Earn triple Virgin Australia frequent flyer points in the air
By Chris C., December 3 2014
Virgin Australia is doling out triple Velocity points on business class, premium economy and economy flights for a short time, which means reaching that next free journey or business class upgrade even sooner.
It's an even sweeter deal for Velocity Platinum members, who can book a single return trip to Los Angeles or Abu Dhabi in business class while earning enough points to fly there again in premium economy.
But be quick – you'll need to book by this Sunday, December 7 for travel between January 8 and September 30 2015.
You also have to be travelling on a Virgin Australia flight with a VA flight number, rather than with a partner airline such as Etihad or Singapore Airlines.
Virgin Australia codeshare flights on its partners are also excluded from the deal, but if you're taking to the skies with Virgin Australia, you'll be in for a nice bonus whether sitting up the front or down the back.
What you'll earn under the triple points promotion
Silver, Gold and Platinum members of Velocity already earn extra points when flying with Virgin Australia, with the haul of triple points being served up alongside the already-generous bonuses.
However, the promotion triples the base-level earning rate that applies to all members rather than the final total for travellers with shiny cards, so if you're already earning extra points, you won't take away three times your usual bounty.
For example, from Brisbane to Los Angeles on Virgin Australia, a Velocity Platinum member travelling in business class would ordinarily earn 14,340 base points + 14,340 points thanks to the Velocity Platinum 100% status bonus, for a grand total of 28,680 points.
Under the triple points promotion, that becomes 14,340 base points + 43,020 (triple) points + 14,340 points as a Velocity Platinum, maxing out at 71,700 for the one-way trek, or 143,400 points on the return journey.
That's more than enough points to take you there again in premium economy on the round trip (plus a small payment for taxes and surcharges), or in a mix of business class and economy:
To earn that near-free trek to America or the Middle East, be sure to register your Velocity number and book your Virgin Australia flights by 11:59pm on Sunday December 7.
In a separate deal, Velocity members can also earn a bonus 200 points when booking their table at a restaurant online during December and January, plating up a total of 500 Velocity points every time you dine and book online.
Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1245
Can QF quickly follow suit kplsthx
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Jan 2013
Total posts 698
Having run through the numbers (ex MEL) on a range of routing/classes in PY/J, for a Velocity Platinum member, the best earner (on fare prices) is a return trip to Bali (although as it's considered International Short Haul, it PY/J isn't the same as that offered on routings to LAX/AUH).
Domestic runs are the next best thing (to anywhere, given base points are based on price paid, giving a flat return).
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Jan 2013
Total posts 698
Remember that triple base points offer (plus standard status bonus on base points) only applies to travel on VA metal - no codeshares operated by Etihad, Delta, Singapore, etc.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
27 Jul 2013
Total posts 2
This AUSBT article states bonus points for bookarestaurant will apply in December 14 AND January 15.
I recall Virgin Velocity promoted this on their website during January 15.
Today Velocity Service Centre claim the promotion was for December 14 only [i.e. reject claim of 200 bonus points for January bookings].
Can anyone confirm the website promoting January 15 bonus offer or have any other information which confirms this?
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Earn triple Virgin Australia frequent flyer points in the air