In common with many programs, Velocity Frequent Flyer status unlocks a number of perks when flying Virgin Australia. If you hold status, you are also in line for extra benefits on the partner network.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at how you can achieve Velocity status and what each level gets you.
Velocity status – the basics
All members join Velocity at the Red (or member) level. From there, you can work your way up through three further elite levels. The first level above Red is Silver. Above that sits Gold and finally at the top of the pile is the Platinum level.
Your Velocity Status is determined by two things, Status Credits and Eligible Sectors.
Firstly, there is the number of Status Credits that you earn over a 12 month period. Mostly, you earn Status Credits when flying Virgin Australia or one its partners. You can also earn Status Credits on your shopping at Coles through Flybuys, or from credit card offers, such as the 100 Status Credits on offer with the American Express Velocity Platinum credit card.
In addition, a set number of flight each year need to be on Virgin Australia flight numbers.
The Benefits of Status
As mentioned, membership status is determined by the number Status Credits you ear and the number of Eligible Sectors you fly, The Status Credits can come from flights, your spending at Coles or Liquorland, and some credit cards.
There are four different membership levels:
- Red – The entry level that you are in on joining the program. This level allows you to earn points and status credits, as well as some other basic functions
- Silver – The initial elite status level. It main benefit is bonus points earning, however, as silver you also receive two lounge passes
- Gold – The mid level, where you gain lounge access, and partner benefits
- Platinum – The highest level, where you receive complimentary EconomyX seating, and four upgrade certificates per year.
Let’s take a look at the individual elite levels in more detail
Red Velocity status
This is where you start from when you first join, and it can really be thought of as a member level. It is not really an elite level. As such it provides some basic functionality to let you earn and redeem points.
You become a red member by joining the program, and this level provides the basic benefits of the program. While there are limited benefits, there are some things that may be of use, even to a not so frequent flyer.
Holding Velocity red status, you’ll get access to:
- the ability to earn points
- redeeming points for Rewards seats,
- redeeming points for Upgrades
- select a seat when booking, or any time up-to check-in
- ability to participate in family pooling and family transfers
- member only promotions and marketing
Silver
As you move up through the status levels, you gain additional benefits. The silver level is the first level you meet on the way up.
At this level, the best additional features are two lounge passes per year, and a 50% points bonus when flying on Virgin Australia marketed and operated flights.
Gold
To many people, the mid-level Gold status is really the sweet spot of the program. It is half way to Platinum, but provides many of the most valuable benefits. At the Gold level you receive lounge access to both Virgin Australia lounges, and a range of lounges on the partner network
On top of that, it is the level at which you gain access to a range or preferential or priority handling. For example, you will receive priority boarding when flying on Virgin Australia.
Platinum
Platinum is the highest level in the program, and requires twice the flying than is required for Gold. Extra benefits at this level include complimentary EconomyX seating and complimentary upgrade certificates.
Velocity Status Levels Compared
The following table provides a comparison between the various Velocity Status levels.
| Benefit |  Member |
 Silver |
 Gold |
 Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EARNING AND REDEEMING POINTS | ||||
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| TRAVEL BENEFITS: Before You Travel | ||||
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| TRAVEL BENEFITS: At the Airport | ||||
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| TRAVEL BENEFITS: At Your Destination | ||||
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| TRAVEL BENEFITS: International Airline Partners | ||||
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| FAMILY BENEFITS | ||||
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| ADDITIONAL BENEFITS | ||||
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Achieving and Retaining Status
As mentioned, your Velocity Status is determined by the number of Status Credits you earn in a year, and by flying a number of Eligible Sectors. Status Credits are awarded on the following:
- Eligible flights. When you fly on Virgin Australia or one of its airline partners you can earn Status Credits. The number of status credits you earn is based on the fare class, distance and the airline.
- flybuys activity. Members of the flybuys reward program can earn Status Credits for shopping at Coles, Coles Online, Liquorland or First Choice Liquor. Under this offer, you can earn 1 Status Credit for each $100 of spend across the retail partners. To take advantage of this offer, you will first need to link your flybuys and Velocity accounts, then use your flybuys card when you’re shopping.
- Credit Card earn. The American Express Velocity Platinum card offers 100 Status Credits when you spend $50,000 on eligible purchases in a year
Finally, you need to fly a specific number of Eligible Sectors for reach Velocity Status level. This basically is a count of the number of Virgin Australia marketed flights that you take in a year.
How to achieve status
To go up a level in Velocity, you need to earn a set number of Status Credits, and fly a given number of Eligible Sectors in a rolling 12 month period. Any 12 month period will do. Every night, Velocity could the number of Status Credits you have earned in the previous 365 days. If you make the cut, they will pop you up to the next level.
The following table shows the number of Status Credits you need to earn, as well as the required number of eligible sectors for each level
| Membership level | Status Credits | Eligible Sectors |
|---|---|---|
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Red
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N/A
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N/A
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Silver
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250
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2
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Gold
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500
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4
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Platinum
|
1,000
|
8
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How to keep status
Once you attain a status, you get to keep that status for 12 months (unless you go up a further level). During that 12 month period, you will need to achieve the Status Credit and Eligible Sector requirements for requalification. At present these requirements are
| Membership level | Status Credits | Eligible Sectors |
|---|---|---|
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Silver
|
200
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2
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Gold
|
400
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4
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Platinum
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800
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8
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It can be important to understand the difference in the way Velocity determine gaining a status versus retaining a status.
To go up a status, you need to earn the required Status Credits and Eligible Sectors in any rolling 12 month period. The date that you go up a level becomes your review date for that level.
As an example, should you achieve Silver Status on July 27, 2019, then your review date will be July 27, 2020. If you are to retain Silver, you need to earn the required Status Credits in that 12 month period.
On the other hand, if you are Silver and aiming for Gold, it is not the review date that matters. To gain Gold status, you are still on the 12 month rolling calendar.
And Finally
Anyone can be a Red Velocity member, but to unlock real benefits you need to gain a higher status. Given you need to fly to do this, there are real costs involved. If you fly frequently, it may be worthwhile being at a higher status level.
