How to plan and save for the ultimate trip
Itching to pack your bags and explore the world once again? It’s been a loooong time coming, but travel is back, baby! After 2 years of lockdowns, border closures and travel restrictions, you’ve probably got a long and exciting list of places to go and things to see. As international travel increases, it’s time to get ready. But if your savings account isn’t quite as big as your travel dreams, you’ll likely need to do something about it first. So we’re here to help make your holidays everything you’ve been waiting for.
Let’s take a look at how we make it easy to save for your ultimate international adventure so you can get going sooner, how you can make the most out of Virgin Money Rewards, and how to keep your money safe while you’re away.
How to reach your saving goals faster
Trying to save but struggling to see your bank balance grow? Saving isn’t just all about willpower and hard work. When you bank with Virgin Money, we give you the tools you need to supercharge your savings. And it’s all at your fingertips. Let’s get started.
Get a Virgin Money Go Account
Open a Virgin Money Go Account that rewards you from the get-go1. You’ll even get bonus Virgin Money Points1 just for joining (we’re not joking!). Plus, it comes bundled with our high interest savings Boost Saver. They’re the perfect pair to help you hit your trip’s money goals sooner. Did we mention you can earn up to 5.35% p.a. on your savings when you switch on the Lock Saver Feature and meet the monthly criteria4? (Monthly Criteria, 32 days’ notice period and T&Cs apply.)
Round Ups
Save every time you spend. Activate Round Ups5 in your Go Account to automatically round up your purchases to the nearest dollar and we’ll send the difference straight to your savings.
Open up to 9 Boost Savers
Keep your eye on the prize. With up to nine separate Boost Savers for your savings goals, it’s easy to remember what you’re saving for and stay on track. A holiday? A new laptop? A big gift for someone special? Save for them all at once.
How to make the most of Virgin Money Rewards while traveling
Sure, some might say jetting off on your dream vacay may be a reward in itself for hitting your savings goals. But we say, let’s make that trip even more rewarding. Here’s just a few ways you can earn more points or use your points while you’re enjoying your next adventure. T&Cs apply.
Score 8 points with every purchase
Whether it’s a souvenir for someone back home or a treasure for you to keep, get more value from each transaction with 8 Virgin Money Points on every purchase, direct debit and BPAY payment with your Virgin Money debit card2.Monthly Criteria applies.
Book your stay and experiences in app
Put more yay in your stay. Book your accommodation through the Virgin Money app and earn five points with every $1 spent**. There are over 550,000 hotels and resorts worldwide to choose from (now that’s some rewarding stuff). You can also lock in experiences with travel partners like Klook and Travel and earn points too. It’s points heaven!
Pay with Points
After you’ve done the hard yards of saving and travelling ‘til your heart is content, you can help your cash stretch a little further and erase a purchase you’ve already made by paying with points. Voilà.
How to keep your money easy and safe overseas
When you’re travelling, the last thing you want to worry about is your money. Here’s how you make managing your money on your next trip less stress and less fuss.
Add your card to your digital wallet
For easy shopping when you travel, forget the plastic. Add your card to your digital wallet and where you go, you money goes – no need to worry about carrying your card everywhere.
Enjoy Visa card network benefits
Our Visa cards are accepted worldwide. And that means you can withdraw cash from over 2.2 million ATMs around the world. Or if you’re shopping online, you can relax and enjoy the added security of 'Verified by Visa'. Fees and charges apply.
Ready to bank and travel to your own beat? Learn more
Important Information
1. Welcome Bonus: New Virgin Money Go Account customers will receive 5,000 bonus Virgin Money Points when they make at least one purchase which settle in that month (not pending) with their Virgin Money Go Account or make a direct debit or BPAY payment in the first 30 days from account opening. For customers who open a Virgin Money Go Account jointly with another person, the points will be split and evenly allocated to both joint account holders of that account once the Monthly Criteria have been met. Virgin Money reserves the right to amend or withdraw this offer at anytime without notice. For further information on the Virgin Money Rewards Program refer to our terms and conditions. Offer ends 31 August 2022.
For customers who open a Virgin Money Go Account jointly with another person, the points will be split and evenly allocated to both joint account holders of that account once the Monthly Criteria has been met. For further information refer to our Virgin Money Rewards terms and conditions.
2. You will earn 8 Virgin Money Points for any debit card purchase, direct debit or BPAY payment on your Virgin Money Go Account if you have met your Monthly Criteria in the previous month. The Monthly Criteria vary by age and includes a minimum deposit and minimum number of transactions each month that must be made into a Virgin Money Go Account that is issued in the same name. Monthly Criteria:
- If you are 25 years and older, deposit $2,000 or more into your Go Account from another financial institution (such as your salary), and make at least 5 debit card purchases, direct debits or BPAY payments in the previous month which settle in that month (not pending)
- If you are between 18 and 24 years, deposit $1,000 or more into your Go Account from another financial institution (such as your salary), and make at least 5 debit card purchases, direct debits or BPAY payments in the previous month which settle in that month (not pending)
- If you are between 14 and 17 years, no Monthly Criteria apply in order to earn the benefit.
For customers who open a Virgin Money Go Account jointly with another person, the points will be split and evenly allocated to both joint account holders of that account once the Monthly Criteria has been met. For further information refer to our Virgin Money Rewards terms and conditions.
3. ATM access is free via the Redi Teller Network, Bank Of Queensland and the 4 major retail banks. Although Virgin Money doesn’t charge domestic ATM withdrawals fees, some financial institutions or independent ATM operators may charge fees for using their ATMs and there are fees for balance enquiries and international ATMs.
4. The Virgin Money Boost Saver highest Variable Interest Rate of 2.60% p.a. is made up of
- a Base Interest Rate of 0.05% p.a.;
- a Bonus Interest Rate of 2.25% p.a.; plus
- a Notice Interest Rate of 0.30% p.a. (Lock Saver Feature);
When the Lock Saver Feature is enabled and the Monthly Criteria are met on the Virgin Money Go Account in the previous month.
The Virgin Money Boost Saver Bonus Interest Rate applies up to the aggregate balance of $250,000 across all Boost Savers that are held in the same name. It is applicable for any month, where the Monthly Criteria were achieved on your Go Account in the immediately preceding month. The Monthly Criteria below must be made into a Virgin Money Go Account that is in the same name as your Boost Saver:
- If you are 25 years and older, deposit $2,000 or more into your Go Account from another financial institution (such as your salary), and make at least 5 debit card purchases, direct debit or BPAY payments in the previous month which settle in that month (not pending)
- If you are between 18 and 24 years, deposit $1,000 or more into your Go Account from another financial institution (such as your salary), and make at least 5 debit card purchases, direct debit or BPAY payments in the previous month which settle in that month (not pending)
- If you are between 14 - 17 years, no Monthly Criteria apply in order to earn the Bonus Interest Rate.
For more information visit the Rates & Fees section.
5. Round-ups are transfers that you can elect to activate on your Go Accounts. By enabling this feature on your Go Account, funds are transferred from the selected Go Account to your nominated savings account each time you make a debit card transaction. The amount of the transfer will be up to the nearest $1 of the amount that the transaction takes place. Round-up transactions will not take place if by making the transaction your account would be Overdrawn. You can disable the round-up feature through the Mobile app at any time.Gift Cards or Vouchers are administered by Ascenda Australia Pty Ltd and are subject to the
*Ascenda Terms and Conditions. Requested Gift Cards are subject to separate terms and conditions made available at the time of requesting the Gift Card. Once points have been redeemed for a Gift Card, the Gift Card cannot be returned. Expiry dates will apply.
**Hotel booking made through the Virgin Money Rewards Program are operated by Ascenda Australia Pty Ltd and subject to Ascenda’s additional Booking and Travel Terms. Individual hotel bookings may be subject to further terms and conditions stipulated by Ascenda’s travel partners. These additional terms will be made available to you by Ascenda at the time the relevant booking is made. Points earned from making a Hotel Booking will be credited to your account within 24 hours after the completion of your hotel stay.