Air Canada adds lounge access for Velocity Gold and Platinum

Velocity Frequent Flyer has partnered with Air Canada Aeroplan since 2021. It’s a great win for Velocity Frequent Flyer members, who have been able to splash their points on Air Canada’s non-stop flights between Brisbane and Sydney to Vancouver.

Until recently, lounge access wasn’t part of the deal. But that’s all in the past, as Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges are now open to Velocity Gold and Platinum members flying onboard Air Canada!

Lounge access for Velocity members

If you’re flying an Air Canada marketed and operated flight as a Velocity Gold or Platinum member, you now have access to the airline’s Maple Leaf lounges across 16 destinations in Canada, the USA and Europe. Velocity Gold and Platinum members can bring in one guest, including children.

However, the deal excludes third-party lounges. Since Air Canada doesn’t operate any lounges in Australia, Velocity Gold and Platinum members flying out of Sydney or Brisbane won’t get complimentary lounge access. Instead, you could pay for entry into the Plaza Premium Lounge or enter for free with the American Express Platinum Card.

Maple Leaf lounges can be found in Vancouver, New York, London, Paris, Frankfurt and many other cities. See the full list on the Air Canada website.

Our guide to the Velocity/Air Canada partnership continues below.

Earning Velocity Points for Air Canada flights

The partnership will allow Velocity members to earn Velocity Points between Australia and Canada and other destinations in the Air Canada network. 

Velocity Points will be earned when flying on Air Canada marketed and operated flights. This means that you must fly on an Air Canada plane and have an Air Canada flight number (starting with AC) on your boarding pass.

How many points will I earn?

The number of Velocity Points members will earn with Air Canada is based on the fare class and the number of miles travelled. Therefore, the higher your fare type, the more Points members will earn. ​​​​​​

Velocity has a Mileage calculator that can help determine the number of miles flown. Velocity members can then refer to the tables below to determine the number of points earned.

Flights within Canada

International flights including the USA

Note that Velocity Points cannot be earned on the following:

• Reward Seat bookings
• Fares classes other than as specified in the tables above
• Codeshare flights (any flight with an AC flight number that is operated by an airline other than Air Canada or Virgin Australia)
• Upgraded fares: Members travelling on upgraded fares that were purchased with Points or by bidding for an upgrade will earn as per the rules of the original fare class purchased.

How many Status Credits will I earn?

Velocity members can earn Status Credits when members travel in an eligible fare class on Air Canada-operated flights. The Status Credits earned will again depend on the destination and fare purchased. 

Members can calculate the number of Status Credits earned by using the above Mileage Calculator to determine the number of miles flown. Members can then refer to the tables below with their chosen Fare Type.

Flights within Canada

Note the following:

• The following fare classes for Discount Economy are ineligible for Status Credit earn: S, T, L, A, K 
• Eligible fare classes for Discount Economy W, G
• Eligible fare classes for Economy Y, B, M, U, H, Q, V
• Eligible fare classes for Premium Economy O, E, N
• Eligible fare classes for Business J, C, D, Z, P.

International flights including the USA

Note the following:

• Eligible fare classes for Discount Economy W, G, S, T, L, A, K
• Eligible fare classes for Economy Y, B, M, U, H, Q, V
• Eligible fare classes for Premium Economy O, E, N
• Eligible fare classes for Business J, C, D, Z, P.

Also, Velocity Status Credits cannot be earned on:

• Reward Seat bookings
• Fare classes other than as specified above
• Codeshare flights (any flight with an AC flight number that is operated by an airline other than Air Canada or Virgin Australia)
• Upgraded fares: Members travelling on upgraded fares that were purchased with Points or by bidding for an upgrade will earn as per the rules of the original fare class purchased.

Using Velocity Points for Air Canada flights

For Air Canada’s own direct flights from Vancouver to Sydney and Brisbane, you’d be looking at either 56,000 pts in Economy or 104,000 pts in Business Class.

Reward seat availability was great in early 2022, with up to four seats available in Business Class. Unfortunately, since then, Air Canada hasn’t released as many reward seats.

Earning Aeroplan Points for Virgin Australia flights

From 19 January 2021, Air Canada Aeroplan members can earn Aeroplan Points when flying on any Virgin Australia flight. In addition, Aeroplan members can earn Status Qualifying Miles (SQMs) and Status Qualifying Segments (SQSs), as well as Status Qualifying Dollars (SQDs) for Virgin Australia domestic flights ticketed by Air Canada. The relevant earning details are shown in the table below.

Using Aeroplan Points for Virgin Australia flights

Air Canada Aeroplan members can use Aeroplan Points to redeem seats on all Virgin Australia flights.

While not so relevant for Australian readers, those with Aeroplan Points will enjoy decent redemption rates, starting from 8,000 points for a Sydney-Melbourne flight in Economy and 45,000 points for Perth-Sydney in Business Class

Use the Aeroplan Points Predictor to see how many points are needed for Virgin Australia routes, or download the Flight Reward Chart [PDF] for more detailed information.

Summing up

This newly-expanded partnership is a great step forward for both airline programs. Velocity Frequent Flyer’s weakness traditionally has been its lack of international partners, so adding Air Canada will be a great help indeed.

Although the two airlines previously had a codeshare partnership, this new reciprocal arrangement means members of both frequent flyer programs will be able to use their points on a wider range of flights. Plus, lounge access at Maple Leaf Lounges is also part of the deal.

Additional reporting by Daniel Sciberras