05 June 2023

Velocity Frequent Flyer Media Centre

Media Centre – Velocity means fast

Just 1 Point!! Velocity Frequent Flyer launches its first-ever 1 point rewards, releases one-million reward seats as strong program growth continues

Date of publish: 05 June 2023

• Velocity Frequent Flyer has signalled a new era for the program alongside a series of new major initiatives set to get members to their rewards faster. 

• The program will this week launch ‘1 Point Rewards’ – in a first of its kind initiative for Velocity, giving members the opportunity to redeem just 1 Velocity Point in exchange for domestic and international flights, as well as coveted items from brands including Dyson, Apple, Weber, adidas and more, all from the Velocity Rewards Store.1 

• Velocity members can now fly for fewer Velocity Points across Australia with the program’s new domestic Reward Seat pricing now being lower than any other Australian airline (taxes, fees and carrier charges apply in addition to Reward Seat pricing).2 

• From today, more than one million additional Virgin Australia domestic Reward Seats will be released to members marking one of the largest releases in the airline’s history.3 

• Velocity is on the cusp of reaching 11.5 million members, representing a half-a-million-member increase over the past six months.

Monday 5 June 2023: On the eve of reaching its 11.5-million-member milestone, Velocity Frequent Flyer has today signalled a new era for the program, launching a way to get Australians to their flight rewards faster, as well as a first-ever initiative giving members the opportunity to redeem flights, household items and more for just 1 Velocity Point.1  

The move follows nationwide consumer research studies which uncovered that Australians want ease of earning points and a faster way to secure their next loyalty reward:

• The top concern for more than half of Australians (51 per cent) when it comes to loyalty programs is “the effort required to earn rewards”*. 

• Redeeming flights for fewer points ranked as the most compelling feature for Australians looking to participate in airline loyalty programs**. 

The findings, which come as the rising cost-of-living continues to impact the nation, underscore Velocity’s commitment to getting members to their Rewards fast and inform three major initiatives announced today. 

Fly for fewer Velocity Points across Australia4

From today, Velocity members can fly for fewer Velocity Points across Australia4 as the program overhauls its domestic Reward Seat proposition for its members to have access to the lowest lead in domestic redemption airfares compared to other Australian airlines (taxes, fees and carrier charges apply in addition to Reward Seat pricing).2 

The minimum Velocity Points required for domestic Virgin Australia Reward Seats now starts from as low as 6,200 Velocity Points (previously 7,800 Points) plus taxes, fees and carrier charges.4 

The announcement, which is part of a new domestic Reward Seat tiering structure will provide Velocity members with three different lead-in price points, to launch between 5 June 2023 and 5 July 2023.4 The tiers are based on each zone of travel (refer Notes to Editor): 

• Tier one: from 6,200 Velocity Points 

• Tier two: from 7,800 Velocity Points 

• Tier three: from 9,900 Velocity Points5 

Reward Seats are an all-inclusive offering with a complimentary checked baggage allowance and seat selection.

1 Point Rewards¹

Signalling the new program direction, Velocity will this week launch ‘1 Point Rewards’ – a first-ever for the loyalty program giving its members the opportunity to access hundreds of Rewards, including flights across Australia, as well as to Virgin Australia’s international destinations including Bali, Queenstown and Fiji - for just 1 Velocity Point.

Incredible household, fashion, technology, and beauty items from brands like Dyson, Apple, adidas, Weber, Sonos, Breville and more, will also be available to redeem for 1 Velocity Point.1

The 1 Point Rewards will be available online at the Velocity Rewards Store at undisclosed times in limited drops – once a week, across four weeks – from Sunday 11 June 2023 until midnight AEST 2 July 2023.1

Members eager to get their hands on incredible Rewards for 1 Velocity Point can download the Velocity app, follow @VelocityFrequentFlyer on Instagram, and keep their eyes peeled for clues on the live drops. For more information, members can visit velocityfrequentflyer.com/1Point.

Velocity’s first-ever pop up 1 Point Rewards Store to open

To celebrate the launch of 1 Point Rewards, Velocity will officially open its first-ever pop up Rewards Store on Melbourne’s famed Chapel Street. The store will open for 24-hours (or until sold out) on Saturday 10 June at 9.00am AEST, giving Velocity members the chance to nab coveted items like Dyson hairdryers, Apple AirPods, Weber BBQs and more – before the nation-wide initiative launches online on Sunday 11 June 2023. The first 100 members through the store will also be able to choose between one of the above items or a one-way Economy flight to a host of Virgin Australia’s most popular holiday destinations.

More than one million additional Reward Seats released3

In a milestone announcement, from today, more than one million additional Virgin Australia domestic Reward Seats will be released to members3, marking one of the largest releases in the airline’s history. 

The Reward Seat drop will allow Velocity members to use their Points to redeem flights to destinations across Virgin Australia’s extensive Australian flight network.

Commentary 

Velocity Frequent Flyer CEO, Nick Rohrlach commented on the announcements aimed at positioning Velocity as the most loved loyalty program in Australia.

“We know that Velocity is already fast to earn and climb the Status ranks and you’ll continue to see more innovations that lead the way in terms of rewards and recognition for our members – this is just the start.

“We are proud to now offer the lowest domestic flight redemption rates of any Australian airline 2. This shows our commitment to bringing value to members who can really drive their dollar further for being part of Velocity.

“We know from the data that Australians want fast rewards from their loyalty programs and that’s what we are giving them.

Commenting on the program’s 1 Point loyalty reward initiative, Mr Rohrlach said: “Innovation is at the core of our business, and we are delivering today what we delivered for the Middle Seat Lottery last year. We know it’s hard to believe that a member can go on a holiday for just 1 Velocity Point or purchase a Dyson hairdryer for the equivalent of a $2 purchase at Coles, but this is the beauty of our 1 Point Rewards initiative,” he said.

“It is a huge responsibility and privilege to have the equivalent of one Velocity member in every Australian household, making the program enhancements announced today incredibly impactful for the entire country, particularly for Australians feeling the pinch from the rising cost of living. Loyalty works both ways and we are proud to help Australians get to their next holiday sooner.

“As we fast approach 11.5 million members, we are more committed than ever before to give Australians value, choice and the most loved loyalty program in Australia,” he said.

Coinciding with today’s announcement, Velocity has unveiled its new brand platform, “Velocity means fast”, through a video which brings to life the ease of turning everyday spending into fast holidays and rewards. 

Set in a beautiful Australian resort, we meet a diverse range of Velocity members from all walks of life who have been instantly transported from their Points earn experience, to their wonderful holiday. From topping up the car at 7-Eleven, to scanning their Flybuys card and Velocity Points-earning credit card when buying back to school essentials at Officeworks or doing the weekly grocery shop at Coles^^, the dreamlike brand film showcases the speed of members going from earning to redeeming with Velocity. The film can be viewed here.

Ranked as the nation’s third-largest loyalty program, Velocity has gone from strength to strength over the past 24-months under the successfully transformed Virgin Australia, with recent partnerships including Qatar Airways, United Airlines and Myer. Last week, the program also announced a proposed partnership with Luxury Escapes to commence mid-2023.

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT 

Virgin Australia Group Corporate Affairs: corporateaffairs@virginaustralia.com or 1800 142 467. 

NOTES TO EDITOR 

Velocity means fast. True or false?

^ Side note: we know the word Velocity doesn’t actually mean fast – it means the directional speed of an object in motion as an indication of its rate of change in position as observed from a particular frame of reference and as measured by a particular standard of time. But it’s pretty close… and we’re really serious about being fast.

Highlight 1 Point Rewards

FOOTNOTES

* For the Love or Money Report, The Point of Money, May 2022. 

** Qualtrics Brand Positioning survery, August 2022.

^^Individual partner and Velocity membership T&Cs apply. 7-Eleven: Scan your Velocity linked My 7-Eleven app to earn Points on fuel and eligible in-store purchases. Flybuys: Earn and transfer minimum 1000 Flybuys points to 500 Velocity Points. Exclusions apply.  

1During selected periods between 5 June and 2 July 2023 (Promotion Period), Velocity members can obtain selected products through the Velocity Reward Store for 1 Velocity Point (a 1 Point Reward). 1 Point Rewards will only be made available at a certain time each week during the Promotion Period, for a limited time or until sold out prior. 1 Point Rewards are extremely limited and subject to availability. Velocity members who choose to obtain a 1 Point Reward will have 1 Velocity Point deducted from their Velocity membership account. Velocity members are limited to redeeming only one 1 Point Reward redemption per Velocity member per week during the Promotion Period. Flight Certificates obtained as a 1 Point Reward are valid for 12 months from issue. Velocity members who are Virgin Australia Group employees or contractors, and their respective immediate families, are ineligible to obtain 1 Point Rewards. This offer and the 1 Point Rewards are subject to additional terms and conditions, including the Virgin Australia Conditions of Carriage and fare rules, the Velocity Reward Store terms and conditions, the Velocity membership terms and conditions, and individual product terms and conditions.   

2Based on the minimum points amount required to redeem a Virgin Australia domestic Reward Seat fare compared to the equivalent domestic redemption fare on other Australian airlines, available as at 5 June 2023. In addition to the Velocity Points redeemed on the Reward Seats, Velocity members will have to pay additional taxes, fees and carrier charges. Subject to availability, and Velocity membership and Reward Seat Terms and Conditions. 

3Additional Reward Seat Sale: Over one million additional Reward Seats will be available for redemption in Economy class on domestic flights operated by Virgin Australia (excluding Christmas Island and Cocos Island), for travel between 5 June 2023 – 23 June 2023, 17 July 2023 – 15 September 2023, 9 October 2023 – 15 December 2023, 8 January 2024 – 28 March 2024 and 27 April 2024 – 30 April 2024. (“Offer”). Offer is valid from 12:01am AEST 5 June 2023 until 11:59pm AEST 18 June 2023 (“Offer Period”). Reward Seats are subject to availability. Offer does not include Business class, international travel, or codeshare services marketed or operated by partner airlines. There is no limit on the number of times this Offer can be redeemed during the Offer Period. The Offer must be redeemed through the Virgin Australia website. Velocity Points cannot be earned on Reward Seat bookings. A checked baggage allowance is included in your fare. Add $40 or 5,200 Points for bookings made on the phone. Taxes, fees and surcharges are payable for Economy Reward Seats. Payment surcharge may apply. Taxes, fees and surcharges can be paid for using Points and are not eligible for Points earn. See Virgin Australia’s domestic Fees page for Reward Seats. Changes, refunds and cancellations are permitted prior to travel and may incur a fee and any applicable fare difference. You may also request a refund for other reasons, including under the Australian Consumer Law. Visit the Velocity Reward Seat fare rules for more information. Velocity Membership Terms and Conditions apply. Full terms and conditions at www.virginaustralia.com. 

4As of 5 June 2023, Velocity has reduced the minimum Velocity Points required for its Economy Class Reward Seats on all Virgin Australia domestic routes by introducing a new lower tier fare. Taxes, fees and carrier charges are payable in addition to Velocity Points redeemed. Reward Seats and associated charges are not eligible for Points earn. Seats are limited and may not be available at peak times or on all flights. Payment surcharge may apply. You can change or get a refund for your booking by paying a fee and any fare difference, at least 24 hours before scheduled departure. You may also request a refund for other reasons, including under the Australian Consumer Law. View the Velocity Reward Seat fare rules for more information. Some flights may be operated by a partner airline. Different baggage allowances and conditions may apply to these flights. Full terms and conditions at velocityfrequentflyer.com. Velocity membership and Reward Seat Terms and Conditions apply. 

5As of 5 July 2023, Velocity will introduce a new tier for its Reward Seats on all Virgin Australia Domestic Economy flights.  Taxes, fees and carrier charges are payable in addition to Velocity Points redeemed. Reward Seats and associated charges are not eligible for Points earn. Seats are limited and may not be available at peak times or on all flights. Payment surcharge may apply. You can change or get a refund for your booking by paying a fee and any fare difference, at least 24 hours before scheduled departure. You may also request a refund for other reasons, including under the Australian Consumer Law. View the Velocity Reward Seat fare rules for more information (https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/travel-info/flying-with-us/fare-types/velocity-reward-seat/). Some flights may be operated by a partner airline. Different baggage allowances and conditions may apply to these flights. Full terms and conditions at velocityfrequentflyer.com. Velocity Membership and Reward Seat Terms and Conditions apply.