Get your diaries out – from 24 May 2022, United will officially come on as a partner of Virgin Australia. The US-based carrier boasts a large network in the States and also has the best flight connections to Australia.

Point Hacks understands that members will be able to use Velocity Points to book United flights from that date. United replaces Delta as Virgin’s US-based partner, with Delta to exit the partnership on 13 June 2022.

The updated start date comes as Virgin Australia also revealed it would strike up a new partnership with Qatar Airways, set to start ‘sometime’ in 2022.

How to use Velocity Points with United

Great news – United will sit on the Virgin Australia reward table, which requires fewer points than most other partner airlines. So whether you’re soaring from Sydney to Los Angeles or from Milwaukee to Chicago, you’ll enjoy favourable reward seat rates with Velocity Points.

Both the Sydney-Los Angeles and Melbourne-Los Angeles routes will require 95,500 Velocity Points + taxes in Business Class. United’s unique Sydney-Houston flight – which recommences at the end of October 2022 – commands 111,500 Velocity Points in Business.

You’ll be able to swap your Velocity Points for seats on United from 24 May 2022.

How to earn Velocity Points with United

Like most of Virgin Australia’s partners, you can earn Velocity Points on United based on the fare you book and the distance you travel (in miles). If you’re booked on a Virgin Australia codeshare (VA flight number operated by UA), then the following rates will apply:

• Business (J, C, D): 2 Velocity Points per mile
• Economy (Y, B, W, H, K, L): 1 Velocity Point per mile
• Economy (R, E, O, N, V, P, Q, T, I, S): 0.5 Velocity Points per mile

If you’re booked on a UA flight number operated by United, then a broader range of earn categories will apply.

Once again, these earn rates kick in from 24 May 2022 onwards.

Velocity Points status bonus with United

Good news if you hold Velocity Silver status or higher – you’ll earn even more Velocity Points when flying with United on a UA or VA flight number.

• Silver members: 50% more points
• Gold members: 75% more points
• Platinum members: 100% more points

How to earn Velocity Status Credits with United

Get ready to turbocharge your Velocity Status Credits balance with United. When flying on a VA flight number with United, you’ll earn:

And if you’re just flying United with a UA flight number, be sure to include your Velocity membership number on the booking to earn:

Don’t forget to consider using Velocity’s excellent Family Pooling benefit if you’re travelling with a family member or children who share the same address as you. You could collect everyone’s points and Status Credits into your account, reaching your status goals even faster!

Velocity lounge access with United

Velocity Gold and Platinum members enjoy access before some United flights, although access has been somewhat trimmed compared to the Delta days.

• If you’re departing Sydney or Melbourne in Economy or Premium Economy on a United flight, you’ll have access to the Singapore Airlines SilverKris lounges before your flight. If you’re flying in Business Class, you may be able to access other Star Alliance lounges as well.
• Domestic lounge access within the USA is restricted to Gold and Platinum members holding a ticket with an international leg in conjunction with the domestic leg. Access is only given to United owned and operated lounges. Flights on separate tickets won’t be eligible. Flying USA domestic First Class won’t get you in either – but that’s standard across all airlines in the States.
• International lounge access is limited to United owned and operated lounges with a same-day international boarding pass. Access to other lounges, such as Star Alliance lounges, is not included unless you fly Business Class.

Summing up

As the Virgin Australia and United Airlines partnership gets ready to soar, we now know all the details for how Velocity Frequent Flyer members can benefit. Remember, the most important step is to make sure your Velocity membership number is attached to the United flight booking.

The points earning rates are a little on the lower side for Business Class, but it’s fairly standard in all the other cabins. At least Velocity elite status members will enjoy bonuses from 50-100% bonus points. The Status Credits earn rate is good across the board, particularly if you’re using Family Pooling.