Velocity Frequent Flyer members can now redeem points online for All Nippon Airways (ANA) flights.
Virgin Australia first launched its long-awaited partnership with ANA, one of Japan’s largest airlines, in July 2023. This partnership already included the ability to earn Velocity points and limited status benefits for Velocity members flying on ANA (although those benefits do not include lounge access).
Since September 2023, Velocity members could also redeem points for reward seats across the ANA network. But ANA redemptions were not previously available for booking on the Virgin Australia website… until now!
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How many Velocity points do reward seats on ANA cost?
Velocity reward seats on All Nippon Airways are priced according to the same partner airline reward table used for Etihad, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and most other partners. This is the chart:
Taxes are also payable when redeeming Velocity points for ANA flights, but there are no additional Velocity carrier charges.
For example, it would cost 42,000 Velocity points + $91.28 in taxes for a one-way ANA Economy reward seat from Sydney to Tokyo.
A Business Class reward seat from Sydney to Tokyo would cost 78,000 Velocity points + $91.28.
When booking flights from Australia to Japan using points, the Virgin Australia website may also suggest “VA” codeshare flights. However, to access the lower Reward Seat pricing, you need to book on the “NH” (All Nippon Airways) flight number.
It’s also possible to add connecting ANA flights beyond Tokyo onto the same ticket. For example, you could fly from Sydney to Sapporo via Tokyo for 42,000 Velocity points + $98.88 in Economy.
As another example, you could fly from Tokyo to Osaka in Economy for 10,000 Velocity points + $8.80.
Subject to award availability, you can also redeem Virgin Velocity points for ANA’s highly sought-after First Class.
ANA flies twice per day from Sydney to Tokyo (Haneda). The Star Alliance member also resumed direct Perth-Narita flights at the end of October 2023.
How to book ANA flights using Velocity points
Previously, you would have needed to call the Velocity Membership Contact Centre on 13 18 75 or +61 2 8667 5924 to redeem Velocity points for ANA flights. But these seats are now available to book on the Virgin Australia website.
Any reward seat that’s available to book through the frequent flyer programs of ANA’s other partner airlines should also be available on the Virgin Australia website. You don’t necessarily need to start or end your journey in Australia. For example, we found Velocity Reward Seat availability from Tokyo to Frankfurt on Virgin’s website.
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How to find ANA award availability
Although you can now find and book ANA reward seats on the Virgin Australia website, you may find it easier to check for award availability using another source. We’d suggest searching on the United Airlines website.
You don’t need to log into a United MileagePlus account to search for award availability on the United website. Just select the “Book with miles” option:
If you also tick the “Flexible dates” box, United will bring up an award availability calendar showing seats across the whole month:
If the United website shows an Economy award seat in X class or Business award seat in I class, this should also be available to book through Virgin Australia’s frequent flyer program. You can then search for availability on that route and date on the Virgin Australia website, or call the Velocity Membership Contact Centre if the seat is not showing online.
The taxes shown should be the same, but the number of Velocity points needed to book the seat will be different to the number of United MilagePlus miles.
You could also use a third-party website such as Seats.aero or the free Star Alliance search tool from Award hacks.
ANA seems to have the best Business Class availability between Perth or Sydney and Tokyo when booking within a month of departure. This is in line with a recent award availability trend where airlines are waiting longer to release award seats.
Can you redeem ANA Mileage Club miles for Virgin Australia flights?
All Nippon Airways plans to let its ANA Mileage Club members redeem their miles to book Virgin Australia flights “in the future”. This will include on Virgin’s new route between Cairns and Tokyo. But this option is not yet available.
