Happy news for frequent fliers, especially those who frequent Australia: Virgin America has announced that it has partnered with V Australia and Virgin Blue to allow each airline's loyalty program members to earn points when taking flights on the three Virgin-branded airlines. The partnership means that guests flying on Virgin America, V Australia, and Virgin Blue will all be able to earn credit for their flights that will be redeemable under any of the carrier's frequent flyer programs. As of today, guests will be able to earn points on any of the carriers they choose.
The reciprocal agreements enable V Australia or Virgin Blue's Velocity members to earn Velocity points and Virgin America's Elevate members to earn Elevate points wherever they are flying with V Australia, Virgin Blue or Virgin America. Elevate redemption levels will start at 40,000 points for flights on V Australia and 6,000 points for flights on Virgin Blue later this year.
Passengers aren't the only ones who will benefit from these connections: Virgin America and Virgin Blue have announced a crew exchange program which will launch in October. The exchange allows in-flight teammates from either Virgin America or Virgin Blue to participate in a one-year work exchange program that will allow them to immerse themselves in the intensive training courses and the opportunity to fly as cabin crew for each airline. The goal of the program, the company says, is to give each airline's teammates the chance to experience work and life at another Virgin-branded carrier.
