• Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer loyalty program has launched a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for one lucky member to win a trip to Hamilton Island with 100 of their *closest* friends, for simply earning ONE Velocity Point this month (June 2024).~
• The almost-too-good-to-be-true competition comes as Australia’s ‘friendship recession’ reaches new heights, with the average number of trusted friends dropping to just five in recent years*.
• All Velocity members need to do is earn ONE single Velocity Point during the month of June 2024 and they will automatically enter the draw.
• Don’t have one hundred friends? Find out how easy it is to earn a Velocity Point here and that could change very quickly.
• Velocity boasts more than 12 million members and is free to join. For more information and to join, visit here.

Monday 3 June 2024: Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer loyalty program has launched a mammoth competition amidst the decline in companionship, which is being dubbed ‘Australia’s friendship recession’ – offering one lucky Velocity member the chance to win a trip of a lifetime to Hamilton Island with 100 of their closest friends (from 20 to 23 March 2025).~

Previous research shows that over the past 40 years, the average number of trusted friends has dropped from nine to just five* and while rallying 100 might seem impossible, the prize could be the perfect solution for a destination wedding, birthday, reunion or even a work excursion (did someone say promotion?!).

The competition, aimed at empowering members to forge new bonds or reconnect with distant friends, will see one lucky winner and 100 friends pack their bags for one of the most popular destinations on the Great Barrier Reef. Valued at over $150,000, the prize includes flights, accommodation, transfers and island activities, ensuring an unforgettable experience from the moment the seatbelt sign is switched off.

Throughout the entire month of June 2024, Velocity members will automatically enter the draw by simply earning ONE single Velocity Point~ – it’s really that easy! Whether booking an eligible flight with Virgin Australia or its partner airlines, transferring Flybuys points to Velocity, topping up the car at 7-Eleven or using a Velocity Points earning credit card, every Point earnt is one step closer to the ultimate prize.^

How to enter:

• Velocity members (who are Australian residents aged 18 and over) who earn Velocity Points in June 2024 are automatically entered into the competition~
• Entries are capped at 10 per eligible Velocity member (10 separate instances of a member earning Velocity Points).
• How to earn ONE single Velocity Point:^
  • DiDi – earn 1 Velocity Point per $1 eligible spend every time the member rides. Members must have linked their Velocity membership number in the DiDi app to earn.
  • Flybuys – members can scan their Flybuys’ card at participating retailers and then transfer Flybuys points to Velocity to earn Velocity Points.
  • 7 Eleven – Velocity members can earn Velocity Points when they scan their Velocity membership card or scan their Velocity-linked My 7-Eleven app on fuel and eligible in-store purchases.
  • Virgin Australia – Earn Velocity Points when members enter their Velocity membership number and fly on eligible Virgin Australia flights.
  • Velocity e-Store – Shop over 300 brands and earn 2 Points per $1 spent on eligible purchases at most retailers. See special offers here and keep an eye out for bonus Points.
  • For more ways to earn Velocity Points, see Notes to Editor.

CEO Commentary

Velocity Frequent Flyer CEO, Nick Rohrlach, said a prize of this scale is something the program has never offered before.

“We are thrilled to be bringing such an exciting opportunity to our members, with one lucky winner receiving one of the biggest prizes in Velocity’s history,” said Mr Rohrlach.

“The best part is, you only need to earn one single Velocity Point this month to be in it to win it. Whether it’s flying with Virgin Australia, riding with DiDi or shopping online across 300 brands in the Velocity e-Store, earning Points, and in this case, entering a competition, has never been simpler.

“Loyalty works both ways, and we are really focused on doing things differently at Velocity to reward our members, fast. This competition shows just how valuable Points are to members to redeem on their next flight, hotel or holiday – and all you need to do is earn one Point for a chance to win.

“Just one Point could become a life-changing experience for one of our members,” he said.

For more information on the competition, visit here.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITOR

Ways to boost your Velocity Frequent Flyer Points balance:

• All Points earn is subject to the Velocity membership terms and conditions and individual partner earn terms and conditions. Please see the Velocity website for more information.
• Velocity e-Store – Shop over 300 brands and earn 2 Points per $1 spent on eligible purchases at most retailers. See special offers here and keep an eye out for bonus Points.
• Everyday spending – The easiest way to earn Velocity Points is through everyday spending. You can earn by using your Flybuys card, and transferring Flybuys points to Velocity.
• Points earning retailers and airlines – You can earn Velocity Points with other brands like DiDi rideshare and 7-Eleven, or through flying internationally on eligible flights with partner airlines including Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, Etihad, Air Canada and more.
• Rewards programs – Build your Velocity Points by transferring accumulated points from your credit cards and hotel reward programs through Velocity’s partnerships with major banking and hotel groups.

Prize Package, which must be taken from 20 March to 23 March 2025:

• Return Virgin Australia Flights to Hamilton Island for 101 people (from the winner’s closest domestic port serviced by Virgin Australia)
• 3 x nights Reef View Hotel (mix of Garden View and Coral Sea View Rooms) for 101 people
• Kids eat free (any children up to 12 years can eat free in Pool Terrace or Sails, when dining with their parents and choosing from the kids' menu).
• Return Hamilton Island/Marina shuttle bus transfers
• Use of catamarans, windsurfers, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and snorkelling equipment.
• Use of island shuttle.
• Use of gym, spa, sauna.

*Research

”Trusted friends” is people that they can talk to frankly about personal difficulties. Referencing Leigh, A. and N. Terrell, (2020) Reconnected, A Community Builder’s Handbook, La Trobe University Press,, in Abelson, P, (2021). Intergenerational well-being: Baby boomers, generation X, and millennials in Australia. Tax and Transfer Policy Institute. https://taxpolicy.crawford.anu.edu.au/sites/default/files/publication/ta..., page 24.

~Terms and Conditions

If you wish to be removed from the Promotion, please email competition@velocityfrequentflyer.com and provide your full name and Velocity membership number.

The Promoter is Velocity Frequent Flyer Pty Ltd (ACN 601 408 824) of registered address 275 Grey St, South Brisbane QLD 4101. The Promotion commences at 12:01am AEST on 1 June 2024 and ends at 11:59pm AEST on 30 June 2024 (Promotion Period).

Entry is open to Australian residents aged 18 years and older who are Velocity Frequent Flyer members, except employees of the Promoter, Virgin Australia employees, employees of agencies associated with this Promotion, and their immediate families (Entrants).

To receive an automatic entry into the draw, Entrants must earn at least one (1) Velocity Point from an activity that earns Velocity Points during the Promotion Period. Up to 10 automatic entries per Entrant. 

There will be 1 Winner, who will be notified in writing within two (2) business days of 4pm AEST on 30 July 2024. There is one (1) Prize to be won. The first valid entry drawn will win a holiday for 101 people to Hamilton Island, QLD from 20 March 2025 to 23 March 2025 (the Prize) valued at up to AUD$158,000 (including GST and depending on point of departure). Prize includes flights to and from Hamilton Island, and accommodation for 101 people. A Winner may not substitute, assign, exchange, transfer or redeem the Prize for cash. Access to the Prize (through being a guest) cannot be sold or offered for resale at a premium (including via online auction sites) or used for advertising, promotion or other commercial purposes (including competitions and trade promotions).

Full competition terms and conditions can be accessed here.

Authorised under NSW Authority TP/01843. ACT Permit No. TP24/01031. SA Permit No. T24/804.

Velocity membership terms and conditions apply.

^All Points earn is subject to the Velocity membership terms and conditions and individual partner earn terms and conditions.