Learn how to earn – and burn – Velocity Frequent Flyer Points, whilst leveraging other compelling benefits.
With over 11 million members, Velocity Frequent Flyer is one of Australia’s largest and most accessible airline programs.
Discover the key benefits of membership, as well as strategies to earn – and redeem – Velocity Frequent Flyer Points, whilst taking advantage of other compelling benefits.
Why Velocity Frequent Flyer?
Velocity Frequent Flyer unlocks an array of generous benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem Velocity Points.
Velocity Frequent Flyer members have the flexibility of earning and redeeming points through Virgin Australia and a host of partner airlines and travel providers – including Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways.
There are plenty of ways to earn Points on everyday spend – think fuel, groceries and online shopping. Plus, there’s the ability to ‘double dip’ when you pay with a Velocity Points earning card.
When it comes to redeeming Velocity Points, members are truly spoiled for choice with where and how they can redeem them. This includes Virgin Australia Reward Seats, and even business and first class flights with leading international airline partners.
An attractive, multi-tier membership structure and overall ease of use positions Velocity Frequent Flyer as a key airline program of choice for many seasoned Australian travellers.
Getting reacquainted with Velocity Frequent Flyer
As travel demand has ramped back up, Velocity Frequent Flyer has made a notable effort to dial up its value proposition. From bonus points promotions to onboarding new partner airlines and strengthening an existing tie-up with Singapore Airlines, Velocity is offering more ways to earn and redeem points than ever before.
Plus, it’s important to note that Velocity Frequent Flyer points don’t expire provided members earn or redeem just 1 point within any 24-month period.
So, providing you’re registering some form of points activity with Velocity Frequent Flyer every two years, your balance will remain current.
Not yet a member? It’s free and easy to sign up now
As the saying goes: the best things in life are free, and a Velocity Frequent Flyer membership is no exception.
If you’re not yet a Velocity Frequent Flyer member, joining won’t cost you a cent – signing up to Velocity Frequent Flyer won’t take anything except two minutes of your time.
Simply head to the Velocity Frequent Flyer website via this link, and follow these five steps:
- Select a country of residence
- Create an account with an email address and password
- Enter personal details (name, date of birth, address and contact number)
- Nominate a security question and a four-digit pin
- Open Velocity’s welcome email with your membership number
Once you’ve registered, getting familiar with Velocity is as easy as the sign-up process. Velocity Frequent Flyer sends out a series of emails to new members within the first few weeks, with guidance in getting the most out of the program.
It’s touches like this added support that makes Velocity Frequent Flyer such a valuable airline program.
Earning Velocity Points with Amex
There are many avenues through which Velocity Frequent Flyers can earn rewards on everyday spend. A Velocity Points earning Credit Card like the American Express Velocity Platinum Card® is one of the most effective ways to quickly grow a Velocity Points balance.
Key benefits of the American Express Velocity Platinum Card
The American Express Velocity Platinum Card offers a range of unique and rewarding benefits, designed to help Velocity Frequent Flyers earn piles of points and travel in style.
Above and beyond the sign on bonus the American Express Velocity Platinum offers:
- A complimentary Virgin Australia return Economy domestic flight between selected cities each anniversary year
- Two complimentary Virgin Australia lounge single entry passes each anniversary year
- Two American Express The Centurion Lounge entries each year you hold the card
- 100 Velocity Frequent Flyer Status Credits with a minimum $50,000 spend in a membership year
- Complimentary domestic and international travel insurance when you use the Card to pay for your return trip. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply (such as maximum age limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits).
American Express and Velocity offers all these benefits and more for an annual $375 Card fee. T&Cs apply.
Earning Velocity Points
Everyday earning partners
Strategically shopping at Coles with Flybuys Flybuys is a key Velocity partner, unlocking the ability for savvy shoppers to earn Velocity Points and status credits on groceries at Coles. Purchases at 7Eleven and winding down with Virgin Wine are just some of the other ways it’s possible to grow a Velocity Points balance through everyday spending.
Velocity e-Store
For an extra serve of points, Velocity members can login to the Velocity e-Store on a computer or device before shopping online at a range of leading retailers (think eBay, Apple and THE ICONIC). Qualifying purchases made at participating retailers will come with a side serve of Velocity Points.
Travel
Velocity Points can be earned on eligible flights with Virgin Australia and partner airlines including Singapore Airlines, Etihad and United Airlines. Points can also be earned through other travel activities including accommodation through Virgin Australia Hotels, car hire with Thrifty in Australia.
Double dipping with a Velocity Points earning Card
Beyond the spend categories we’ve covered above, it’s also possible to double dip on Points earn by using a Velocity Points earning card, including the American Express Velocity Platinum Card. You can even earn points with a no annual fee card, including the Velocity American Express Escape Card. You’ll earn once with an eligible partner, and once with your Card when you use it as your payment method.
Redeeming Velocity Points for maximum value
When it comes to redeeming Points, premium travel is where it’s at.
Beyond the ability to redeem points on Virgin Australia’s extensive network, Velocity Frequent Flyers can also access sought-after business and first class redemptions on partner airlines including Singapore Airlines, Etihad, Qatar Airways, and United Airlines.
That could see members access luxe international flight redemptions such as the Singapore Airlines A380 suite, a chance to fly the industry-leading Qatar Airways QSuite, premium flights into the USA with United Airlines, and the potential to access business and first class redemptions with Etihad.
Velocity’s partnership with Qatar Airways has added even more possibilities here, with the ability to unlock travel in the much-hyped QSuites business class suite.
While premium reward flights are typically considered to be the most aspirational ways to use Velocity Points, there are also plenty of ways to redeem points ‘on the ground’. At the Velocity Rewards Store, Velocity Frequent Flyers can find goods from fitness trackers to jewellery, tableware, or gift cards that start from a mere 4,903 Points*.
There’s something for every Velocity Frequent Flyer to aspire to with a stash of points.
How to level up your Velocity Frequent Flyer status
The key to getting the most out of Velocity Frequent Flyer member benefits lies in achieving Velocity Gold or Platinum status. Here, Velocity Frequent Flyers will arrive at perks such as complimentary upgrades, access to international partner lounges and priority check-in and boarding for all cabin classes.
Members of the Velocity Frequent Flyer program can climb the status tier ladder by earning Status Credits – 100 of which go a long way. The following table outlines Velocity’s status ladder intervals.
| Tier | Status | Status Credits to achieve | Status Credits to maintain |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Red | 0 | 0 |
| Second | Silver | 250 | 100 |
| Third | Gold | 500 | 400 |
| Fourth | Platinum | 1,000 | 800 |
A Velocity Silver membership offers perks such as:
- two single-entry Virgin Australia Lounge passes
- 50% more Velocity Points on eligible flights
Velocity Frequent Flyers who move up the rungs to attain Velocity Gold status will enjoy all the benefits of Silver membership, with the additions of:
- global business class lounge access with partner airlines
- up to 75% more Velocity Points on eligible flights.
Meanwhile, the lofty heights of Velocity Platinum reserve the most premium perks for loyal frequent flyers able to make the most of:
- four complimentary Business Class upgrades
- access to even better international partner lounges, such as the Etihad First Class Lounge in Abu Dhabi
- 100% more Velocity Points on eligible flights.
Airline transfer partners
Virgin Australia’s other partner airlines offer a myriad of ways to leverage Velocity Points for premium airline travel. Velocity boasts world-class redemption partnerships with Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways United Airlines, Etihad Airways and Air Canada.
Summary
Velocity Frequent Flyer’s compelling value proposition positions it as a program of choice for Australian frequent flyers.
While all frequent flyer programs have their own strengths and weaknesses, Velocity’s quick and free sign-up, coupled with its abundance of redemption partners, Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer partnership, easily obtainable elite status and family pooling benefits make it a leading player in the Australian airline loyalty sphere.
This article is sponsored by American Express. Opinions expressed in this article solely belong to The Champagne Mile.
Point redemption rates we’ve published here are correct as of the time of writing and subject to airline T&Cs and availability. Fees and charges are payable in addition to the Points redeemed.
*Redemption of Points for gift cards is subject to the Velocity membership Terms and Conditions, as well as the Velocity Rewards Store Terms of Use and other Terms and Conditions for the particular gift card disclosed at the time of redemption. Minimum spend applies. Please review all Velocity Rewards Store Terms and Conditions before making your selection, as refunds or replacements are not provided if you change your mind or make a wrong selection. The Velocity Rewards Store is hosted by Collinson Group Limited (ACN 083 835 661). Gift card Terms and Conditions vary, see the card partner’s website for details. Gift cards will be posted to your nominated address. Please allow up to 14 business days for card delivery. Visit the Velocity Rewards Store for more details.
Cards are offered, issued and administered by American Express Australia Limited. Credit provided by American Express Australia Limited (ABN 92 108 952 085). Australian Credit Licence No. 291313. ®Registered Trademark of American Express Company.
American Express income and credit approval criteria applies. Subject to Terms and Conditions. Interest rates, fees and charges apply.
The insurance on American Express Cards is subject to terms, conditions and exclusions (such as maximum age limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits). This insurance is underwritten by Chubb Insurance Australia Limited (ABN 23 001 642 020, AFSL No. 239687) under a group policy of insurance held by American Express Australia Limited (ABN 92 108 952 085, AFSL No. 291313).
While you’re here: Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest tips, deals and news. It only takes a few seconds and we respect your privacy:
I see frequent references to a minimum spend with the Velocity Amex card but I can’t find what it is in any of the fine print t&c’s. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Hi Paul. Thanks for your question. To receive the 75,000 bonus Velocity Points with The Champagne Mile’s exclusive offer, you’ll need to apply online via TCM by 1 June 2023, be approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months. Hope this helps.