How to Use Virgin Australia Velocity Points for International Flight Upgrades
Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer program offers several ways to upgrade your international flight experience using points. Whether you’re looking to move from Economy to Premium Economy or from Premium Economy to Business Class, understanding the rules and strategies can significantly increase your chances of success. This guide covers everything you need to know about using Velocity Points for upgrades on Virgin Australia international flights, including eligibility, booking classes, the Bid Now Upgrade system, and expert tips.
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Understanding Velocity Upgrade Basics
Velocity Points can be used for two main types of upgrades on Virgin Australia international flights: Fixed Points Upgrades and Bid Now Upgrades. Each has its own rules, availability, and process.
- Fixed Points Upgrades: These are traditional upgrades where you redeem a set number of points to move to the next cabin class, subject to upgrade seat availability. They can be requested at the time of booking or later, up until a certain cutoff before departure.
- Bid Now Upgrades: This is an auction-style system where you bid a combination of points and/or cash for an upgrade. You’ll only know if your bid is successful a few days before departure.
Both options are available on most Virgin Australia international routes, including flights to the USA, Fiji, Bali, New Zealand, and Japan, as well as on partner airlines like Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways (though partner upgrade rules may differ).
Eligibility: Which Fares Can Be Upgraded?
Not all tickets are eligible for upgrades. To use Velocity Points for an upgrade on Virgin Australia international flights, you generally need to be booked in an eligible fare class. Fixed Points Upgrades are only available on specific booking classes, while Bid Now Upgrades have broader eligibility.
Eligible Booking Classes for Fixed Points Upgrades
| Upgrade Type | Eligible Booking Classes |
|---|---|
| Economy to Premium Economy | Y, B, H, K, L |
| Premium Economy to Business | W, R, O |
| Economy to Business (direct) | Y, B (on select routes) |
Note: These classes are for Virgin Australia marketed and operated flights. Partner airline upgrades have different rules.
If your ticket is in a lower booking class (such as a sale fare), you won’t be able to use a Fixed Points Upgrade. However, you may still be able to submit a Bid Now Upgrade, as those are often open to a wider range of fare types.
How Many Points Do You Need?
The number of Velocity Points required for an international upgrade depends on the route, cabin, and whether you’re using a Fixed Points Upgrade or bidding. Below is a sample of Fixed Points Upgrade costs for popular international routes (one-way):
| Route | Upgrade | Points Required (one-way) |
|---|---|---|
| Australia to New Zealand | Economy → Business | 20,000 |
| Australia to Fiji | Economy → Business | 25,000 |
| Australia to Bali | Economy → Business | 25,000 |
| Australia to USA (LAX) | Economy → Premium Economy | 45,000 |
| Australia to USA (LAX) | Premium Economy → Business | 55,000 |
| Australia to Japan (HND) | Economy → Business | 35,000 |
Data sourced from Virgin Australia’s Velocity website, 2025. Points requirements may change.
For Bid Now Upgrades, you can choose how many points to offer within a given range. The stronger your bid, the higher your chance of success, but you’ll only pay if your bid is accepted.
Step-by-Step: Requesting a Fixed Points Upgrade
- Book an eligible fare: Ensure your ticket is in one of the qualifying booking classes listed above.
- Log in to your Velocity account on the Virgin Australia website.
- Go to ‘Manage My Booking’ and select the flight you want to upgrade.
- Look for the ‘Upgrade with Points’ option. If available, you’ll see the points cost and any co-payment (taxes/fees).
- Confirm your request. Your points will be deducted immediately, and you’ll be placed on a waitlist if upgrade seats aren’t instantly available.
- Wait for confirmation. Fixed Points Upgrades are typically confirmed within 24 hours of departure, though you may be notified earlier.
If your upgrade isn’t confirmed, your points will be refunded. However, if you cancel your flight after an upgrade is confirmed, the points may not be refunded depending on the fare rules.
The Bid Now Upgrade System: How It Works
Virgin Australia’s Bid Now system allows you to make an offer to upgrade your international flight. Here’s how to participate:
- Eligibility: Most international bookings are eligible, regardless of fare class, unless you booked through certain third-party sites.
- Invitation: After booking, you may receive an email inviting you to bid. You can also check eligibility by logging into ‘Manage My Booking’.
- Bidding: You’ll see a slider where you can select a points amount (and sometimes a cash co-pay) within a minimum and maximum range. The higher your bid, the better your chance.
- Outcome: You’ll be notified via email 24–72 hours before departure if your bid is successful. If not, you pay nothing.
Tips for a Successful Bid
- Bid early: While bids are assessed closer to departure, submitting early ensures you’re in the queue.
- Monitor seat availability: If business class is nearly full, a higher bid may be necessary. Use expert tools like ExpertFlyer (subscription required) to check seat maps.
- Consider a cash co-pay: Sometimes a combination of points and cash can make your bid more competitive.
- Be flexible: Upgrades are not guaranteed, so have a backup plan.
Strategies to Maximize Your Upgrade Chances
Getting an international upgrade with Velocity Points can be competitive, especially on popular routes. Use these strategies to improve your odds:
- Book higher fare classes: Tickets in Y, B, or H classes are more likely to be upgraded than deeply discounted fares.
- Travel during off-peak times: Flights mid-week or outside school holidays often have more upgrade availability.
- Leverage Velocity status: Platinum and Gold members receive priority for upgrades. Even if you’re a Red member, consider earning status through a status match or credit card spend.
- Use points for a confirmed upgrade at booking: Some fares allow you to upgrade instantly when booking, though this requires more points.
- Check partner options: If your Virgin Australia flight is full, consider booking a partner airline like Singapore Airlines and using KrisFlyer miles for an upgrade (though this requires a separate strategy).
Important Considerations and Pitfalls
- Taxes and co-payments: Some upgrades require a cash co-payment in addition to points, especially on long-haul routes.
- Points refunds: If your Fixed Points Upgrade isn’t confirmed, points are refunded. However, Bid Now bids are only charged if successful.
- Cancellation policies: If you cancel a flight after an upgrade is confirmed, you may lose the points and the co-pay.
- Partner upgrades: Upgrading on partner airlines like Singapore Airlines or Qatar Airways using Velocity Points is possible but subject to availability and different rules. Always check the specific partner’s upgrade policy.
- Expiration of points: Velocity Points don’t expire as long as you have earning activity every 24 months. Keep your account active to avoid losing your hard-earned points.
FAQ
Can I upgrade an international flight booked with Velocity Points?
No, award tickets (booked with points) are not eligible for upgrades using points. You must have a revenue ticket in an eligible fare class.
How do I know if my bid was successful?
You’ll receive an email from Virgin Australia 24–72 hours before departure. You can also check your booking online under ‘Manage My Booking’.
Can I use Velocity Points to upgrade a family member?
Yes, you can use your points to upgrade anyone, as long as the ticket is in an eligible fare class and you have enough points in your account.
What happens if my upgrade is waitlisted and I don’t get it?
Your points will be refunded, and you’ll travel in your original booked cabin. There is no penalty.
Are Bid Now Upgrades available on all international routes?
Most Virgin Australia international flights offer Bid Now Upgrades, but availability may vary. Check your booking to see if you’re eligible.
References
- Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer Upgrade Terms, 2025. https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.com/au/en/use-points/flights/upgrades
- Virgin Australia Bid Now Upgrade Program, 2025. https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/experience/on-board-the-flight/bid-now-upgrade/
- Australian Frequent Flyer Community Forums – Virgin Australia Upgrade Experiences, 2024. https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/
- Point Hacks Guide to Virgin Australia Upgrades, 2025. https://www.pointhacks.com.au/virgin-australia/upgrades/
- ExpertFlyer Seat Availability Tools, 2025. https://www.expertflyer.com