Velocity unlocks reward flights on three more Asian airlines

Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer program is opening more reward flights to Asia. That’s thanks to the reactivation of Velocity reward bookings on Hong Kong Airlines, Beijing Capital Airlines and Hainan Airlines.

Long-time travellers may recall these carriers as being Velocity partners in the pre-COVID era. When the pandemic hit, flight redemptions on these airlines were paused. But over five years later, they still hadn’t returned. Finally, after a mere half-decade wait, Velocity members have that ability once again.

The development comes at the perfect time, with Hong Kong Airlines now offering daily flights between Sydney and Hong Kong. The other two carriers also offer direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne to points in Mainland China. Here’s how to make the most of these new reward options.

More Velocity reward flights to Asia

Velocity members could already book reward flights to, from and across Asia on Velocity’s other partner airlines. These include Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Singapore Airlines. But these additional reward seats allow for more direct flying opportunities, without the need to transit via Singapore or Tokyo.

With reward seats available in Economy and Business Class, here’s how many Velocity Points you’d need on these direct flights from Australia.

Velocity isn’t applying carrier charges to these reward flights. This means you’ll only pay the genuine government taxes and airport charges (plus Virgin Australia’s credit card surcharge). These taxes and fees are the same whether you’re flying in Business Class or Economy Class.

For now, these reward flights aren’t available via the Velocity website. You’ll need to call to book. You can dial 13 18 75 or +61 2 8667 5924 between 7:30 am and 10:30 pm daily. There’s no easy way to check which flights are available to book using Velocity Points before calling. You could try signing up to the Fortune Wings Club frequent flyer program and looking for reward flights there, but these may not always align with Velocity’s availability.

Still, with Velocity Frequent Flyer the only partner program of the three airlines above, there’s a greater chance of getting the reward seat you want, because the only competition is from Fortune Wings Club members.

Status benefits on Beijing Capital Airlines, Hainan Airlines and Hong Kong Airlines

While Velocity reward flights were suspended on these airlines for five years, some status benefits have remained available. There’s no lounge access for top-tier travellers booking Economy Class, but there are a few minor perks.

Here’s a quick rundown of the benefits you can expect with Velocity status. These perks apply only on flights between Australia and Hong Kong or Mainland China, operated by Beijing Capital Airlines and Hainan Airlines. For Hong Kong Airlines, benefits are available on all flights except to and from North America.

• Velocity Silver (and higher):
  • Priority check-in.
  • Extra 1x23kg bag in Economy or 1x32kg bag in Business Class.
• Velocity Gold (and higher):
  • Priority boarding.

In my previous experience flying on Hong Kong Airlines, Velocity status isn’t reflected on the boarding pass. This means you’re required to show your Velocity card at check-in to access the extra baggage limits – and at boarding, for the fast lane. Allow an extra few minutes for staff to check their reference book and confirm this additional baggage entitlement, particularly when departing from Asia where staff are less familiar with Velocity.

You can redeem Velocity Points across these airlines’ global networks – including from Hong Kong to Vancouver on Hong Kong Airlines. However, the benefits of Velocity status above are only available on direct flights between Australia and Hong Kong or Mainland China.

Flight redemptions on Velocity’s other Asian partner, Tianjin Airlines, remain unavailable.

Photography courtesy of Sydney Airport / Hong Kong Airlines.

Also read: Hawaiian Airlines winds down Velocity partnership