Velocity doubles routes available for reward redemptions, re-enables points upgrades

From 21 July 2020, Velocity Frequent Flyer will be expanding the reward seat availability across the Virgin Australia network, in addition to further benefits being offered to Velocity members from today.

Announcement 21 July 2020

More flight routes on offer

The total number of flight redemption routes has doubled from 76 routes to 152 routes, with travel available from today. This is welcome news, as Velocity had previously announced that reward flights could only be booked for travel from 1 September 2020

The increased reward availability covers both Reward Seats and Any Seats, and include high demand routes such as to the Gold Coast, Ballina, Cairns and Hobart.

Reward flights that are booked will enjoy full flexibility, with members able to cancel or change their redemption booking before 1 September 2020 (or the date of travel if before 1 September 2020) at no extra cost.

Examples of some Virgin Australia reward seats available include:

• Sydney to Sunshine Coast one-way Economy from 7,800 Points + $36.55 taxes, fees and carrier charges
• Sydney to Ballina/Byron Bay one-way Economy from 7,800 Points + $32.41 taxes, fees and carrier charges
• Brisbane to Darwin one-way Economy from 17,800 Points + $49.46 taxes, fees and carrier charges
• Perth to Broome one-way Economy from 11,800 Points + $37.16 taxes, fees and carrier charges

Points upgrades re-enabled

You can now again drop some Velocity Points (or use a Platinum/The Club complimentary upgrade credit) on Virgin Australia flights where availability allows.

Read our guide on how to upgrade Virgin Australia flights.

Hotel and car hire redemptions relaunching

Members can again use their Velocity Points to book hotel stays, and as an added bonus, these will be at rates around 15% cheaper than this time last year.

There will be more than 800,000 hotel rooms at over 15,000 hotels that will be made available for redemption bookings in Australia.

From the end of July, members will also be able to book car rentals with Europcar using Points, and like hotel stays, these will cost less than the same time last year. Prices will be 10% less off passenger and 20% off prestige (luxury) rentals for 3 or more days.

The ability to book hotel stays and car rentals means that members can use their Points for their entire trip, door-to-door.

The original article announcing the resumption of Velocity redemptions earlier in the year is shown below

Original announcement 15 May 2020

Velocity Frequent Flyer will today announce that Velocity members will be able to book reward flights for travel from 1 September 2020 on some of Virgin Australia’s most popular routes. 

A Velocity spokesperson told Point Hacks:

Velocity is pleased to resume offering Virgin Australia domestic flight redemptions for our members for travel to some of our most popular domestic redemption destinations from 1 September this year. We’re hopeful that domestic travel restrictions and State and Territory border lockdowns ease by September and for many of us, a local holiday and catching up with interstate family and friends will be well over-due.

We look forward to sharing more offers with our members as we emerge from the COVID-19 crisis and travel resumes more broadly.

Flight redemptions are the most popular way that Velocity members redeem their points, and as we have frequently pointed out at Point Hacks, will derive the greatest value.

Further Details Announced

Velocity has confirmed that they want their members to feel confident and secure in booking their travel, so if you book a Virgin Australia Reward Seat or Any Seat before 1 September 2020 for travel after this time:

• They will waive fees for any changes or cancellations you make until 1 September 2020; and
• If you or Virgin Australia cancel your flight before 1 September 2020, they will refund your Points/cash in full to the original form of payment (except for any booking or credit card fees).

Velocity also noted that should travel restrictions be lifted prior to 1 September 2020, then award flight redemptions will become available earlier.

This is great news and confirms the views that Domestic Travel will likely pick up much sooner than International Travel, which places Virgin Australia and it’s yet to be announced new owners in a good position given the airline’s predominant focus on domestic flying.

What are the resumed flight routes?

The following flight routes are available for booking. Note those with an asterisk may require a transfer through a connecting airport.

What about Rewards Store Redemptions?

Velocity Rewards Store redemptions will remain paused until at least 19 May 2020, but this may be extended.

Further details regarding these redemptions can be found here.

Summary

This is great news and hopefully, many people will look to start travelling once restrictions are safely lifted. It will definitely be the shot in the arm that the travel industry and the thousands of employees both directly and indirectly involved in it have been waiting for.