Article: How I Maintained Velocity Platinum Status in 2026

[Mattg]

Hi, so I have just scraped in retaining Platinum for another year from October, despite having to do a status run, after also being caught out on the bonus credit offering. (I still query how if it retrospective, you could book in January for flights in January after activating it at the end of February.)
However my query is this - I don’t want to spend $9000 just to keep platinum. I will enjoy next year as Platinum, the following year as Gold (if they don’t change that rule) and I will use my points to book flights instead of cash. But after that, is it better to redirect my flights to Qantas, or take up the HSBC type offer for Star Alliance gold? Or just pay for Qantas club or equivalent?
My concern with the HSBC offer, is after the first year, how do you retain it?
It is a long time since I have had to consider anything other than my normal flying to retain Velocity status and it is quite annoying that it will be no more.

This article may be helpful:

Don't Like the Velocity Status Changes? Use These Cards Instead!

Going to lose your Virgin Australia Velocity status? The HSBC Star Alliance, Amex Velocity Platinum and Amex Platinum cards offer a solid alternative to Velocity status.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[antycbr]

The answer also depends on who pays for your airfare, if it’s mainly personal VA is still cheaper than QF.

Transportation is still one of the side benefits of the crypto scheme that is a loyalty program.

 

[clifford]

The answer also depends on who pays for your airfare, if it’s mainly personal VA is still cheaper than QF.

VA may generally be cheaper than QF for domestic travel, but if you want status that counts when flying internationally, Velocity is fairly useless. If that's not an issue, fine.

I enjoy the OW first class lounges in Australia, Hong Kong, the UK and other places, which any level of Velocity membership couldn't come close to. And when your flight schedules on VA tickets get into difficulty overseas, who you gonna call?

 

[jakeseven7]

Well mines much shorter

Every single person at our company was given a status match to QF for second year running.