In January 2013, Virgin Australia transitioned to a new booking and check-in system in order to enhance the travel experience for customers. As a result, there are some important changes to the Velocity Frequent Flyer program, effective from 13 January 2013.

You now earn Status Credits on each individual Virgin Australia flight sector flown, making it easier to upgrade or maintain your status.

The way you earn Status Credits* and Eligible Sectors on domestic and international short haul flights with Virgin Australia has changed.

Prior to 13 January 2013, Status Credits and Eligible Sectors were calculated and earned using the most direct distance between your origin and destination even if your itinerary includes a connecting point. Status Credits and Eligible Sectors are now earned based on the mileage for each individual flight sector you travel when your itinerary involves one or more connecting point. This means that you could earn more Status Credits and Eligible Sectors.

For example, when travelling from Hobart to Perth via Melbourne, members previously earned 40 Status Credits and 1 Eligible Sector. On the same itinerary, members now earn 60 Status Credits and 2 Eligible Sectors. This is demonstrated below:

Please note: Examples based on Full Fare Economy (Flexi) fare. Fare and earn rate restrictions apply. Please refer to our Status Credits earn table for further details.

You now earn Points and Status Credits on Any Seat redemptions with Virgin Australia^

If you are travelling on an Any Seat redemption booking with Virgin Australia you will now earn Velocity Points, Status Credits and Eligible Sectors^, which will count towards maintaining or upgrading your Status.

Changes to Baggage Allowances and new complimentary baggage on Reward Seat redemptions.

New baggage allowances apply for travel on Virgin Australia marketed and operated domestic and international short haul^~ flights. Find out more.

Status benefits are now recognised at time of travel

Status benefits, including complimentary baggage allowances are now applied based on your status at the time of travel, rather than booking, and will not be shown on your flight booking or itinerary.

Changes to Advance Seat Selection and introduction of Preferential Seating^#

You can now select your seat at the time of booking free of charge, or at the time of check-in. Following a booking, you can make a seat selection by calling the Guest Contact Centre.

On flights marketed and operated by Virgin Australia you can also select your preferred seat from reserved zones, which are determined by your Velocity membership level and the fare class booked.

When making a flight booking with Virgin Australia, including any bookings using Points, you will need to login to your Velocity Account via the panel on the right hand side of the page when selecting your preferred flights. This will ensure the appropriate seats available for your level of membership are displayed correctly.

Now redeem flights online 7 days a week

You can redeem your Points for Virgin Australia domestic and international flights online, 24 hours a day 7 days a week. For flights with our airline partners, simply call us on 13 18 75 within Australia or +61 2 8667 5924 from overseas, 7 days a week between 7:30am and 10:30pm AEDT. For further information, please refer to our System Changes Frequently Asked Questions.

*Status Credits may not be earned on all fare types or may vary depending on your itinerary. You can only earn Status Credits on flights marketed and operated by Virgin Australia and/or a Velocity airline partner. To find out which fare types earn Status Credits, please click here. Members travelling on upgraded fares purchased with Points or any other subsidised means of upgrades on Virgin Australia or our partner airlines will earn Status Credits based on originally purchased fare classes.

^Virgin Australia marketed and operated flights, when travelling in an eligible earn fare class and fare type. Some fare classes and fare types may not be eligible for earn and may vary depending on the itinerary. Find out more.

~International short haul refers to all Virgin Australia marketed and operated flights departing to or arriving from countries within South East Asia and the Pacific or crossing the Tasman.

^#Preferential Seating and Advance Seat Selection is at all times subject to availability of requested seats.