Virgin Australia launches frequent flyer program for pets
By David Flynn, July 1 2013
Virgin Australia passengers can now earn points for flying with their pooches – and pussycats too.
The airline today launched what it’s calling a “frequent flyer program for pets", although thankfully it’s the human owners who earn the points for dogs and cats which take wing.
Travellers can earn up to 1,200 Velocity points when travelling with their pets, depending on their frequent flyer status and the number of mutts and moggies on their ticket.
Virgin Australia flies almost 30,000 pets each year around Australia, and is now scouting around to find a Velocity Pet Ambassador to be featured in marketing campaigns – put your four-legged friend into the running on the Velocity Frequent Flyer Facebook page.
To celebrate the launch of the program, Velocity members can also earn double points on purchases made at Online Pet Accessories, Pet Smart and The Vet Shed via the Velocity Global eStore.
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David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Qantas - Platinum One
18 Jan 2011
Total posts 84
Surely this should have been released on April 1st?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Aug 2012
Total posts 65
They don't earn status credits though? Seems a bit 'ruff'.
I'll get my coat....
14 Jun 2013
Total posts 353
No use complaining to us instead of Virgin about that, 444desiro, you're barking up the wrong tree.
19 Jan 2012
Total posts 427
Delighted to see VA addressing their paw service levels.
22 Mar 2012
Total posts 200
ahh.... the puns!!! :/
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
23 May 2012
Total posts 268
I'm not sure what the John Borghetti and Neil Thompson camp were thinking when they developed this idea but I think this is a good one. I have heard complaints that people pay thousands to transport their pets overseas and get nothing for it.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
07 May 2012
Total posts 371
Virgin Blue has gone to the dogs!
05 Sep 2011
Total posts 66
I know that Virgin Atlantic have done this for a while, so probably about time Virgin Australia did the same.
Qantas
13 Dec 2012
Total posts 20
When I used to sit at the back of the A330 (Silver days) I would often hear the dogs barking underneath before pushback. Thought I'd gone barking mad... At least they're earning points now. Bizarre!
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