Virgin Australia adds frequent flyer perks on Virgin America

Virgin Australia has quietly added some welcome priority perks for its Velocity frequent flyers when travelling on Virgin America.

As of this week Platinum and Gold members have access to priority check-in, priority screening and priority boarding on all Virgin America-operated flights.

Lower-status Silvers don't get priority screening so they'll have to mix it with the masses, but they can still skip some queues with priority check-in and priority boarding.

However, your Velocity membership still doesn't deliver equal benefits as the recently-introduced Elevate Silver and Gold tiers, which include one free checked bag plus free "space-available" upgrades to the extra legroom of Main Cabin Select.

Nor is free lounge access isn't part of the deal: Virgin America's Clubhouse lounges are a strictly pay-to-enter affair, even if you're flying first class, with door fees ranging from US$35 for the San Francisco and Washington DC lounges to $75 for New York (JFK).

Members of Virgin Australia's Velocity program can already earn points and credits when travelling on Virgin America (as well as Virgin Atlantic) and trade their Velocity miles in on a ticket with their overseas siblings.

In July of this year Virgin Australia began codesharing Virgin America flights from Los Angeles to Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Philadelphia, Portland, Seattle and Washington DC.

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