Reciprocal agreement offers members the opportunity to earn and redeem points across the airlines’ flight networks.
Virgin Australia ceo John Borghetti has just announced a wide-ranging reciprocal frequent flyer agreement with the Fortune Wings Club operated by Hong Kong Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Capital Airlines and Tiajnin Airlines.
Together with VA these carriers operate more than 75 weekly flights from Hong Kong and 13 destinations in mainlanc China to Australia and New Zealand.
Under the pact Velocity members will be able to earn Velocity Points and Status Credits on all Hong Kong Airlines operated flights (apart from services to and from North America) as well as all Hainan Airlines, Capital Airlines and Tianjin Airlines operated flights between Australia, New Zealand and Greater China – as well as all domestic flights within those regions.
A second phase of the agreement will be announced in the coming weeks, offering further benefits for members including reciprocal lounge access, priority check-in, priority boarding and additional baggage.
Velocity members will also be able to use Velocity Points to purchase Reward Seats on the four Chinese carriers.
The new frequent flyer agreement “further strengthens the proposed strategic alliance between Virgin Australia and Hong Kong Airlines, HK Express and HNA Aviation,” the carriers said. The alliance is currently under consideration by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, with draft authorisation granted last month and a final ruling expected in the coming weeks.
More details in tomorrow’s issue of Travel Daily.