Virgin Australia Velocity, Flybuys boost points partnership

Virgin Australia's Velocity Frequent Flyer program is making a slow but steady comeback, with a refreshed Flybuys partnership and a sharper transfer rate from Flybuys to Velocity.

Members of both rewards schemes could previously exchange 2,000 Flybuys points for 870 Velocity Points – that's now changed to 1,000 Velocity Points, representing a 15% increase in value.

The minimum number of Flybuys points which can be transferred has also been halved, from 2,000 to 1,000 (which equates to 500 Velocity Points), so those points will flow more frequently into your Velocity account.

The easiest way to keep on top of this is to enable the Auto Transfer feature, which will automatically credit you with 500 Velocity Points every time you notch up 1,000 Flybuys points at Coles, Liquorland and First Choice Liquor, Target and other Flybuys outlets.

Also read: The complete guide to Flybuys rewards

"Put simply, the new transfer rate allows Velocity members to earn more Points on the ground, to get to their next reward faster," says Dean Chadwick, Velocity's acting Chief Marketing & Loyalty Officer.

"It’s a fantastic proposition for Australian consumers and one that Velocity and Flybuys are really proud of."

The Flybuys booster follows last week's announcement of a new loyalty alliance between Virgin Australia and Air Canada letting their respective Velocity and Aeroplan frequent flyers able to earn and burn points across both airlines once international travel resumes.

Virgin Australia has also signed a new codeshare partnership with Qatar Airways which will see the Doha-based carrier join a partner airline network which also includes United Airlines and fellow Gulf carrier, Etihad Airways.

However, the partnership currently doesn't include reciprocal lounge access, such as allowing Velocity Gold and Platinum members into Air Canada's airport lounges – although that will hopefully fall into place once international travel resumes.

Turbocharge your Velocity Points balance with our round-up of the best Virgin Australia Velocity credit card sign-up offers, kicking off with 120,000 bonus Velocity Points from a single card application.