virgin Flyer Visa card, the standard $129 fee is too steep and it would not make financial sense to get it for that money. Here's the catch, as I work for the Virgin Group, i can get the card for free.

The advertise the card as being free for as long as you are employed by the group. Once you end employment you will immediately be charged the $129 annual fee. I'm not going to be staying with the company for years and years, but a $1-1 Velocity point is too good to refuse. What I am wondering, is how will they know i've left the Virgin Group? Its not like HR will be phoning them up or anything? and if they do find out and i threaten to cancel the card, do you think they'll waive the fee's?

I know its a bit of a tricky question, but if anyone has any sort of experience in this area it would be much appreciated.

thanks guys

 

[medhead]

Who knows how it works. But it would be unsafe to think they don't have some sort of reporting system. My advice is to make hay while the sun shines.


Sent from the Throne

 

[Jousams]

I applied for one of these cards and there was a stuff up.

All their communication is through extremely poor VOIP quality Asian call centers, and I just did not bother because if my details/card were/was to be fraudulently used I pondered how much of a drama it would be to follow up with such dismal communication.

My advice would be to steer clear of virgin money credit cards.


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[Rallo]

True, the call centre can frustrating, but for me the benefits of 1 point per dollar and 2 for 1 flights outweigh any issues with the call centre.

 

[Jousams]

True, the call centre can frustrating, but for me the benefits of 1 point per dollar and 2 for 1 flights outweigh any issues with the call centre.

Hmm yeah, my NAB velcoity platinum Amex has that earn rate(I think?) anyway. And im quite happy with the service NAB provides.


Upon saying so, I have my super with virgin money, it is very flexible and performing quite well.


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[starlight]

All their communication is through extremely poor VOIP quality Asian call centers, and I just did not bother because if my details/card were/was to be fraudulently used I pondered how much of a drama it would be to follow up with such dismal communication.

I'm kinda relying on dismal communication here!!! I'm not sure if your experience is a plus or minus for me when considering this card!!

Already have an amex sorted. I just cant see another way to get a decent $1=1 Velocity without hefty annual fees. I dont have a mortgage or other financial products to lean on the bank with.

I'm trying to work out if they have a reporting system to find out if you leave the Virgin Group or if it's all a bluff?

 

[Rallo]

Sorry should of qualified that, I also run the Amex Plat Edge but it is becoming increasingly difficult to land a Visa with 1:1 earn ratio.

 

[Jousams]

I'm kinda relying on dismal communication here!!! I'm not sure if your experience is a plus or minus for me when considering this card!!

Already have an amex sorted. I just cant see another way to get a decent $1=1 Velocity without hefty annual fees. I dont have a mortgage or other financial products to lean on the bank with.

I'm trying to work out if they have a reporting system to find out if you leave the Virgin Group or if it's all a bluff?

Sorry, I got a bit off track.
I have no idea, but going from my experience, they are hopeless. So if you think 1:1 point earn is worth risking your identity, credit rating etc etc. go for it. I don't believe they have any dialogue with any other virgin companies. I say this as I logged a complaint after my experience and mentioned my velocity tier, virgin active membership, virgin mobile account etc etc, and they basically replied with a TAGS (tell a good story..)
So yeah, go for it.


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[starlight]

Sorry, I got a bit off track.
I have no idea, but going from my experience, they are hopeless. So if you think 1:1 point earn is worth risking your identity, credit rating etc etc. go for it. I

far out! i never expect much from call centers, but to be honest i try and call them as little as possible. My current master card i've had for nearly a decade and i've only called the call center once in that time. You seriously think a Citibank backed service is such a risk to your credit rating/ID etc? (this is an actual question, not a sarcastic statement!!)

 

[Jousams]

far out! i never expect much from call centers, but to be honest i try and call them as little as possible. My current master card i've had for nearly a decade and i've only called the call center once in that time. You seriously think a Citibank backed service is such a risk to your credit rating/ID etc? (this is an actual question, not a sarcastic statement!!)

In the case that you were traveling internationally & online shopping, it is a possibility, (probably slim) and while it is a risk with all cards, I believe there would be minimal support from the call center in the case of issues.
But I'm probably being pedantic,


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[Jousams]

But if they realized you decided not to work for virgin anymore and ask you to pay, just cancel the card?


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[starlight]

But if they realized you decided not to work for virgin anymore and ask you to pay, just cancel the card?

Yeah thats what i'm thinking. I just dont want them to auto-debit me and then be $129 out of pocket (from what has been said about the call centers, i'm imagining it would be impossible to get back). I might move on in a couple of months from the company.

I'm tempted to just go for it (unless anyone else has experience, or thinks for a good reason they'll pick me up on it) but i dont want to just have the card for 6 months then thats it. Not worth the time/hassle/entry on the credit rating etc. I want to only do this if i think i can get the card fee free for an extended period of time.

 

[froggerADL]

But I'm probably being pedantic

You think?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

the standard $129 fee is too steep and it would not make financial sense

If this above statement is on the money (excuse the bad pun), then wouldn't your intended CC spend be too low to even bother with the few extra points over a main stream card?

Most would see the 241 flights as the clincher I imagine, but as you work for the Virgin group would we assume you get staff rates anyway?

 

[Major]

Yeah thats what i'm thinking. I just dont want them to auto-debit me and then be $129 out of pocket (from what has been said about the call centers, i'm imagining it would be impossible to get back). I might move on in a couple of months from the company.

I'm tempted to just go for it (unless anyone else has experience, or thinks for a good reason they'll pick me up on it) but i dont want to just have the card for 6 months then thats it. Not worth the time/hassle/entry on the credit rating etc. I want to only do this if i think i can get the card fee free for an extended period of time.

If you are thinking of moving on in a couple of months then perhaps you should wait until your employment situation stabilizes. Your new job may present you with an even better CC opportunity

 

[Simo]

I work with a large company and we have staff plans.

Many past employees have staff plans but generally they go for many years after employment ceases.

The only times it gets picked up is when the customer rings up and complains or they want to do something on there account.

We are currently doing a audit of all employee plans but it has been years since we have done it.

 

[starlight]

I work with a large company and we have staff plans.

Many past employees have staff plans but generally they go for many years after employment ceases.

The only times it gets picked up is when the customer rings up and complains or they want to do something on there account.

We are currently doing a audit of all employee plans but it has been years since we have done it.

really interesting, kinda the info i was looking for.

yeah i'm thinking i'll give it a punt and see what happens. if i could get a few years out of it i'm sure it would be a good deal. hopefully its not audited annually.

i'll have to remember not to ring up and complain!!

 

[muppet]

starlight, is there a reason you don't think 4 free flights is worth the annual fee?

Just curious, because I have used the 2 4 1 flights for: 2 J flights saving $1k and 2 flexi to PER saving $610

Now I know, I probably wouldn't have booked J if I was paying full price - but none the less - massive savings, plus points.

I think even if you have to pay the fee, you should be able to find a way to make it work.

m

EDIT: PS. Welcome to AFF

 

[starlight]

starlight, is there a reason you don't think 4 free flights is worth the annual fee?

Just curious, because I have used the 2 4 1 flights for: 2 J flights saving $1k and 2 flexi to PER saving $610

Now I know, I probably wouldn't have booked J if I was paying full price - but none the less - massive savings, plus points.

I think even if you have to pay the fee, you should be able to find a way to make it work.

m

EDIT: PS. Welcome to AFF

The 2 4 1 isnt worth it for me all that much. I wouldnt be booking business on the card, just holidays and i normally book far enough in advance to get good sale fares. 2 4 1 would be handy in that i wouldnt need to book sale fares to get the cheapest deal, but i only fly maybe once or twice a year at the moment (gah hard to get holidays off), and my Amex gives me two free flights a year.

i just want it for the points earn in the hope that every few years i'll have a trip to europe etc. beats earning no points or having to pay an admin charge. I figure i'm going to take advantage of this while i can and just cross my fingers that they're not going to charge me straight away when i leave (i get the feeling they wont, i cant see the systems lining up).

thanks for the welcome too