Holding Velocity Frequent Flyer status is the key to unlocking a raft of premium perks with Virgin Australia, especially on its domestic network. You’ll also get extra benefits when flying with partner airlines like Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways and United.
This guide outlines the tiers of Velocity status, the benefits available at each level, and how to keep your status going year after year. You may also be interested in our beginner’s guide to Qantas Frequent Flyer status and benefits.
Want to learn more about Status Credits? Check out our video below:
How do I earn Velocity Frequent Flyer status?
The answer is simple: earn Status Credits. With enough Status Credits, you’ll be able to gradually ascend the membership tiers, from base-level Red to top-tier Platinum. Or from later this year, even to Platinum Plus, a new Velocity level.
Status Credits can be earned through three main ways:
- Flying on Virgin Australia and partner airlines. This earns the most and is required to earn higher status levels.
- Meeting the requirements of certain credit cards such as the American Express Velocity Platinum card. Bonus Status Credits can be a useful yearly boost.
- Shopping at Coles with Flybuys. This is ideal for topping up your Status Credits balance over the long term.
With all three methods combined, many find it easier to earn Velocity Frequent Flyer status than the corresponding Qantas Frequent Flyer status. However, this may change once the upcoming changes to Velocity status have been implemented.
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.
Using the Velocity Points Tables
Status Credits (SC) earned on domestic flights are now directly based on your fare type and the cost of the ticket. With Lite fares, you’ll earn one SC per $24 spent. On all other paid Economy and Business fares, the earn rate is one SC per $12 spent.
Understanding the Status Credits cycle
Status Credits are earned on a rolling 12-month cycle, unlike Qantas which utilises a fixed anniversary date. A rolling cycle means you just need to earn enough Status Credits in any 12-month period to move up, rather than doing it within a fixed date period.
Once you’ve achieved status, you then have 12 months from that day to maintain your status or move up to the next level. Every time you reach a new tier, the 12-month counter resets.
What are Virgin Australia eligible sectors?
In addition to Status Credits, you also currently need to meet the ‘eligible sector’ flights requirement every membership year:
- 2 flights for Silver
- 4 flights for Gold
- 8 flights for Platinum
Eligible sectors are simply paid (not reward) flights that carry a Virgin Australia (VA) flight number. Every new flight counts as an eligible sector, so Perth-Melbourne-Hobart return trip will net you four eligible sectors, assuming they are all booked under a VA flight number.
However, the concept of Eligible Sectors is being retired. From 1 October 2025, Eligible Sectors will no longer be required.
What are the Velocity Frequent Flyer status membership tiers?
There are currently four membership tiers in Velocity Frequent Flyer. There’s the entry-level Red, then Silver, Gold and Platinum. From later this year, there’ll also be a new Platinum Plus tier.
The higher your status, the better the perks you get. This includes higher points upgrade priority, more bonus points from flying, faster phone service, and even complimentary upgrades for Platinum members.
Velocity Red
To achieve: 0 SCs
To maintain: 0 SCs
This is the entry level for all Velocity members, and a necessity if you want to earn Velocity Points and redeem them for flights or upgrades.
Velocity Silver
To achieve: 250 SCs + 2 eligible sectors
To maintain: 200 SCs + 2 eligible sectors
From 1 October 2025: Eligible sectors not required, but at least 50% of the SC requirement must be fulfilled from Virgin Australia marketed flights flown by the member.
- Two complimentary passes to a domestic Virgin Australia Lounge.
- Use of Business Class check-in counters for international Virgin Australia flights.
- One extra bag on Virgin Australia flights in Economy (23kg), except on Lite fares.
- 50% points bonus on Virgin Australia flights (except Lite fares).
- 10% bonus points on Etihad (ends 1 June 2025) and 50% bonus points on ANA, Qatar Airways and United.
- Priority telephone service.
- Priority upgrade waitlisting above Red members.
- Priority check-in on selected partner airlines, with some also providing additional checked baggage.
Velocity Gold
To achieve: 500 SCs + 4 eligible sectors
To maintain: 400 SCs + 4 eligible sectors
From 1 October 2025: Eligible sectors not required, but at least 50% of the SC requirement must be fulfilled from Virgin Australia marketed flights flown by the member.
Lifetime status: From 1 October, earn Velocity Gold for life (‘Forever Gold’) with 12,000 cumulative Status Credits. These will be calculated from 1 February 2013. Of that total, a minimum of 9,000 Status Credits must have been earned on Virgin Australia marketed flights, flown by the member.
In addition to most of the Silver perks above, you also get:
- Unlimited Virgin Australia and eligible partner lounge access + one guest, including Sydney and Brisbane Premium Entry.
- Domestic lounge access after your flight, subject to space.
- Priority check-in, baggage, security and boarding, where available.
- Reciprocal benefits on participating partner airlines, including United, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines.
- Fly Ahead on an earlier Virgin Australia domestic flight free of charge (Flex fares only).
- Complimentary once-off Gold status with Hilton or IHG.
- Complimentary once-off Europcar Privilege or Hertz Five Star status.
- 75% bonus points on Virgin Australia flights (except Lite fares).
- 25% bonus points on Etihad (ends 1 June 2025) and 75% bonus points on ANA, Qatar Airways and United.
Velocity Platinum
To achieve: 1,000 SCs + 8 eligible sectors
To maintain: 800 SCs + 8 eligible sectors
From 1 October 2025: Eligible sectors not required, but at least 50% of the SC requirement must be fulfilled from Virgin Australia marketed flights flown by the member.
In addition to most of the Gold perks above, you also get:
- Four complimentary upgrades a year from Economy Flex to Business Class on domestic and short-haul international flights.
- Complimentary Economy X seating (extra legroom seats) on domestic and short-haul international flights. This includes other guests on the same booking as you.
- Ability to bring up to three guests to all Virgin Australia domestic lounges.
- Boosted baggage allowance with Virgin Australia (3x 23kg in Economy or 3x 32kg in Business)
- Occasionally, access to better international partner lounges. For instance, the Etihad First Class Lounge in Abu Dhabi (until 1 June 2025), and the Qatar Airways Platinum Lounge in Doha.
- Waitlisted points upgrades may clear from five days before departure.
- Up to four guaranteed Economy reward seats to any Virgin Australia domestic or international destination, if booked at least six months beforehand (including peak periods).
- Complimentary once-off Platinum/Diamond status with IHG or Hilton.
- Complimentary once-off Privilege Elite/President’s Circle with Europcar or Hertz.
- 100% bonus points on Virgin Australia flights (except Lite fares).
- 50% bonus points on Etihad (ends 1 June 2025) and 100% bonus points on ANA, Qatar Airways and United.
Velocity Platinum Plus
To achieve and maintain (once launched): 2,000 SCs, of which 1,500 SCs must be from Virgin Australia marketed flights flown by the member.
The full roster of benefits is still being put together, but Virgin Australia has shared a few highlights so far:
- Gift Platinum status to a friend or family member when you earn or maintain Platinum Plus status.
- Fly Later – like Fly Ahead, but when you’d like to push a flight back rather than travel sooner.
- Checked baggage allowance of 5x 32kg on eligible Virgin Australia flights.
- A dedicated Platinum Plus telephone team.
- ‘Access to exclusive events and offers,’ says Virgin Australia.
What’s the best Velocity status level to aim for?
In most frequent flyer programs, Gold is usually the mid-tier status that is seen as the ‘sweet spot’ for many travellers. Velocity is no exception.
This level is when a whole suite of premium perks kick in. These include priority check-in, baggage, boarding and screening; as well as unlocking access to Virgin Australia and partner lounges worldwide – even when travelling in Economy Class.
Within Velocity, Gold status is earned from only half the flying required of Platinum, while offering the same overall core benefits.
What are the other perks of Velocity status?
‘Parental Pause’ for new parents
This is a handy feature for parents who have or are expecting a child and would like to put their membership on hold.
You will get a six-month break where you do not need to earn any Status Credits, and then your current status will be renewed for another 12 months.
Family Pooling of points and Status Credits
Family Pooling is an excellent and unique program feature where eligible members in a household can pool all their points and Status Credits into one account to get that person up the status ladder quicker.
Each family pool can have two adults (including the beneficiary) and four children, so a family of six could potentially all pool to one person and hit Gold or Platinum in little time.
Summing up
Velocity Frequent Flyer status is currently a reasonable offering for those who travel a lot on Virgin Australia and its partner airlines.
While its lounge network is not as large or refined as Qantas and Qantas’ partners, Velocity provides some practical perks to Gold and Platinum members that are not seen with Qantas. This includes ‘Fly Ahead’ for Gold and Platinum members and complimentary upgrades for Platinum members.
It’s also currently easier to earn Velocity status overall. Tier thresholds are lower, and Family Pooling can reduce the amount of flying needed by half – or even more.
Still, we wouldn’t recommend spending extra time and money just to obtain status. It’s best suited to those who are travelling constantly for work or leisure anyway and could maybe tweak a few things to maximise their Status Credits.
Remember, once you have status with one airline, you have your foot in the door and could status match to other airlines and alliances.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Status Credit in Velocity?
A Status Credit is a way for Velocity to track your flying. The more Status Credits you have, the higher your tier and the better your perks.
How do you get Velocity Status Credits?
Velocity Status Credits are earned by flying, shopping at Coles through Flybuys and by holding participating Velocity-branded credit cards.
How do you get Velocity Status Credits without flying?
Shopping at Coles through Flybuys and holding participating Velocity-branded credit cards are two ways to earn Status Credits without flying. However, you will still need to take some eligible flights each year to earn status.
Supplementary images courtesy Velocity Frequent Flyer. Additional reporting by Chris Chamberlin.
The beginner’s guide to Velocity Frequent Flyer status and benefits was last modified: May 21st, 2025 by
Community Comments
On the Golden Triangle Virgin is great, the new Platinum Plus (P1) we will see if they give out access to Beyond like Qantas has been doing for years and all the other benefits similar to Qantas.
Hi Daniel,
I have searched high and low but cannot find the answer to this question.
What happens if you gift gold membership to someone who is already a gold member.
Does this:
A – Re-set their anniversary date (i.e. give the recipient a full year of gold VA membership from the time of the gift)
B – Add another year of time to their current status (I’m doubtful of this)
C – other???
Logically A seems to be the answer but I can’t find any guidance on Velocity or any blogs that answer this question.
Thank you 🙂
I’m primarily interested in partner benefits and status, particularly SQ. Could you point to an article or other info for that? Finding it difficult to track down.
Useful article, thanks.
This article has a few errors ( egsilver don’t get free luggage), however Virgin had now made Gold virtually worthless and impossible to maintain at 5 points per flight. The only remaining perk is lounge access. The rest is the same as Jetstar. Surprised you haven’t been more critical.
Hi Chris, Silver does get an extra 23kg bag in Virgin Australia Economy. This has been clarified. Also, this is a beginner’s guide, not a comparison piece, so it’s focused more on the benefits than how it compares to the competition.
No P1 at VA let’s the whole thing down
The table for earning credits needs to be updated as the ticket types and earn rate has changes.
Also the partner airlines have changed (first paragraph). Delta is no longer a partner airline.
Just trying to work out the cycle for status credits. I will earn gold status with the assistance of family pooling and the current status credit bonus in Feb 2022 via a single trip (I will earn over 500 status credits in Feb alone), so next Feb (2023) I will still have 500 status credits (that will all expire next Feb(2023)). Assuming I earn no more status credits will my gold status expire in 12 Feb 2023 (as I drop from 500 credits to 0 and 12 months from initially earning gold) or in Feb 2024 (12 months since I last had 500 status credits in my account)?
Do you know when their lounges will open?
Sorry Simon, no information on this subject yet.
Does the current status credit offer work for flights with Connections Ie. Syd to Cns Via Bne? Planning a trip to cairns, and DSC this way would cover retaining Gold status
Hi Point Hacks,
Do VA reward seats count towards eligible sectors for a higher status?
Hi Simon
VA Reward seats are not eligible sectors for status credit earn, however, VA’s ‘Any Seat’ Rewards do count as eligible sectors for status credit earn.
Further information can be found at https://view.velocityfrequentflyer.com/use-points/reward-seat-vs-any-seat-what-to-know.
hi
if I pay to upgrade to business off an elevate or getaway fare, do I get the additional status credits? (I know you don’t if you upgrade with points or bid for upgrade)
Hi Oliver King
When you say upgrade to Business, I am assuming you are meaning with cash in this case. If so, your ticket would be reissued and would pay a change fee plus any fare difference. You will then earn status credits at the Business Class rate.
Like you stated, if you are upgrading via UpgradeMe Points or UpgradeMe Premium Bid, your status credits are based on your original fare purchased.
Hi Daniel, I think you answered the question I came here looking for an answer for…
So just to be clear, if I have booked a Flexi international economy fare, and upgrade it with velocity points to business class, I’ll still get the status credits of a Flexi international economy fare?
It doesn’t become a ‘reward’ fare at that point with no status credits?
Hi Jacob
If you purchase a Flexi Economy ticket and subsequently upgrade, you will receive the status credits for your original ticket, being Flexi Economy.