The wait is nearly over, the day is almost upon us. Velocity members will soon be able to redeem points on Virgin Australia’s own international flights as well as on partner airlines. In addition, Velocity have advised that a transfer bonus offer allowing members to score even more points, is imminent.

Let’s go through these in detail.

Velocity Redemptions

Back in March 2020 as Virgin Australia entered voluntary administration and COVID19 took hold around the world, Velocity announced it was suspending all redemptions. The suspension was partially lifted in July 2020 when Velocity members could again redeem points on domestic flights, gift cards and merchandise from Velocity estore.

However, members could still not use points to book any future Virgin Australia international flight or partner flights. This is about to change.

From 1st November 2021 (next Monday), Velocity members will once again be able to make Reward seat bookings using points for flights with Virgin Australia as well as a number of partner airlines. These are:

• Virgin Atlantic
• Air Canada
• Delta Airlines
• Etihad
• Hawaiian Airlines
• South African Airways

Redeem Velocity points to fly Delta One

Although Singapore Airlines does not on feature on this initial list of partners, Velocity have assured that the long-standing partnership between Virgin Australia and Singapore Airlines will continue and redemptions on Singapore Airlines will be opened-up to Velocity members at some point. The exact date remains unclear.

It is also understood that the ability to transfer points between Velocity and KrisFlyer, a unique and compelling feature of their partnership will also be restored, although the time-line or transfer ratio remains unclear. As a reminder, the transfer ratio between Velocity and KrisFlyer (in both directions) prior to the suspension was 1.55:1, or 100,000 points/miles from one program could be converted into 64,516 into the other.

There is nothing at this stage to suggest the two airlines are planning a devaluation of this ratio, but it remains a possibility nevertheless. Let’s hope for the best.
 

Earn 20-30% transfer bonus

Velocity will also kick-off a new round of transfer bonus promotion on 1st November which will continue the end of the month. Members who have reward points with participating Velocity partners will be able transfer these points to their Velocity account and earn between 20 and 30% bonus Velocity points.

The list of eligible partners and associated bonus is not public yet, but recent emails sent to members suggest this will include most, if not all of current Velocity partners such as most Australian banks, American Express, Citibank and HSBC.

These partners have featured in earlier transfer bonus promotions.

I will update this post once more information is provided by Velocity over coming days.

In Conclusion

Velocity are opening redemptions on its own international as well as partner flights on 1st November. Members will be able to redeem Velocity points on all partner flights except Singapore Airlines, which is expected to become available at a later date.

A transfer bonus promotion will also go live on the same day and there is up to 30% bonus Velocity points on offer, which is nicely timed with re-opening of international redemptions.

Do you plan to redeem points for International travel? Leave a comment below.