Virgin Australia is extending its recent status match trial period by two months and also giving top customers more time to enjoy perks that were added over the summer.
Discover Gold trial
In December 2020, Virgin offered elite members of rival frequent flyer programs a three-month Velocity Discover Gold Status trial, which provided complimentary lounge access, priority boarding, preferential seating, higher checked baggage allowances, and bonus points when flying with Virgin Australia.
To retain Velocity Gold status for 12 months and receive an additional benefit of Velocity Gold membership for a companion, the customer was only required to take one eligible flight and earn 80 status credits during their three month trial period.
In an update on its website, the airline says that, with the travel situation continuing to change, it recognises that three months may not be enough time, and so it’s added an extra two months to Discover Gold memberships.
The trial is not open to new applicants, however.
If you’ve already earned the 80 status credits required, you’ll still enjoy the extended Discover Gold membership before your 12 months of Velocity Gold membership starts.
Status extension
Virgin previously offered eligible Gold and Platinum members a status extension until 31 March 2022, as long as they took one eligible flight with Virgin Australia before 28 March 2021.
That booking window has now been extended until 30 May 2021 for travel to 22 February 2022.
An eligible flight is a Virgin Australia marketed and operated flight with a “VA” flight number, excluding reward seat bookings.
More time to earn bonus points
Back in December, Virgin promised to reward Gold and Platinum members with 5,000 bonus points when they took two eligible flights with Virgin Australia by 28 March 2021.
Gold and Platinum Velocity members who took 3 or more eligible flights by 28 March 2021 would also receive the following benefits:
- Gold members can get unlimited access to Economy X seating, where space is available, until 28 March 2021. Up to 9 people included in the eligible Gold member’s booking will be able to enjoy Economy X seating
- Platinum members can use their current Complimentary Business Class Upgrade benefits (4 issued per membership year) on any eligible Virgin Australia Economy class ticket (normally only applicable on Economy Freedom tickets).
All of these periods have now been extended to 30 May 2021.
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