Virgin Australia Lite fares are now accessible through Global Distribution System (GDS).
Virgin says these fares offer excellent value for those not requiring checked bags, seat selection or full flexibility in changing travel plans and are designed for travellers prioritising affordability without sacrificing quality.
According to VA, Velocity Members will continue to accrue Velocity Points and Status Credits when flying on a Lite fare, except for Tier Bonus Points. Lite Fares also don’t contribute towards eligible sectors.
Lite fares are categorised under the “M” class within the GDS, utilising the Dual RBD filing system. This system ensures availability of Lite fares in the M RBD booking class, provided the Choice fare brand RBDs are available at the corresponding Lite fare price point.
To avoid Agent Debit Memos (ADMs), automatic pricing of Lite fares is mandatory, as manual pricing is not permitted due to the application of dual RBD logic.
Easier purchases
Meanwhile, Virgin Australia has introduced new in-flight payment methods for passengers, with guests now able to use their smart watches and phones to purchase items from the on-board menu.
Now available on all flights for purchases are:
- Visa and Mastercard credit, debit and digital wallet cards
- American Express credit and digital wallet card
- JCB credit card
Cash payments, maestro, JCB digital wallet card or pre-paid travel cards will not be accepted.
Last week, VA announced that Velocity loyalty members can now earn Points on all DiDi rideshares in an exclusive Velocity-DiDi tie-in with an extra 1,000 Velocity Points available for a limited time for members who link their accounts.
In March, Virgin Australia reported an interim revenue of AU$2.8 billion in the six-month lead-up to 31 December 2023, reflecting an uptick of $300 million on the same period last year and a strong start to 2024.
