When it comes to essential tips and strategies, Shanika Ekanayake is a boss. As general manager small to medium enterprise at Virgin Australia, she doesn’t just work for the airline, she flies a lot. She has a front row seat to the ways we provide better value, choice and experience for business travellers.
Here, Shanika shares her top four insider hacks to help you get the most out of your Business Flyer membership, from earning points faster to accessing exclusive rewards and services. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or just starting to explore the perks of loyalty programs, we want you to know these:
1: Leverage discounts on flights for cost savings or use Pay with Points to offset future travel expenses
Think of your membership as a circular ecosystem that grows itself, says Shanika. The first step is to take advantage of member discounts on Virgin Australia flights1. That reduces business travel expenses without compromising on value, choice and experience.
Those cost savings can be circulated back into your business to give flexibility to invest in other critical areas.
And of course, says Shanika, when you fly for business today you’ll earn Points that can be used to offset flight costs tomorrow. Use as little as 3000 accrued Points towards fares booked through the business booking portal and save on your next flight using Pay with Points2.
“Reinvesting your Points into another everyday business expense is a smart idea,” says Shanika.
“One option I like is to transfer points from my Business Flyer account into my personal Velocity Frequent Flyer account3. I pool and use them to book reward seats, maybe fly the family somewhere.
“You can also redeem them in the rewards store for business expenses like hotels, car hire or tech equipment. Pretty cool.”
2: Double-dip on Velocity Points for business and individual rewards
Every time you or your team flies on eligible flights or uses one of our partners on the ground, Business Flyer members earn Points for their business4. And in a ‘double dip’, the individual traveller also earns those Points and Status Credits for their own Velocity Frequent Flyer account5.
“It’s generous, so it’s one of the things we’re asked about most,” says Shanika.
Moving through the three Business Flyer tiers, expect to be rewarded with an increased Points earn for every dollar your business spends on eligible flights6.
“Other perks include a dedicated Account Manager when you clear a certain spend threshold,” says Shanika.
Another reward? Unlike others, the program is free to join7. “That’s important when you’re a small business investing your own dollars to drive your own experience,” says Shanika.
If members spend a little more, rewards increase and you can enjoy choosing your own, from lounge passes to bonus Points and Gold memberships8.
“We’re strong on rewarding as you go up the tiers, and progress is faster than in other programs,” says Shanika. “We don’t make you stockpile Points for years for the good stuff. Everyone really does win.”
3: Effectively use lounge passes and priority benefits for a better travel experience
Lounge access is beloved by Business Flyer members, says Shanika. “They see the value in a dedicated private space with shower facilities, recharging stations and even baristas to start and end their work day.”
But how to get inside the Lounge as a new member? “Ah,” says Shanika. “This is one of my favourite hacks.”
New members of the program can experience some of the best of Virgin Australia’s premium products and services with two Pilot Gold memberships just for spending $2000 on eligible travelled flights within their first three months of joining9.
“Pilot Gold gives the experience of being a premium member, fast,” says Shanika.
As for using Priority benefits, the first step is to choose your seat on booking. At the airport, use the Priority check-in10 to cut queues, then Priority security screening11. Priority boarding at the gate means you won’t have to fight for overhead locker space12.
“If you’ve done all that with the right timings, you’ll have 20 minutes in the Lounge to get a coffee,” says Shanika. “Or a beer. Or something to eat. Or send an email or make a call. That’s success for me, how I maximise time at the airport.
“And think how much your team will love you if you reward them with one of your Pilot Gold memberships, with seamless airport entry and Lounge access. The cherry on top is that at your destination the Priority luggage comes out first!”13
Another sneaky hack? “As a VABF member, the business owner and their travellers can save up to 15% off our Lounge memberships,” says Shanika. “Think $379 vs the retail price of $450.”14
4: Use the Fly Ahead service to increase flexibility and convenience
One thing small business owners always try to maximise is time, says Shanika. “Everyone’s short on it. So we make it easy for Business Flyer members to find it and save it.”
The hack for our high fliers to do that? Use our Fly Ahead benefit for Velocity Gold members and above travelling on certain fare types15. “It’s your ticket for free same-day flight changes,” says Shanika. “Much loved as an easy, uplifting business travel experience.”
Using Fly Ahead can mean getting a head start on your business day to make an early meeting. Or call on it at the end of the day, if things have wrapped up early and your airport run has you in the terminal ahead of schedule.
“Even if you’re not travelling alone, you can use Fly Ahead,” says Shanika. “The benefits can extend to up to three companions travelling on your booking.”
To make a Fly Ahead request, head to the airport check-in counter if you have checked luggage. If you only have carry-on, ask at the Lounge concierge or an airport service desk. Platinum members can also call ahead.
“If there’s availability on an earlier flight, our phenomenal staff will help,” says Shanika. “Trust me—it’s a game changer.”
Not a Business Flyer member yet? Join for free here.
Existing members, access flight discounts and manage your travel via the Virgin Australia Business Flyer Booking Portal.