Please note: Velocity and Delta are no longer partners.
Velocity Frequent Flyer members looking for a way to redeem their points to Los Angeles in a premium cabin will soon have a new option. From 16 April 2019, Delta Air Lines will switch its aircraft flying from Sydney to Los Angeles to a refurbished Boeing 777-200LR. This new configuration will have Delta One suites in Business class and also a premium economy cabin, which Delta markets as “Premium Select”.
As Delta is a Virgin Australia partner, it is possible to redeem Velocity points for reward seats on Delta flights. Although Business availability is typically non-existent, Delta Premium Select award availability on the Sydney-Los Angeles route is currently very good. We even found some dates with 4 or more seats available in Delta Premium Select.
Delta does not currently offer a premium economy product on its Sydney flights. The first Delta flight from Los Angeles to Sydney with Delta One suites and Premium Select will be DL41 departing Los Angeles at 10.30pm on 16 April. In the opposite direction, the first flight with the new configuration will be DL40, departing Sydney at 10.15am on 18 April.
Premium Select is Delta’s long-haul version of premium economy. Laid out in a 2-4-2 configuration on Delta’s Boeing 777s, the seats are 19 inches wide and come with 38 inches of seat pitch. As you’d expect, Premium Select passengers also get a pre-departure drink and enhanced in-flight catering. In-seat power is available, and Delta Premium Select passengers can benefit from priority check-in, boarding and baggage.
Premium Select is not to be confused with Delta’s Comfort Plus product, which is offered on US domestic flights.
How to book Delta Premium Select with Velocity Points
You can easily redeem Velocity points for Delta Premium Select reward seats on the Virgin Australia website. Although AFF members previously reported some problems with booking online, a Virgin Australia spokesperson told Australian Frequent Flyer that these issues have now been resolved.
Delta Premium Select is priced at the Premium Reward level. For a flight from Sydney to Los Angeles, this works out to be 71,700 Velocity points + $259.98 in taxes and carrier charges. This price should be the same as the cost of a Premium Economy reward seat on a Virgin Australia flight.
Would you like help using your frequent flyer points?
Australian Frequent Flyer offers a personalised service that’s designed to take the hard work out of redeeming your frequent flyer points!
Frequent Flyer Concierge can help you to find the perfect reward flights. Just let the team know how many points you have and where you would like to go, and they’ll prepare an itinerary for you using your points.
