This week is your last chance to redeem Virgin Australia Velocity points for Virgin America flights! It’s also the final call for Virgin America Elevate redemptions on partner airlines including Virgin Australia.
The Opportunity
Virgin Australia currently partners with three US-based airlines; Delta, Hawaiian Airlines and Virgin America. But a merger between Virgin America and Alaska Airlines is already well underway, and the Virgin America brand will cease to exist from next year. As a result, Virgin Australia will shortly terminate its partnership with Virgin America.
If you wish to redeem your Velocity points for a flight on Virgin America, you have until this Saturday, 30 September to do so. Any flights booked must be flown by 15 January 2018.
Virgin America operates a wide range of routes across the United States. Award flights start from 7,800 Velocity points in Economy class or 15,500 points for First class. US trans-continental flights, e.g. San Francisco-New York, cost 22,300 and 49,500 Velocity points for Economy and First class, respectively.
One of the great things about Virgin America redemptions is that there are no fuel surcharges! Most award bookings attract just $12.60 in taxes.
Velocity points can generally be redeemed for Virgin America flights on the Virgin Australia website, or by calling Velocity on 13 18 75.
Virgin Australia continues to partner with Delta and Hawaiian Airlines in the USA. You can still redeem your Velocity points with Delta online, while Hawaiian Airlines flights can only be booked over the phone. Delta flights cost the same number of Velocity points as Virgin America flights. Hawaiian flights are a little more expensive.
This Saturday is also the last chance to redeem Virgin America Elevate points for flights on Virgin America’s partner airlines, including Virgin Australia. Again, travel will need to be completed by 15 January next year.
Elevate redemptions on Virgin Australia flights are exceptionally good value. For example, a round-trip Business class award on Virgin Australia from Sydney to Melbourne costs just 10,000 Elevate points. A return flight from Sydney to Perth in Business class costs just 27,000 Elevate points. By comparison, Virgin Australia charges 31,000 and 71,000 Velocity points for these redemptions, respectively.
On 1 January 2018, Virgin America’s Elevate program will cease to exist. Any remaining Elevate points will be converted to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles at a rate of 1:1.3.
The Facts
- Currency: Virgin Australia Velocity points
- Airline: Virgin America
- Routes: Many US domestic routes, e.g. Los Angeles-San Francisco
- Class of travel: Economy and First class
- Cost: 7,800 Velocity points + $12.60 taxes (e.g. Los Angeles-San Francisco in Economy, one-way)
- Availability: Moderate
- How to book: Book on the Virgin Australia website or call Velocity Frequent Flyer on 13 18 75.
Would you like help using your frequent flyer points?
Frequent Flyer Solutions offers a personalised service that’s designed to take the hard work out of redeeming your frequent flyer points!
Award Flight Assist can help you to find the perfect flights using your points. 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.
Find out more about the Award Flight Assist service.
Not sure yet where you’d like to go with your points? Stay tuned for more Points Inspiration articles!
