Virgin Blue shuts free Velocity Gold offer for Qantas frequent flyers

Update

Virgin Blue has pulled down the shutters on a ‘status match’ promotion for Qantas frequent flyer members which offered free upgrades to the top tier Gold staus of its Velocity Rewards program.

A Velocity Rewards spokeswoman told Australian Business Traveller that the promotion was only ever intended to be offered "on a case by case basis". Velocity Rewards claims to be at a loss as to how their call centre representative was able to so readily share the specific details of the program as we first reported.

The spokeswoman also said that advice from the same centre given to Australian Business Traveller earlier today – that the Velocity Rewards Gold upgrade was still available for Qantas Gold or Platinum frequent flyers until 8pm tonight, provided they currently have a Premium Economy booking with Virgin Blue between Sydney and Melbourne or further – was in fact incorrect, with all such upgrade offers ending as of midnight Wednesday.

Previous

Qantas frequent flyers can score an instant upgrade to Gold status on Virgin’s Velocity Rewards program this month – without flying a single mile.

The ‘status match’ promotion entitles any holder of Qantas Gold or Platinum frequent flyer membership to a full year at Velocity’s top tier.

The perks include access to Virgin Blue’s Australian lounges, Virgin Atlantic’s swanky Clubhouse lounges, Etihad’s Diamond First Class (and Pearl Business Class) lounges, Delta Sky Club lounges in the US and several others operated by partner airlines.

Increased luggage allowances include up to 32kg of free checked baggage with Virgin Blue, an additional 15kg on Etihad, one free extra piece when flying to the US with V Australia, plus an additional 10kg when flying to other international destinations.

Goldies jetting overseas also get to check in at V Australia’s International Business counter and  Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class counter

To qualify you’ll need to send an email to [email protected] with your Qantas Frequent Flyer card details, a copy of your most recent Frequent Flyer activity statement and a digital photo of your card (which a Velocity Rewards spokeswoman told Australian Business Traveller is required as “an additional security measure against fraud”).

These measures are used to confirm your status and eligibilty for the Velocity Gold card, and there's no closing of your existing Qantas account – so you get to stay Qantas Gold or Platinum and also catapult straight up to Virgin's highest Velocity Rewards level.

However, the Velocity Rewards spokeswoman told Australian Business Traveller that this status match deal expires at the end of November, so if you want to take advantage of it – especially ahead of next year's planned Q1 push by Virgin Blue into the domestic business market with enhanced seating and lounges – you'd better be quick!

David Flynn

David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.