Virgin Australia on verge of collapse: What it means for your Velocity points
COVID-19 has hit Australian businesses hard and amongst its victims is major airline Virgin Australia.
This morning, Virgin Australia put out an ASX announcement that said the company will enter voluntary administration.
Prior to the spread of the coronavirus, the airline was already facing financial trouble and had been cancelling a bunch of overseas flights.
The pandemic gave it the final push it needed to tip it over the edge.
Naturally, with the fate of Virgin Australia looking so grim, questions around the airline’s frequent flyer program, Velocity, have shot to the surface.
Customers have found themselves asking: what will happen to my Velocity points if Virgin Australia goes under?
Unfortunately, there is no simple answer.
In the same ASX announcement, Virgin said that “Velocity Frequent Flyer, while owned by the Group, is a separate company and is not in administration,” meaning points are safe, for now. But there has been no indication what it means for the future of the program.
And without the back-up of an airline, customers won’t be able to redeem their points for flights or upgrades, which, as many frequent flyers know, is often the most value-for-points way to spend them.
Currently on the Mozo database, there are 65 rewards credit cards that use Velocity points to convert flight rewards, including cards offered by Westpac, ANZ, CommBank and NAB.
What should I do with my Velocity points?
Over the past few weeks, some Velocity customers transferred their points to Singapore Airlines (who is in partnership with Velocity), while others redeemed them for store gift cards.
However, while customers are still able to earn points, the Velocity online store has now paused points redemptions, which will be in place for at least the next four weeks.
Points will not expire during this period, and Virgin will be extending the expiration period of existing points.
So, the unfortunate truth is, all Velocity customers have no choice but to sit tight and see what happens as updates are announced.
Will my Velocity points disappear?
At this point in time, there is no knowing what the future of Velocity points entails, however having your points vanish is still a possibility if history were to repeat itself.
Cast your mind back to 2001 when Ansett Australia went into administration, customers’ point balances vanished almost instantly.
However, when you look at more recent events, like when AirBerlin filed for insolvency back in 2017, Etihad eventually snapped up the airline’s loyalty program TopBonus, which allowed customers to use their points up a few months after AirBerlin went bust.
Some airline experts have predicted that a similar situation may occur in the case of Velocity, or that banks may get their hands on the program instead.
But there have been no official announcements yet.
RELATED ARTICLE: Amex's response to COVID-19 about travel bookings, credits and complimentary flights
Need to reconsider your current rewards program? Take a look at what other rewards credits cards are on offer below or jump over to our rewards credit card comparison tool.
Rewards Credit Cards 2020 - last updated 14 October 2024
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Apply By 14 Jan 2025
American Express Qantas Ultimate Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$450
50,000
1.25 points up to 100,000 points/year, then
1 point uncappedReceive 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 14 January 2025, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Qantas American Express Ultimate Card within the first 3 months of your approval date. T&Cs apply. Available for new American Express Card Members only.
CompareCompareQantas Ultimate Card
Receive 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 14 January 2025, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Qantas American Express Ultimate Card within the first 3 months of your approval date. T&Cs apply. Available for new American Express Card Members only.
- Rewards program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Annual fee
- $450
- Bonus points
- 50,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 1.25 points up to 100,000 points/year, then
1 point uncapped
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- -
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $30.00
- Points earning
- 1.25 points per dollar on Amex, up to 100000 points per year, then
1 point per dollar on Amex, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 50,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 8000.0
- Sydney to London
- 110400.0
- $100 Gift card
- 20010.0
- Card Benefits
- Account alerts by SMS,
Card Purchase Cover ,
Travel Inconvenience Cover
- Rewards Bonus Points
- 1.25 points per dollar on everyday purchases. Earn 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent at government bodies, earn 2.25 Qantas Points per $1 spend on selected Qantas products and services.Exclusions apply. After a total of 100,000 Qantas Points is earned in a calendar year, the everyday earn rate will change from 1.25 to 1 Qantas Points per $1 spent.*
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the American Express Qantas Ultimate Card
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G&C Mutual Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$299
30,000
1 point up to 20,000 points/month
Receive 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply, are approved, and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases on your new G&C Mutual Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card within 90 days. T&Cs apply. Available to new G&C Mutual Bank Card Members only. Earn 10,000 bonus Qantas Points annually. T&Cs apply. Access Platinum Visa Concierge. Add an additional cardholder at no extra cost.
CompareComparePlatinum Visa Credit Card
Receive 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply, are approved, and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases on your new G&C Mutual Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card within 90 days. T&Cs apply. Available to new G&C Mutual Bank Card Members only. Earn 10,000 bonus Qantas Points annually. T&Cs apply. Access Platinum Visa Concierge. Add an additional cardholder at no extra cost.
- Rewards program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Annual fee
- $299
- Bonus points
- 30,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 1 point up to 20,000 points/month
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 19.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- 21.99% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 50
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $15.00
- Points earning
- 1 point per dollar on Visa, up to 20000 points per month
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 30,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 8000.0
- Sydney to London
- 110400.0
- $100 Gift card
- 20010.0
- Card Benefits
- Concierge
- Rewards Bonus Points
- 1 bonus point per dollar on eligible Qantas products and services.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the G&C Mutual Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card
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NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$295 $195 in the first year
70,000
0.66 points up to $3,000/month, then
0.33 points up to $6,000/month70,000 Bonus Qantas Points. Offer applies to a new NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Card when you spend $2,000 on everyday purchases within 60 days.
CompareCompareQantas Rewards Premium Card
70,000 Bonus Qantas Points. Offer applies to a new NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Card when you spend $2,000 on everyday purchases within 60 days.
- Rewards program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Annual fee
- $295 $195 in the first year
- Bonus points
- 70,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 0.66 points up to $3,000/month, then
0.33 points up to $6,000/month
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 20.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 12 months and then 21.74% p.a. (3.00% balance transfer fee)
- Cash advance
- 21.74% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $15.00
- Points earning
- 0.66 points per dollar on Visa, up to $3,000 per month, then
0.33 points per dollar on Visa, up to $6,000 per month
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 70,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 8000.0
- Sydney to London
- 110400.0
- $100 Gift card
- 20010.0
- Card Benefits
- Concierge,
Travel Insurance,
Extended Warranty,
Purchase Protection,
Rental Vehicle Excess in Australia Insurance
- Rewards Bonus Points
- Bonus points on selected Qantas products and services, including eligible Qantas flights.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Card
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American Express Qantas Premium Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$249
20,000
1 point uncapped
Receive 20,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Qantas American Express Premium Card within 3 months of Card Membership. T&C’s apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.
CompareCompareQantas Premium Card
Receive 20,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Qantas American Express Premium Card within 3 months of Card Membership. T&C’s apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.
- Rewards program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Annual fee
- $249
- Bonus points
- 20,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 1 point uncapped
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- -
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $30.00
- Points earning
- 1 point per dollar on Amex, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 20,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 8000.0
- Sydney to London
- 110400.0
- $100 Gift card
- 20010.0
- Card Benefits
- Account alerts by SMS,
Card Purchase Cover ,
Travel Inconvenience Cover
- Rewards Bonus Points
- Earn 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent at government bodies, earn 2 Qantas Points per $1 spend on selected Qantas products and services.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the American Express Qantas Premium Card
-
NAB Rewards Signature Card
NAB Rewards
$295 $145 in the first year
180,000
1.25 points uncapped
Earn 100,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 on everyday purchases within the first 60 days of account opening and 40,000 bonus points when you keep your card for over 12 months (T&Cs apply). Enjoy a reduced annual card fee (from $295 to $195) for the first year. Up to 44 Interest free days on purchases (T&Cs apply). $15,000 minimum credit limit. 0% p.a. on standard balance transfer (BT) rate for 12 months (3% BT fee applies).
CompareCompareRewards Signature Card
Earn 100,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 on everyday purchases within the first 60 days of account opening and 40,000 bonus points when you keep your card for over 12 months (T&Cs apply). Enjoy a reduced annual card fee (from $295 to $195) for the first year. Up to 44 Interest free days on purchases (T&Cs apply). $15,000 minimum credit limit. 0% p.a. on standard balance transfer (BT) rate for 12 months (3% BT fee applies).
- Rewards program
- NAB Rewards
- Annual fee
- $295 $145 in the first year
- Bonus points
- 180,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 1.25 points uncapped
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 20.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 12 months and then 21.74% p.a. (3.00% balance transfer fee)
- Cash advance
- 21.74% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $15.00
- Points earning
- 1.25 points per dollar on Visa, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- 36 months
- Bonus points
- 180,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 15600.0
- Sydney to London
- 239200.0
- $100 Gift card
- 20410.0
- Card Benefits
- Concierge,
Travel Insurance,
Extended Warranty,
Purchase Protection,
Rental Vehicle Excess in Australia Insurance
- Rewards Bonus Points
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the NAB Rewards Signature Card
-
American Express Qantas Discovery Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$0
No current offer
0.75 points uncapped
Earn 1.75 Qantas Points on eligible Qantas products and services per $1 spent (T&Cs apply). Enjoy $0 Annual Card Fee. Get the security of Card Refund and Purchase Cover. Up to four additional Cards at no extra fee. Redeem your points for Classic Flight Rewards (T&Cs apply).
CompareCompareQantas Discovery Card
Earn 1.75 Qantas Points on eligible Qantas products and services per $1 spent (T&Cs apply). Enjoy $0 Annual Card Fee. Get the security of Card Refund and Purchase Cover. Up to four additional Cards at no extra fee. Redeem your points for Classic Flight Rewards (T&Cs apply).
- Rewards program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Annual fee
- $0
- Bonus points
- No current offer
- Earn rate per $1
- 0.75 points uncapped
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- -
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $30.00
- Points earning
- 0.75 points per dollar on Amex, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- No current offer
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 8000.0
- Sydney to London
- 110400.0
- $100 Gift card
- 20010.0
- Card Benefits
- Account alerts by SMS,
Card Purchase Cover
- Rewards Bonus Points
- Earn 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent at government bodies, earn 1.75 Qantas Points per $1 spend on selected Qantas products and services.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the American Express Qantas Discovery Card
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