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Virgin Australia expands frequent flyer offer to Qantas members

Emily CosenzaNews Corp Australia
Virgin Australia includes Qantas’ oneworld partner airlines in its frequent flyer offer.
Camera IconVirgin Australia includes Qantas’ oneworld partner airlines in its frequent flyer offer. Credit: Supplied

Virgin Australia is hitting back at its direct competition by expanding its frequent flyer loyalty program to include Qantas’ partner airlines.

The major air carrier is bidding for more Qantas members to join its loyalty program after the flying kangaroo targeted Virgin Australia frequent flyers back in November.

Qantas announced late last month that eligible top-tier Virgin Australia members, as well as other airline loyalty programs, would receive fast-tracked flying status — where members could earn 100 status credits in three months to qualify for Qantas’ Gold tier — if they switched programs.

But Virgin Australia hit back, offering an attractive deal to Qantas Gold, Platinum and Platinum One members.

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An expansion of that program was announced today, allowing more eligible frequent flyer members of Qantas’ oneworld partner airlines Emirates, Fiji Airways and Air New Zealand to become a Velocity Discover Gold Status member on a three-month trial.

The membership offers complimentary lounge access, priority boarding, preferential seating, higher checked baggage allowances and bonus points when booking and flying with the airline.

Virgin Australia Group chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka said she looked forward to welcoming more members to the Velocity frequent flyer program after unprecedented inquiries from Qantas members wanting to join.

“We’ve received thousands of applications from Qantas frequent flyer members wanting to take advantage of cheaper fares,” she said.

“We’ve received a very high number of inquiries from frequent flyer members of international airlines, so we’re pleased to expand the status match offer to include all 13 oneworld partner airlines as well as eligible members from Emirates, Fiji Airways and Air New Zealand.

“You can feel the excitement through our airports and our lounges from our people and our guests who are happy to be travelling again.”

Those looking to join Virgin Australia’s frequent flyer program will need to submit a short expression of interest form on the Velocity website.

The offer end date has been extended by two weeks to January 4.

Velocity frequent flyer will also continue to offer eligible Gold and Platinum members a status extension of up to one year or until March 31, 2022, if they take one eligible flight with Virgin Australia before March 28, 2021.

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