Velocity, the frequent flyer program of Virgin Australia, has rolled out the red carpet for members of various other competing programs. On offer is the chance to Discover Gold for three months. That’s right, if you have status in an eligible competing program, you can sign up for 3 months of Gold.
During that three months, you can work toward extending your gold status for a further 12 months. In order to get a further 12 months, you simply need to earn 80 Status Credits and fly one eligible sector in your 3-month Discover Gold period.
Signing up for Velocity Discover Gold
Qualification
If you wish to apply, it is worth checking whether or not you are eligible. Unfortunately, if you have ever held Velocity Gold, Velocity Platinum, or Pilot Gold, you are not eligible for the promotion.
The next step is to check whether Velocity is willing to offer Discover Gold based on your status at another airline. Given they will match to 29 different programs, there is a good chance you will have a suitable membership. On the other hand, Velocity is not offering Discover Gold if your status is with a partner airline. This rules out partners such as Qatar Airways, Etihad, Singapore Airlines, United, Hawaiian Airlines, and Air Canada.
The full list of airlines and the status levels that Velocity will match are as follows:
Oneworld airlines
- Qantas: Gold, Platinum, Platinum One
- American Airlines: AAdvantage Platinum, Platinum Pro, Executive Platinum
- British Airways: Executive Club Silver, Gold
- Cathay Pacific: Marco Polo Club Gold, Diamond
- Fiji Airways: Tabua Club Plus
- Finnair: Gold, Platinum
- Iberia: Iberia Plus Gold, Plus Platinum, Singular, Plus Infinita, Plus Infinita Prime
- Japan Airlines: JMB Sapphire, JGC Premier, JMB Diamond
- Malaysia Airlines: Enrich Gold, Platinum
Star Alliance airlines
- Air China: Phoenix Miles Gold, Platinum
- Air India: Flying Returns Golden Edge Club, Maharajah Club
- Asiana: Marco Polo Club Gold, Diamond
- Air New Zealand: Airpoints Gold, Elite
- Austrian Airlines/Lufthansa/Swiss Airlines: Miles & More Senator, HON Circle
- Thai Airways: Royal Orchid Plus Gold, Platinum
- EVA Air: Infinity MileageLands Gold, Diamond
- SAS: Euro Bonus Gold, Platinum
SkyTeam airlines
- China Airlines: Sky Team Emerald, Paragon
- China Eastern: Eastern Miles Elite Status Silver, Gold
- Delta: SkyMiles Gold, Platinum
- Air France/KLM: Flying Blue Gold, Platinum
- Vietnam Airlines: Lotusmiles Gold, Platinum, Titanium
- Garuda: Garuda Miles Gold, Platinum
- Korean Air: Skypass Morning Calm Premium Club, Million Miler Club
Other airlines
- Air Niugini: Gold Executive Club
- Emirates: Skywards Gold, Platinum
- LATAM: LATAM Pass Platinum, Black
- Philippine Airlines: Mabuhay Miles Prmeier Elite
- Royal Brunei: Royal Skies Elite Gold
Applying
While Velocity has a dedicated page outlining the requirements to obtain Discover Gold, there is no specific form to fill in. As a result, the best option appears to be filling in the Customer Feedback Form. When filling in this form, be sure to explain that you want to apply for Discover Gold.
Keeping your status
Once you have been accepted into the Discover Gold promotion, you will have 3 months in which to earn 80 Status Credits. You will also need to travel at least one sector on Virgin Australia.
At the end of the 3 months, Velocity will assess your account. If you have earned the 80 Status Credits, and flown one eligible sector, you will have your trial Gold status extended for a further year.
On the other hand, if you don’t achieve the requirements, you will be downgraded to Silver status.
Discover Gold Status
While you hold Discover Gold status, you will receive most of the benefits of Velocity Gold. Benefits you will receive include airport benefits such as lounge access and priority check-in and boarding at the airport.
On the other hand, there are a few benefits that you will not receive. These include
- A Physical Card
- Gold premium luggage tags.
- Guaranteed Economy Reward seats for an annual family trip.
- Complimentary partner memberships with hotel and car partners.
- Membership Pause for parental leave.
You can read all about the full details of Discover Gold status match and apply online at Velocity.