When it comes to essential tips and strategies, Shanika Ekanayake is a boss. As general manager small to medium enterprise at Virgin Australia, she doesn’t just work for the airline, she flies a lot. She has a front row seat to the ways we provide better value, choice and experience for business travellers.
Here, Shanika shares her top four insider hacks to help you get the most out of your Business Flyer membership, from earning points faster to accessing exclusive rewards and services. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or just starting to explore the perks of loyalty programs, we want you to know these:
1: Leverage discounts on flights for cost savings or use Pay with Points to offset future travel expenses
Think of your membership as a circular ecosystem that grows itself, says Shanika. The first step is to take advantage of member discounts on Virgin Australia flights1. That reduces business travel expenses without compromising on value, choice and experience.
Those cost savings can be circulated back into your business to give flexibility to invest in other critical areas.
And of course, says Shanika, when you fly for business today you’ll earn Points that can be used to offset flight costs tomorrow. Use as little as 100 accrued Points towards fares booked through the business booking portal and save on your next flight using Pay with Points2.
“Reinvesting your Points into another everyday business expense is a smart idea,” says Shanika.
“One option I like is to transfer points from my Business Flyer account into my personal Velocity Frequent Flyer account3. I pool and use them to book reward seats, maybe fly the family somewhere.
“You can also redeem them in the rewards store for business expenses like hotels, car hire or tech equipment. Pretty cool.”
2: Double-dip on Velocity Points for business and individual rewards
Every time you or your team flies on eligible flights or uses one of our partners on the ground, Business Flyer members earn Points for their business4. And in a ‘double dip’, the individual traveller also earns those Points and Status Credits for their own Velocity Frequent Flyer account5.
“It’s generous, so it’s one of the things we’re asked about most,” says Shanika.
Moving through the three Business Flyer tiers, expect to be rewarded with an increased Points earn for every dollar your business spends on eligible flights6.
“Other perks include a dedicated Account Manager when you clear a certain spend threshold,” says Shanika.
Another reward? Unlike others, the program is free to join7. “That’s important when you’re a small business investing your own dollars to drive your own experience,” says Shanika.
If members spend a little more, rewards increase and you can enjoy choosing your own, from lounge passes to bonus Points and Gold memberships8.
“We’re strong on rewarding as you go up the tiers, and progress is faster than in other programs,” says Shanika. “We don’t make you stockpile Points for years for the good stuff. Everyone really does win.”
3: Effectively use lounge passes and priority benefits for a better travel experience
Lounge access is beloved by Business Flyer members, says Shanika. “They see the value in a dedicated private space with shower facilities, recharging stations and even baristas to start and end their work day.”
But how to get inside the Lounge as a new member? “Ah,” says Shanika. “This is one of my favourite hacks.”
New members of the program can experience some of the best of Virgin Australia’s premium products and services with two Pilot Gold memberships just for spending $2000 on eligible travelled flights within their first three months of joining9.
“Pilot Gold gives the experience of being a premium member, fast,” says Shanika.
As for using Priority benefits, the first step is to choose your seat on booking. At the airport, use the Priority check-in10 to cut queues, then Priority security screening11. Priority boarding at the gate means you won’t have to fight for overhead locker space12.
“If you’ve done all that with the right timings, you’ll have 20 minutes in the Lounge to get a coffee,” says Shanika. “Or a beer. Or something to eat. Or send an email or make a call. That’s success for me, how I maximise time at the airport.
“And think how much your team will love you if you reward them with one of your Pilot Gold memberships, with seamless airport entry and Lounge access. The cherry on top is that at your destination the Priority luggage comes out first!”13
Another sneaky hack? “As a VABF member, the business owner and their travellers can save up to 15% off our Lounge memberships,” says Shanika. “Think $379 vs the retail price of $450.”14
4: Use the Fly Ahead service to increase flexibility and convenience
One thing small business owners always try to maximise is time, says Shanika. “Everyone’s short on it. So we make it easy for Business Flyer members to find it and save it.”
The hack for our high fliers to do that? Use our Fly Ahead benefit for Velocity Gold, Platinum or Platinum Plus members travelling on certain fare types15. “It’s your ticket for free same-day flight changes,” says Shanika. “Much loved as an easy, uplifting business travel experience.”
Using Fly Ahead can mean getting a head start on your business day to make an early meeting. Or call on it at the end of the day, if things have wrapped up early and your airport run has you in the terminal ahead of schedule.
“Even if you’re not travelling alone, you can use Fly Ahead,” says Shanika. “The benefits can extend to up to three companions travelling on your booking.”
Fly Ahead requests can be made via the Virgin Australia App or at the airport. If you have checked luggage, you’ll need to visit one of our friendly team members at the Virgin Australia Service Desk or at Priority Bag Drop. Platinum or Platinum Plus members can also call ahead.
“If there’s availability on an earlier flight, our phenomenal staff will help,” says Shanika. “Trust me—it’s a game changer.”
Not a Business Flyer member yet? Join for free here.
Existing members, access flight discounts and manage your travel via the Virgin Australia Business Flyer Booking Portal.
Terms and Conditions
1The Fare Advantage Discount: The Fare Advantage Discount of up to 6% applies to Flex and Business Class fares operated and marketed by Virgin Australia and is available to Virgin Australia Business Flyer members. The Fare Advantage Discount levels are subject to change without notice. Please check our website for current discount levels. Fare Advantage Discounts can only be booked through the Booking Portal, our Guest Contact Centre, or a registered self-ticketing Travel Management Company (TMC) or travel agent and are not available through the public Virgin Australia website. If your TMC or travel agent is not registered to process Fare Advantage Discounts, please instruct your TMC or travel agent to contact the Virgin Australia Business Flyer team at businessflyer@virginaustralia.com. Fare Advantage Discounts cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount and cannot be combined with any other Unpublished Fares or Promotional Fares. Fare Advantage discounts do not apply to Virgin Australia flights operated by Qatar Airways, any bookings made via the Virgin Australia Groups department, sale fares or other tactical fares offered from time to time, and bookings for children and infants. Fare advantage discounts are not available on Virgin Australia services to and from Onslow (ONS). If you have any questions regarding the application of Fare Advantage Discounts, please contact the Virgin Australia Business Flyer team. Virgin Australia Business Flyer Terms and Conditions apply.
2Pay with Points: Minimum 100 Points required when using Pay with Points. Payment surcharge may apply. Virgin Australia fare rules apply to Pay with Points flight bookings. When using Pay with Points as your payment method for Economy X upgrades and additional baggage fees, the full amount of these items must be paid in Points. Virgin Australia Business Flyer Terms and Conditions apply.
3Transferring Points: Virgin Australia Business Flyer Account Administrators can transfer Points earned by the Virgin Australia Business Flyer member to a Velocity Frequent Flyer member, provided that (a) there is a minimum of 100 Points per transfer; and (b) the Velocity Frequent Flyer member transferee is directly employed or contracted by the Virgin Australia Business Flyer member.
4Earning Points with Virgin Australia Business Flyer: Virgin Australia Business Flyer Members can earn up to 1,000,000 Points from completed travel on eligible flights marketed and operated by Virgin Australia or marketed by Virgin Australia and operated by eligible airline partners, per annum, based on the rolling 12 month period from when the Member joins Virgin Australia Business Flyer. Points aren’t earned on certain fees, taxes, or charges. Virgin Australia Business Flyer Terms and Conditions apply.
5If the individual flying with Virgin Australia or a partner airline is a Velocity Frequent Flyer member, they may also earn Velocity Points on eligible flights in accordance with the Velocity membership Terms and Conditions.
6Virgin Australia Business Flyer has multiple Tier Levels. The Tier Level determines the types of Program Benefits the Virgin Australia Business Flyer member is entitled to access. Certain Program Benefits may only be provided to a specific Tier Level. Please see our website https://virginaustralia.com/businessflyer and Terms and Conditions for information on the Program Benefits. The Program Benefits are incorporated into these Terms.
7Virgin Australia Business Flyer membership is available to businesses with an active ABN/ACN and an Australian business address that spend up to $500,000 per annum on domestic air travel spend. The business cannot be a travel agent, travel management company, travel wholesaler, air travel consolidator or anyone re-selling air travel. For more information, please see the Virgin Australia Business Flyer Terms and Conditions.
8Whenever a Virgin Australia Business Flyer member is: (a) upgraded to a higher Tier Level (i.e. upgrade from Tier Level 1 to Tier Level 2); (b) retained at Tier Level 2 or 3 following the member’s annual Tier Level review; or (c) downgraded from Tier 3 to Tier 2 following the member’s annual Tier Level review, your business will have the option to choose a reward. To choose a reward, click on the link in the email sent to the member’s Key Contact and select from the options. The link in the email will expire in four weeks from receipt or once you have chosen your reward. Once a selection has been made, it cannot be changed. The Single Use Lounge Pass or Business Class Upgrade rewards must be allocated to a Velocity Frequent Flyer member who is directly employed or contracted by the Member within 1 year or they will expire. The bonus Points reward must be transferred to a Velocity Frequent Flyer member who is directly employed or contracted by the Member within 2 years or they will expire. Please note that any unallocated rewards will also expire if you are upgraded to a higher Tier Level (at which time we will provide you with new rewards to choose from). See the Virgin Australia Business Flyer Terms and Conditions for details of the available rewards and conditions of use.
9Pilot Gold: A new Virgin Australia Business Flyer member is eligible to receive two three-month Velocity Pilot Gold Memberships if, within the first three months of becoming a Virgin Australia Business Flyer member, they book and complete at least $2,000 of eligible travel (excluding taxes, fees and charges). As a Pilot Gold member you will receive all Velocity Gold benefits, except for the following: a physical membership card, luggage tags, complimentary partner memberships, or the ability to access a membership Pause for parental leave. For more information, please visit our website, or the Velocity Frequent Flyer Pilot Gold page. Virgin Australia Business Flyer Terms and Conditions and Velocity Membership Terms and Conditions apply.
10Priority check-in is available for Gold, Platinum and Platinum Plus Velocity members flying on flights operated by Virgin Australia from selected domestic and international airports. Please ensure you download the Velocity Frequent Flyer App as a valid virtual or physical membership card needs to be presented to attain benefits.
11Priority screening is available for Gold, Platinum, Platinum Plus members, as well as Business Class guests at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Gold Coast domestic airports during selected operating hours.
12Priority boarding is available for Gold, Platinum and Platinum Plus Velocity members flying on flights operated by Virgin Australia at selected domestic and international airports
13Priority baggage: Your checked baggage will be delivered with priority to the arrivals carousel at your destination when travelling on flights operated by Virgin Australia.
14Usual annual Lounge Membership Fee is $450 (plus $99 joining fee for all new standard Lounge Memberships), as at 1 July 2024. Discounted Membership Fee is available for the Virgin Australia Business Flyer member’s Key Contact, Account Administrators, Travel Bookers and Travellers. Subject to the Virgin Australia Business Flyer Terms and Conditions, and Virgin Australia Lounge Terms and Conditions. Virgin Australia Lounge entry is subject to space availability.
15Fly Ahead: Platinum Plus and Platinum members may Fly Ahead when flying on Business, Economy Flex or Economy Choice, and Business or Economy Reward Seat fares on domestic Virgin Australia flights. Gold members may Fly Ahead when flying on Business or Economy Flex fares, and Business and Economy Reward fares on domestic Virgin Australia flights. Subject to seat availability. Requests must be made at least 40 mins before scheduled departure of the earlier flight at the airport, or 60 minutes before scheduled departure of the earlier flight via the Virgin Australia app, Guest Contact Centre or Priority Phone Service team. Additional terms and conditions available here.