Just before the COVID-19 pandemic began, Virgin Australia won a daily slot to operate flights to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. Virgin prepared for months to launch daily Airbus A330-200 flights from Brisbane to Tokyo, which were to be operated in partnership with All Nippon Airways. The airline even began selling tickets and had planned a big … Continued
It’s just over a month since Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways launched a new strategic partnership. As well as earning and redeeming points on each others’ flights, this agreement promises Velocity Gold, Platinum and Beyond members access to priority check-in, priority boarding and lounges when flying with Qatar Airways. It’s a great value-add to the … Continued
The Virgin Australia Lounge at Perth Airport is now once again staying open until the evening red-eye flights depart, rather than closing at 6pm every day. Two months ago, Australian Frequent Flyer reported that the Virgin Australia Lounge in Perth’s terminal 1 was not staying open for the late-night overnight departures to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. In … Continued
Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer program has brought back its twice-yearly offer of bonus points when transferring from a credit card or hotel loyalty program a month early! For the past several years, Velocity has consistently offered at least 15% bonus points as an incentive to transfer points into Velocity from flexible points programs every … Continued
Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer program recently introduced a new partnership with Qatar Airways, while also adding lounge access as a benefit for Velocity Gold and Platinum members travelling on Air Canada. Both of these have been positive developments for Velocity, and there could be more good news on the way. Qatar Airways and Air … Continued
Virgin Australia will restore in-flight wifi from the end of this year, with high-speed internet to be rolled out across most of the airline’s fleet over the next 18 months. Virgin Australia previously offered wi-fi on board most of its planes before the pandemic. This service was free on domestic flights and for the first … Continued
From 13-26 September 2022, Virgin Australia is running an expanded Velocity status match offer that it’s calling “Switch-A-Roo”. Aimed blatantly at Qantas customers but also available to anyone who holds the equivalent of Gold or higher status with any airline that doesn’t partner with Virgin Australia, this new promotion offers fast-tracks to both Velocity Gold … Continued
In some exciting news for Australian frequent flyers, Virgin Australia’s unlikely new partnership with Qatar Airways is taking off from 6 September 2022. Under the new partnership, Velocity Frequent Flyer members can earn points and status credits, redeem points and receive reciprocal status benefits on Qatar Airways flights. The Doha-based Oneworld airline was voted the “world’s … Continued
Virgin Australia and Air Canada have been partners since early 2021. But until now, Virgin’s Velocity Gold and Platinum members have not received any additional benefits when flying on Air Canada. This is now changing. Since the partnership launched, Virgin Australia Velocity members have been able to earn and redeem points for Air Canada flights. … Continued
Virgin Australia has reopened the Premium Entry to its lounge at Brisbane Airport during the morning peak. But there’s still no planned re-opening date for the Premium Lounge Entry in Sydney. The Premium Entry was a popular benefit before COVID-19, and its return will be welcomed by frequent flyers. It allows Velocity Gold and Platinum … Continued
If you have a Virgin Australia Lounge membership, a Business Class ticket or hold Velocity Gold or Platinum status, you can normally use the lounge prior to any Virgin flight from an airport where a Virgin Australia Lounge is available. Lounge access is a sought-after benefit at the best of times, but it’s especially handy … Continued
Velocity Frequent Flyer members would normally need to earn at least 250, 500 or 1,000 status credits during a 12-month period to upgrade to Silver, Gold or Platinum status respectively. But Velocity routinely upgrades frequent flyers who are still just a little bit short of the published status credit target, provided they’ve flown the minimum required … Continued
