Australian regional airline Link Airways has commenced a partnership with Velocity Frequent Flyer, the loyalty program of Virgin Australia. This will allow Link Airways customers to earn Velocity points and (in some cases) access Virgin Australia lounges.

From 22 August 2022, Link Airways passengers will be able to earn between 2 and 5 Velocity points per dollar spent on Link Airways tickets. The exact earn rate will depend on the type of ticket purchased:

• Deal and Standard fares earn 2 Velocity points per $1
• Freedom and Flexible fares earn 5 Velocity points per $1

Full details and eligible fare classes are available on the Link Airways website. Points are not earned on ancillaries or credit card surcharges.

Unfortunately, Velocity members won’t be able to earn status credits or tier bonus points for Link Airways flights. There is also no possibility to redeem Velocity points on Link Airways, which would have been a great addition to the Velocity program.

You’ll be able to earn Velocity points for any flights taken on or after 22 August 2022. If you’re flying on Link Airways between 22 August and 15 September 2022, you’ll receive your points after 15 September. Otherwise, points should be allocated up to 14 days after travelling.

When making a new Link Airways booking, there is now an option to enter your Velocity Frequent Flyer number alongside the passenger details at the time of booking. For existing bookings, you’ll be able to add your Velocity number by calling Link Airways after 22 August (but not before then), or by submitting a missing points claim on the Link Airways website after flying.

Once the partnership launches on 22 August, Link Airways passengers booked on a Freedom or Flexible ticket will also be able to access Virgin Australia lounges ahead of flights departing from Brisbane, Canberra or Sydney. This benefit will be offered regardless of your Velocity status or Virgin Australia Lounge membership, and is an included benefit with the ticket. Access will be available up to 3 hours prior to departure.

Lounge access is not available, however, to passengers on Deal or Standard fares – even for Velocity Gold or Platinum members. The partnership with Link Airways does not include any status benefits for Velocity members.

Link Airways flies to 16 destinations across eastern Australia including Wollongong, Tamworth, Dubbo, Orange, Coffs Harbour and Bundaberg using a fleet of Saab 340 and Metroliner regional aircraft.

The new partnership between Velocity Frequent Flyer and Link Airways is similar to the current tie-up between Velocity and FlyPelican, another Australian regional airline. FlyPelican passengers can earn Velocity points and access Virgin lounges on certain fare types, but don’t receive any other Velocity benefits.

Since March 2022, Link Airways operates the Sydney-Canberra route on behalf of Virgin Australia using Saab 340 turboprops. These flights are marketed as Virgin Australia flights and carry a “VA” flight number, so the usual Velocity benefits apply on those services.

Join the discussion on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum: Link Airways / Virgin Australia expand NSW regional partnership.

Matt Graham

The editor of Australian Frequent Flyer, Matt's passion for travel has taken him to over 90 countries… with the help of frequent flyer points, of course!
Matt's favourite destinations (so far) are Germany, Brazil & Kazakhstan. His interests include economics, aviation & foreign languages, and he has a soft spot for good food and red wine.

You can connect with Matt by posting on the Australian Frequent Flyer community forum and tagging @AFF Editor.