Virgin Responds to Qantas Customer Poaching Initiative

In response to Qantas loyal customers poaching initiative rolled out by Qantas on November 28, Virgin’s Velocity program Gold and Platinum members are getting rewarded for their loyalty and, as well as offering Qantas frequent flyers members and their companion an offer to taste flying with a “Fun & Vibrant” airline. 

Customers willing to take the leap, need to fill in a short expression of interest form by 21 December 2020, to receive a three-month Velocity Discover Gold Status trial membership.

The membership offers complimentary lounge access, priority boarding, preferential seating, higher checked baggage allowances, and bonus points when customers book and fly with Virgin Australia.

To retain Velocity Gold status for 12 months and receive an additional benefit of Velocity Gold membership for their companion, customers are only required to take one eligible flight and earn 80 status credits during their three-month Discover Gold Status trial period.

Status Credits can also be maximised through Velocity’s family pooling benefit, making it easier for members to quickly climb the status ranks and start flashing their Gold card at Virgin Australia lounges.

Velocity Frequent Flyer will also offer eligible Gold and Platinum members a status extension of up to one year or until 31 March 2022, if they take one eligible flight with Virgin before 28 March 2021.

This is the second time Velocity has granted eligible members a status extension this year.

Furthermore, Velocity will reward Gold and Platinum members with 5,000 bonus points when they take two eligible flights with Virgin by 28 March 2021.

Economy X upgrades will also be offered to Velocity Gold members, and business-class upgrades to Velocity Platinum members when they take three or more eligible flights in the same period.

Virgin’s offer follows the news that their Sydney and Melbourne lounges will reopen on 15 December. The airline’s Brisbane lounge reopened last month, and it’s Gold Coast, Perth, and Adelaide lounges will reopen early in the new year.

It took a week for Virgin’s to respond after Qantas began offering top-tier members of other airline loyalty programs the opportunity to fast-track their flying status if they switch to its own.

Edited by Joe Cusmano