For travel agents, Velocity Frequent Flyer isn’t just a loyalty program – it’s a loyalty builder. As VFF membership hits record highs, Virgin Velocity CEO Nick Rohrlach unpacks what’s driving the program’s rise, how it’s helping agents add real value and why Australians are more hooked on rewards than ever.
What’s been the single biggest factor driving VFF membership growth?
We’ve focused on making Velocity genuinely rewarding and easy to use. Members can see the value, whether it’s faster access to reward seats, family pooling, or earning points on everyday spend.
What’s driving momentum now is how naturally Velocity fits into people’s everyday lives. With more ways to earn and redeem than ever, we’re helping members build their points balance faster and unlock rewards sooner. It’s that mix of everyday value and emotional connection that continues to attract new and existing members.
What would you tell travel agents about how Virgin Velocity can help their clients?
Velocity is a powerful tool for travel agents to deliver added value and deepen client relationships. Beyond booking flights, agents can help travellers unlock a world of benefits from earning and redeeming points on domestic and international holidays to accessing perks like priority check-in, additional baggage allowance and lounge access with eligible fares.
For business travellers, Velocity’s partnerships with global carriers including Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and United Airlines offer seamless itineraries and benefits including priority services, lounge access and recognition across the journey. By helping clients maximise these benefits, agents build trust, loyalty and repeat business.
And for SME clients, Virgin Australia Business Flyer (VABF) is free to join and allows both the business and the individual traveller to earn Velocity Points on eligible flights – a dual-earning model that helps companies reinvest in future travel, reward their teams, or offset costs.
How do collaborations with brands tangibly benefit members – and how do you choose who to partner with?
We look for partners who offer meaningful value to our members. It’s about expanding choice and flexibility whether that’s through our partner network, seamless earn and redeem opportunities, or elevated benefits like upgrades, lounge access and priority perks.
Our partnership with Qatar Airways is an exciting expansion, opening up one of the world’s largest global networks and providing exclusive benefits that elevate the long-haul experience. From points upgrades to business class, priority check-in, extra baggage, lounge access and a $20 [USD] dining credit at Hamad International Airport, we’re making international travel more rewarding than ever.
Travellers are spoiled for choice when it comes to loyalty programs. What are they telling you they value most right now?
Travel continues to be the number one thing Australians are saving for, and with 90% of Aussies now part of loyalty programs, Velocity is uniquely placed to help members turn everyday spending into extraordinary experiences.
Velocity delivers by offering access to international reward seats, competitive redemption rates and flexible features like family pooling that help members reach rewards faster. We also provide tangible travel perks… we’re always looking for ways to turn everyday spend into extraordinary experiences.
The sell-out success of our ‘1 Point Rewards Store’ showed how even a single point can unlock real value and excitement, proof that when rewards feel within reach, members engage deeply.
With travel at an all-time high, how do you see Virgin Velocity’s role evolving in the broader travel ecosystem over the next five years?
As travel demand continues to grow, Velocity will play an even greater role in shaping how Australians experience travel, not just through flights, but across every stage of the journey.
Our goal remains clear, to make travel more accessible, more rewarding and more personal.
In light of the recent Qantas cyber attack, how does Virgin Velocity shape its approach to security and decision-making?
Virgin Australia and Velocity Frequent Flyer take cyber security seriously and we regularly review, monitor and test our information security settings and continue to invest in and evolve our defensive posture to adapt to changes in the threat environment.
With Qantas Frequent Flyer points recently losing value, how does Velocity ensure its points remain valuable and attractive for members?
Velocity Points are designed to be flexible, accessible and consistently rewarding. Members can redeem points across a wide range of experiences, from domestic and international flights to upgrades, hotels and everyday lifestyle spend.
We’ve made it easier than ever to earn and use points, with transfers available from Flybuys, KrisFlyer and credit card partners. Members can book one-way domestic flights from just 5,900 points plus taxes and fees, making spontaneous travel even more achievable.
The return of our 1 Point Rewards Store is a great example of how we’re turning a single point into premium rewards, from designer fragrances and the latest tech to Virgin Australia flights and lounge passes. It’s everyday value, designed to deliver real rewards.
For more info on Virgin Velocity, visit www.velocityfrequentflyer.com.
