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Virgin Australia launches status match offer

Kris
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Virgin Australia launches status match offer

Are you considering switching your flying over to Virgin Australia?

If so, the airline is enticing Platinum and Gold (or higher) frequent flyers of other airlines to try out Velocity Gold Status with a fast track trial membership.

If that’s you, all you have to do is fill out a quick application on the “Switch-A-Roo” website by September 26, 2022, and you’ll get a 3-month Velocity Discover Gold Status trial.

You’ll enjoy free lounge access, priority boarding, better seats, extra checked baggage, and more points when flying with Virgin Australia.

Easy, right?

To keep the Gold membership for a year, just book a single eligible flight and get 80 Status Credits during the trial.

And if you’re a Platinum (or higher) member of another program and want to fast track to Velocity Platinum for a year, just earn 200 Status Credits in the trial period.

This offer’s for members of frequent flyer programs not partnered with Velocity Frequent Flyer, like Qantas, Air New Zealand, Delta, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and a bunch more.

But if you’re an elite customer of Virgin Australia’s partner airlines like Qatar Airways, United Airlines, Singapore Airlines, ANA, Air Canada, Etihad Airways, and others you’re out of luck.

Also, you can’t get in on this deal if you’ve had Silver Status or higher with Velocity since April 2020.

For more info and to register, visit Velocity here.

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You can now book Qatar Airways rewards seats with Velocity Points

Kris
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You can now book Qatar Airways rewards seats with Velocity Points

Great news, Velocity Points holders!

Virgin Australia has switched on reward seat bookings with new partner Qatar Airways.

That means Velocity Points can now be used to book seats with the middle-eastern airline via the Virgin Australia website or over the phone.

Seats are available in all classes of travel, with availability in economy being the best, but there are also some pointy-end seats to be found.

Qatar Airways flies from Australia to Europe, Africa, the Middle East and even North America (if you wish to go the long way around) via its hub in Doha.

For the furthest journeys of 9,500 – 15,000 miles one way (such as to Europe), you’ll need 75,000 points in economy, 139,000 points in business class or 203,000 points in first class, one way, plus taxes and fees.

Here’s the redemption table.

When searching on the Virgin Australia website, make sure to tick “Use Velocity Points” and then in the search results look for the purple “Reward seats available” label.

Qatar is one of the world’s best carriers and many of its long-haul routes feature the superb Qsuite business class product. It also operates first class on select routes.

Qatar Airways Qsuite

If you’re sitting on a pile of Velocity Points and thinking of travelling soon, this is a great opportunity to put your points to work.

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Qantas to upgrade lounges in Auckland, Adelaide, Rockhampton and Port Hedland

Kris
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Qantas to upgrade lounges in Auckland, Adelaide, Rockhampton and Port Hedland

Qantas announced today that it’s putting serious money into its Adelaide, Auckland, Port Hedland, and Rockhampton lounges.

Auckland International Airport

Qantas is set to totally revamp and expand its current lounge area at Auckland International Airport, a project that was delayed by the pandemic.

This will enhance the pre-flight experience for customers traveling between Australia and New Zealand, as well as those on the new Auckland-New York service.

The existing two lounges will be combined and redeveloped into a single Qantas International Lounge. It’ll also expand into a neighboring space, increasing overall capacity by around 40 percent, from 244 to 340 seats.

Design work will start soon, and construction will be done in stages so the lounge can stay open during renovations. The lounge will have features tailored for long-haul travel, based on positive feedback from other lounges like the Perth lounge.

Adelaide Domestic Airport

Qantas has plans to build a new 190-seat Business Lounge at Adelaide Domestic Airport and give their current Chairmans Lounge and Qantas Club a serious facelift.

This new Business Lounge will cater to all those business-savvy and premium leisure travelers Qantas has been attracting. Altogether, the three lounges will have a whopping 570 seats.

The Adelaide Airport lounge area revamp will start in the second half of 2023. South Australia’s tasty food scene and beautiful nature will play a big part in the design.

Rockhampton Airport

Qantas is building a new lounge at Rockhampton Airport to show their ongoing commitment to investing in regional Australia and as part of the airport’s overall facelift.

It’ll be double the size of the current one, with room for up to 60 guests, and should open its doors in November this year.

Port Hedland Airport

Qantas is also giving its Port Hedland lounge a makeover as part of a larger terminal upgrade. The new lounge will be much bigger, with enough space to quadruple the capacity to 120 guests. That’ll be perfect for the growing FIFO crowd.

The project is set to be finished by late 2023.

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Qantas returns to New York, with new flights via Auckland

Kris
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Qantas returns to New York, with new flights via Auckland

Qantas will start flying to New York again after three-year pause due to COVID.

Starting from June 14, 2023, the new service will take Aussie travellers to New York via Auckland. The route will operate three days a week at first, using Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

Before COVID, Qantas used to fly to New York via Los Angeles, but now they’re changing it up and making it easier for passengers (since transiting at LAX can be painful) by going through Auckland instead. And they’re upgrading the lounge in Auckland too.

The airline will be in direct competition with Air New Zealand on this route. Qantas also plans to fly non-stop to New York as part of Project Sunrise from 2025.

You can book flights from Sydney to Auckland to New York starting today.

Qantas already operates six daily services to Auckland from Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne, and that’ll increase to 11 when the new New York flight starts.

In the first week, Qantas is flying two Points Planes, which means every seat in every cabin is available for Classic Reward flight on QF3 and QF4 on June 16. If you’re a Frequent Flyer based in Brisbane or Melbourne, you can also use Classic Rewards for your trans-Tasman flights. So, what are you waiting for? Book your flight now!

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Virgin Australia reopens fast-track security in Melbourne and Brisbane

Kris
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Virgin Australia reopens fast-track security in Melbourne and Brisbane

Virgin Australia business class customers and top-tier frequent flyers can once again enjoy priority security screening in Brisbane and Melbourne, but only during the weekday morning peak travel period.

The airline has reopened Premium Entry in Brisbane and a Priority Screening lane at Melbourne Airport.

These are reserved for Velocity gold status holders and above, business class guests, and eligible high-tier guests of the airline’s international partners.

The lanes are open between 5.00am and 10.00am weekdays, allowing guests to swiftly move through both airports during those times.

Virgin Australia used to provide priority screening for eligible customers at all hours of the day, and it’s unclear if the airline hopes to return to that in the future or if weekday mornings are the ‘new normal’.

In the meantime, fast-track security remains shut at Sydney Airport.

Commenting on the situation, the airline spokesperson said that “Virgin Australia is continuing to work through options with Sydney Airport Corporation.”

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Qantas gives Aussies flight discounts and other perks in apology for travel chaos

Kris
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Qantas gives Aussies flight discounts and other perks in apology for travel chaos

Have you been affected by months of chaos at airports around the country?

If so, get ready for an official “sorry” from Qantas.

Frequent flyers will start receiving an email and video message from CEO Alan Joyce from Monday.

Mr Joyce will acknowledge the recent challenges and blame a labour shortage and high levels of sick leave in its workforce.

The airline says it is rolling out a range of initiatives to improve mishandled bags and on time performance.

As well as saying sorry, Qantas is offering customers flight discounts and other benefits. These include:

  • a $50 off a flight promo code
  • 12 months status extension for Silver members and above
  • more reward seats being released
  • lounge pass invites for silver and gold members
  • a special gift for platinum and above members.

Check your inbox next week with more info about these offers.

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Earn and spend Qantas Points at over 40 dining venues across Australia

Kris
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Earn and spend Qantas Points at over 40 dining venues across Australia

Qantas is putting points on the table with its new partnership with Seagrass Boutique Hospitality Group, which owns restaurant brands such as 6HEAD, Ribs & Burgers, Italian Street Kitchen, Hunter & Barrel and The Meat & Wine Co.

Frequent Flyers can earn:

  • 3 points per dollar spent at premium venues including 6HEAD, Hunter & Barrel and Meat & Wine Co
  • 2 points per dollar spent at Ribs & Burgers and Italian Street Kitchen.

Members can also use points to pay the bill – though as our readers will know, this is not a great use of points and you’re better off saving them for airfares or hotels.

Qantas Loyalty CEO Olivia Wirth said the new partnership was in response to demand from members for more ways to earn and use points across hospitality experiences.

“Food and wine consistently rank amongst the top interests for our members, along with travel, and we’ve been looking at how we can expand their opportunities to be rewarded while dining out,” said Ms Wirth.

“The ability to earn points towards their next dream trip while enjoying a meal in a restaurant will be a welcome addition for frequent flyers. As will treating themselves to a dining experience using their Qantas Points.

“Frequent flyers can also double-dip on earning Qantas Points by using their points earning credit card when they dine at one of these restaurants.”

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Earn 20% bonus Velocity Status Credits on international flights

Kris
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Earn 20% bonus Velocity Status Credits on international flights

Looking to boost your status credit count?

Virgin Australia is running a promotion offering travellers 20% bonus status credits on international flights operated or marketed by the airline.

Virgin’s own overseas network is very limited. It has a small number of flights to Bali and Fiji, and intends to expand the network to just a handful of destinations in the region.

But Virgin does have a codeshare arrangement with United Airlines on flights to North America. And it’s in the process of developing codeshare agreements with other airline partners, like Qatar Airway and Singapore Airlines.

Codeshare flights are eligible for the current status credits offer. Under the promo, an Eligible Flight is any international Virgin Australia operated or marketed flight with a VA flight number for travel between 1 August 2022 and 31 December 2022 (inclusive) that normally earns Status Credits.

Eligible Flights that satisfy the criteria are eligible to earn a 20% bonus.

If you’re travelling overseas this year, keep this promo in mind.

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