Virgin is deploying a new triple points offer as it continues to wage war with Qantas to woo frequent flyers.
Between now and 25 April, any booking for a domestic flight with Virgin Australia will score triple the usual number of Velocity Points.
Velocity usually awards 5 points per $1 spent, so that figure rises to 15 points per $1 spent.
The offer applies to any flight from 1 June 2021 to 8 March 2022.
To score the triple points, you first need to activate the deal on Virgin’s site or through its app.
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Virgin Australia is deploying a triple points offer. Picture: James D. Morgan/Getty Images.Source:Getty Images
This secret weapon hopes to lure Qantas Frequent Flyers to Virgin Australia. Picture: Brendan RadkeSource:News Corp Australia
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While the coronavirus pandemic saw passenger numbers plummet to near zero, this year, Qantas and Virgin have both been fighting hard for a slice of the resurgent market.
Almost half of all Australians (49 per cent) plan to travel domestically this year, and 17 per cent hope to head overseas, according to Finder’s Consumer Sentiment Tracker.
The battle for frequent flyers is particularly intense, since loyal passengers often spend thousands of dollars every year on flights.
Already this year Virgin has done a “status match” to give higher-tier Qantas members equivalent status in Velocity, and it’s increased the number of Velocity Points that can be earned from Flybuys points.
Qantas has also offered status matches to other airlines, and recently ran a double status credits offer.
The battle for frequent flyers is particularly intense. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye GerardSource:News Corp Australia
The war has also spread beyond flights, with offers of 100,000 bonus points for frequent flyer credit cards appearing from both Qantas and Virgin after a much weaker 2020 market.
The battle is good news for passengers, who can take advantage of offers through both airlines.
That’s a strategy I’ve been using all year, which has given me a huge stash of points to use with both airlines once international travel opens up.
On that front, Qantas still has the edge. Virgin hasn’t yet confirmed any plans for international flying.
When the New Zealand travel bubble opens up later this month, Qantas and Jetstar will both be options for Australians, but Virgin won’t be.
The airline is taking a “wait and see” attitude, with hopes to be flying across the Tasman by October this year.
Angus Kidman is the editor-at-large and frequent flyer guru for comparison site Finder.
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