Virgin Australia removes Velocity number from paper boarding passes
Don't forget to pack your membership card!
Virgin Australian is no longer showing Velocity membership numbers on paper boarding passes.
"From 27 February 2020, we are removing Velocity Frequent Flyer membership numbers from kiosk-issued boarding passes," an email sent to members reads.
In practice, that means that if you're entitled to enter a Virgin lounge either as a paid member or because of Gold or Platinum Velocity status, you'll need to show your membership card at the lounge, rather than just your boarding pass.
For domestic travel, Virgin is recommending using the digital membership card from its Virgin Australia or Velocity apps. (Don't get me started on why Virgin has two apps, rather than just one.) If you've checked in through the Virgin app, your boarding pass should show your status as well.
For overseas travel, you'll still need to pack an actual membership card, since many partner lounges won't trust the digital version. "To access eligible partner airline lounges as a Gold or Platinum Velocity member when travelling internationally or domestically, please present your physical Velocity membership card," the email notes.
Qantas made the same change last year, having similarly introduced a digital membership card within its app. It's a sensible move for security reasons.
In the social media era we live in, many people share pictures of their boarding pass, which risks exposing their membership number and making them vulnerable to hackers. That's not just a theoretical risk, as I learned last year when more than 40,000 Velocity Points were stolen from my account. Ouch.
Angus Kidman's Findings column looks at new developments and research that help you save money, make wise decisions and enjoy your life more. It appears regularly on Finder.
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Picture: Angus Kidman
