In a way, it’s like a fairytale. A partnership between two unlikely allies – Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways – is now live. Even better, Velocity Frequent Flyer members can now use Velocity Points to book reward seats on Qatar Airways!
There’s also good news for Privilege Club members, of course. Perhaps you completed the status match to Qatar Airways, published on Point Hacks back in 2020 (ironically, Velocity members were invited to apply). With this new partnership in place, you could earn Avios and speed up your Privilege Club status renewal with Virgin Australia flights.
With more reciprocal benefits earmarked to come online by 12 September 2022, here’s what we know so far about Virgin Australia’s latest partnership.
Using Velocity Points on Qatar Airways
On 5 September 2022, Qatar Airways rewards finally came online on the Virgin Australia website. You can now use Velocity Points to book Qatar Airways flights in Economy, Business and First Class.
Qatar Airways is on the more expensive ‘Table 2’ for partner airlines with Velocity Points. The most you’ll pay for a one-way reward is 75,000 points in Economy, 139,000 points in Business or 203,000 points in First Class.
Qantas is a oneworld member, of course, so we’ve always been able to use Qantas Points to book Qatar Airways. But with Velocity now partnering with Qatar as well, we’ll be in a unique position where we can use either Qantas or Velocity Points to book Qatar Airways flights.
| Qantas Points | Velocity Points | |
| Perth-Doha-London | 139,200 pts | 121,000 points |
| Sydney-Doha-London | 159,000 pts | 139,000 points |
Luckily for Velocity Frequent Flyer members, Qatar Airways rewards are cheaper with Velocity Points than with Qantas Points.
Qatar Airways carrier charge with Velocity Points
Unfortunately, carrier charges will also apply to Qatar Airways bookings made with Velocity Points. These are charged per person and per flight, depending on distance and cabin class.
| One-way miles | Economy (USD) | Business (USD) | First (USD) |
| 0 – 1,000 | $25 | $85 | $200 |
| 1,001 – 2,000 | $40 | $165 | $260 |
| 2,001 – 3,000 | $50 | $180 | $280 |
| 3,001 – 4,000 | $55 | $200 | $290 |
| 4,001 – 5,000 | $60 | $230 | $300 |
At the time of writing, a one-way Business Reward from Australia to Europe has a cash component of roughly AU$770, including carrier charges converted from US Dollars.
Lounge access and priority perks with Velocity elite status
Velocity Silver, Gold and Platinum members can look forward to some perks. Starting immediately, earn 50 to 100% bonus points when flying Qatar Airways with a VA flight number and with your Velocity number in the booking.
More importantly, Gold and Platinum members enjoy priority check-in and boarding, as well as lounge access, from 12 September 2022. We’ve confirmed that Velocity Gold and Platinum members can access third-party lounges when flying Qatar Airways, and bring in one guest.
This is important because Qatar Airways doesn’t operate many of its own lounges globally. And the ones it does operate are usually restricted to ticketed Business and First Class passengers only. But at least Gold and Platinum members know they’ll have access to a lounge somewhere, whenever they fly Qatar Airways.
In Doha, you’ll be able to access the new Gold or Platinum lounge, depending on your membership. These lounges are specifically for Economy passengers travelling with elite status.
In Australia, Qatar Airways uses a mix of lounges including Air New Zealand lounges. The Velocity website mentions that members should collect a lounge access invitation at check-in.
Unfortunately, it seems priority baggage allowance and baggage delivery are not part of the perks.
Earning Velocity Points on Qatar Airways
You can now also attach your Velocity membership number and earn points on Qatar Airways-operated flights with a QR or VA flight number.
Learn more on the Velocity Frequent Flyer website →
VA codeshare flights on Qatar Airways
| Fare Type | VA Fare Class | Points per mile |
| Business | J, C, D | 2 Velocity Points |
| Flex | Y, B, W, H, K, L | 1 Velocity Point |
| Choice | R, E, O, N, V, P, Q, T, I, S | 0.5 Velocity Points |
QR marketed flights on Qatar Airways
| Fare Type | VA Fare Class | Points per mile |
| First | A, F | 1.75 Velocity Points |
| Business | J, C, D | 1.5 Velocity Points |
| Business Classic | I, R | 1.25 Velocity Points |
| Business Lite | P | 0.75 Velocity Points |
| Economy | Y, B, H, K | 1 Velocity Point |
| Discount Economy | S, V, L, M | 0.75 Velocity Points |
| Restricted Economy | N, Q, G, T | 0.5 Velocity Points |
| Economy Lite | O, W | 0.25 Velocity Points |
Earning Status Credits on Qatar Airways
Want to enjoy the spoils of Gold and Platinum status sooner? You can do that by collecting Velocity Status Credits on Qatar Airways.
VA codeshare flights on Qatar Airways earn from 15 to 200 Status Credits per flight, depending on distance and fare class. Qatar Airways marketed and operated flights earn from 10 to 200 Status Credits per flight, also based on fare class.
Learn more on the Velocity Frequent Flyer website →
VA codeshare flights on Qatar Airways
| One-way Miles (zone) | Choice | Flex | Business |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 – 750 (1) | 15 | 20 | 40 |
| 751 – 1,500 (2) | 20 | 30 | 60 |
| 1,501 – 3,000 (3) | 25 | 40 | 80 |
| 3,001 – 5,000 (4) | 35 | 60 | 120 |
| 5,001 – 8,000 (5) | 45 | 80 | 160 |
| 8,001 + (6) | 55 | 100 | 200 |
- Eligible fare classes for Choice are: R, E, O, N, V, P, Q, T, I, S and Flex are Y, B, W, H, K, L
- Eligible fare classes for Business are: J, C, D
QR marketed flights on Qatar Airways
| One-way Miles (zone) | Discount Economy | Economy | Business/First |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 – 750 (1) | 10 | 20 | 40 |
| 751 – 1,500 (2) | 15 | 30 | 60 |
| 1,501 – 3,000 (3) | 20 | 40 | 80 |
| 3,001 – 5,000 (4) | 30 | 60 | 120 |
| 5,001 – 8,000 (5) | 40 | 80 | 160 |
| 8,001 + (6) | 50 | 100 | 200 |
- Eligible fare classes for Discount Economy are: S, V, L, M, O, T, Q, N, G, W
- Fare classes for Economy are: Y, B, H, K
- Fare classes for Business/First are: A, P, F, C, J, I, D, R
- The above earn rates also apply to flights operated by Virgin Australia with a QR flight number
Earning Qatar Airways Avios and Qpoints on Virgin Australia
At the time of writing, Qatar Airways’ website has not yet been updated with information on how to earn Avios and Qpoints on Virgin Australia flights. We’ll update this section when we know more.
Summing up
Alliances aside, Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways really do make the perfect pairing. Both are smaller carriers but we like them for their flair. Qatar Airways refers to Virgin as ‘Australia’s most-loved airline.’
Velocity and Privilege Club members will enjoy new perks, including reciprocal lounge access and earning points on more flights. You can now earn and use Velocity Points on Qatar Airways, with lounge access to follow from 12 September 2022.
Plus, purple and burgundy go well together – don’t you think?
How many guests can I take into the Virgin Australia domestic lounge if I am a Qatar Platinum Privilege Club Member
Trying to get my head around understanding and booking rewards flights.
I’ve got 100k+ frequent flyer points with both Virgin and QANTAS (as well as Gold membership status with Virgin… down from Platinum I had!), and maybe I should make use of this, but find it a bit mind-boggling.
Call me a basic, old-school dinosaur (I don’t mind!), but I find these things confusing!
Also, you state, “In Doha, you’ll be able to access the new Gold or Platinum lounge, depending on your membership. These lounges are specifically for Economy passengers travelling with elite status.”
Is Gold velocity membership with Virgin considered elite status???
Cheers!
Mick.
Anything above base status – Red (Virgin) or Bronze (Qantas) – is considered elite, so yes; Virgin Gold is elite status. You will therefore be able to access the new Qatar Gold lounge in Doha, even when travelling economy. The Gold and Platinum lounges mentioned by Brandon are indeed fairly new, and are for those with eligible elite status (such as yourself, as well as those with either Sapphire or Emerald OneWorld elite status) to use, who aren’t travelling in either business or first with Qatar.
You just won’t be able to access the superior Al Mourjan (Qatar business class or above only) or Al Safwa (Qatar first class only) lounges.
Hope that clarifies.
Does anyone know the situation with preferred seats in economy? When booking a flex fare on QR, you get to choose a priority / preferred seat for free but what’s the situation when booking a Virgin Australia flex economy fare in terms of priority seating?
I have had a similar experience as JD. Flew with Qatar to Europe and the check in staff in Brisbane were quite rude when I asked about lounge access for Velocity Platinum members.
Also she said there was no lounge pass for the transfer in Doha despite the Virgin Australia website stating that the invitation is to be provided on check-in.
During boarding and on the flights there is no mention or recognition of any partnership, only priority boarding and recognition for one-world members.
We chose to fly with Qatar over another option because we were under the impression that we would receive some benefits from this partnership which would make the journey a little bit easier, however this was not the case. I hope the return journey will be better.
I’m a Velocity Gold member, who is flying Qatar soon (in January). I had to book on the Qatar website as it’s an open-jaw ticket from Europe to Australia and return. I contacted Velocity to ask about lounge access – they told me I had to speak to Qatar.
Spoke to Qatar who transferred me to their Privilege Club contact. Unfortunately they had never heard of Velocity. I better explained it’s the FF program of Virgin Australia. I had to send her the press release from their own website.
She kept directing me to website pages that gave no detail about lounge access. Then to website pages about their Privilege Club lounge access. Now she’s saying that lounge access is only for oneworld members. She doesn’t understand that Virgin is separate to oneworld. I keep sending this:
https://www.qatarairways.com/en/press-releases/2022/September/QATAR-AIRWAYS-AND-VIRGIN-AUSTRALIA-CELEBRATE-NEW-STRATEGIC-PARTNERSHIP-AT-BRISBANE-AIRPORT-LAUNCH-EVENT.html
Honestly this whole experience has been super frustrating and time wasting. I just want to know what benefits I get, so I can plan accordingly for my (very expensive) longhaul haul international economy flights. I specifically booked Qatar due to the Velocity partnership, so it’s extra annoying I can’t get this confirmation. No doubt it’ll be the same at all the airports on the actual journey – a headache I can do without.
Could you do an updated on article on this? Speak to the PR teams of both airlines about where they’re at in confirming and communicating the lounge benefits to their airlines and to customers? Ask some people who have flown recently how it went?
I can’t believe there’s not a website page for this. They shouldn’t launch without having this information clear, and operational.
Hi JD, the Velocity lounge access for Qatar Airways policy is detailed here: https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/travel-info/at-the-airport/lounge/international/?irclickid=null#qatarairways. It mentions that 3rd party lounges are included, but you should collect a pass from check-in to access those. I know that anecdotally, people are still having issues accessing Air New Zealand lounges that Qatar Airways uses. Velocity is aware of the issue, though I’m not aware of the timeline for getting it rectified.
Hello!
Does anyone know if my Velocity Platinum membership will allow me lounge access if I’ve booked a Qatar Airways flight not through Virgin?
Redeeming an economy reward flight through Qantas as I’ve run out of Virgin points.
I’m reading the rules and it mentions the only requirement is that it’s a Qatar Airways flight, but just want to make sure.
Thanks!
I have a similar query. I am velocity gold and have purchased flights operated by Qatar from Syd UK through BA. My tickets have BA flight #’s. I am hoping that this line from the Velocity website (https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/travel-info/at-the-airport/lounge/international/#qatarairways) holds true “Lounge access is available when travelling on a Qatar Airways operated flight.”
Which lounge do Qatar use at Sydney ?
Hi, can you upgrade using points a Qatar cash ticket purchased via Virgin Australia website? Cheers
Hi Chris, unfortunately it’s not possible to upgrade Qatar Airways with Velocity Points, even when booked as a codeshare.
No worries thanks
Would it be possible to upgrade using other means such as Avios or their upgrade offers?
You should be able to upgrade Qatar Airways flights with Avios, though I’m not sure if having a Virgin Australia-marketed ticket will affect your eligibility. I suspect it may be an issue. For example, Qatar Airways says for airport upgrades that it must be ‘flights marketed and operated by Qatar Airways.’
Hi Brandon,
Flying QR SYD-DOH-CDG in late october, how do i make sure my VA FF number is linked and credited with relevant status points? Cheers
Hi Brandon,
I have booked a reward business class flight with transit in Doha, (both legs are business) do I have access to business lounge in Doha? if yes which one is best to go?
I have booked it with my velocity points via Virgin website.
Great work, Virgin Australia!
Hi Brandon,
On a related matter, is there any update on the status of the ANA and Virgin partnership? It was to happen pre-COVID, and the ANA logo is displayed on the Velocity site, but I believe a FF tie up is not in place.
Would love some inside knowledge.
Hi Michael, all we know at this stage is that Velocity and ANA are potentially working towards a greater FF tie-up, but there are no details to report at this stage.
Can you exchanged Existing Avio points in to virgin points and transfer the status credits ?
Hi Russell, you can’t transfer Avios to Velocity Points and no airline will let you transfer status credits.
Hi. I have been searching for Business Class seats from Athens with QATAR ( for this time next year ) and there are none at all. Why is that ? Are they limiting the number of seats like the other airlines ? Also, will Etihad be with Virgin FF or not .
Hi Tony, most likely the seats are in short supply. The Velocity partnership seems to be getting the usual QR availability, but the popular Business Class redemptions are mostly booked out. At this stage, Velocity advises us there is no change to the Etihad partnership.
Can VA make their reward seat search a LOT simpler? You have to click on every single flight to get a pop up which shows if an economy or business reward are available. A LOT of clicking required over many days and many flights often to find just nothing in the class you are after. time consuming, frustrating and not at all user-friendly
yes – that’s true!
you can always look for award space initially on an alternate website (e.g. BA for QR) and then go back and check whether VA has the same inventory
I’d love you to do some research on AVAILABILITY. Are there more Qatar flights available via Velocity or via Qantas FF, or are they both the same? Equally important is the question of how far in advance flights are available to book on points: are they bookable earlier via Qantas, Velocity or are they both the same?
Hi, at this stage there are more flights available in Qatar via Velocity compared to Qantas. Qantas (and some other oneworld airlines) seem to be getting very limited Qatar Airways availability.
Qantas theoretically has a longer advance booking period than Velocity (353 vs 330 days), but Qantas is not seeing any distant Qatar Airways rewards whereas Velocity can.
Thanks Brandon!
@ Brandon
Timely article. Nice work, mate!
Hi when will the partnership start?
Brandon, you have been pumping out these articles! Love it!
It has been a busy week! Cheers for your support.