Virgin Velocity cuts points value: How to keep scoring free flights
Massive changes are coming to Velocity - here's what's happening and when.
Key takeaways
- You'll need to spend more money to earn Velocity Points, and need to use more points for most flight redemptions.
- Using the right credit card will help you earn points faster.
- Changes are rolling out between October 2024 and April 2025.
Virgin has cut the effective value of Velocity Points, making sweeping changes to the Velocity frequent flyer scheme that will mean most passengers will take longer to earn points and need to spend more points to score free flights.
We've rounded up all the key changes to how Velocity Points work and when they'll start affecting you.
Points earned from Virgin flights are being cut
The change that will affect most people reduces the number of points earned from flights. Currently, passengers on Virgin flights earn 5 Velocity Points for each dollar spent on their ticket. From 2 April 2025, that will drop to 4 Velocity Points per dollar spent - an effective 20% reduction.
The one exception? If you have a credit card which earns Velocity Points directly you will continue to earn 5 Velocity Points per $1 spent on flights, provided you have earned Velocity Points using that card in the 12 months prior to the flight. So if you're a very regular Virgin flyer, using one of those cards is likely to be a sensible choice.
Note that this exception doesn't include cards which let you convert other types of rewards points into Velocity Points, such as the ANZ Rewards Black. That card could still be a solid choice for building your total given the large number of bonus points you can earn - we gave it a Finder Score of 8.5/10. However, it won't qualify you for the extra 1 point per dollar spent on any flight bookings.
Existing bookings and flights booked before 2 April 2025 will still earn Velocity Points at the old rate.
Which credit cards will let you earn 5 Velocity Points per $1?
Virgin says users of these cards will be eligible to earn the higher 5 Velocity Points per $1 spent (provided that Velocity Points have been earned using the card in the 12 months prior to the flight):
- American Express Velocity Gold Card
- American Express Velocity Escape Card
- American Express Velocity Platinum Card
- American Express Velocity Business Card
- Bank of Queensland Signature Velocity Card
- Bank of Queensland Specialist Platinum Velocity Card
- Westpac Altitude Mastercard Platinum
- Westpac Altitude Mastercard Black
- Virgin Money Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Card
- Virgin Money Virgin Australia Velocity High Flyer Card
Velocity Reward flights will need more points
Virgin is also increasing the number of points you need to redeem for reward flights. While a handful of domestic flights will require a lower total, most domestic routes and all international routes are having their totals increased.
From 17 October, Virgin will cut the number of Velocity Points needed for the cheapest short-haul domestic economy flights (such as Sydney-Melbourne) from 6,200 to 5,900 (plus carrier charges). Virgin runs a tiered rewards system, so not every flight will be available for that amount, but some will. Virgin is also releasing an extra 1 million seats in a 4-day rewards seat sale that kicks off today.
However, most flights will soon require more points. From 21 January 2025, the number of Velocity Points needed for domestic, international and partner airline flights will all rise. We'll be doing a detailed analysis of those changes when they're fully announced.
How can I get the most from Velocity now?
If you fly Virgin really regularly for work, you'll want to make sure you have one of the eligible credit cards that helps you earn 5 Velocity Points per $1 spent on your bookings. That will keep your total growing faster.
If you are saving Velocity Points for a future trip, you'll still want to make sure you're boosting your overall total by choosing a card with a big sign-up offer. If you're not flying regularly otherwise, the changed earn rate for flights won't make such a difference to you.
New rules for earning Velocity Status Credits
Velocity is also simplifying its complex rules around Status Credits, which are used to determine whether you're eligible for a higher status tier such as Gold and Platinum. From 2 April 2025, passengers on most fares will earn 1 Status Credit per $12 spent. Passenger on ultra-cheap Lite fares will earn 1 Status Credit per $24 spent. The number of Status Credits earned on partner airlines is being reduced from October 2025.
Why is Virgin making these changes?
Virgin says the changes are based on customer research, though few passengers are likely to be happy about needing more points for their reward flights.
"Today's changes to the Velocity program represent our focus and investment in areas that matter most to our members, like great value Domestic redemptions and being better recognised for loyalty," Virgin Frequent Flyer CEO Nick Rohrlach said.
"We have more ways than ever before for members to earn and redeem Velocity Points and will soon have additional opportunities to be recognised for loyalty through the new tiers and benefits announced today. These new changes are balanced by adjustments to other areas of the program to ensure we continue to have a sustainable, competitive and valuable proposition for members."
Want to keep your frequent flyer points balance growing? Check out the latest credit card sign-up deals.
