The Bali loophole: how Virgin's status promotion rivals Qantas's and what to book

Why Economy Lite could cost you your next status upgrade.

Virgin aircraft. Picture from Unsplash/Josh Withers

Updated May 7 2026 - 4:13pm, first published 3:20pm

In this article

Virgin Australia has swooped in and matched Qantas with a points and status promotion - but Virgin's offer is better for those planning a trip to Bali.

Virgin's latest Pick Your Bonus promotion allows members to fast-track their reward or status upgrade by choosing double Velocity Points or double Status Credits.

The offer has been announced just days after Qantas began its popular Double Status offer, which occurs only a few times a year.

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According to Complex Travel Group managing director, Mark Trim, the offers are very similar, both focussing on short-haul international travel within Australia and across the Tasman.

However Virgin is also including all short-haul international flights, "meaning those looking to head to Bali could consider flying with Virgin Australia to make the most of this offer."

Should you choose status or points?

Mr Trim said the natural choice was to select double status credits, which amass to help members move up a status tier and receive benefits like lounge access, priority check-in and advance seat selection.

But unlike Qantas' 12-month fixed earning period, which is unique to each traveller's membership year, Velocity works on a rolling 12-month period to attain and retain your status.

Once you've hit your status tier, you start a new 12-month period to retain that level again for next year, Mr Trim explained.

Can you make dummy bookings?

The short answer is, no.

While Mr Trim sees some Qantas frequent flyers booking several dummy tickets to take advantage of the promotion, and changing these later, you can't do this with Virgin's promotion, he said.

Virgin Australia aircraft on the runway. Picture from Unsplash/Peaky_82

"Virgin's Terms and Conditions don't account for this strategy, so you should only be booking trips that you intend to take as booked to secure the bonus," he said.

Essential booking advice

You must register on the airline's website and select your preferred offer to take advantage of the promotion, which runs until midnight on Friday, May 15, 2026.

You also need to include your frequent flyer number in the booking, and you must travel within the specified period, which ends at midnight on December 31, 2026.

"It can take 4-6 weeks for the bonus points or status to appear in your account after travel is completed," Mr Trim said.

One last important tip

And avoid those Economy Lite fares as they won't give you as much bang for your buck, accruing status credits based on 1 credit per $24 earned.

"If you are going to maximise a double status credit offer, you should be upgrading to an Economy Choice fare, which would usually accrue 1 credit per $12 spent on the ticket," Mr Trim said.

"In this case, that would double to 2 status per $12 spent on your fare. Choice fares also include free standard seat selection and a checked bag."

Words bySarah Falson

Sarah is ACM’s travel producer. She believes regional travel is just as fun (if not better) than staying in the big cities and loves any travel experience to do with nature, animals and food!.

My all-time favourite destination is ... Cornwall. From the giant seagulls to the blustery beaches, Cornish pasties and fishing villages, it stirs something romantic and seafaring in me.

Next on my bucket list is … Mongolia. I want to go somewhere really unique that feels totally foreign and challenges my way of life.

My top travel tip is … Don’t plan too much. Walk the streets and let it happen. And make sure you check out what’s within a few blocks of your hotel - sometimes the best local food is found that way.