At a time when travel is a constant challenge, it has never been easier to retain airline status. With a crippled domestic schedule and international flying on hold, Virgin Australia has today announced a raft of incentives to assist while we eagerly await travel freedom.
Velocity Frequent Flyer is proving that loyalty works both ways, with further extensions to member status, bonus Status Credits on domestic flights, Status Credits on Reward Seat bookings and preparation for International redemptions.
Acting Velocity Frequent Flyer CEO, David Marr said Velocity wanted to reaffirm their commitment to members who have remained loyal.
“We’ve already given Velocity members more than 18 months of status extensions during the course of the pandemic and our announcement today will give members even more certainty that they’ll continue to enjoy the tier benefits they value when flying with Virgin Australia or our international partner airlines well into the future,” said Mr Marr.
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Velocity status extensions
Velocity Frequent Flyer is offering another generous status extension that will see eligible members retain their elite status as far as February 2023. There are two ways to qualify for an extension:
- An eight-month status extension will be available for Silver, Gold and Platinum members with a current review date between 30 September 2021 and 30 April 2022. These members will automatically receive an additional eight months at their current status tier, applied on their next review date.
- A status extension until 28 February 2023 will be available for Gold and Platinum members whose status was previously extended as part of Velocity’s 2020 Status Rewards Program
Successful members will be notified via email once their status has been extended.
Bonus status credits
Travellers who fly on eligible Virgin Australia services between 1 October 2021 and 31 March 2022 will receive a welcome boost to the Status Credits they earn.
The offer is valid for new and existing bookings and will see members earn up to double Status Credits for economy bookings and up to 45 per cent bonus Status Credits for business class bookings.
There is no need to activate this offer. Bonus Status Credit levels can be found below.
Bookings from 19 August 2021
Members who travel during the promotion period on domestic bookings made from 19 August will earn Status Credits at the following levels:
| Miles | Lite | Choice & Groups | Flex | Business |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 - 750 | 10 | 30 | 50 | 80 |
| 751 - 1500 | 15 | 40 | 70 | 115 |
| 1501 + | 20 | 60 | 90 | 150 |
Bookings prior to 19 August 2021
Members who travel during the promotion period on domestic bookings made prior to 19 August, will earn Status Credits at the following levels:
| Miles | Getaway (M) | Getaway (S, T) | Elevate & Groups | Freedom | Business Saver | Business |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 - 750 | 12 | 22 | 22 | 50 | 75 | 80 |
| 751 - 1,500 | 18 | 30 | 30 | 65 | 95 | 105 |
| 1,501 + | 25 | 45 | 45 | 90 | 135 | 150 |
Earn Status Credits on Reward Seat bookings
For the first time in almost a decade, Velocity is offering Status Credits on Virgin Australia Reward Seat bookings. The offer is valid for new and existing Reward Seat bookings for travel starting 1 October 2021 until 31 March 2022. Status Credits will be earned as follows.
| Miles | Economy Reward | Business Reward |
|---|---|---|
| 1 - 600 | 5 | 15 |
| 601 - 1200 | 7 | 20 |
| 1,201 - 2,400 | 10 | 30 |
International redemptions to re-open soon
After pausing international redemption bookings with partner airlines in March 2020, Velocity Frequent Flyer has said they are gearing up to re-open such redemptions soon. It’s anticipated that redemption bookings will be possible directly through the Velocity website for travel on a host of international carriers, that are yet to be announced.
Pre-covid I had more then enough status miles to reach top tier with plenty to spare. Had originally planned to fly the required legs later in the year but obviously covid hit and travel ground to a halt. I then proceeded to try to communicate with Velocity about possibly giving an slight extension to the deadline so I could fly the required leg, only to have my emails not even replied until a few months after when Melbourne(where I live) got put into the longest lockdown in Australia. Even more disappointing was them suggesting that I just fly the legs (which was impossible with the states restrictions) and that it was tough luck that I couldn’t. Bear in mind this was already when they decided to extend status the first time round. Makes me really regret that I stayed loyal and credited to them considering had I chosen an other airlines loyalty program I would have had not just the status but also extended automatically. I do know I’m not owned anything and if they agreed to my request earlier it would have been more then what they are required but the fact my other loyalty programs were more then happy to help (marco polo) makes me really sad and they heartlessness of the reply, Especially since velocity themselves claim that they are committed to their loyal member.