Airline loyalty programs have always been a key factor in customers’ airline choices, and one of the top loyalty programs in the country is Virgin Australia’s Velocity. However, as the world is gradually recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, some adjustments are on the horizon for Velocity Frequent Flyer members. Come 1st July 2023, members who have been inactive for two years will see their points expire – a change that will affect many members if they don’t act quickly.
Velocity’s great pause on points expiration during the height of the COVID-19 crisis was a welcome relief for many, but all good things must end. The looming deadline has set a rush to retain points and extend their lifespan by another two years.
“For those who haven’t used or earned points in over two years, the time to act is now,” warns Matt Graham, the editor of Australian Frequent Flyer, Australia’s largest online frequent flyer community since 1998. He emphasizes the ease with which Velocity members can keep their points active, and it’s simpler than you might think.
“All you need to do is scan your Velocity card when buying a $2 coffee or a bar of chocolate from 7-Eleven,” Graham advises. “Though it may seem insignificant, this act can extend the life of your entire Velocity Points balance for another two years.”
Adding more benefits, you can earn 250 bonus Velocity Points by downloading the ‘My 7-Eleven’ app, linking your Velocity account, and scanning your digital card in-store by 30 June. Points from 7-Eleven will generally be credited to your Velocity Frequent Flyer account within one to two days. The official ‘My 7-Eleven’ app can be downloaded here.
Furthermore, Flybuys members can transfer points into Velocity Frequent Flyer, with 1,000 Flybuys points equaling 500 Velocity Points. Australian credit card reward and hotel loyalty programs also permit members to move points into Velocity Frequent Flyer.
Environmentally conscious members have an added advantage with the unique opportunity to earn points by recycling bottles or cans through Envirobank. This creative initiative helps maintain point balance and contributes to a cleaner environment.
For those considering redeeming points, now may be the ideal time. Graham suggests using your Velocity Points for a holiday or buying from the Velocity Rewards Store, which offers a range of products starting from a $25 ‘Ultimate’ gift card for 4,903 points.
However, Velocity members should be wary of potential delays in point crediting for certain activities, such as purchases from the Velocity eStore or credit card sign-up bonuses. Moreover, transferring points from a family member, including through Family Pooling, and earning status credits, do not count as activities that extend the validity of Velocity Points.
It’s worth noting that Velocity’s expiration policy is still more generous than its competitors. For instance, Qantas Frequent Flyer points expire after 18 months of account inactivity, and KrisFlyer, the loyalty program of Singapore Airlines, is also reinstating its regular policy, with points expiring after three years from 30th June 2023.
For those looking for more ways to prevent points from expiring, Australian Frequent Flyer offers a comprehensive guide here. As the saying goes, time waits for no one. For Velocity members, the time to act is now.
Key Takeaways:
- Velocity Frequent Flyer is reinstating its usual policy of points expiration after two years of inactivity from 30th June 2023.
- Members can ensure their points don’t expire by earning or redeeming at most minuscule one Velocity Point by 30th June.
- Points can be quickly earned, for example, by buying a $2 coffee from 7-Eleven and scanning your Velocity Frequent Flyer card at the checkout.
Written by: Jill Walsh
