Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer program recently introduced a new partnership with Qatar Airways, while also adding lounge access as a benefit for Velocity Gold and Platinum members travelling on Air Canada.

Both of these have been positive developments for Velocity, and there could be more good news on the way. Qatar Airways and Air Canada have hinted that even more reciprocal benefits could be on the way for Velocity Frequent Flyer members. Hawaiian Airlines, too, could soon expand its partnership with Virgin Australia to offer reciprocal status tier benefits.

More reciprocal status benefits for Virgin Australia & Air Canada flyers

Virgin Australia first launched its partnership with Air Canada in early 2021, offering the opportunity for members of both Velocity and Air Canada’s Aeroplan program to earn and redeem points on the other airline. Velocity members can also earn status credits on Air Canada flights, while Aeroplan members can earn Status Qualifying Miles (but not Status Qualifying Dollars) on Virgin Australia domestic flights.

Until recently, that was the extent of the partner airline benefits for Velocity members. But earlier this month, the two airlines began offering reciprocal access to their airport lounges to Gold and Platinum frequent flyers of the other airline.

At this stage, there are still no other reciprocal status benefits. This means Velocity Gold and Platinum members do not receive any additional benefits such as an extra baggage allowance, priority check-in or priority boarding when flying with Air Canada. There’s also no lounge access available in Australia or New Zealand when flying in Air Canada Economy or Premium Economy, as Air Canada does not operate its own airport lounges here and Velocity hasn’t made any alternative arrangements.

But this could soon change as well. In an announcement sent to various industry stakeholders, Air Canada said that offering lounge access to Velocity members was “the first of further exciting reciprocal benefits to come with Virgin Australia” and that customers “can look forward to more news from us in the months ahead”.

Virgin, Qatar to launch “market leading proposition for business travellers”

Virgin’s new strategic partnership with Qatar Airways is already quite extensive. Velocity members can earn points & status credits, redeem points (including for some reward seats not offered to Qantas Frequent Flyer members) and receive reciprocal status benefits on Qatar Airways flights.

As part of this announcement, Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia hinted that they will also launch a new loyalty proposition for business travellers of both airlines.

“Coming soon, Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways will launch a market leading proposition for business travellers, providing more choice and value for business flyers travelling between Australia, the Middle East and Europe,” both airlines said in a joint press release.

This could involve the Virgin Australia Business Flyer program, or could perhaps be something completely new. Watch this space…

United MileagePlus members can now earn Premier qualifying credit on Virgin Australia

When Virgin Australia launched its other major new partnership this year, with United Airlines, this originally did not include the opportunity for United MileagePlus members to earn Premier qualifying credit (which counts towards status) on Virgin Australia flights.

But this recently changed, and Virgin Australia is even now a “preferred partner” of United, meaning United MileagePlus members can earn Premier Qualifying Points at a higher rate than with non-preferred partners.

Reciprocal status benefits to come on Hawaiian Airlines?

At this stage, Hawaiian Airlines now remains the only major international partner airline of Virgin Australia not to offer any reciprocal status tier benefits to Velocity Silver, Gold or Platinum members. But this could soon be changing as well, and for the better.

In an interview with Point Hacks earlier this year, Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka hinted that the airline was in talks to expand its frequent flyer partnership with Hawaiian Airlines.

“We’re going to work hard to make sure that Virgin Australia guests have the ability to leverage the infrastructure of our partners in the same way that their guests would,” Hrdlicka said.

The Regional Director for Australia and New Zealand for Hawaiian Airlines, Andrew Stanbury, echoed these comments.

“We’ve got a number of things on the table to discuss over the next six months [with Virgin Australia],” Stanbury told Point Hacks last month.

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum.

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 aviation, economics & 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.