Making the most of Virgin Australia's 2019 double status credit offer

If you've not quite hit Velocity Gold and Platinum status, those shiny cards are about to get much closer thanks to Virgin Australia's latest double status credits offer.

The promotion is open to all Velocity members, rather than being an invitation-only affair limited to some frequent flyers – and it covers 11 months of future travel, it's time to start planning ahead.

For example, a Melbourne-Perth return trip in business class will net you at least 360 status credits under this special offer, and even a return Melbourne-Sydney hop will yield 200 status credits.

Return flights to New Zealand can rack up 320 status credits in business class, while the return jaunt between Sydney and Denpasar hands you 480 status credits – nearly enough to qualify for Velocity Gold status outright.

Example Virgin Australia routes with double status credits - figures valid for a return Business Saver fare

[Click or tap on the infographic to enlarge it]

What about Virgin Australia flights to Hong Kong and Los Angeles? Sadly, both routes are excluded from this deal.

Here's what else you need to know about Velocity's latest double status credit promo.

Virgin Australia and Velocity double status credits: offer details

Registration: as always, you need to register through this link before locking in any future bookings. If you plan to travel with friends or family, make sure they also activate the offer before booking flights, or they'll miss out on the bonus.

Booking window: register and book your flights from 12:01am Monday 20 May, until 11:59pm Monday 27 May – that's eight full days to sort out your schedule.

Travel window: your travel dates can be anytime from now until 14 April 2020, which covers a period of 11 months.

Flight eligibility: only Virgin Australia marketed and operated flights will qualify. This means your flights must be booked with the 'VA' flight code, and be operated by Virgin Australia rather than other codeshare partners.

Exclusions: for this particular promotion, flights to or from Hong Kong and Los Angeles are not included.

Getting the bonus: Velocity advises a wait of up to four weeks to receive your bonus status credits.

However, it's typically awarded at the same time you'd normally be credited for the flight, so expect a double haul of status credits a few days after flying.

These bundles of 50 status credits already include the double bonus

How to earn double status credits with Virgin Australia and Velocity

1. Head to the Velocity offer page and activate the promo while signed into your Velocity account. 
2. Book your Virgin Australia flights from now to 11:59pm on Monday 27 May 2019.
3. Make sure your Velocity number is attached to the booking.
4. Travel from now to 14 April 2020, and automatically earn double status credits on all eligible flights.

Tips for maximising Virgin Australia double status credits

Check how many status credits you could earn: Head to the Mileage Calculator to look up the distance of your intended flight and use the Status Earn Tables to see what the normal status credit bounty is. Multiply it by two to get your double haul.

Take fare types into account: Virgin's different fare categories earn status credits at a different rate, so paying slightly more for a better fare could help supercharge your status credits balance quicker.

Especially when in travelling in economy, going for an Elevate fare over a Getaway fare will double your status credits earn, often for not that much more in price. Existing Velocity Gold and Platinum members can also use their 'Fly Ahead' perks to hop onto an earlier flight from an Elevate ticket, while the same is not possible with the lowest-priced Getaway fares. 

Using the Domestic table as a reference, a return Melbourne-Perth trip in Business instead of Business Saver could earn you 420 status credits instead of 360 status credits, using the double status credits promotion.

Family Pooling is eligible: If you’re travelling with a partner and/or children who live at the same address as you, their extra status credits can be funnelled into your account under Velocity's Family Pooling system (assuming they register individually as well).

This could well be your secret weapon to rocketing up the status ladder in no time at all.

Read more: Family Pooling is your shortcut to Velocity Gold or Platinum status

Brandon Loo

Based in Perth, Brandon enjoys tucking into local delicacies, discovering new cocktails, and making aeroplane food look good on camera.