Virgin Australia has overhauled its economy airfares to introduce three new fare types – Economy Lite, Economy Choice and Economy Flex – along with a new, simplified business class fare.

Following a review of fares, pricing and bookings which found that 30 per cent of customers did not use their checked baggage allowance, the airline is introducing an Economy Lite seat-only fare, giving travellers the option to remove the unwanted cost of checked baggage from their ticket price.

There’s also no seat selection with this fare type unless you’re a Platinum frequent flyer, it’s not upgradeable, and it doesn’t count as an eligible sector for earning Velocity status (though you’ll still earn points and status credits, albeit at a reduced rate).

Economy Lite seat selection can be purchased for $7-$10 until 3 hours before departure, when all remaining seats become available to select for free.

Travellers will continue to receive 23 kilograms of checked baggage and seat selection when they book an Economy Choice or Economy Flex fare.

Economy Choice will also offer bonus points and status credits and booking flexibility for changes up to 14 days prior to departure without paying a fee.

Here’s a snapshot of what’s included with each fare.

And here are the frequent flyer inclusions.

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In some uplifting news for frequent flyers, Qantas has announced that it will be extending its status support offer for top-tiered Frequent Flyer members who might be facing a possible tier downgrade.

This comes as a sigh of relief for travelers who, due to Australia’s ongoing border closures and domestic lockdowns, are finding it hard to accumulate the required Status Credits to maintain their membership status.

Qantas Frequent Flyer program comprises of five membership levels, starting from Bronze and culminating at Platinum One.

Each level comes with its own set of perks and benefits, with the offerings increasing as you ascend the ladder.

The difference between maintaining your Platinum status or dropping to Gold, or from Gold to Silver, can be significant in terms of member benefits.

In November last year, Qantas made a similar offer to its members who were at risk of dropping a tier.

Given the persistent travel challenges, it makes sense for the airline to extend this lifeline again.

This announcement by Qantas means that all Australian and New Zealand based tiered members (Silver and above) with a membership year ending on or before June 2022 can breathe a sigh of relief.

By simply booking an eligible flight before the end of their membership year, for travel until June 2022, they can secure their status for another year.

Once this offer is activated, Qantas will also roll over eligible Status Credits that members have earned this year into their new membership year.

This means that not only can members maintain their status, but they won’t lose out on the Status Credits they’ve managed to accrue in this challenging year.

At a time when the travel industry is facing unprecedented challenges, and travelers are having to adjust their expectations and plans, it’s heartening to see Qantas taking steps to support its most loyal customers. While the journey may be bumpy, it’s clear that Qantas is doing its best to ensure its frequent flyers don’t lose their wings.

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Virgin Australia’s US partner Delta is cutting access to its domestic lounges for Velocity Gold and Platinum frequent flyers from 1 September.

To date, Velocity Gold and Platinum members have been able to use Delta’s Sky Club lounges before taking a domestic US flight.

From 1 September 2021, they’ll only have access to Delta lounges when travelling in Delta One class (available on a limited number of routes), when departing on an international Delta flight or before a domestic flight that connects to an international one on the same day.

Delta’s definition of “international travel” excludes flights to/from the Caribbean, Guam, Palau or Saipan.

While few Aussies are travelling to the US right now, this change will sting when international travel recovers.

Delta Sky Club access for Australians who hold the American Express Platinum Card remains in place, so getting this card is a workaround for affected travellers.

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Perth Airport has a new pay-to-enter lounge catering to charter and regional flights operated by Virgin Australia, Alliance Airlines and Rex from Terminal 2.

A handy airside connector means other Virgin Australia passengers from Terminal 1 travelling interstate or within WA can also use this space.

The lounge is operated by Swissport International Ltd, which recently acquired the No1 Lounges in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

The new Perth Aspire lounge offers comfortable seating and a relaxing atmosphere for 120 guests.

Given most customers are expected to be FIFO workers, the opening hours are currently 4am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Visitors enjoy complimentary food and drinks, including hot and cold meals as well as snacks.

Complimentary beer, wine and spirits are also on offer from 10am.

Lounge amenities also include a variety of digital magazines and newspapers, charging facilities, televisions, and free Wi-Fi.

Bathroom facilities are in the Terminal just outside the lounge.

To celebrate the opening of the space, travellers can take advantage of a special entry price of $22 during August, with standard pricing at $44 if purchased online ($49.50 walk up).

The lounge is expected to be added to the Priority Pass and DragonPass membership programs in time.

“We are excited to bring our renowned Aspire lounge brand to Perth Airport. It will make travelling for our guests as relaxing as possible. Our lounge products are carefully designed to meet the unique and evolving needs of our airport and airline partners,” says Brad Moore, Swissport’s Managing Director Australasia.

“The remote area workers that frequent Perth’s Terminal 2 will have access to a peaceful new space for socializing and dining, adding some extra comforts to the start of their journey,” he added.

“Pay-per-use lounges are becoming more popular at airports around the world,” says Perth Airport Chief Commercial Officer Kate Holsgrove. “It is great to be able to open the new Aspire Lounge to our regional passengers as a place to escape the hustle and bustle before their flight.”

A second Aspire lounge at Perth Airport’s Terminal 1 will launch later this year catering to international passengers.

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Virgin Australia has taken another step on the road to recovery by resuming sales of memberships to its network of lounges.

Membership sales had been on hold since the airline went into administration in April 2020.

Virgin fully reopened its lounge network in March 2021, albeit in a slimmed-down form that includes lounges only in the following domestic airports:

• Sydney
• Melbourne
• Brisbane
• Perth
• Adelaide
• Gold Coast
• Canberra.

The airline’s Cairns, Mackay, Alice Springs and Darwin lounge have been permanently closed.

Virgin Australia Lounge visitors currently enjoy complimentary snacks like sandwiches, salads and wraps, as well as drinks including barista-made coffee and alcoholic beverages (from noon).

Some facilities and services remain closed due to Covid, including showers, business centres and valets.

Virgin’s new Adelaide lounge, which opened earlier this year, sports a fresh new look that will eventually be rolled out across the lounge network.

Virgin’s new Adelaide lounge

Virgin’s new Adelaide lounge

If you’re a frequent flyer and keen to get unlimited access to these spaces, membership now costs a flat $399 per year with no joining fee.

Lifetime memberships are also available at a whopping $9,750, or $6,750 if you’re aged 60 or over.

A single entry pass may be purchased for $65 at lounge reception from two hours before departure, subject to space availability.

American Express Platinum Card Members will continue to receive complimentary lounge access.

For more information about Virgin lounge membership, visit the airline here.

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