Airline announces huge changes for customers

Virgin Australia has announced changes to its Velocity Frequent Flyer program, which will have two exclusive new tiers, and the way in which points are earnt.

The changes, which will be introduced over the next 12 months, will introduce Forever Gold and Platinum Plus.

To reach Forever Gold status, travellers must have accumulated 12,000 status credits dating back to 2013, including at least 9000 earnt on Virgin Australia market flights.

Platinum Plus must have earnt at least 2000 points in the past 365 days.

The new tiers will include benefits such as a VIP phone service, four complimentary business class upgrades per year and the ability to gift a companion platinum membership.

The changes also involve fewer points needed for certain domestic routes; however, more points will be required for Virgin Australia’s short-haul international flights.

Earning status credits will also change from April, with travellers earning credits based on the size of the fare as opposed to distance travelled.

Velocity chief executive officer Nick Rohrlach said the changes were designed to deliver on what is most valued by Velocity members.

“Today’s changes to the Velocity program represent our focus and investment in areas that matter most to our members, like great value domestic redemptions and being better recognised for loyalty,” he said.

“For the first time since 2011, the introduction of two exclusive new tiers – Forever Gold and Platinum Plus – demonstrates our commitment to rewarding the ongoing loyalty of our most frequent flyers.

“We are also proud to be further reducing the lead-in Velocity Points required to redeem a one-way domestic economy Virgin Australia Reward Seat, now starting from an even lower base fare of just 5900 points – a move that enables members to get to Reward Flights even faster.

“We have more ways than ever before for members to earn and redeem Velocity Points and will soon have additional opportunities to be recognised for loyalty through the new tiers and benefits announced today.

“These new changes are balanced by adjustments to other areas of the program to ensure we continue to have a sustainable, competitive and valuable proposition for members.

“We have made it a priority to give members plenty of advance notice on the program changes, understanding how crucial it is for them to stay informed to get the most out of Velocity now and into the future.

“I want to thank our more than 12 million members for their ongoing loyalty. We look forward to continuing to deliver exceptional value and choice for Australians alongside our wonderful partners,” he said.

Overview of Velocity Frequent Flyer program changes:

• Rewarding long term loyalty to Virgin Australia with the introduction of Velocity Forever Gold Status.

• The recognition of loyalty beyond Platinum, with the introduction of Velocity Platinum Plus Status.

• Faster rewards with Virgin Australia Reward Seats now starting from an even lower base fare of just 5900 Velocity Points for one-way domestic economy fares (additional taxes, fees and carrier charges apply)

• Changing other select Reward Seat pricing on Virgin Australia domestic services and increasing Reward Seat pricing on Virgin Australia short-haul International services as well as select routes and cabins on international partner airlines.

• Simplifying the way members earn or maintain status, including the removal of eligible sectors and awarding status credits based on total fare paid on eligible Virgin Australia flights.

• Reducing status credit earn rates on eligible international partner airline flights.

• Maintaining the base earn rate of five Velocity Points per $1 spent on eligible Virgin Australia flights for Velocity Points earning credit card holders while reducing the current base earn rate for other members to four Velocity Points per $1 spent.

• Changes to Companion Platinum, Companion Gold eligibility and Guaranteed Economy Reward Seat benefits.

• Moving to one single points price across Choice and Flex fares for UpgradeMe Points; increasing the minimum points required to upgrade on an eligible fare (excluding Economy Lite fares)