Virgin Australia adds carrier charges to reward flights
Velocity Frequent Flyers will fork out extra surcharges on Reward Seat bookings in 2019.
Using your Velocity Points to book Reward Seat flights is about to get more expensive in the new year. Virgin Australia announced today that a carrier charge will be introduced for reward flight bookings made on or after 1 January 2019. This includes all Virgin Australia-operated flights as well as Delta Air Lines operated and marketed flights travelling between Sydney and LA.
The specific carrier charges you’ll pay will depend on where you’re travelling and which cabin you’re flying in. You could pay as low as $3.50 or as high as $230. You can compare the different costs below:
| Route/network | Economy | Premium Economy | Business |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Australia | $3.50 | - | $5.50 |
| Trans-Tasman | $3.50 | - | $5.50 |
| Short-Haul International | $25.00 | - | $50.00 |
| Flights between Australia and Hong Kong | $35.00 | - | $50.00 |
| Flights between Australia and LA | $60.00 | $145.00 | $230.00 |
| Flights between Sydney and LA (marketed and operated by Delta Air Lines) | $60.00 | $145.00 | $230.00 |
The carrier charges are quoted in Australian dollars and must be paid at the time of booking. As well as debit or credit card, you also have the option to cover these charges with points or a combination of points and cash.
THE POINTS FINDER TAKE
While you can pay for the charges with Velocity Points, you'll get better value putting your points towards your next flight and covering the carrier charges with cash. Check out our guide to the Velocity Frequent Flyer program for more tips to earn and spend points.
You’ll also pay the carrier charges per sector. For example, if you book a return economy Reward Seat from Adelaide via Sydney to Hong Kong, you’ll be charged $77.00.
Virgin Australia has said that the new fees will cover ongoing associated costs of Velocity Reward Seats and is in line with industry practice. It also insists that Velocity remains competitive and that these surcharges are lower than those charged by competitors for domestic flights.
In other news for Virgin Australia flyers, the airline also announced its plans for a new lounge network today.
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Picture: Virgin Australia
