Guide to the Velocity Frequent Flyer Program

Virgin Australia's Velocity Frequent Flyer program is one of Australia’s most popular airline programs, boasting 10 million members. Similar to most airline rewards programs, Velocity frequent flyers can earn points when flying with Virgin Australia and its airline partners and when making eligible purchases, including those made with a Velocity rewards credit card. Once you've earned enough points, you can redeem them for everything from flights and travel rewards to a variety of products and experiences from the Velocity Rewards Store. Plus, as you collect more points, you'll earn Status Credits to access even more exclusive benefits.Learn how to join the Velocity Frequent Flyer program and how to get the most out of your Velocity Points and rewards below. In this guide...

How to join the Velocity Frequent Flyer program

You can join the Velocity program by signing up through the Velocity website. Unlike some other programs, you won’t need to pay a joining fee when you sign up to Velocity. The application should only take 5-10 minutes to complete, and you’ll be required to submit personal details such as your full name, contact information and details of any other airline programs you belong to.

You’ll be asked to set up your password, so make sure it’s something memorable as you’ll need it to manage your account and check your Velocity Points balance in the future. Once you’ve submitted the application, you’ll receive your temporary BP card number that you can use to collect points at BP stations until you receive your card in the mail, which should arrive within a few weeks.

How to earn points with Velocity

You can earn Velocity Points on a lot more than flights. Take note of the following and see how you can earn points as you spend:

Flights with Virgin Australia and partner airlines

You can earn Velocity Points on eligible flights with Virgin Australia and its airline partners.

Virgin Australia

Virgin Australia and Virgin Samoa.
You can earn points with Virgin Australia and Virgin Samoa when you travel on flights with a VA flight number (including codeshare services operated by airline partners). You’ll earn 5 points per $1 spent on eligible domestic fares. You can earn between 0.5 to 2.5 points on international and long-haul flights depending on your seat fare. (Please note that you’ll be unable to earn points on Reward Seat bookings.)

Silver, Gold and Platinum members will earn additional points:

You can also earn Status Credits on some of these flights, although this will depend on the flight and ticket fare. Check the Velocity Frequent Flyer website to confirm whether your flight is eligible for Status Credits.

Earning points with a Velocity credit card

There is a range of reward credit cards that allow you to earn Velocity points for your everyday spending. There are two main options to consider:

1. Velocity co-branded credit cards. These cards, otherwise known as direct earn cards, allow you to earn Velocity Points directly from your credit card purchases. Currently, Virgin Money, American Express and NAB are the only providers in Australia who offer direct-earn Velocity cards. Some of these cards will waive your Velocity joining fee, so this is something you’ll want to confirm if you’re not already a member. Earn bonus Velocity points with a credit card.
2. Indirect earn credit cards. If you don’t have a Velocity co-branded credit card, you may be able to transfer your credit card rewards points to Velocity points. Some of the banks that allow you to do this include:
   

   Bank	Points earned
   American Express	If you don’t have a Velocity American Express card, you can still earn Velocity Points on purchases. Ascent or Ascent Premium members can earn 1 Velocity Point per Membership Reward. If you’re a Business Ascent member, you’ll earn 3 Membership Reward points per 2 Velocity Points. You can also transfer 3 Membership Reward points for 2 Velocity Points.
   Diners Club International	You can transfer 1 point for 1 Velocity Point.
   ANZ Business Rewards	ANZ Business Rewards members can transfer 2.25 points for 1 Velocity Point.
   Citi	Citi Premier, Prestige and CitiBusiness Gold cardholders can transfer 2 Citi Rewards points for 1 Velocity Point. If you’re a Citi Gold or Platinum cardholder, you can transfer 2.5 Citi Rewards points for 1 Velocity Point.
   Card Services	Card Services Gold and Platinum customers can exchange 2.5 Card Services Rewards points for 1 Velocity Point.
   Bank of Queensland	Platinum credit card holders can transfer 3 Q Rewards points for 1 Velocity Point.
   Westpac	You’ll get 1 Velocity Point for 2 Altitude points if you’re a Westpac customer.
   Commonwealth Bank	If you’re a CommBank Awards credit card customer, you can transfer 2.5 CommBank Award points for 1 Velocity Point. CommBank Platinum Awards and Diamond Awards customers will also receive 1 Velocity Point per 2 CommBank Award points.
   St.George	You’ll receive 1 Velocity Point per 2 Amplify Points you transfer from your St.George rewards account to your Velocity account.
   Suncorp Bank	You can transfer 2.5 Suncorp Bank Rewards points for 1 Velocity Point.
   BankSA	2 Amplify Points will get BankSA cardholders 1 Velocity Point.
   Bank of Melbourne	BoM customers can transfer 2 Amplify Points for 1 Velocity Point.
   American Express New Zealand	You can transfer 2 Membership Reward points for 1 Velocity Point.
   ANZ	You can transfer 2 ANZ Reward points for 1 Velocity Point.
   HSBC	Premier or Platinum credit card customers can exchange 2 HSBC Rewards Points for 1 Velocity Point.

Comparison of credit cards that earn Velocity Points

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Name	Product	Bonus Points	Rewards Program	Rewards Points per $ spent	Purchase rate (p.a.)	Annual fee
American Express Velocity Platinum Card		50,000 bonus points	Velocity Frequent Flyer	Amex 1.25	20.74% p.a.	$375 p.a.	Get 50,000 bonus Velocity Points when you spend $3,000 for the first 3 months. Plus, 100 Status Credits and luxury travel perks.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express Velocity Escape Card			Velocity Frequent Flyer	Amex 0.75	20.74% p.a.	$0 p.a.	Earn uncapped Velocity Points on purchases and save with a $0 annual fee for life and a 0% p.a. for 12 months balance transfer offer.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Card - 0% Interest Offer			Velocity Frequent Flyer	Visa/MC 0.66	0% for 14 months, reverts to 20.74% p.a.	$64 p.a. annual fee for the first year ($129 p.a. thereafter)	Enjoy 0% p.a. interest on purchases for 14 months, a reduced first year annual fee and Velocity Points per $1 spent. Ends 24 Feb 2020.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express Velocity Business Card			Velocity Frequent Flyer	Amex 1	N/A	$249 p.a.	ABN holders w/ $75,000 revenue. A business charge card offering Velocity Points per $1 spent and up to 51 days interest-free on purchases.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Westpac Altitude Black - Velocity		80,000 bonus points	Velocity Frequent Flyer	Visa/MC 0.75	20.49% p.a.	$300 p.a.	Earn 80,000 bonus Velocity Points when you meet the spend requirement. Plus, complimentary seat upgrades and lounge passes.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express Westpac Altitude Black Bundle - Velocity		100,000 bonus points	Velocity Frequent Flyer	Amex 1.25 Visa/MC 0.75	20.24% p.a. (AMEX) 20.49% p.a. (Visa/MC)	$399 p.a. annual fee for the first year ($499 p.a. thereafter)	Up to 100,000 bonus Velocity Points with Mastercard (issued by Westpac) & Amex (issued & serviced by Amex). T&Cs apply.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Velocity Global Wallet travel money card

The Velocity membership card functions in two ways. While you can use one side to earn points, you can use the other as your Global Wallet prepaid Visa card. The Velocity Global Wallet supports up to 11 foreign currencies, five of which you can load at one time. As well as allowing you to access several supported currencies without the cost of currency conversion funds overseas, you can also earn Velocity Points per $1 you spend in Australia and overseas. Learn more about the Velocity Global Wallet.

Fuel

If you fill up at any participating BP service station, you can earn 2 Velocity Points on every fuel purchase up to 150 litres and for in-store purchases up to $100 per transaction. All you have to do is swipe your Velocity membership card before you pay. If you’ve misplaced your card, you can pick up a temporary card in-store, then register and link your temporary card number to your Velocity Account within 30 days to claim the points. See how earning Velocity Points on fuel stacks up against earning points for petrol with the Qantas Frequent Flyer program.

Shopping with flybuys

In October 2016, Velocity and Coles' flybuys announced an alliance that would allow cardholders to trade their flybuys points for Velocity Points. This means that you can earn Velocity Points when shopping at Coles, Coles Express fuel stations and 27 partnered retailers (including Kmart, Target, Liquorland, Telstra, OPSM and more). You can transfer your flybuys in increments of 2,000 flybuys for 870 Velocity Points, equalling an exchange rate of 0.43 Velocity Points for every dollar you spend with flybuys partners.

Car hire, service and parking

If you’re going on a road trip or need to rent a car for your next trip, book with Hertz, Europcar or Thrifty and you can earn up to 3 points per $1 (up to 800 points) spent on the rental. You can also earn bonus points if you're a Silver, Gold or Platinum member.

Book an appointment with Midas and you can earn up to 2 points per $1 spent on essential, extensive and logbook services at over 85 Midas Auto Service Expert centres across Australia. Discover how you can earn Velocity Points on car rentals here.

Book a Bay with Wilson Parking and you'll earn 5 Velocity Points per $1. Just visit the Wilson Parking website, enter your desired car park location and booking details, select Velocity under "Award Program" and enter your Velocity frequent flyer number.

Hotels

The next time you book a hotel, book with one of Velocity’s partners to earn points on your reservation at over 600,000 hotels worldwide.

Wine and dine

Spoil yourself with a good meal and earn points at the same time with these services.

Velocity e-Store

Whether you’re looking for fashion, gadgets, homewares or vouchers, you can earn 2 points per dollar spent with your choice of over 200 retailers.

Holidays and travel

Book and create a holiday package with Virgin Australia Holidays and you can earn 3 points per $1 spent on flights, accommodation, tours and activities across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the Pacific and North America.

Lifestyle and entertainment

If you’re looking to get fit, try something new or organise a gift, earn Velocity Points along the way with these services.

Home and business services

Earn points on everyday and business expenses with these services.

Family pooling and transfers

If you and your family are all Velocity Frequent Flyers, you can combine (or pool) your Velocity Points and Status Credits within the same account to maximise your points-earning ability. A family pool can consist of a total of six family members who live at the same address. Only two members can be 18 years or over and up to four members can be 17 years of age and younger. You’ll need to assign one member as the main beneficiary who will hold the points.

You can set up a family pool by logging in to "My Account" and clicking on "Family Pooling".

How you can redeem your Velocity Frequent Flyer points

Browse some of the ways you can turn your Velocity Points into rewards.

Flights

How to redeem your Velocity Points

Step 1. Log into your Velocity Rewards account and click on the redeem button in the top menu.

Step 2. Choose from one of the options available in the drop-down menu.

Step 3. Adjust how many points you want to spend on your item with the slider. Once you’re happy with your selection, click on the "Add to cart" button.

2 points per USD$1 spent at hotels and resorts within the Hilton Portfolio
2 points per AUD$1 spent at Travelodge
1 point per AUD$1 spent at qualia

Family pooling

Family pooling allows you to combine your family’s Velocity Points within the same account to reward you with greater benefits. For example, if you’re planning a family holiday but one member doesn’t have enough points to cover their flights and you have some extra, you can pool your points together to increase the savings. A total of six family members who live at the same address can pool their points. Only two members can be 18 years or over and up to four members can be 17 years of age and younger. You’ll need to assign one member as the main beneficiary who will hold the points.

Learn more about the benefits of family pooling

Other rewards you can redeem with Velocity

Redeeming your Velocity Points on flights is a valued reward, but it’s not the only one. The Velocity Frequent Flyer program offers a wide range of products that can all be purchased by using your Velocity Points.

Flights

See more of the world for less with Velocity and use your points to fly to over 600 destinations.

Velocity Rewards Store

The Velocity Rewards Store offers a range of products you can redeem for points. From camping equipment and home and outdoor products to leisure and entertainment or fashion accessories, you’ll find the perfect gift for a loved one or shop for yourself. You can also choose the Points plus Pay option if you decide to splurge and don’t have enough points to cover the entire purchase.

Car hire

Redeem your Velocity Points for car hire when you book with Europcar via CarTrawler. To be eligible, you’ll need a minimum balance of 4,000 points in your account and you can only redeem points for car hire in Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, France, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Austria and Switzerland. The number of points required for your journey will vary, but you do have the Points plus Pay option available.

Hotels

You can use your Velocity Points to book your next accommodation at one of the 75,000 hotels available across 180 countries. Another option is to redeem your Velocity Points for a gift voucher with selected hotel partners.

Holidays and travel

If your tight budget is making it difficult to save some extra cash for a holiday, then redeeming your Velocity Points on holiday packages may take some of the pressure off.

Sport

Points booster

If you’re looking to redeem your points but you’re a little short, you can purchase extra Velocity Points. Here are some basic requirements you need to consider before purchasing a Points Booster.

• How many points can I purchase? Velocity Frequent Flyer Points must be purchased in blocks of 500, with a minimum of 500 points minimum and a maximum of 50,000 points per purchase.
• Do I need to know what my Reward will be? You must nominate your intended Reward and the total number of points you require at the time of purchase.
• How often can I purchase points? Velocity Points Booster purchases are permitted twice per calendar year, per member.
• Can I purchase points for someone else? Purchased points may only be purchased by a member for their own use.
• Do I need to have Points in my account? You must hold 80% of the total required points balance for the intended reward in your account at the time of the Velocity Points Booster purchase.
• Are the points refundable? Velocity Points Booster purchases are non-refundable.

Family transfers

You can transfer points from your account to the account of an eligible family member, up to four times per membership year. Each transfer must be for between 5,000 and 100,000 points. You can complete the transfer either online by logging onto your Velocity account online or by calling the Membership Contact Centre. Telephone transfers will incur a $20 fee.

Accommodation

In February 2017, Virgin partnered with Kaligo to offer Velocity members the opportunity to redeem points for accommodation at over 456,000 hotels and resorts worldwide. If you visit hotels.velocityfrequentflyer.com, you can use your points to cover the total cost of the accommodation or can use Velocity Points + Pay to use a combination of cash and points to redeem your hotel stay. You'll also earn 3 points per $1 spent on any cash component of your booking, but a minimum 4,000 Velocity Points is required to use Points + Pay. You can use the site to browse your accommodation options based on destination, date range, room type as well as hotel star ratings or best accommodation for families, couples, singles or business travellers.

Velocity Frequent Flyer membership levels

In addition to earning points, your Velocity Frequent Flyer membership allows to you earn Status Credits, that help you move up the membership tiers. Unlike points, Status Credits are only awarded for eligible flights with Velocity partner airlines, or for shopping at participating flybuys stores when you have linked your Velocity and flybuys accounts. You cannot redeem points with your Status Credits, but you will enjoy exclusive benefits for your membership level.

• Silver. To acquire Silver membership, you will need to have accumulated 250 Status Credits and have flown two Eligible Sectors. At this level, you will enjoy privileges such as priority telephone services, seating preferences, priority check-in, access to the Virgin Lounge and 50% bonus points when you fly with Virgin Australia or selected travel partners.
• Gold. Once your Status Credit balance reaches 500 and you have flown four Eligible Sectors, you will be automatically upgraded to Gold membership. Gold membership will reward you with the same benefits of Silver membership as well as priority boarding, ability to change flights to an earlier time on the same booking, access to global lounges, and 75% points bonus when you fly with Virgin Australia or selected travel partners.
• Platinum. To become a member of the most elite membership tier, your Status Credit balance must be 1,000 and have flown to eight Eligible Sectors. This level will entitle you to all of the benefits offered to Silver and Gold memberships as well as access to all Virgin Lounges as well as Global Lounges, Priority seating and boarding as well as luggage allowances and 100% points bonus when you fly with Virgin Australia or selected travel partners.

You can learn more about the benefits of the Velocity membership tiers in this guide.

Mistakes to avoid

• Expired points. If you let your points expire, you can’t get them back. Your points will not expire as long as you are an active member, which means that you will have earned or redeemed points within a 24-month period.
• Forgetting to quote your Frequent Flyer number. You will need to quote your Velocity Frequent Flyer number at the time you make a booking. Whether it’s for car hire, accommodation or a restaurant reservation, be sure to provide your account details.
• Redeeming your points for the wrong reward. How you spend your Velocity Points is your decision. However, some rewards may offer high value for money than others, so shop around.
• Your points haven’t come through to your account. To claim points, you will need to log into your account and submit a missing points claim.
• Not logging into your account before shopping at the e-store. If you weren’t logged into your Velocity account before shopping at the e-store, you will not be allocated the points you earned.

How to manage your Velocity Frequent Flyer account

Managing your Velocity Frequent Flyer account can be done in three ways.

• Velocity Frequent Flyer online account. By logging into your account using your membership number and password, you will have access to your account details, update your personal information, make a flight booking, find out how to submit a missing points claim, view your points balance and redeem your points.
• Contact centre. If you would like to speak to someone directly about your membership details, you can call the Membership Contact Centre on 13 18 75.
• Virgin Australia app. You can download the Virgin Australia app for free from iTunes or Google Play and track your Velocity Points balance and Status Credits balance, transfer your points to a family member and claim missing points.

Pictures: Virgin Velocity, Virgin Australia