Smart choices, real value: Elevate business travel

Business overheads can be challenging to reduce, but for many companies, the effort is well worth it, and Virgin Australia understands this. In today’s dynamic market, where agility and cost-effectiveness are paramount, Australian organisations need more than just flights — they need a travel partner that truly supports their operations, optimises budgets, and consistently delivers. Virgin Australia is that partner, with a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to enhance business travel for everyone — from large corporations to “small to medium enterprises” (SMEs).

Here’s how Virgin Australia provides unparalleled value across choice, discounts, flexibility and reliability for Australian businesses.

Frequent business travel shouldn’t just feel productive — it should feel premium.

Strategic choice, smart discounts

Savvy businesses know that competitive fares and tailored options are crucial for optimising corporate travel budgets. Virgin Australia for business partners with their clients and travel management companies in a tri-party relationship, to optimise fare discounts and stretch budgets further. They also offer a range of fare types to provide better choice and inclusions based on individual business and traveller needs.

Virgin Australia’s rewards program for SME customers (the Virgin Australia Business Flyer) applies a fixed rate discount on their Flex and Business class fares. This dedicated program ensures businesses gain maximum value with discounts of up to 4 per cent off Flex fares and 6 per cent off Business Class fares on domestic flights, and up to 10 per cent off international flights. The free program is designed for eligible Australian businesses with an ABN/ACN, and an annual domestic flight spend under $300,000 with Virgin Australia.

Beyond discounts, Virgin Australia Business Flyer (VABF) rewards Australian businesses and their travellers via the Velocity Frequent Flyer program. Velocity rewards frequent travellers across four Status Tiers — Red, Silver, Gold and Platinum, with Forever Gold and Platinum Plus Tiers launching later this year. Higher Status Tiers unlock priority customer experiences, such as Lounge access, Priority Check-in, and Priority Boarding (where available), which can be leveraged when flying for both work and leisure. Employees can also earn personal Velocity Points and Status Credits, while the business simultaneously collects Velocity Points.

Accelerated status-earn opportunities also allow businesses to fast-track to Velocity Gold. Plus, tiered earning means businesses can accumulate 1, 1.5, or 2 Velocity Points per $1 spent, depending on annual travel spend (Tier 1: <$10k; Tier 2: $10k–$50k; Tier 3: $50k–$300k annually).

Businesses can further boost points through Virgin Australia Group’s network of over 40 partner brands and offers across energy, payments, loans, rideshare, car hire, office supplies, and tech, enhancing their loyalty potential. There are also bonus campaigns, such as earning triple business points on eligible flights if you also earn at least one point with an eligible partner brand by July 31, 2025*.

Eve Hollenkamp, executive assistant at Boardriders (the company behind iconic brands like Quiksilver, Roxy and Billabong), highlights this value. “The Virgin Australia Business Flyer program gives us access to flight discounts, the ability to earn Velocity Points, and the opportunity to upgrade memberships,” says Hollenkamp. These accumulated points can be reinvested into the business — redeemed on future flights directly through a dedicated booking portal, or transferred to any Velocity Frequent Flyer account for other business-related travel needs, effectively managing travel budgets.

Unmatched flexibility, unwavering reliability

Business travel is an investment — and your business deserves a return.

In a world of constant change, the ability to adapt travel plans quickly and efficiently is paramount. Virgin Australia prioritises flexibility and reliability to ensure business travellers stay on schedule.

“Our teams travel frequently and plans are constantly changing as we respond to business needs, often at short notice, so we need fare options that support changes and cancellations without excessive costs,” says Hollenkamp.

Virgin Australia understands this need. Its competitive Flex fares are tailored to the demands of modern business travel, allowing adjustments without excessive fees. Hollenkamp adds, “If we need to adjust flights last minute, we can reschedule to a different time without significant cost impacts.”

Virgin Australia takes reliability seriously, to ensure business travellers can stay on schedule. The airline has been the most on-time major Australian carrier so far this year, taking out the top spot in four of the first five months of 2025. According to the latest Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics, Virgin Australia achieved its best monthly departure on-time performance in over two years in April, while in May, 83.2 per cent of flights departed on time. The airline also achieved a 99.2 per cent flight completion rate in May.

A business travel partnership is defined by quality service and reliable support. Virgin Australia prides itself on offering genuine, personalised corporate travel solutions to businesses of all sizes in partnership with their travel management provider, ensuring seamless travel and efficient resolution of any challenges.

Hollenkamp agrees this service is critical to the Boardriders’ business: “It’s really important we have a dedicated account representative — a real person, not a bot or generic inbox. I have my account managers’ direct lines. These super stars are always there to support us whenever we need help. That personal service, combined with Virgin Australia’s reliability and ongoing support for businesses like ours, is why they are our airline of choice.”

For businesses engaging with Virgin Australia, their service means access to dedicated account managers and comprehensive corporate travel solutions tailored to specific needs. These solutions can include personalised onboarding, training, and consistent reviews of your corporate travel policy, all designed to ensure your team maximises its travel benefits.

Virgin Australia Lounges are also a critical extension of their service offering. As Hollenkamp notes, “The Virgin Australia Lounges are such a support for our travellers — they’re well-appointed, comfortable and offer a productive space for our team to work or recharge while in transit”. These premium spaces act as a “satellite office” for busy travellers, offering Wi-Fi and amenities that transform transit time into productive or restorative moments.

From strategic choice and discounts to practical flexibility and dedicated support, Virgin Australia’s approach is intentional. They acknowledge that Australian businesses need efficiency, ROI and genuine partnership in travel. Whether you’re working with large fleets or small teams, these benefits turn travel from a cost centre into a strategic asset.

See how Virgin Australia solutions for business can work for you and your organisation. Visit Virgin Australia Fly for Business.

*Velocity and promotional T&Cs and exclusions apply.

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