Virgin trumps Qantas with rival loyalty switch offer

Virgin has matched Qantas’ offer to allow Velocity members to switch to the flag carrier’s own frequent flyer scheme. The recently reborn airline’s proposals are even more generous, with Qantas Gold members being able to swap schemes by simply booking one flight, rather than accumulating 100 points or five return economy trips between Sydney and Melbourne. The news comes days after Qantas claimed thousands of top-tier members from rival airlines had taken up its initial offer and revealed 25 corporate accounts that have moved across in the last year. Virgin said that Qantas Gold status passengers wanting to switch to its own Velocity scheme simply need to fill out an expression of interest. They will immediately be granted a three-month trial membership – including lounge access, priority boarding and preferential seating – and will only have to book one “eligible flight” and earn 80 credits to continue Gold membership for a year. Story has details.<br/>