Expiring Points - Quickest/Cheapest Top Up

[Lynda2475]

Hi,

Just got an email to warn "Your Velocity account has not shown any eligible activity and as a result your Velocity Points balance of 12,173 will expire unless you earn or redeem Points by 30 September 2018*."

Obviously i do not fly frequently with Virgin, my business travel is restricted to Qantas and I tend to leverage my status there for personal travel too, all my credit cards earn Qantas points. My last Virgin flight was more than 3 years ago, I think only a Delta domestic flight 2 years ago kept them alive.

Anyway i wont be gutted if I lose these points (i have no leave available to take virgin flight in the next month), but if there is a easy and inexpensive way to earn a couple of points (can you buy a $1 carbon offset like you can with Qantas) then i may as well save them.

Suggestion appreciated, but not interested in applying for a new credit card at this time.

Thanks.

 

[Mattg]

Maybe buy something at BP and swipe your Velocity card?

Otherwise, you can buy 500 Velocity points for $18.

How to Buy Virgin Australia Velocity Points

 

[Lynda2475]

Am happy to part with $18 for points, just wasn't sure if this was qualifying earn?

 

[Mattg]

Am happy to part with $18 for points, just wasn't sure if this was qualifying earn?

Yes it would count.

Surely buying a bottle of water from BP is more cost-effective though?

 

[Lynda2475]

Surely buying a bottle of water from BP is more cost-effective though?

Yes just have to work out where/if there is a BP near me and also try and find the physical card!

 

[Bagpuss]

Transfer your points to someone trustworthy (or create an account for "someone"), then transfer them back in a few months time, if you want to keep them.

 

[blacksultan]

Yes just have to work out where/if there is a BP near me and also try and find the physical card!

If you can`t find the card- use a temporary card from BP -then link it to your account.

 

[Bagpuss]

You can also transfer flybuys points to velocity, if you collect them / have enough to transfer.

There's an option of buying something from an Estore partner as the points will credit in time. Shop online and earn Velocity Points for Virgin Australia travel

You could also redeem your points on a flight if you have a enough as the flight can be booked upto 355 days in advance.

Though, if you haven't earned or redeemed Velocity points for so long why be so bothered about it? Points only have a value if you are going to redeem them and if you not redeeming them they have no value to you.

As my partner and I don't really fly Qantas, we used a ton of points on wine. Whilst deemed by many as "poor value", it was good value to us as they would have just expired.

 

[Lynda2475]

No flybuys.

I'm not super bothered if i lose them, I just let some SouthWest points expire as didnt get to the US this year.

But one never knows if company travel policy will change or i end up flying a partner airline or needing to go to a regional location like Albury (which is when i prefer VA as they use jets where Qantas use propeller planes) so may have potential to build more Velcoity in future.

Turns out there is BP a round the corner from my house (I dont own a car so never pay attention to petrol stations) so if i can dig out my card and buy a $2 snack there and give myself another 24 months then i dont consider it a big effort.

My main program is Qantas, and i dont see that changing anytime soon.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[Bagpuss]

Turns out there is BP a round the corner from my house (I dont own a car so never pay attention to petrol stations) so if i can dig out my card and buy a $2 snack there and give myself another 24 months then i dont consider it a big effort.

Velocity, keeping people fit.

 

[Aus ATC]

Depending how old your old card is, you may find it won't work at BP (this happened with my wife's card recently). Consider requesting a replacement card (should have enough time for it to arrive) before buying the snack.

 

[ozstamps]

You have advised us buying a litre of gas or a Mars bar for a buck or so at any Caltex is way too hard to save 12,000 miles, so I guess buying something for 99c off ebay might be too hard too, but just in case -

eBay Australia - Earn Velocity Points you can redeem on Everyday Items

 

[Lynda2475]

You have advised us buying a litre of gas or a Mars bar for a buck or so at any Caltex is way too hard to save 12,000 miles, so I guess buying something for 99c off ebay might be too hard too, but just in case -

eBay Australia - Earn Velocity Points you can redeem on Everyday Items

I didnt say it was too hard, i actually said id give buying something at BP (not Caltex) a go (i said it is not a big effort) provided i can locate my card, but it wont be petrol cause i dont have a car,

Thanks for the tip re ebay, will take a look.

 

[AIRwin]

Looks like there is a 15% discount off buying points for the next few days until the end of the month:
Velocity Frequent Flyer Points Booster

 

[Lynda2475]

Haven't made it to BP yet , as stressful 2 weeks with both parents in hospital, and no time to find the physical card (seems you cant use e version at BP).

But I just made a purchase at EziBuy via the link on the VA website, so hopefully those points will register in time (anyone know typically how long these take - Im not entirely sure the referral stuck, as I already had an ezibuy account).

Reading the conditions you have to earn or spend, so buying 500 points for $18 doesn't read as eligible activity.

 

[Teal747]

If you are stuck in the hospital maybe go online and buy a $1 item (like a cable) on ebay
You will get 1 point

 

[Lynda2475]

Quick update, I bought 500 points for $18 and that did stop my points from expiring.

The EziBuy purchase only had its point approved today, just got an email (31 days after purchase was made) and they aren't yet visible in the account. So if relying on shopping to stop expiry make sure you allow more than the 30 days published on their site for the points to post.