Velocity Frequent Flyer, Virgin Australia’s loyalty arm, unveiled its largest-ever Status Credit promotion on 23 February. Members who activate the deal can retrospectively earn up to 125 bonus credits on flights already taken since 12 January and on new bookings until 31 March. All fare types—including Economy Lite often chosen under strict corporate travel policies—qualify.
The timing is strategic. From 1 July Virgin will tighten tier thresholds and introduce a new top-level “Platinum Plus” at 2,000 credits annually. Analysts note the bonus offer reduces the barrier for mid-tier Silver or Gold members to retain status ahead of the change, potentially locking in SME road-warriors who might otherwise defect to Qantas.
While optimising loyalty status is important, ensuring travellers have the correct documents is just as critical. VisaHQ’s Australian portal (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) streamlines visa and passport processing for any international legs added to Virgin itineraries, with live tracking and corporate billing tools that let travel managers focus on maximising those newfound Velocity Status Credits.
![Virgin Australia Offers Record Bonus Status Credits, Wooing Corporate Flyers]()
For travel managers the promotion is attractive: unlike previous Velocity boosters limited to expensive fare classes, the credit windfall applies even to deeply discounted sale fares and domestic sectors booked with corporate rebates. However, government employees remain excluded due to revised procurement rules barring retro-bonusing.
Companies should encourage travellers to activate the deal in the Velocity app before 31 March and reconcile expense claims carefully—Virgin’s rebate invoices will show the higher Status Credit accrual that some policy auditors treat as a taxable fringe benefit.
Airline competition is heating as Qantas prepares for a major fare sale tied to its Jetstar codeshare reboot. Expect further loyalty plays as carriers vie for high-yield domestic travellers in the final quarter of FY26.
The timing is strategic. From 1 July Virgin will tighten tier thresholds and introduce a new top-level “Platinum Plus” at 2,000 credits annually. Analysts note the bonus offer reduces the barrier for mid-tier Silver or Gold members to retain status ahead of the change, potentially locking in SME road-warriors who might otherwise defect to Qantas.
While optimising loyalty status is important, ensuring travellers have the correct documents is just as critical. VisaHQ’s Australian portal (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) streamlines visa and passport processing for any international legs added to Virgin itineraries, with live tracking and corporate billing tools that let travel managers focus on maximising those newfound Velocity Status Credits.
For travel managers the promotion is attractive: unlike previous Velocity boosters limited to expensive fare classes, the credit windfall applies even to deeply discounted sale fares and domestic sectors booked with corporate rebates. However, government employees remain excluded due to revised procurement rules barring retro-bonusing.
Companies should encourage travellers to activate the deal in the Velocity app before 31 March and reconcile expense claims carefully—Virgin’s rebate invoices will show the higher Status Credit accrual that some policy auditors treat as a taxable fringe benefit.
Airline competition is heating as Qantas prepares for a major fare sale tied to its Jetstar codeshare reboot. Expect further loyalty plays as carriers vie for high-yield domestic travellers in the final quarter of FY26.
