How I earned Virgin Australia Velocity Gold in one return flight

Virgin Australia Velocity Gold status unlocks useful perks such as airport lounge access, priority check-in and more with Virgin and its web of partner airlines.

However, it usually takes a fair bit of flying to earn the necessary 500 status credits across at least four flights (which the airline terms as ‘eligible sectors’) within a 12-month period.

So when you see a shortcut such as the recent ‘Explore Gold’ promotion which reduces the target to just 80 status credits and one 'eligible sector' flight within an easier three-month window, that's your ticket for a fast-track to Gold status.

Here's how I used the Explore Gold status challenge, run in partnership with Coles Flybuys, to score Velocity Gold status with a single return flight.

Flying Brisbane to Melbourne: a simple return economy flight between Brisbane and Melbourne netted 15 status credits each way, so that was 30 status credits plus the obligatory ‘eligible sector’ in the bag.

Family pooling: As I was flying with a family member and had set up Virgin Australia family pooling, their 30 status credits were added to my Velocity account for a total of 60 status credits – just 20 short of the target for the Explore Gold promo.

Shopping: Closing that gap was easy with some Flybuys shopping, with another promo seeing Flybuys awarding two Velocity status credits per $100 spent at Coles, First Choice Liquor and Liquorland throughout December.

$1,000 spent on groceries, wine and Champagne for Christmas saw those final 20 status credits land in my pocket:

(Outside of promotion periods, Flybuys normally awards one Velocity status credit per $100 spent at the same retailers, up to 10 status credits per month.)

And that was it: 80 status credits plus the necessary eligible flight equalled a year of Velocity Gold status.

Whether there’s a new Velocity promotion, a bonus point offer from Flybuys or Woolworths Rewards or even an ‘AMEX Offer’ for cashback on your credit card, keep your eyes peeled throughout 2017 and be prepared to pounce: you never know what the next offer might be!

Also read: Virgin Australia's Velocity family pooling: tips and tricks for sharing your points

Join other AusBT readers talking about Virgin Australia in our dedicated Virgin Australia discussion group