Latest news with #VelocityFrequentFlyer
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
Virgin Australia to open 1-point store in Sydney this week to encourage Velocity Point sign ups as battle of the airlines heats up
Virgin Australia's Velocity Frequent Flyer 1 Point Rewards Store is returning for 2025 after thousands queued down Melbourne's Chapel Street for its debut in 2023. The pop-up stores allow customers with Velocity Frequent Flyer accounts to redeem 1 Velocity Frequent Flyer point for a reward of their choice, with headphones and Virgin Australia flights among the products up for grabs. Cabin crew will also be on hand to guide members through the experience. The airline said members need to have their Velocity Frequent Flyer cards and the mobile app on hand to take part. CEO of Velocity Frequent Flyer Nick Rohrlach said the aim of the program was to get rewards into people's pockets so that they did not have to wait long to earn the next reward or flight. 'Velocity is all about getting our members to rewards faster and the 1 Point Rewards Store puts the spotlight on that,' Mr Rohrlach said. He went onto say that the ways in which people could earn points were just limited to booking flights with Virgin Australia or partner airlines. 'With Velocity, earning Points is easy and fast. You don't need to spend big or wait long for your next reward – spending daily on things like your morning coffee, a tank of fuel, weekly grocery shop or mobile phone bill could get you there in no time,' he said. While rivals Qantas allow their frequent flyers to collect points at Woolworths or though Accor Hotels, Velocity points can be collected at places including Coles supermarkets, 7 Elevens and shopping at Myer department stores or via the click and collect service. But Frequent Flyer schemes have come under the microscope as to whether they offer value for money, with Qantas recently announcing changes to its scheme which saw an increase the number of points people need to earn in order to redeem on domestic and international flights. According to Australian Frequent Flyer, the best loyalty scheme that offers value for money is Virgin Atlantic's scheme, with the British airline offering an exchange rate of 2.1 cents per dollar. The airline does not fly to Australia but relies on partner airlines to offer services Down Under. When the pop up store opened in Melbourne in 2023, the store rapidly sold out - with hundreds queueing down Chapel Street to secure a bargain. According to Virgin, people who do not have any Velocity Points will be given the opportunity to earn points at the stores, with the Sydney store opening at 8am. For Queenslanders and Victorians an opportunity to experience the stores will be offered at a date yet to be confirmed.
Sydney Morning Herald
07-07-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Smart choices, real value: Elevate business travel
Business overheads can be challenging to reduce, but for many companies, the effort is well worth it, and Virgin Australia understands this. In today's dynamic market, where agility and cost-effectiveness are paramount, Australian organisations need more than just flights — they need a travel partner that truly supports their operations, optimises budgets, and consistently delivers. Virgin Australia is that partner, with a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to enhance business travel for everyone — from large corporations to 'small to medium enterprises' (SMEs). Here's how Virgin Australia provides unparalleled value across choice, discounts, flexibility and reliability for Australian businesses. Strategic choice, smart discounts Savvy businesses know that competitive fares and tailored options are crucial for optimising corporate travel budgets. Virgin Australia for business partners with their clients and travel management companies in a tri-party relationship, to optimise fare discounts and stretch budgets further. They also offer a range of fare types to provide better choice and inclusions based on individual business and traveller needs. Virgin Australia's rewards program for SME customers (the Virgin Australia Business Flyer) applies a fixed rate discount on their Flex and Business class fares. This dedicated program ensures businesses gain maximum value with discounts of up to 4 per cent off Flex fares and 6 per cent off Business Class fares on domestic flights, and up to 10 per cent off international flights. The free program is designed for eligible Australian businesses with an ABN/ACN, and an annual domestic flight spend under $300,000 with Virgin Australia. Beyond discounts, Virgin Australia Business Flyer (VABF) rewards Australian businesses and their travellers via the Velocity Frequent Flyer program. Velocity rewards frequent travellers across four Status Tiers — Red, Silver, Gold and Platinum, with Forever Gold and Platinum Plus Tiers launching later this year. Higher Status Tiers unlock priority customer experiences, such as Lounge access, Priority Check-in, and Priority Boarding (where available), which can be leveraged when flying for both work and leisure. Employees can also earn personal Velocity Points and Status Credits, while the business simultaneously collects Velocity Points. Accelerated status-earn opportunities also allow businesses to fast-track to Velocity Gold. Plus, tiered earning means businesses can accumulate 1, 1.5, or 2 Velocity Points per $1 spent, depending on annual travel spend (Tier 1: <$10k; Tier 2: $10k–$50k; Tier 3: $50k–$300k annually). Businesses can further boost points through Virgin Australia Group's network of over 40 partner brands and offers across energy, payments, loans, rideshare, car hire, office supplies, and tech, enhancing their loyalty potential. There are also bonus campaigns, such as earning triple business points on eligible flights if you also earn at least one point with an eligible partner brand by July 31, 2025*. Eve Hollenkamp, executive assistant at Boardriders (the company behind iconic brands like Quiksilver, Roxy and Billabong), highlights this value. 'The Virgin Australia Business Flyer program gives us access to flight discounts, the ability to earn Velocity Points, and the opportunity to upgrade memberships,' says Hollenkamp. These accumulated points can be reinvested into the business — redeemed on future flights directly through a dedicated booking portal, or transferred to any Velocity Frequent Flyer account for other business-related travel needs, effectively managing travel budgets.
Perth Now
28-06-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Big changes for loyalty programs
Some of Australia's biggest brands are set to shake-up their loyalty programs in the new financial year. Changes will come as early as Monday morning with some brands dropping perks, and other merging their loyalty programs into larger ones. But one loyalty program will be gone forever. Qantas Frequent Flyer's will be able to spend points at David Jones. NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui Credit: News Corp Australia Qantas Frequent Flyer The flying kangaroo is set to partner with David Jones to allow shoppers to redeem Qantas points at the department store and David Jones customers to redeem their reward points at the airline. Customers will have to link their memberships through the David Jones mobile app. David Jones CEO Scott Fyfe said: 'Our customers are at the heart of the 187-year-old David Jones business, and we look forward to recognising and rewarding them with a new market leading premium loyalty experience. While Qantas Loyalty chief executive Andrew Glance said that half of Qantas Frequent Flyers already shop at David Jones regularly. 'The number of points members have earned through retailers has doubled in the last five years, and we anticipate it will double again by 2030, as we expand our footprint across a growing range of retail categories,' Mr Glance said. The program will launch later this year. Virgin Australia will see changes to status levels within their Velocity program. NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard Credit: News Corp Australia Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer Virgin have introduced changes to 'Status' levels within their Velocity program. The changes are designed to simplify the process of attaining a silver, gold or platinum membership, by ensuring that 50 per cent of the credits earned towards the program are on Virgin Australia flights flown by the customer. These changes will come into effect from October 1. Just Shop Rewards will merge with Myer. NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw Credit: News Corp Australia Just Shop Rewards The loyalty program for brands including Just Jeans is closing up shop and merging with Myer, following the retail giant's acquisition of the Just Group. From 1 August customers at the Just Group's retailers will earn Myer one credits. Retailers under the former Just Group brand include Dotti, Jacqui E, Jay Jays, Just Jeans and Portmans. Any points that customers have earned through the Just Shop Rewards program will be valid up until July 26, after which they will be forfeited. A popular Supercheap Auto perk will be taken away. NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone Credit: News Corp Australia Supercheap Auto Club The auto company's 'Best Price Credit' perk will be retired as of June 30. The system was popular as it meant that if a product went on sale within 14 days of purchase the difference would be refunded to customers in store credit. Instead a new 'Spend & Get' system is being introduced, giving a $5 credit to customers for every $100 spent. Target Shop+ is set to disappear. NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled Credit: News Corp Australia Target Shop+ From July 21, Target Shop+ will be discontinued altogether. Target said that the company has made a 'business decision' to move away from the app-based loyalty program. Any rewards earned can be redeemed even after the program discontinuation, as per any validity period on the reward.
News.com.au
28-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
All of the changes coming to your loyalty programs as of June 30
Some of Australia's biggest brands are set to shake-up their loyalty programs in the new financial year. Changes will come as early as Monday morning with some brands dropping perks, and other merging their loyalty programs into larger ones. But one loyalty program will be gone forever. Qantas Frequent Flyer The flying kangaroo is set to partner with David Jones to allow shoppers to redeem Qantas points at the department store and David Jones customers to redeem their reward points at the airline. Customers will have to link their memberships through the David Jones mobile app. David Jones CEO Scott Fyfe said: 'Our customers are at the heart of the 187-year-old David Jones business, and we look forward to recognising and rewarding them with a new market leading premium loyalty experience. While Qantas Loyalty chief executive Andrew Glance said that half of Qantas Frequent Flyers already shop at David Jones regularly. 'The number of points members have earned through retailers has doubled in the last five years, and we anticipate it will double again by 2030, as we expand our footprint across a growing range of retail categories,' Mr Glance said. The program will launch later this year. Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer Virgin have introduced changes to 'Status' levels within their Velocity program. The changes are designed to simplify the process of attaining a silver, gold or platinum membership, by ensuring that 50 per cent of the credits earned towards the program are on Virgin Australia flights flown by the customer. These changes will come into effect from October 1. Just Shop Rewards The loyalty program for brands including Just Jeans is closing up shop and merging with Myer, following the retail giant's acquisition of the Just Group. From 1 August customers at the Just Group's retailers will earn Myer one credits. Retailers under the former Just Group brand include Dotti, Jacqui E, Jay Jays, Just Jeans and Portmans. Any points that customers have earned through the Just Shop Rewards program will be valid up until July 26, after which they will be forfeited. Supercheap Auto Club The auto company's 'Best Price Credit' perk will be retired as of June 30. The system was popular as it meant that if a product went on sale within 14 days of purchase the difference would be refunded to customers in store credit. Instead a new 'Spend & Get' system is being introduced, giving a $5 credit to customers for every $100 spent. From July 21, Target Shop+ will be discontinued altogether. Target said that the company has made a 'business decision' to move away from the app-based loyalty program. Any rewards earned can be redeemed even after the program discontinuation, as per any validity period on the reward.
