Virgin Australia is increasing the points and status credit earn rates on its ‘semi-flexible’ Elevate fares for long-haul international flights. These fares sit between the airline’s cheapest Getaway tickets and fully-flexible Freedom fares.
The changes apply to Virgin’s own long-haul flights (ie. to Hong Kong, Tokyo and Los Angeles), as well as codeshare services operated by partner airlines (ie. Alitalia, Delta, Etihad, Hainan Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways and Virgin Atlantic).
Flights operated by partner airlines must carry a VA code to attract the higher earn rates.
For flights booked from 23 January 2020 for travel from 23 April 2020, the number of Velocity Points earned will increase by 20% from 0.5 to 0.6 Velocity Points per mile flown.
Customers will also earn 5 extra status credits in each direction.
Here are the current status credit earn rates, which will continue to apply to all travel until 22 April 2020, as well as flights after that date which were booked before 23 January 2020.
Here are the status credit earn rates for bookings made from 23 January 2020 for travel from 23 April 2020.
As you can see in the table above, Virgin is also introducing a new “Economy Light” fare for flights to Hong Kong, Tokyo and America originating from Australia. It will be cheaper than a Getaway fare but will earn fewer points (0.25 Velocity Points per mile flown) and status credits, and come with a range of restrictions including less checked baggage (one 23kg bag), no advance seat selection (until check-in), no upgrades (except to Economy X) and no changes or refunds.
Platinum, Gold and Silver Status members will still receive their complimentary baggage allowance, however preferential seating for status members won’t be available.
More information about these changes is available here.
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