Battle of the Flyer Programs: Qantas vs Velocity

Let’s battle this one out! Velocity vs Qantas points! Have you boarded a plane, walked down first or business class and seen ordinary people just like you sitting there? Or you might have a friend who travels multiple times a year. Chances are they aren’t paying the complete ticket price to reach their destination, but rather using points from their Frequent Flyer membership. Frequent Flyer is a loyalty program that allows members to earn points through various forms. The accumulated points are redeemable for discounted flights, flight upgrades, hotels, car rentals and so much more!

Qantas and Velocity Frequent Flyer Programs

In Australia, there are two major Frequent Flyer programs: Qantas Frequent Flyer and Velocity (Virgin) Frequent Flyer. Qantas Frequent Flyer is the loyalty program of Qantas Airways and has approximately 15 million members. Velocity Frequent Flyer is the loyalty program of Virgin Australia, the second-largest airline carrier in Australia with over 12 million members. Both of these programs offer generous ways to earn points from everyday purchases using your credit cards, grocery rewards points, health insurance, fuel, and so much more. Let’s take a deep dive into Velocity vs Qantas points.

How do you join?

Qantas Frequent Flyer	Velocity Frequent Flyer
Charges a fee of $99.50, however, there are many ways to join for FREE, such as joining via Woolworths Everyday Rewards, or by signing up to an eligible Qantas Frequent Flyer Credit Card. I signed up for free by using the Qantas wellbeing app, so there are multiple options to gain a free membership.	FREE to sign up, so you can sign up and start earning points without any hassle! Simply sign up via their website by filling in your details and you’re ready to start linking your Velocity account to their eligible partners.

Qantas Frequent Flyer	Velocity Frequent Flyer
The main way to earn a large quantity of points is by applying for a QFF credit card with a welcome bonus when a certain amount has been spent. Many credit providers now offer QFF points such as NAB, Westpac, ANZ and more, for a full range of credit cards that have enabled Qantas points click here.	The main way to earn a large number of points is by signing up for credit cards and applying for bonus offers. There are many Velocity credit cards such as American Express, Westpac and more. For a full list of Velocity credit card providers, click here.
Flying through Qantas and their partners. Members can earn a minimum of 800 Qantas points based on the distance they have travelled and the fare class (economy, economy plus, business, first, etc).	Flying through Velocity and their partners. Members can earn Velocity points based on the price of their travel – 5 points per $1 spent.
Shopping. Qantas has partnered with many retailers such as Adidas, LG, Tommy Hilfiger and so much more. They also have card offers that give bonus points per $1 spent at different retailers. For a full list of partners and exclusive dining rewards, click here.	Velocity members can earn points on shopping at stores such as Myer, eBay, food and drink retailers and more. Similarly to Qantas, Velocity members can also earn bonus points at participating retailers. Click here for a list of shopping partners.
Insurance. Qantas has health, car, travel and home insurance that can reward their customers with bonus Qantas points for new customers. Members can also enjoy 1 point per $1 spent when paying their premium every month/year.	Velocity has partnered with Virgin Money to offer car and home insurance to its members. Their travel insurance is covered by cover-more and their health insurance partner is Medibank. Most insurance covers also include welcome bonus points for new customers.
Qantas Wellbeing App. This way is probably the most gradual way to earn points but it all adds up over time. The Qantas wellbeing app allows customers to gain points from everyday leisure such as walking, swimming or cycling. Members can also edit their goals to maximise their points.	Does not offer points on everyday fitness.
Woolworths Everyday Rewards. 2000 Everyday Rewards points = 1000 Qantas points. Everyday Rewards points can be earned through shopping at Woolworths, Big W, MilkRun or by filling up petrol at Ampol.	Flybuys. 1000 Flybuys points = 500 Velocity points. Flybuys points can be earned by at shopping at Coles, Kmart, Target, MyCar, Officeworks or by filling up petrol at Coles Express.

What are their Airline Partners?

Members of both programs can also redeem or earn points to book with either program’s partner airlines. When it comes to Qantas Frequent Flyer – some airlines only allow members to earn points (not redeem) when booking with a QF flight number, so it’s best to check when planning your trip. Qantas is a part of the OneWorld Alliance, whilst Velocity is not with an alliance but still has some prominent partners. These include: 

When Do Points Expire?

Qantas Frequent Flyer	Velocity Frequent Flyer
There is an 18-month expiry date, which means if your account has not earned or redeemed any points in the past 18 months, your remaining points will disappear.	Points expire within 24 months of inactivity. This inactivity includes no points that have been earned or redeemed in those 24 months.

What Is The Cost Of Buying Points?

Qantas and Velocity also offers members to Top-Up points or use Points Booster which allows members to buy points for their next trip. This isn’t always recommended as most points can be expensive. If you are planning to buy points, I suggest waiting until there are bonus offers on top-up points.

Qantas Frequent Flyer	Velocity Frequent Flyer
Price varies depending on the amount of points being bought. As of 2024, 1000 points are $56 and 30,000 points is $929, 100,000 points is $2730.	Price varies depending on the amount of points being purchased. As of 2024, buying 1000 points can set you back $36 and buying 100,000 can set you back $2340.

What About Hotels?

Both programs offer a generous hotel range and upgrades. 

Qantas Frequent Flyer	Velocity Frequent Flyer
Earn 3 points per $1 spent.	Earn up to 3 Velocity points per $1 spent.
Choose from over 500,000 properties worldwide.	Choose from over 400,000 properties worldwide when booking using points or points + pay.
Qantas has also partnered with Airbnb to provide members with the preference for a more private accommodation experience. Earn 1 Qantas point per $1 spent.
Notable hotel partners include; Marriot Bonvoy, World of Hyatt and Hilton Honors.	Notable hotel partners include; Crown Hotels, Shangri-La Circle and IHG Hotels and Resorts.

Family Pooling

Family Pooling allows members to put their points and status credits together with family members. 

Qantas Frequent Flyer	Velocity Frequent Flyer
Qantas allows family transfers, where a family member can transfer points to another family member. Minimum transfer is 1500 points and unlimited transfers can be made.	Offers automatic family pooling for up to 6 members (2 adults and 4 children) living at the same address. The minimum transfer is 5000 points to a maximum of 125000 points and can only be transferred 4 times a year.

How much points do I need to book a flight?

Now we know the ins and outs of both frequent flyer programs, it’s time to check how their points compare to each other. In this example, we will calculate how many points and the point value of each flight. 

Note: These are not definite prices and points and cash will vary. 

Qantas Frequent Flyer SYD-SIN	Velocity Frequent Flyer  SYD-SIN
QF291 (Finnair) 10:25 – 16:50 direct 25200 points + $146	SQ242 (Singapore Airlines) direct 18:35 – 00:20 29000 points + $150.87
Offers reward seats	Offers reward seats
Used partner airline	Used partner airline

Let’s try another one!

Qantas Frequent Flyer SYD-HND (Tokyo)	Velocity Frequent Flyer  SYD-HND (Tokyo)
QF59 11:10-20:10 31500 points + $156	VA1413/VA77 08:10:20:00 34800 points + $161.39
Offers reward seats	Offers reward seats
Used direct airline – Direct flight	Used direct airline – 1 stop (CNS)

Conclusion of Velocity vs Qantas points

Both Qantas and Velocity are well reputable Frequent Flyer programs which offer their members amazing benefits. When deciding on which program is right for you it’s important to base this off your preferences and travel goals. Some people decide to have both frequent flyer programs to maximise their benefits. Overall, both programs provide members with a comprehensive loyalty program that rewards frequent flyers with valuable benefits, privileges, and opportunities to earn and redeem points for travel and lifestyle rewards.

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