A complete guide to Virgin Australia business class upgrades
Using your Velocity points to move your seat to the first two rows is an excellent way to improve your Virgin Australia journey.

Whether you normally book Lite, Choice or Flex economy class fares for your Virgin Australia travel, a great way to put your Velocity points to great use is by using them for a business class upgrade.
Upgrades to business class are available on all Virgin Australia flights using Boeing 737 aircraft, which makes up the vast majority of its fleet.
If you happen to be flying on Virgin’s Airbus A320 or Fokker 100 jets, of which there are only 16, upgrades are still possible but only to Economy X seats, which simply grant extra leg room in an exit row.
Some fares require more points than others - it all depends on availability and often, the type of fare you’re upgrading from.
But with only eight business class seats available per flight, it pays to be quick in requesting your upgrade to avoid being stuck further back.
Here's what you need to know to turn those spare points into a business class seat on your next domestic or international trip with Virgin Australia.
Upgrades on Virgin Australia: The basics
When it comes to business class upgrades, there are two types of economy class fares you should be familiar with:
- Choice economy fares are Virgin Australia cheapest upgradable fare, seeing as Lite fares cannot be upgraded, and as such, they are sold on all Virgin Australia domestic and international flights.
- Flex fares are the highest economy class fare, also available on all Virgin Australia flights. Sold at a higher price but offering the most flexibility (hence the name), it is often easier to upgrade from a Flex fare on all routes. They also allow for additional flexibility when changing or cancelling your flight.
For example, a business class upgrade from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane to Perth will cost you 9,900 Velocity points on a Flex fare, but 30,000 points on a Choice ticket.
Taking a longer trip to any of Virgin’s international destinations, such as New Zealand, Bali or Fiji? You’ll be up for 24,000 Velocity points to upgrade from an economy Choice fare or just 14,900 points if you’re on a Flex economy ticket to Bali.
For flights from Australia’s east coast to Queenstown – it's a flat 9,900 Velocity points to move from economy Flex to business.
However, points-based upgrades aren’t available when travelling on any of Virgin’s partner airlines – including Singapore Airlines, United Airlines and Qatar Airways to name just a few – even if you're booked on a codeshare service with a Virgin Australia (VA) flight number.
But in its favour, Virgin Australia offers confirmed upgrades as soon as you've requested them, provided there are seats available on your flight: rather than waiting until closer to departure as happens on Qantas international flights.
With Virgin Australia, Velocity frequent flyer members can use Velocity points to upgrade their flying experience in one of three ways.
Upgrades on Virgin Australia: UpgradeMe Points
Virgin Australia’s UpgradeMe Points – the equivalent of Qantas’ Classic Upgrade Rewards – allows Velocity frequent flyers travelling in an eligible fare class to use Velocity points to upgrade on Virgin Australia domestic and international flights.
Upgrading a Choice fare
If you're travelling on a domestic Choice fare, upgrades with Velocity points can be requested from the time of booking until four hours before departure via the Virgin Australia website, or until two hours beforehand over the phone (13 18 75).
If an upgrade isn't available when you request it, you may be able to add your request to a waitlist for consideration closer to departure. Upgrade requests can also be made in Virgin Australia's lounges until 30 minutes before departure (basically until boarding time) for Velocity Platinum guests, and between 30 and 120 minutes beforehand for Gold, Silver and Red members already in the lounge. Platinum members have the added privilege of being able to request upgrades for flights from other airports, such as their return on the next onward sector. When departing from Hobart, where Virgin Australia doesn't operate a lounge, Velocity Gold and Platinum members can instead request a points-based upgrade at the priority check-in desks between 40 and 90 minutes prior to departure. On shorter flights like Sydney-Melbourne or Sydney-Brisbane, the asking price is 10,000 points per passenger, per flight on a Choice Fare: equal to the number of points needed for a similar upgrade on Qantas. That’s not bad value when you consider the typically-low cost of Choice fares – many starting at just $80 – plus the benefit of lounge access if you’re not already a Velocity Gold or Platinum member. But on those longer treks across to Perth, the number of points needed for an upgrade to business class is comparable to simply booking a confirmed business class seat at the onset – 30,000 points to upgrade versus 35,500 points to book outright,as we’ve previously detailed.Upgrading a Flex fare
Reflecting the higher price of Virgin Australia's domestic Flex fares, the number of points needed to upgrade from here is significantly less.
Book a Flex fare and for just 4,900 points more, you could be sitting in business class on the airline’s short hops like Sydney-Melbourne, Sydney-Brisbane and Sydney-Canberra.
Like Choice fares, confirmed upgrades can be requested online and over the phone, plus at the airport for frequent flyers and paid-up Virgin Australia Lounge members under the same time frame as above.
Upgrades on Virgin Australia: UpgradeMe Platinum
With Virgin Australia UpgradeMe Platinum, Velocity Platinum members receive four complimentary upgrade credits each year which can turn a Flex fare into a business class seat at no charge.
These upgrades can also be redeemed for accompanying guests – such as friends or family members – travelling on the same flight, as long as there are seats available. They’re valid anywhere on the Virgin Australia domestic – excluding flights to Christmas Island and Cocos Island – and 'short-haul international' network, and are put to best use on those longer flights between Perth and the east coast. Internationally, you could upgrade to destinations like New Zealand, Fiji and Indonesia (Bali). Don’t have enough points or upgrade credits to relax at the pointy end? There’s one last hope – UpgradeMe Premium Bid. Whether flying domestically or internationally, Virgin Australia UpgradeMe Premium Bid allows economy travellers to make a cash bid to upgrade to a business class seat – as long as they are booked on an economy Flex or Choice fare. To see what an upgrade could cost on your next booking, visit the UpgradeMe Premium Bid page on the Velocity website. Here, you can enter how much you’d be willing to pay for a business class seat and lock that figure in – along with your credit card details – up to six hours before the flight departs. You may also cancel or modify your offer during this ‘bidding period.’ By four hours before wheels-up, the airline will assess your bid and choose to either accept or decline your offer. If your offer has been approved, your credit card will be automatically charged with your bid amount – and if not, or if your card payment is declined, you’ll keep your original seat at no further charge. Heading to New Zealand, Fiji or Bali? You can use your points to upgrade to business class if you’ve purchased a Flex or Choice economy fare. As Virgin Australia doesn’t have any international lounges of its own – instead using those of its airline partners – international upgrades should instead be requested online or over the phone, from any time after booking until two hours prior to departure. Like domestic flights, Velocity points can be used to upgrade anyone on short international flights, whether you're travelling together or not, while upgrades can be waitlisted if one isn't immediately available. Between Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne to Nadi (Fiji), you’re looking at 16,000 points for a stint in business class from a Choice ticket or just 9,900 points from a Flex fare. While upgrades are nice, it’s important to remember the number of points and status credits you’ll earn on upgraded flights will be as per your original purchased fare. So if you’ve shuffled from economy to business class, your frequent flyer bounty will be as though you actually flew in economy. Whether by points, credits or Premium Bid, upgrades aren’t available on flights which were originally booked as Reward Seats using frequent flyer points – so if you've already forked over Velocity points to secure your seat, make sure you're happy with the cabin you've selected. The only exceptions to this rule are Velocity Any Seat bookings as the points needed to book these are the same as the cash price for the seat anyway, so travellers can upgrade using points or Premium Bid as if they were travelling on a regular (paid) fare. All things considered, Virgin Australia's domestic upgrade policy is particularly generous. In addition to scoring upgrades for yourself, you can also use your points to bump-up colleagues, friends and family members, whether they're travelling with you or on their lonesome. So sit back in your extra-wide leather seat, grab a drink and a hot meal and enjoy your freshly upgraded business flight with Virgin Australia.Upgrades on Virgin Australia: UpgradeMe Premium Bid
Upgrades on Virgin Australia: International business class upgrades
Upgrades on Virgin Australia: Velocity points haul
Upgrades on Virgin Australia: Final notes
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
28 Apr 2014
Total posts 32
Finally flew coast-to-coast on a Flexi BNE-PER trek. I upgraded using 9,900 points to Business class, and couldn't have had a more enjoyable trans-continental journey!
But one important thing to note though: by upgrading online to Business class you apparently loose most of the flexibility of your more expensive Flexi-fare.
Two days in advance I purchased my Flexi fare ticket and immediately found Business Upgrade space, so purchased the upgrade as well. The day before travel I wanted to move the flight forward to an earlier outbound, but was told to pay $35 and forfeit my 9,900 points if I wanted to do that..
Something to consider if opting for the flexibility of a Flexi fare...!
22 May 2015
Total posts 13
I am almost VA Platinum, I was under the impression the upgrade certificates meant 4 sector upgrades and not 4 actual flight upgrades, therefore east to west meant giving up 2 certificates for a single flight because it is a longer 2 sector flight.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2509
One Platinum upgrade = one take-off and landing.
Sydney to Perth non-stop is one flight so requires one upgrade.
Sydney to Melbourne is also a non-stop flight and requires one upgrade.
If you fly Sydney to Melbourne and then Melbourne to Perth, you'll need two upgrades. The length of the domestic/short-haul international flight doesn't matter.
22 May 2015
Total posts 13
Thanks Chris.
18 Mar 2016
Total posts 10
Is it generally cheaper to buy an economy ticket with cash and upgrade using points compared to redeeming out right with points on international long haul flights?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
30 Oct 2015
Total posts 62
Have been lucky enough as a Platinum member to obtain one of the waitlist upgrades from LAX-BNE. Was able to phone up immediately after it was awarded for seat selection. Nice to know a few days before flying - just makes the lead up to check in and flying home less stressful.
15 Jun 2016
Total posts 2
I read this with dismay. I wish to travel business class to the UK for a holiday and I have been accumulating Velocity points. However, from this article, it seems I cannot use them for a business class upgrade as Virgin only fly internationally to Abu Dhabi and Los Angeles, and the Velocity points are not accepted for upgrades on partner airlines that do fly to the UK. What are my options, if any, to get to the UK using Velocity points? Thanks.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
08 Feb 2016
Total posts 37
You can:
-Book with points in business class
-Convert to Singapore Airlines and upgrade to business class with Singapore Airlines
- Upgrade the longest European leg which is Sydney-Abu Dhabi
15 Jun 2016
Total posts 2
Thanks for your quick reply, Jorge. I'll consider all those options. Probably means that I will need more points either for an outright booking or to make up for the loss in converting to SIA. Upon reflection, the QANTAS FF program may be the best option for people seeking a variety of options for international travel. Having usually flown domestic, the Virgin program was previously best for me. Thanks for the assistance. Much appreciated.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards Platinum
29 Aug 2014
Total posts 38
My old company only paid for Saver fares. So I waited until the last minute when the fare goes higher and close enough to the flexi fare. When company paid for the saver fare then I call the VA call centre to check the availabilty of Platinum upgrade. If so, I pay the difference to upgrade mine to Flexi fare and then request upgrade to a Business seat. Naughty of me.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
08 Feb 2016
Total posts 37
Naughty but great!
20 Feb 2012
Total posts 67
Out of interest what was the tyical upgrade fee from Saver to Flexi
15 Jun 2016
Total posts 1
Great article! Just in time when I'm about to find out more about this. Just to confirm, if I want to upgrade SYD-LAX from economy to business using points, do I need to get Flexi Fare ticket? And to request for an upgrade, is it available through phone only? Thanks
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2509
Hi there, to confirm, points upgrades on the Sydney-LA route can only be requested by Velocity Gold and Platinum frequent flyers and only from economy Flexi fares or premium economy tickets paid for with money, rather than booked with points. You'll need to call to request your upgrade.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Feb 2013
Total posts 15
Great article. We have no Velocity points as am just a keen tourist to Oz every few years. So used the cash bid route to try and upgrade for Bali to Sydney a few weeks ago. No luck as small business class full but our next sector from Syd to Per saw success. Worth a go if you like a bargain given how much better the comfort and service is and really great when you get that email saying you have the upgrade!
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2509
Great to hear the upgrade bid worked on one of your flights, Peter! Did you manage to fly in 'The Business' on the A330s or were you on one of the Boeing 737s?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Feb 2013
Total posts 15
It was The Business, Chris and lived up to its name! By my non -expert rough guess my wife and I got two upgraded seats for just over the price of one on what was a quiet maybe 30% full business class. Trouble is you can get used to that comfort!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Jan 2013
Total posts 241
Nice article. Do you know if VA's move from Saver Lite, Saver and Flexi to the new cutesy names like Getaway or Freedom etc. have any impact on uprgades?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 May 2015
Total posts 44
I would also be interested to know the relationship to the new Dom fates of Getaway, Elevate etc
04 Apr 2016
Total posts 3
Is Virgin Business Class Upgrade seat availability on long haul international routes come from the same pool as reward seats?
10 May 2017
Total posts 2
Having seen a couple of articles, and looking at VA's webiste, it looks like there's no longer any flights to Abu Dhabi on VA metal (and hence no option to upgrade on points) - only LAX and Hong Kong?
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2509
: Correct - the article was correct at the time of publication, although since that date, Virgin Australia has ceased its Sydney-Abu Dhabi flights and axed plans to fly Perth-Abu Dhabi also, so on 'long-haul international flights', points can be used to upgrade on flights to Los Angeles, or on the new Melbourne-Hong Kong route which begins next month.
10 May 2017
Total posts 2
Thanks @ChrisCh, I appreciate the prompt response.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
10 Dec 2016
Total posts 45
Hi Chris, is the bid process the only way to upgrade for cash on a flexible Virgin ticket, i thought there was a new system being introduced?
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2509
Hi talkscheap, as above, this article was published in February based on what was correct at that time (we generally don't retrospectively update static articles as airlines make changes, otherwise that would be a full-time job in itself!). You'll find more information about Virgin Australia's new 'Buy Now' upgrades here, following their debut last month.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
10 Dec 2016
Total posts 45
Thanks so much, I appreciate you posting the link
27 May 2017
Total posts 22
I bid $490 recently on a flight from Perth to Sydney that was about 60% full and i got it and it was a fantastic flight amazing service and great seat in the business on the A330
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
17 Nov 2014
Total posts 103
I just wondering whether this post need to be updated to replace Abu Dhabi with Hong Kong instead.
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