Got Gold, Platinum or Platinum One status with Qantas, and want to make the switch? Virgin Australia has just launched a limited-time status match!

Velocity Frequent Flyer’s new Discover Gold offer is available to the first 3,000 eligible applicants to apply by Friday, 24 May 2024.

The offer isn’t only limited to Qantas Frequent Flyer members. Anyone else currently holding the equivalent of Gold or higher status with another airline that is not a Virgin Australia partner can apply.

Virgin has launched this promotion in celebration of its post-COVID record on-time performance last month. After getting through a period of poor operational reliability around the end of last year, Virgin had more on-time arrivals and fewer cancellations last month than both Qantas and Jetstar. (Rex had the least cancellations overall.)

“We know how important punctuality is for travellers, and so we are pleased to make it easier for frequent flyers to try Velocity Discover Gold to enjoy the most sought-after benefits of the program, including complimentary Lounge access, while enjoying our reliability and wonderful service,” Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said.

Virgin’s last status match promotion was in August 2023.

This offer is not available if you’ve held any status with Velocity since April 2020.

How to apply for this Velocity status match

To take advantage of this latest Virgin Australia status match offer, you’ll need to be one of the first 3,000 eligible Velocity Frequent Flyer members to send an email to [email protected]. In your email, include the following:

• Your full name
• Your Velocity membership number
• Proof of your current frequent flyer membership with another airline, with your status (the equivalent of Velocity Gold or higher) clearly showing

For example, you could send a photo of your Qantas Frequent Flyer membership card. If you don’t have a physical membership card, send a screenshot of your digital card in the Qantas app and/or an activity statement.

How Velocity Discover Gold works

If Velocity accepts your status match application, you’ll receive three months of Discover Gold trial membership. During this time, you’ll receive most of the usual benefits of Velocity Gold status including Virgin Australia Lounge access, priority check-in and priority boarding. You can also enjoy all the usual Velocity Gold benefits on Virgin’s partner airlines.

You’ll also get the opportunity to extend your Velocity Gold status for another 12 months – and access benefits like complimentary Hilton Honors or IHG One Rewards Gold status – by completing a challenge.

During the three-month trial period, you would just need to earn at least 80 status credits and at least one eligible Velocity flight sector to extend your status for a year. That could be as simple as flying one-way from Melbourne to Gold Coast or Brisbane in Virgin Australia Business Class.

Our Velocity status run guide has more tips!

See the Velocity Frequent Flyer website for more details about this offer.

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.