Virgin Australia has announced an extensive series of changes to its Velocity Frequent Flyer program, with updates rolling out over the next 12 months.The changes will, among other things, introduce two new status tiers, simplify the way members earn and maintain status, and adjust how Velocity Points and Status Credits are earned and redeemed on both Virgin Australia and partner airline flights.

As there’s a lot to catch up with, we’ve summarized all the information in this post so you don’t have to!

In This Post

Two New Status Levels: Forever Gold and Platinum Plus

Virgin Australia is introducing Forever Gold and Platinum Plus status tiers, offering greater rewards and long-term recognition.

  • Velocity Forever Gold: This is Virgin Australia’s first lifetime status tier, allowing loyal members to enjoy Gold benefits for life. To achieve Forever Gold, members need to earn 12,000 Status Credits, with at least 9,000 of these coming from Virgin Australia or codeshare flights. The program will backdate these credits to February 2013, allowing many long-time frequent flyers to automatically qualify when this tier is launched on 1 October 2025. Once qualified, members will have lifetime access to key perks such as lounge access, priority boarding, and increased baggage allowances.

  • Velocity Platinum Plus: Positioned between Platinum and the exclusive Beyond program, Platinum Plus is designed for Virgin Australia’s most loyal and high-spending travelers. To qualify, members will need to earn 2,000 Status Credits annually, with 1,500 of those coming from Virgin Australia flights. Platinum Plus members will benefit from:

    • Four complimentary business class upgrades (available on both Choice and Flex fares)
    • Access to a VIP Priority phone hotline
    • The ability to gift Platinum status to a companion (this benefit is now exclusive to Platinum Plus members)
    • Fly Later: Free same-day rebooking to a later flight
    • Priority for upgrades and bookings, with more benefits to be announced closer to the launch.

Two new status levels in Velocity: Forever Gold and Platinum Plus.

Spend-Based Status Earning

One of the most significant changes to the Velocity program is the shift to a spend-based status earning system, simplifying how members earn and maintain their status. Members will now earn 1 Status Credit for every $12 spent on eligible Virgin Australia-marketed and operated flights. This replaces the current system that relies on miles flown or the number of eligible sectors, making it easier to track and understand progress toward status.

This update aligns Velocity with other international airline programs that base status earning on how much you spend, rewarding high-value customers and simplifying the qualification process for both frequent and infrequent travelers.

Changes to Velocity Points Earning on Virgin Australia Flights

Alongside the shift to spend-based status earning, Virgin Australia is also reducing the base earn rate of Velocity Points on its marketed and operated flights. However, to offset this, the airline is introducing new opportunities for Velocity Points-earning credit card holders to earn additional points when booking eligible Virgin Australia flights.

Moreover, UpgradeMe Points for upgrading from economy to business class will be simplified, with a single points price introduced for upgrades from Choice and Flex fares. This consolidation will make the upgrade process clearer and more consistent for members, eliminating confusion over varying upgrade costs based on fare type.

For every Virgin Australia flight booked on or after 2 April 2025, you will earn Velocity Points starting from 4 Points per $1 spent. Silver, Gold, Forever Gold, Platinum, and Platinum Plus members will continue to earn Status Points Bonus on top of the Base Points earn (excluding Economy Lite fares).

Status Tier Points earned per $1 With an eligible Velocity Co-Branded Credit Card
Red 4 5
Silver 6 7.5
Gold / Forever Gold 7 8.75
Platinum / Platinum Plus 8 10

New earnings on Virgin Australia Velocity during 2025

Adjustments to Reward Seat Pricing

Velocity members will also see changes to Reward Seat pricing, both on Virgin Australia and partner airline flights. Here’s a breakdown of the key adjustments:

  • Virgin Australia Flights: Reward Seat pricing will be adjusted for domestic flights and increased for short-haul international flights. This may result in higher point requirements for certain routes, but it is part of the airline’s strategy to maintain a balanced program while ensuring availability of reward seats.
  • Partner Airline Flights: The number of Velocity Points required to redeem Airline Partner Reward Seats will increase on select routes and cabins. Additionally, changes are being made to Status Credit earn rates on international partner airline flights, meaning it will be harder to accumulate Status Credits when flying with some of Virgin Australia’s global partners.

Redeeming Velocity Points on Partner Airlines

Starting from 21 January 2025, the number of Velocity Points required to redeem Airline Partner Reward Seats will increase for selected fare classes and routes across Virgin Australia’s International Airline Partner network. Below are the updated Velocity Points requirements based on flight length.

Reward Seat Pricing from 21 January 2025: Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways

Zone Economy Premium Business First
1-600 11,000 15,000 19,500 28,500
601-1,200 14,000 23,000 29,500 42,000
1,201-2,400 22,000 37,500 44,500 61,000
2,401-3,000 25,000 50,000 60,000 86,000
3,001-3,600 27,000 55,000 74,000 86,000
3,601-4,200 29,000 57,500 74,000 104,500
4,201-4,800 35,000 67,500 79,500 104,500
4,801-5,800 42,000 80,000 89,500 125,500
5,801-7,000 50,000 90,000 104,000 147,000
7,001-8,500 56,000 115,000 119,500 168,000
8,501-9,500 65,000 120,000 139,000 195,000
9,501-20,000 80,000 142,000 158,500 223,000

Note: The number of Points displayed above are the minimum required on the most direct routes. Taxes, fees, and carrier charges also apply.

Carrier Charges for Singapore Airlines from 21 January 2025

Starting from 21 January 2025, Singapore Airlines carrier charges on Reward Seat bookings will also increase.

One-way miles Economy (USD) Premium (USD) Business (USD) First (USD)
0-4,200 $40 $80 $120 $130
4,201+ $65 $130 $200 $215

Reward Seat Pricing from 21 January 2025: Air Canada, All Nippon Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, and South African Airways

Zone Economy Premium Business First
1-600 10,500 15,750 18,500 28,000
601-1,200 15,000 22,000 28,000 40,000
1,201-2,400 21,000 32,000 40,000 60,000
2,401-3,000 26,500 45,000 58,000 82,000
3,001-3,600 28,000 45,000 60,000 82,000
3,601-4,200 30,000 55,000 70,000 100,000
4,201-4,800 32,500 55,000 75,000 100,000
4,801-5,800 45,000 65,000 82,000 120,000
5,801-7,000 55,000 80,000 100,000 140,000
7,001-8,500 61,000 90,000 113,000 160,000
8,501-9,500 70,000 110,000 130,000 185,000
9,501-20,000 80,000 120,000 150,000 215,000

Reward Seat Pricing from 21 January 2025: United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic

Zone Economy Premium Business
1-600 8,500 12,000 16,500
601-1,200 12,500 19,000 25,000
1,201-2,400 19,000 28,000 37,500
2,401-3,600 23,500 37,500 51,500
3,601-5,000 30,000 46,000 62,000
5,001-7,000 42,000 64,500 87,000
7,001-8,500 48,000 73,500 102,000
8,501-9,500 57,500 86,000 115,000
9,501-11,000 63,000 98,500 136,000
11,001-20,000 80,000 142,000 158,500

Note: Taxes, fees, and carrier charges may apply in addition to the Points required. The exact amount depends on your flight date, route, and airline.

When Are The Changes Happening? (Timeline)

Date Change
From 17 October 2024 Minimum Domestic Reward Seat Pricing: Velocity Points required for Domestic one-way economy Virgin Australia Reward Seats will be reduced to start from 5,900 Points (plus taxes, fees, and carrier charges).
From 18 November 2024 UpgradeMe Points: Transition to a single Points price for upgrades from Choice and Flex Fares.
- Domestic routes: from 10,000 Velocity Points.
- Trans-Tasman & Short-Haul International routes: from 8,000 Points.
From 21 January 2025 Partner Airline Reward Seat Pricing: Increase in Velocity Points required on selected fares and routes.
Virgin Australia Reward Seat Pricing: Increase in Points per zone for Domestic and Short-Haul International Reward Seats.
From 2 April 2025 Velocity Points Earn on Flights: 4 base Points per $1 spent on eligible Virgin Australia flights.
Credit Card Velocity Points: 5 base Points per $1 spent if using a Velocity Points earning credit card.
Status Credits Earn on Flights:
- 1 Status Credit per $12 spent on Choice, Flex, Group, and Business Fares.
- 1 Status Credit per $24 spent on Lite Fares.
From 1 October 2025 Introducing Forever Gold & Platinum Plus Status: Long-term loyalty recognition and benefits beyond Platinum.
Removal of Eligible Sectors: Simplified status qualification by earning Status Credits on Virgin Australia flights.
Upgrading and Maintaining Status: 50% of Status Credits must be earned on Virgin Australia flights to upgrade or maintain Silver, Gold, or Platinum status.
Partner Airline Status Credits: Reduced credits on partner airlines.
Changes to Gold and Platinum Benefits:
- Gold: Guaranteed Economy Reward Seat benefit removed.
- Platinum: Companion Platinum Status removed (available only for Platinum Plus), and changes to Companion Gold eligibility.

What Members Should Do to Prepare

With these changes set to take full effect in 2024 and 2025, here are a few steps members can take to maximize their benefits under the new Velocity program:

  1. Track Your Status Credits: If you are close to reaching lifetime Forever Gold status, aim to reach the 12,000-credit threshold before the program changes fully roll out. Take advantage of double status credit promotions or book higher fare classes to speed up the process.
  2. Maximize Credit Card Earning Opportunities: If you hold a Velocity Points-earning credit card, make sure you are using it when booking Virgin Australia flights to take advantage of the new bonus points system.
  3. Plan Reward Seat Redemptions: With the anticipated increases in reward seat pricing, particularly for partner airlines, now may be the best time to redeem your Velocity Points for upcoming travel before the price adjustments take effect.
  4. Prepare for Spend-Based Status Earning: If you regularly fly on Virgin Australia, keep track of your spending to better understand how you’ll earn Status Credits under the new spend-based system.

These benefits are not changed for Virgin Australia Velocity (2025)

Find The Best Velocity Award Flights

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