Limited time offer from Qatar Airways lets travellers double their Velocity points

Off the back of Qatar Airways announcing an intention to acquire a 25% stake in Virgin Australia, Velocity has announced a bonus deal offer with the Gulf-based carrier.

Velocity members can earn 100 per cent bonus Velocity Points on eligible Qatar Airways flights, but you need to be quick. 

The offer is applicable to bookings made from now to October 20, 2024, 1159pm AEST – it’s available for travel between January 10 and March 31, 2025. The offer is valid to all tiers of Velocity members and does not attract additional points as a result of the member’s tier.

This means you will earn double the amount of Velocity points on selected Qatar flights. Bonus Velocity Points are awarded on a sector-by-sector basis – like normal points – which means the further you fly and the higher the class, the more points are awarded.

The higher the class, the higher the more points are awarded

If you fly a Qatar Airways operated flight with a VA flight number in Business, you’ll earn two Velocity points per mile. Whereas if you fly with a Qatar Airways operated flight starting with QR in Economy on a Choice fare type, you’ll earn one Velocity point per mile.

How do I access the offer?

If you want in, head to the membership page

To activate the offer, head to this page and follow the prompts starting with entering your Velocity membership number. Next, add your Velocity membership number to your booking on either a Qatar Airways operated flight with a QR or VA flight number before you fly.

Velocity Points can be earned on all bookings except for Virgin’s booking class U. Velocity Reward Seat bookings and Qatar Airways services marketed or operated by partner airlines other than Virgin Australia (VA) are ineligible for the offer. The bonus points will be credited to your account around four weeks after the travel date, given you’re on an eligible flight as stipulated by the terms and conditions of the offer.

Bonus Velocity Points will be applied to the fare originally purchased. For example, if you book economy seats during the promotion period then later decide to treat yourself to a business upgrade, you will only get the points on the economy fare. Flights can be booked online through Virgin Australia, Qatar Airways or your local travel agent.

Where can I fly?

There are a host of destinations you can fly to in the network

Qatar Airways flies to more than 170 destinations across the world, providing a gateway to Europe and Africa via Doha. If you’re booking through Virgin Australia, make sure you check Qatar is operating part, if not all of the flight. For example, you can book a flight to Paris via Virgin Australia that flies through Singapore (with Singapore Airlines as the partner) or with Qatar Airways through Doha.

Qatar Airways in Australia: Has the airline finally found a foothold?

Qatar Airways is allowed to fly into Australia's four major airports 28 times a week

The Qatari airline is currently allowed to fly 28 times per week into Australia’s four major airports – Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth – however there is a strict limit on how many flights it can offer from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane under a “bilateral air rights” agreement with the Australian government. Qatar Airways CEO, Badr Mohammed Al Meer, remains positive about increasing flights into Australia despite the Australian government denying the airline’s request for more flights in 2023.

The move set off a senate inquiry amid concerns of Qantas blocking competitors, especially at a time when airfare prices are high. The inquiry resulted with recommendations for the Australian Government, including reviewing its decision to block Qatar from increasing its flight capacity to Australia. Qatar has since reapplied for an additional 28 flights per week, which would see the airline offer double-daily services for Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, with three flights per day for Melbourne.

If Qatar’s equity stake in Virgin Australia goes ahead, Aussies can expect more offers from both airlines as they celebrate the deal, not to mention increased competition in the market. 

Originally published as Limited time offer from Qatar Airways lets travellers double their Velocity points