Virgin Australia is extending their three-month Discover Gold trials provided under the airline’s recent status match offer, and boosting perks for existing Platinum and Gold frequent flyers!
Here’s everything you need to know.
In this post:
Status match perks extended to five months
Late last year Virgin Australia coined their Discover Gold status match program which aimed to attract elite frequent flyers from the likes of Oneworld partner airlines including Qantas, as well as Emirates and Air New Zealand. The fast track to elite Velocity status was relatively easy with contenders required to take one eligible Virgin Australia flight and earn 80 status credits within three months to earn Velocity Gold/Platinum for the following 12 months.
Now Velocity has added an extra 2 months to the Discover Gold membership, making it even easier to hold on to Velocity status. Contenders are now required to take one eligible Virgin Australia flight and earn 80 status credits within five months to retain Velocity Gold/Platinum for the subsequent year.
Already met the Discover Gold challenge requirements? You’ll still get the extension, giving you an additional two months of Gold perks before your 12 months of Velocity Gold membership starts. That’s up to 17 months of lounge access, priority check-in and boarding and more from just one status match!
Unfortunately, Virgin Australia’s Velocity Discover Gold offer is not currently accepting any new applicants.
Status extensions for Platinum and Gold members
Velocity Frequent Flyer has previously extended the status for all Platinum and Gold members who completed one eligible paid flight between 7 December 2020 and 28 March 2021.
Virgin has now increased that booking window until 30 May 2021, for travel until 22 February 2022. Once you complete your eligible flight, your Velocity Platinum/Gold review date will become March 31 2022. That means you could score between one month and one year of extra status!
Learn more about the status extension promotion here.
Bonus perks for Platinum or Gold members
Those who already hold Velocity Platinum or Gold membership now have access to additional benefits after taking two or three paid flights. Unfortunately, these perks are temporary and also end after 28 March 2021.
1) 5,000 bonus Velocity Points
To earn 5,000 bonus Velocity Points, simply take two eligible flights before 30 May 2021. Your bonus points will be credited at the same time as your second eligible flight.
2) Free Economy X upgrades
Normally Virgin Australian reserves EconomyX (extra legroom) upgrades for Platinum and VIP frequent flyers, with all other passengers charged an additional fee to select these seats. But for a limited time, Velocity Gold members can enjoy complimentary upgrades to Economy X following their third eligible flight by May 30 2021.
Once members qualify, complimentary Economy X upgrades are available on flights up until 30 May 2021. Plus, the upgrades can be applied for the member and up to eight companions on the same booking.
Travellers who qualify can upgrade to EconomyX after linking their Velocity account to a booking, and then select their seat in the ‘seat selection’ page during the reservation process or afterwards via ‘manage my booking’.
3) Business upgrades on any fare
Every year, Velocity Platinum members receive four complimentary upgrades from economy to business class, although these upgrade credits are typically limited to the most expensive Freedom fares.
However, Platinum members who complete the three eligible paid flights during the promotion period will unlock free business class upgrades on any paid Economy fare, even Getaway! To be eligible you’ll need to have existing fare upgrade credits in your account.
