Virgin Velocity launches new partnership with 7-Eleven

Australian News

27/05/21

News.com.au

Virgin Australia chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka says the airline has had to get “really good” at putting up with the volatility of the pandemic as another Victorian lockdown delivers another travel setback.

The airline has cancelled flights in and out of Melbourne along with rival Qantas and states have imposed strict new border rules as Victoria is plunged into seven-day lockdown from tonight.

Speaking today at the launch of a new partnership between Virgin’s Velocity membership scheme and 7-Eleven, just after Victoria’s lockdown was announced, Ms Hrdlicka reiterated community safety was paramount.

“The lockdown is obviously the right answer from the health department standpoint so we all have to respect that and adjust our plans accordingly,” Ms Hrdlicka told news.com.au.

“As an airline we’ve gotten really good at predicting what’s about to happen and managing capacity up and down and moving our people and our aircraft around.

“I think the whole community has embraced that to manage the pandemic we have to – from time to time – have these mini lockdowns to prevent an outbreak turning into something much more serious.

“Every single fare is flexible, so you can change your booking, and can book with confidence knowing that if something happens you can change it to two or three weeks down the track.”

Virgin Australia chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka at the launch of Virgin Velocity’s new partnership with 7-Eleven in Sydney. Picture: Damian Shaw/NCA NewsWireSource:News Corp Australia

Ms Hrdlicka’s comments came as Virgin Australia launched a new partnership with 7-Eleven that allows Velocity members to earn points when refuelling their cars and shopping for food, coffee and convenience items at more than 700 7-Eleven stores across Australia.

From today, Virgin’s 10 million Velocity members will be able to earn two points per $1 on eligible in-store purchases, two points per litre on premium fuel, one point per litre on regular fuel, and 711 points on their first eligible purchase before June 28.

“It’s great for Velocity members to now have the opportunity to earn points on everyday spending and 7-Eleven is a great brand and very connected to everything we do: fun, energy, a bit of irreverence and flair,” Ms Hrdlicka said.

“I know there are a lot of kids out there who will be hammering their parents to go to 7-Eleven to get Slurpees and chalk up those Velocity points.

7-Eleven CEO Angus McKay and Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka at the launch in Sydney. Picture: Damian Shaw/NCA NewsWireSource:News Corp Australia

“We’re all close to a 7-Eleven and we can pop out to pick up whatever we’ve run out of in the evening, for fuel runs, when the kids need something for school; it’s just one of those places in the community that we connect to every day.”

At a time when many of us aren’t flying as much or as far as we used to, Ms Hrdlicka said we’re still finding ways to spend those points we’re accumulating.

“I think all our patterns of spending have changed during the pandemic, we’re doing things in a different way,” she said. “Customers are spending their points going around Australia but they’re also going onto the 200 retails partners we have – David Jones, Myer, The Iconic, Chemist Warehouse – to get those everyday needs and to use the (points) currency they have to help make their budget go a bit further.”

A mystery scenic flight will be held in June to mark the airline’s partnership with 7-Eleven. Picture: James Gourley/NCA NewsWireSource:News Corp Australia

The partnership between Virgin Australia and 7-Eleven was launched at an event in Sydney’s Domain where drones dropped prizes, including fuel vouchers, to a crowd of spectators.

The two companies have also launched a national competition to win a seat on a Virgin Australia mystery scenic flight, aptly designated as flight VA711, that takes off from Sydney on June 29.

“Being able to align our My 7-Eleven App with Velocity Frequent Flyer means we can continue to lead the market in offering our customers the chance to save using our fuel price lock feature and in-store offers and maximise the value our customers can achieve by building their Velocity points balances at the same time,” 7-Eleven chief executive Angus McKay said.

“We are also really looking forward to helping people take to the skies again.”

To start earning points on their purchases, Velocity members need to download the My 7-Eleven app and link it to their Velocity membership.