Velocity Frequent Flyer and flybuys have made some welcome changes to their partnership.

First up, the points transfer rate from flybuys to Velocity is increasing permanently. Previously, you could transfer 2000 Flybuys points for 870 Velocity Points. Now, 2000 flybuys points will get you 1000 Velocity Points: a handy 15% boost.

The minimum transfer amount has also been reduced to 1000 flybuys points (= 500 Velocity Points). Customers can set up an auto-transfer feature so that points are automatically transferred from flybuys to Velocity when you earn this amount.

In addition, the annual limit on points transfers has been removed, meaning you can now transfer as many points as you like.

To read more about these changes, visit Velocity’s website here.

With Covid-19 vaccines beginning to be rolled out around the world, Qantas has decided to reopen bookings across its international network from 1 July 2021, anticipating that overseas travel will resume around that time.

This seems rather optimistic given the scale of the outbreak globally, the pace of vaccinations in some countries, and the fact Australians won’t be getting a jab until March.

The federal government expects all Australians who want to get vaccinated to do so by October.

Nevertheless, Qantas’ decision to reopen bookings is an opportunity for Qantas Points holders to put their points to use, secure some seats and hope for the best.

One advantage of booking with points is that tickets are refundable if your plans change, subject to a cancellation fee of 6,000 points per person (currently waived until 31 March, which may be extended).

That means you can speculatively book some seats and then wait to see what happens with the pandemic.

The airline has made reward seats available on popular routes, including in sought-after premium cabins which typically get snapped up fast.

One thing to note is that Qantas isn’t going to restart its full overseas network from July. Executive Traveller reports today that there are a handful of omissions from the forward roster, including flights to New York and Santiago. I’d look out for these to be added to the network in the coming months.

While browsing the Qantas website earlier, I noticed that many of its partner airlines have also made reward seats available, including in premium cabins.

The same principle applies here: if you wish to book, you can do so knowing you’ll be able to cancel later.

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Emirates has unveiled its long-anticipated new premium economy product alongside enhancements and a refreshed look across all cabins on its newest A380 aircraft.

The new premium economy product, set to launch on select routes next year, offers 56 seats in a 2-4-2 layout with a pitch (distance from seatback to seatback) of “up to” 40-inches and width of 19.5 inches. By way of comparison, economy passengers get 32-34 inches of pitch and an 18-inch wide seat.

These specs place the product in a similar league to competitors (for example, Qantas offers a width of “up to” 22.8 inches and 38 inches of pitch).

The new seats also sport an 8-inch recline, 13.3 inch screen, power charging points, a foldable cocktail / dining table, adjustable headrests, calf rests and footrests.

Emirates received its newest A380 aircraft fitted with premium economy last week, and its remaining order of five A380s will be delivered with this cabin over 2021 and 2022.

Premium Economy seats will also be installed on some of Emirates’ Boeing 777X aircraft which are due to join the fleet in 2023. Emirates says it’s also considering plans to retrofit its existing A380 fleet.

The airline will announce details of where its A380 aircraft with premium economy will be deployed in the coming weeks. However, it’s not expected that PE tickets will go on sale until more aircraft are received – until then, VIP customers in economy will be offered a complimentary upgrade.

Enhancements to other cabins

Emirates has also unveiled a refreshed look in other cabins.

In business class, Emirates has retained the familiar 1-2-1 layout with lie-flat seats that offer direct aisle access for every passenger. The design has been refreshed to a more modern look with champagne-coloured leather covers and wood finishing.

First class also sees a fresh new look …

…as does economy.

The onboard bar for the enjoyment of business and first class guests also showcases a stylish upgrade.

While Emirates previously alluded to the possibility that existing A380 aircraft may be retrofitted with the new cabin designs, unfortunately at this stage there are no plans to do so.

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Qantas has further extended its flexible booking policy until 31 March 2021: a great incentive for customers to book flights given the potential for more travel restrictions and border closures if Covid-19 cases pop up.

For paid fares, Qantas customers can change the date of their flight one time prior to departure without incurring a change fee (which is not as generous as Virgin Australia’s policy, which permits unlimited changes). It applies to domestic Qantas and trans-Tasman flights booked by 31 March 2021 for travel until the same date.

If you want to change your flight dates, you’ll need to do so before your scheduled date of departure, and also cover any fare increase for the new flights.

For reward seats booked with Qantas Points, Qantas has also extended free changes and cancellations until 31 March 2021. If you choose to cancel, the total Qantas Points used and any taxes, fees and carrier charges paid will be refunded in full with no cancellation fee.

Before booking, make sure to check the latest Government travel requirements, which may include mandatory health declarations, use of face masks, entry permits, pre-approval and quarantine (possibly at your own expense), or you could be denied entry.

More information about the Fly Flexible policy is available here.

Virgin Australia’s has formally exited voluntary administration under new owner Bain Capital and unveiled initial details about its future direction as a ‘mid-market’ airline.

On her official first day as new CEO and Managing Director, Jayne Hrdlicka has today released a plan for the airline to “compete in its mid-market heartland” for guests who want a “more premium experience at an affordable and competitive price.”

While many details remain unclear, the plan’s major elements include:

• continuing to offer Economy, Economy X and Business Class seating, but with cheaper fares and a reshaped business class offering
• a smaller network of lounges, to open as travel demand resumes, with the Brisbane Lounge re-opening today
• a ‘new-look’ Virgin Australia Lounge, which will open in Adelaide in early 2021 and roll out across the lounge network over time
• new self-service and assisted check-in and baggage drop facilities at airports
• an updated and more integrated Virgin Australia app
• a “comprehensive network” of domestic and regional destinations.

In-flight experience

The airline will ditch complimentary snacks and meals in economy, but will continue to offer free tea, coffee and water. The airline will launch a buy onboard food and drinks menu early next year.

In-flight Wi-Fi and entertainment remain under review, with more details to be announced in 2021.

Virgin Australia will continue to offer Economy-X seating, which provides extra leg room and a dedicated overhead luggage compartment, saying this is a popular upgrade purchase for Economy customers.

Virgin Australia Economy X

The airline will retain Business Class seats but the offering as a whole is under review, with more details on what customers can expect due to be revealed next year.

Lounges

As government-imposed travel restrictions ease and travel demand resumes, Virgin Australia will re-open a smaller network of domestic lounges at airports where high volumes of frequent flyers travel.

These include:

• Melbourne
• Sydney
• Brisbane (reopening today)
• Adelaide
• Perth
• Gold Coast

The Darwin, Cairns and Mackay lounges will close, while the Canberra lounge remains under review.

Initially, lounges will offer guests an interim food and beverage menu, which will be reviewed as the lounge network gradually re-opens and passenger volumes return. The offering will adhere to COVID-safe protocols and will include fresh and pre-made food, including sweet and savoury snacks, sandwiches and fruit, along with barista-made coffee, juices, wine and beer.

The recently built Adelaide Lounge will open in the first quarter of 2021. The lounge is a prototype of the “Virgin Australia Lounge of the future” with a new design that will roll out across the network over time. The airline hasn’t provided any further details.

Virgin Australia’s Premium Entry feature will remain.

Lounge memberships that expired during the COVID-19 period will be extended for 12 months from the original expiry date.

Airport experience

New self-service and assisted check-in facilities will open across major airports by December 2021, simplifying the airport experience and leveraging new technology.

The hybrid check-in facilities, which currently feature in Melbourne and Perth, will allow Virgin Australia to streamline customer flow through the airports.

The facilities, a mix of kiosks and assisted check-in counters, mean Guest Services agents can come out from behind a desk and provide a more concierge-style service for passengers.

Velocity Frequent Flyer 

The airline says there will be no material changes to its loyalty program, and its 10 million members will continue to earn and redeem Velocity Points through a host of airline and non-airline partners.

Velocity granted a 12-month status extension earlier this year, and there has been no change to the number of points needed to redeem rewards.

The program will announce a number of “significant” new partnerships in 2021, giving members more opportunity to earn points on every day spend.

CEO Commentary

Speaking at Brisbane Airport today, Ms Hrdlicka said Virgin Australia exits voluntary administration “with a renewed sense of who we are and who we are here to serve.”

“Today, we’ve announced a plan that will ultimately give our customers what they value without the big price tag: premium lounges, a new and fresh retail offering onboard, a choice of cabins, better digital technology and a more streamlined check-in experience. We will also continue to deliver our award-winning service, strong network of destinations, an award-winning frequent flyer program and a safe and reliable operation.”

“Australia already has a low-cost-carrier and a traditional full-service airline, and we won’t be either. Virgin Australia will be a mid-market carrier appealing to customers who are after a great value airfare and better service. We will continue to evolve our offering for our customers based on data and feedback, but the Virgin Australia experience millions of travellers know and love is here to stay.”

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