How to earn Velocity Points quickly

Virgin Australia Velocity is one of the world’s best airline loyalty schemes, so if you have a Virgin or Velocity linked credit card, you’ll be wondering what the best ways to earn Velocity points are.

Here’s just some of the ways you can boost your points total without breaking a sweat.

Sign up to the Velocity Frequent Flyer programme

All you need is the information on your passport, so join the free program and start earning points for your travel on Virgin Australia and their international partners.

Book domestic flights on Virgin Australia

If you’re a Velocity member, you’ll get five points per dollar spend on Virgin Australia domestic fares. If you’re a Platinum, Gold or Silver member of the Elite programme, you’ll get a bonus of 100 per cent, 75 per cent and 50 per cent (this doesn’t include Domestic Getaway fares).

What is the earn rate for points on my credit card?

Your earn rate will vary according to where you’re flying to and which class of fare you choose.

International long–haul flights will earn up to two VP per mile, with first class options on Etihad Airways netting 2.5 VP per mile. Premium flights earn 1.25 VP per mile and most Economy options earn 0.5 VP a mile.

Short–haul international flights earn from 0.5 to two points per mile depending on the fare class.

Fly with a partner airline

Virgin Australia’s partners, including Delta, Singapore Air, Eithad and Air New Zealand fly to more than 600 destinations and offer up to two VP per mile, with some Etihad flights earning four VP per mile.

Bump up your status credits

By earning VP you’ll also be gathering status credits and once you move into the Silver, Gold or Platinum leagues you’ll increase your VP by 50, 75 or 100 per cent. Your credits are updated daily, too, so you don’t need to wait once you pass a threshold!

Select the right credit card

There are lots of credit cards that will earn you VP. The Virgin Australia Velocity High Flyer credit card, for example, will give you one point per dollar on eligible purchases, as well as up to 100,000 bonus VP points for signing up.

It’s always a good idea to compare rewards credit cards on a comparison site before selecting one, so that you get the best deal for you.

Langham Hotel, Southbank, Melbourne.

I frequently travel for work and business; how can I earn Velocity points?

You can book hotel conferences and other events at any Shangri – La Hotels and Resorts property, either within or outside Australia and earn 20,000 VP.

You can also earn up to 65,000 Velocity Points for events held at the following Langham Hospitality Group properties internationally:

You can earn 65,000 VP points for booking events at some of the Langham Hospitality Group venues, including Eaton Hotels, Langham Place Hotels and Resorts and Virgin Australia Langham Hospitality Group.

Go on a Virgin Australia Holiday

If you fancy a holiday in Australia, Asia, New Zealand, North America or the Pacific, then you can earn three points per dollar spent on your trip of a lifetime. If you have Silver, Gold or Platinum status, don’t forget you’ll have your points multiplied, too.

Book a Cruise through Cruisepilot

Cruisepilot is a Virgin Australia Velocity partner and it offers special discounts and offers throughout the year to Velocity members, so earn while you save!

Choose the right car rental company

You can earn points in and outside Australia by hiring your car from companies including Hertz, Thrifty and Europcar. You’ll get three VP per dollar inside Australia and 800 VP per rental overseas.

Use airport parking and car services

Using an airport parking and car service within Australia can boost your points balance quite rapidly. Wilson Parking will net you five points per dollar and Midas Car Service will earn you two VP per dollar.

Take your pet with you

With Virgin Australia Velocity Pets, you can bring your dog along with you on a domestic flight and you’ll earn 300 points for Red flights, then 450, 525 or 600 points if you’re Silver, Gold or Platinum. Bring the cat along as well for double the points (and the fun).

Grab some Australian partner offers

Virgin Australia offers people in Australia lots of opportunities to earn VP.

If you book gig tickets through Velocity Live, for example, you’ll earn VP. Shopping at the Velocity e–Store and reserving dinner through Open Table will also add to your VP balance.

Always keep an eye out for the Velocity specials

You already know about the regular points – earning opportunities through partners and with Virgin itself, but there’s always going to be the occasional special offer, so make sure you check the Velocity website or get the emails so you’re never in the dark.

How much are Velocity points worth?

Realistically, as a general rule of thumb, your VP are worth around one cent each, so that 100,000 VP bonus that you get for signing up to the High Flyer credit card is worth $1,000 when you redeem it for a flight. Of course, there are always limited offers on goods, hotels and events that will make the points worth more, so always be alert.

What’s the best way to redeem Velocity points?

Now that you’ve built up a good stash of points, what’s the best way to redeem them? Far and away the best value is on flights and upgrades, as you’ll get more bang for your buck.

You can fly business class to Samoa, Vanuatu or Fiji for 71,000 VP points, or you can transfer your VP to KrisFlyer (Singapore Airlines’ loyalty scheme) for a greater variety of rewards and maybe a free stopover.

Alternatively, you can redeem your points at the Velocity Rewards Store for items like Bose noise–cancelling headphones (109,882 points) or a Smeg 1950s–style coffee machine (102,080 points).

The information contained on this web site is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. If you or someone you know is in financial stress, contact the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.