If you’re just starting out with Velocity Frequent Flyer, then 80,000 Velocity Points is a good target. It’s easy enough to achieve with a single credit card sign-up, but also big enough to unlock a variety of interesting flight rewards.
In this guide, we go over ten ways to use your 80,000 Velocity Points balance for maximum value – both for domestic and international journeys. And if you have a taste for the high life, then you’re in luck. Many Business and First Class flights are within reach! (Some examples go slightly over 80,000 points, but we’ve included them for your benefit.)
Kickstart your Velocity Points journey.
American Express Velocity Platinum
- Sign-up Bonus:
- Up to 100,000 bonus Velocity Points¹
- Rewards Earn Rate:
- 1.25 Velocity Points earned per $1 on all eligible spend except for government bodies⁵. 2.25 Velocity Points per $1 spent on selected Virgin Australia purchases⁵. 0.5 Velocity Points per $1 on Government spend⁵
- Annual Fee:
- $440 p.a.
- Offer expires
- 30 April 2026
- The American Express Velocity Platinum Card has 70,000 bonus Velocity Points on offer for new American Express Card Members who apply, are approved and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of approval, plus an additional 30,000 Velocity Points when you spend a minimum of $1 on your Card within 90 days of paying your second year annual Card Fee¹. (Offer ends 30 April 2026. New Amex Card Members only. T&Cs apply.) Includes several perks such as Virgin Australia Lounge Access² every time you fly domestically with Virgin Australia, 2 VA Guest Lounge Passes³ each year and a Complimentary Domestic Return Virgin Australia Flight⁷.
NAB Rewards Platinum Card with Velocity
- Sign-up Bonus:
- Up to 90,000 bonus Velocity Points¹
- Rewards Earn Rate:
- Earn uncapped points including 1 NAB Rewards Point earned per $1 on eligible everyday spend and 1.5 NAB Rewards Points per $1 at eligible Grocery Stores¹
- Annual Fee:
- $195 p.a.
- The NAB Rewards Platinum Card with Velocity is offering up to 90,000 Velocity Points (auto-converted from 180,000 NAB Rewards Points) for new cardholders. The card includes complimentary insurances, such as International Travel Insurance, Purchase Protection and Extended Warranty Insurance⁵, and allows you to earn flexible points on eligible spend including bonus points at eligible grocery stores and purchases made online with Webjet via NAB Rewards Store or on Webjet.com.au.¹²³
ANZ Rewards Velocity Platinum
- Sign-up Bonus:
- Up to 80,000 bonus Velocity Points
- Rewards Earn Rate:
- Earn 1.5 ANZ Reward Points per $1 spent on eligible purchases up to $2,000 per statement period, then 0.5 Reward Points per $1 you spend on eligible purchases above $2,000 per statement period. Keep on your auto redemption to transfer your ANZ Reward Points to Velocity Points. 2 Rewards Points for 1 Velocity Point.
- Annual Fee:
- $149 p.a.
- Get up to 80,000 bonus Velocity Points + $50 back with the ANZ Rewards Platinum Credit Card. Earn 60,000 bonus Velocity Points and $50 back when you spend $3,500 on eligible purchases the first 3 months from approval, plus 20,000 bonus Velocity Points when you keep the card for over 15 months from activation.
1. Singapore Airlines Business Class to Asia from 44,500 points one-way
Singapore Airlines is a firm fan-favourite partner of Virgin Australia and Velocity Frequent Flyer. Best of all, you can easily fly from Australia to Singapore in Business Class with 80,000 points.
The cheapest redemption is Darwin-Singapore, which only requires 44,500 Velocity Points for Business Class. Connecting onwards to Bangkok (for example) would cost 60,000 Velocity Points in total for both flights.
Perth-Singapore flights start at 60,000 Velocity Points in Business Class. And for just a bit more (74,000 Velocity Points in total), you can connect to destinations that are within 1,179 miles of Singapore. Fly onwards to Bangkok, Jakarta and more – all in Business Class.
Reward seats from Cairns and Adelaide to Singapore cost 74,000 Velocity Points in Business Class. Connections to Asia bump that up to 79,500 Velocity Points.
Flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Singapore also start from 74,000 Velocity Points in Business Class. Adding connections to Asia slightly increases the cost to 79,500 Velocity Points. By picking the Airbus A380 service out of Sydney, you’ll be getting the latest seats!
Singapore Airlines Business Class redemptions using Velocity Points attract a carrier charge of US$120 or US$200 per flight (on top of the usual taxes).
2. Qatar Airways First Class between Doha and Europe, Bangkok or the Maldives from 61,000 points
Who can say ‘no’ to a jaunt in First Class? Qatar Airways flies limited First Class flights between Doha and a few destinations in Europe, plus Bangkok and Malé in the Maldives.
The cheapest redemption in First Class is Doha-Malé and Doha-Istanbul, which are temporarily flown by leased Cathay Pacific Boeing 777s. Enjoy Cathay Pacific’s six sprawling First Class seats with Qatar Airways’ signature onboard service from 61,000 Velocity Points, one-way.
Or fly the flagship Airbus A380 with First Class to London, Paris or Bangkok for 86,000 Velocity Points each way. While there isn’t an onboard shower, the A380s do feature an onboard lounge and bar. You’ll be well looked after in First Class with top-shelf Champagne on tap and caviar on the menu.
Qatar Airways First Class redemptions using Velocity Points attract a carrier charge from US$200 to US$300 per flight (on top of the usual taxes).
3. Etihad First Class between Abu Dhabi and Europe from 86,000 Velocity Points
Etihad still operates a few First Class flights to Europe onboard the Boeing 787 and Airbus A380. Want the ultimate luxury of the First Class Apartments? Fly the Airbus A380 between Abu Dhabi and Singapore, London or Paris. Otherwise, enjoy the Boeing 787 First Class from Abu Dhabi to Casablanca, Geneva, London and Washington.
The lowest-cost redemption is the seven-hour flight from Abu Dhabi to London or Geneva for 86,000 Velocity Points. You’ll have access to the Etihad First Class Lounge & Spa if departing from Abu Dhabi. From a starting balance of 80,000 Velocity Points, you just need to earn 6,000 points more.
Etihad First Class redemptions using Velocity Points attract a carrier charge of US$280 to US$320 per flight (in addition to the usual taxes). Note that Velocity currently only has access to Etihad First Class reward seats from 30 days before departure.
4. Etihad or Qatar Airways Business Class between Europe and the Middle East from 74,000 points
Both Qatar Airways and Etihad fly a comprehensive Business Class product to various places in Europe, from their home bases of Abu Dhabi and Doha, respectively. Most of these routes will only set you back 74,000 Velocity Points in Business Class, each way.
Both Etihad and Qatar Airways Business Class redemptions using Velocity Points attract a carrier charge from US$85 to US$230 per flight (on top of the usual taxes).
5. Fly transatlantic in Virgin Atlantic Upper Class from 51,500 points one-way
Virgin Atlantic in London is one of Velocity’s two major partner airlines. It benefits from being in the same points table as Virgin Australia itself (the other partner is United in the US), which means lower redemption rates across the board!
Just 51,500 Velocity Points will net you a Virgin Atlantic Upper Class (Business Class) seat between London and New York or Boston. The tax component is also drastically less with Velocity, as detailed in this guide.
On the day of travel, your journey starts off at the fabulous Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse lounges. You’ll enjoy the seven-hour flight across the pond in a lie-flat seat and with an in-flight bar as well.
Before the pandemic, Virgin Atlantic recently picked up the figurative keys to new Airbus A350 jets with the latest Business Class seats. Selected trans-Atlantic flights are now on these Airbus A350s.
Virgin Atlantic redemptions using Velocity Points must be made over the phone. Look for reward seat availability on the Virgin Atlantic or Delta websites first. Taxes and fees apply.
6. Fly to any partner destination in Economy for under 80,000 points one-way
Business and First Class rewards are fun. But if you want to make 80,000 Velocity Points stretch even further, flying in Economy is the answer.
For 80,000 Velocity Points or fewer, you can fly any Virgin Australia partner airline to any destination that they serve (up to 15,000 miles of travel in a one-way journey). This includes Australia to Europe, the USA, Africa and more. Fly carriers such as Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Etihad, United and Air Canada.
Taxes and fees apply to all redemptions. Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways and Etihad levy carrier charges from US$25 to US$60 per flight on Economy redemptions.
7. Fly coast-to-coast return in Virgin Australia Business Class
Your Velocity Points are good for a round-trip from the eastern states to Perth (or vice versa) in Virgin Australia Boeing 737 Business Class. It takes only 35,500 Velocity Points each way (or 71,000 points return) for itineraries under 2,400 miles (3,862 km) each way.
Given that Perth to Melbourne is only 1,670 miles (2,690 km) and Perth to Sydney is 2,037 miles (3,278 km), you can still add short connecting flights to your main transcontinental flight without affecting the overall points cost, as long as the total distance remains under 2,400 miles.
For example, you can also fly Perth-Melbourne-Launceston for the same 35,500 points one-way as it costs to fly Perth-Melbourne. You can still be in Business Class on both flights.
However, some longer connections exceed the 2,400-mile threshold. For example, Perth-Sydney-Gold Coast comes to 49,500 Velocity Points in Business Class. At this level, the redemption probably isn’t worth it, compared to the other options available on partner airlines. Instead, you might want to consider flying Virgin Australia’s Cairns-Tokyo route for 59,500 Velocity Points in Business Class, which ends in early 2025.
Fees and taxes apply to all redemptions.
8. Upgrade from domestic Economy to Business Class up to 8 times
A balance of 80,000 Velocity Points could be potentially enough for up to 8 upgrades to Business Class on Australian domestic and some short-haul international flights. To be eligible, you need to be booked on an Economy Choice or Flex fare, as we explain in our guide to Virgin Australia fare classes.
On short domestic flights booked in Economy, each upgrade starts from only 10,000 points (giving you a maximum of 8 upgrades this way). This could be handy if work pays for a flexible Economy flight but you want to upgrade cheaply.
At the other end of the scale, an Economy Choice ticket on a transcontinental route requires 30,000 points to upgrade, so you can do it twice, perhaps on a return journey.
Short-haul international flights are actually much cheaper to upgrade on than domestic flights. Between Sydney and Queenstown, you only need 16,000 points to upgrade from Economy Choice. That’s up to five upgrades from 80,000 Velocity Points.
9. Book 13 short Economy Class flights (or 5 in Business) within Australia
The cheapest flight reward you can book costs from 5,900 Velocity Points in Economy, for travel under 600 miles (965 km) on Virgin Australia under ‘Tier 1’ rates. With a balance of 80,000 Velocity Points, you could book 13 of these flights (plus taxes, of course). This could give you especially good value for shorter regional routes where cash fares may be high.
Here are some examples of the routes you can fly from 5,900 points (or in Business Class for 15,500 points, which nets you five flights instead):
10. ANA Business Class to Tokyo for 82,000 points
ANA is Virgin Australia’s newest airline partner. You can spend 82,000 Velocity Points + fees and taxes to fly between Sydney or Perth and Tokyo in Business Class, one-way. The best availability for this route is usually within 2 weeks of departure.
If you already have 80,000 points, it’s well worth earning the extra 2,000 points to book ANA, as the fees and taxes are very low compared to most other partners.
New to doing all this? Check out our Point Hacks guide to booking Virgin Australia reward flights.
Summing up
Velocity Frequent Flyer offers numerous ways to redeem your points both close to home and far abroad, with a decent mix of partner airlines. 80,000 Velocity Points will certainly come in handy and get you a lot of ‘travel for your buck’ in Business and First Class compared to buying toasters, for example.
Just remember reward seat availability is generally limited especially on popular routes, so if there’s a seat you want, book first and ask questions later! These bookings usually have more lenient cancellation terms than normal commercial tickets – usually no more than $60 or 7,500 points to change or cancel, per person, per booking.
Looking for more inspiration for how to spend your hard-earned frequent flyer points?
Here is a comprehensive list of all of our Best Uses of Points guides. There may be some overlap but each guide has its own twist.
Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Best uses of Qantas Points
- ‘Ultimate’ uses of Qantas Points
- Best uses of 60,000 Qantas Points
- Best uses of 75,000 Qantas Points
- Best uses of 100,000 Qantas Points
- Best uses of 150,000 Qantas Points
- When it makes sense to use your Qantas Points for domestic travel in Economy (and when it doesn’t)
- Best uses of Qantas Points from the East Coast
- Best uses of Qantas Points from Perth
- Reader responses: what is the best use of Qantas Points?
- Seven of the cheapest Qantas Points redemptions for luxurious Emirates flights
- The cheapest ways to fly Cathay Pacific First Class with Qantas Points
Velocity Frequent Flyer
- Best uses of Velocity Points
- Best uses of 40,000 Velocity Points
- Best uses of 80,000 Velocity Points
- Best uses of 100,000 Velocity Points
- Five flight redemptions that maximise your Velocity points balance
American Express Membership Rewards
Cathay
KrisFlyer
Etihad Guest
- Best uses of Etihad Guest miles
- Etihad Guest vs Velocity for Virgin Australia flights comparison guide
A warning over the use of Velocity points . I booked return flights from SYD HCM with points on SQ . Unfortunately I needed to cancel . To my dismay the points are converted by Virgin to cash equivalent, cancellation fee applied and the balance of the amount credited to the passenger’s credit bank , not to me,even though the points were from my account and the tax and fees also paid by me via my credit card, this seems extremely inappropriate. Firstly , I paid so why would Virgin return the balance to someone else ? Secondly it is unfair that the points are not returned instead a credit is held by Virgin in a credit bank so the velocity member experiences considerable loss. For example to book the same flight on the SQ website is $706 to book on Virgin the same flights cost $1120 . Using the credit applied to the travel bank after calculation from points to cash by Virgin ensues considerable loss to the member , not only the entire amount is forfeited to someone else ( passenger) and then to use the credit costs considerably more based upon the two published identical flights mentioned. This experience renders Velocity non-competitive as a loyalty program .
Hi RK, thanks for sharing your experience. That sounds odd, – did you book a ‘Points Plus Pay’ ticket instead by any chance?
All the examples in this article are ‘reward seats’ which are refundable before travel commences minus a $60 cancellation fee – but you get all points and remaining taxes back.
I just called velocity and Qatar and they both said it’s impossible to use velocity points to upgrade any Qatar flight. Not even Qatar to Europe
Hi Victoria, Velocity is correct. You can only use Velocity Points to book Qatar Airways flights outright (as noted in the guide) rather than upgrade from a cash Economy fare, which is only possible with Virgin Australia flights.
I just checked the velocity points required to fly business class singapore airlines from Brisbane, to Singapore, it costs 200,000 points plus. Your article is very wrong to say 80,000 points. Or Virgin has put up the points so much?? It’s so much cheaper to transfer to Krismiles to get the same flight. Where do you get these numbers?
Hi Sani, you need to look for ‘Business Rewards’ which are now 67,000 points + $232 one-way from Brisbane to Singapore. The higher numbers you are seeing are ‘points plus pay’ which are not as great value.
Check 14 November 2023 for a live example of a Business reward.
https://i.pointhacks.com/2023/02/15102621/VA-Singapore-BNE-SIN-Business.png
ALERT
(sorry OT)
QF just released a batch of business class award seats to / from USA for the next couple of months.
They also seem to be shared with partners.
I snagged two seats SYD-LAX and LAX-MEL for 55,000 Alaska MileagePlan miles each each way (plus AUD195 each cash co-payment for whole trip)
What is the easiest way to find reward availability using Velocity Points? I have 600K to use and the VA website is painful. Looking to go SYD to any airport in Europe in Business mid-late 2023.
@ Ant
Please may I recommend that you research using the websites of the partner airline in the first instance? Thus the websites of Singapore, Qatar, Etihad, etc and you may have to set up an account to do such.
Break down the journey into sectors rather than look for through itineraries as a starter.
Run through the options with reference to where each airline flies. Thus for Singapore check out SIN-/LHR/CDG/AMS/MUC/FRA/BCN/MXP/FRA/FCO/CPH If you find anything (saver award level then se if you can find that on the Virgin website.
Then do the same for Qatar and Etihad.
For reference, I found it easier to get an award from DRW-SIN-FRA and CPH-SIN-CNS and then add the connecting flights to DRW and CNS.
The hardest part is in and out of Australia (thus check PER/ADL/ MEL/SYD/BNE-DOH on Qatar and MEL/SYD AUH on Etihad and per/drw/cns/bne/syd/mel/adl-SIN etc first).
If you can get from Australia to AUH (on Etihad) or to DOH (on Qatar there are many choices into Europe from those respective gateways.
It can take some work….;)
Maybe Brandon or Chris can post some articles from this website to guide you?
Unfortunately, those fuel surcharges are excessive!
Thank you @platy that’s great info. I think Brandon had a post recently on finding availability with QFF. Will give this a go!
The QR first class Europe destinations are currently ZRH and IST on the CX leased 777s (not sure for how much longer though!).
Article is not very accurate. Im wondering what to do with 150k Amex points which brought me here.. yet looking up flights, one return virgin business class from Gold Coast to Perth is 90k pts or 180,000 Amex pts. How on earth you’d get the value of any of the options listed in the article is beyond me. The effort you’d have to put in to monitor flights to chase rare lower fares is astounding and unreasonable.
Hi Jacqueline, you are right. There are some routes, such as Perth-SYD/MEL-Gold Coast, which exceed the Zone 3 mileage limit and are 22,300 points in Economy or 49,500 points in Business. I’ve clarified the guide to reflect that. At those rates, it’s not worth the redemption as you could fly Perth-Brisbane direct for 35,500 points in Business. Virgin did also previously have a direct Perth-Gold Coast route which would have been 35,500 points, but going through MEL or SYD bumps up the price.
Are we able to transfer Virgin Atlantic points into Velocity points?
Hi Warren, unfortunately not. You may be able to use Virgin Atlantic points to book Virgin Australia flights.
So could you fly melb > Perth > Broome for under 2400?
I calculate that itinerary as 2721 miles, which would push it into the higher points band.