8 of the best uses of 100,000 Velocity Points

Joining Qantas Frequent Flyer, Asia Miles and KrisFlyer in our series of the best uses of 100,000 points, in this guide, we outline our top nine recommendations for using your Velocity Points balance for maximum value.

One key thing to note is that the best-value redemptions are to be had by redeeming for Premium Economy, Business or First Class flights. To understand why, consider joining the Point Hacks ‘earning more points’ email course.

---

1. Perth to Sydney/Melbourne three times in a lie-flat seat for 106,500 points

Virgin Australia and Qantas are locked into battle on these highly-lucrative routes which carry a lot of Business traffic. That means they run some of their coast-to-coast services on Airbus A330s.

This aircraft features flat-bed seats and direct aisle access in a 1-2-1 configuration for the flight lasting 3½ to 5½ hours, depending on the airport and direction of travel.

The airline also employs this aircraft on a seasonal basis for Saturday flights between Sydney/Melbourne and Nadi. They cost 71,000 points return from Sydney (Zone 3) and 99,000 from Melbourne (which just creeps into Zone 4, unfortunately).

Read more: Virgin Australia A330 Business Class overview

2. Virgin Australia ‘The Business’ from Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane to Los Angeles for 95,500 points one-way

Virgin Australia uses its Boeing 777 long-haul fleet on flights to the US, complete with an onboard bar. This is one of the best Business Class products currently flying nonstop between Australia and the US.

Note that nonstop Australia – US flights are some of the hardest to find premium cabin award availability on due to high demand. If you do find an open seat, these flights to Los Angeles are a high-value redemption.

Read more: How to redeem Velocity Points for flights to the US

3. Virgin Australia Business Class from Brisbane to Tokyo for 59,500 points one-way

This exciting route launches with daily flights from 29 March 2020. The only other airline operating on this route is Qantas, with an Airbus A330. However, that flight lands at Narita, not Haneda.

Just like the two featured redemptions above, these flights will feature its upgraded ‘The Business’ suites.

Read more: A guide to using points on Virgin Australia flights to Japan

4. Etihad First Apartment from London/Paris to Abu Dhabi for 78,000 points one-way

Etihad’s First Apartment is one of the most luxurious First Class products in the world. It has a comfy bed, chef-prepared food, fine champagne and an onboard shower.

It is only found select routes serviced by the Airbus A380 from Etihad’s Abu Dhabi hub.

The cheapest one is the seven-hour flight London or Paris for 78,000 points, followed by Seoul and New York for 95,000 and 134,000 points, respectively. Sydney flights are the most expensive at 152,500 points.

It is also worth considering flying Etihad’s Business Studios from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane to Abu Dhabi for 104,000 points one-way. It is a fantastic product that is often overlooked.

Do note that Etihad Business and First Class redemptions using Velocity Points attract a US$205 and 300 fee per segment, respectively (on top of taxes).

Read more: How to redeem your Velocity Points for Etihad’s A380 Business Studios and First Apartments

5. Singapore Airlines Suites Class from Sydney/Melbourne to Singapore for 95,000 points one-way

Singapore Airlines Suites Class is another of the best First Class products in the world. It’s available on routes serviced by the Airbus A380. There are two versions, with the newest one on some services to Sydney.

Whilst not the latest version, you’ll find more availability on the older version, which also flies to Sydney and Melbourne.

On both products, you’ll enjoy excellent customer service, delicious food and a wide beverage selection, including Dom Pérignon and Krug. The lie-flat bed turn-down service is with Givenchy linens.

Read more: How to use your points to book Singapore Airlines Suites Class

6. Transfer your Velocity Points to KrisFlyer for better Singapore Airlines Business Class award availability

Singapore Airlines has some of the best Business Class products in the world, especially on their 787-10, A380 and A350 aircraft.

KrisFlyer does not apply fuel surcharges to Singapore Airlines redemptions and releases more award space in its premium cabins to its own members. That means the option to convert your Velocity Points into KrisFlyer miles is an attractive one.

Read more: How to transfer Velocity Points to KrisFlyer

7. Virgin Atlantic Upper Class between London to New York/Boston for 99,000 return

From its hubs at London Gatwick and Heathrow, Virgin Atlantic flies to a surprising number of destinations in the US. They include New York, Boston, Washington, Florida, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco, as well as Caribbean countries like Cuba, Barbados and Mexico.

New York and Boston creep into Zone 4, offering the cheapest redemptions of these destinations. If you can get on an upcoming Airbus A350 flight to/from New York, then you’ll enjoy the latest-generation Business Class seat and one of the best onboard bars in the sky.

Plus, if you depart from New York JFK, you’ll have access to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, known as one of the best airline lounges in the entire country.

Read more: How to use Velocity Points to book Virgin Atlantic flights

8. Fly three people on a short-haul domestic flight for 93,000 points return

On shorter domestic flights such as Melbourne – Adelaide, Sydney – Brisbane, and Hobart – Melbourne, peak-time Economy fares can be relatively expensive. However, you can often book a short-haul domestic redemption in Business Class for 15,500 points one-way, with better award availability than Qantas.

Even better, we’ve booked four Business awards on some Virgin Australia flights where there are only eight seats in the whole cabin, which is quite generous availability.

Read more: Virgin Australia 737 Domestic and Trans-Tasman Business Class overview

Summing up

Closer to home, Velocity Frequent Flyer offers good award availability on Virgin Australia-operated flights.

Given its smaller international partner network compared to Qantas, it’s best to use your Velocity Points for aspirational redemptions on quality carriers like Singapore Airlines, Etihad and Virgin Atlantic.

Supplementary images courtesy of respective airlines and frequent flyer programs.

---

Looking for more inspiration for how to spend your hard-earned frequent flyer points?

Here is a comprehensive list of all of our Best Uses of Points guides. There may be some overlap but each guide has its own twist.

Qantas Frequent Flyer

• Best uses of Qantas Points
• ‘Ultimate’ uses of Qantas Points
• Best uses of 60,000 Qantas Points
• Best uses of 75,000 Qantas Points
• Best uses of 100,000 Qantas Points
• Best uses of 150,000 Qantas Points
• When it makes sense to use your Qantas Points for domestic travel in Economy (and when it doesn’t)
• Best uses of Qantas Points from the East Coast
• Best uses of Qantas Points from Perth
• Reader responses: what is the best use of Qantas Points?
• Seven of the cheapest Qantas Points redemptions for luxurious Emirates flights
• The cheapest ways to fly Cathay Pacific First Class with Qantas Points

Velocity Frequent Flyer

• Best uses of Velocity Points
• Best uses of 40,000 Velocity Points
• Best uses of 80,000 Velocity Points
• Best uses of 100,000 Velocity Points
• Five flight redemptions that maximise your Velocity points balance

American Express Membership Rewards

• Best uses of 150,000 American Express Membership Rewards points

Cathay

• Best uses of 100,000 Asia miles

KrisFlyer

• Best uses of 100,000 KrisFlyer miles

Etihad Guest

• Best uses of Etihad Guest miles
• Etihad Guest vs Velocity for Virgin Australia flights comparison guide

Emirates Skywards

• Best uses of Emirates Skywards miles

Everyday Rewards

• Best uses of Everyday Rewards points