Your pets can now earn you points if they fly with you on a domestic Virgin Australia flight. In what is an Australian airline first, Silver, Gold and Platinum Velocity members can earn  50%, 75% and 100% bonus points respectively when travelling with their dog or cat. Australia’s first Pet Frequent Flyer program is an extension of ‘Flying Paws’ available on international Virgin Atlantic flights for departures from the UK, USA, Australia, South Africa, Dubai and Barbados.

It’s not clear as yet whether the Australian scheme will include the ‘welcome onboard pet pack’ available to pooches and pussy cats through the international version, where in true Branson style, pets can win gifts for themselves and air miles for their owner, t-shirts for dogs and a toy mouse for cats, with all pets receiving their own passport.. individually paw printed of course!

Dr Chris Brown and Velocity Frequent Flyer CEO, Neil Thompson

Dr Chris Brown and Velocity Frequent Flyer CEO, Neil Thompson

Virgin Australia says it flies almost 30,000 pets each year around the country, many owned by Velocity members and that’s a lot of fur! Velocity Frequent Flyer CEO Neil Thompson said today that the program will build on the unique family benefits for members such as the ability to pool Points and Status Credits with family members.

You can also earn double points in celebration of the launch by making purchases from Online Pet Accessories, Pet Smart and The Vet Shed via the Velocity eStore.

Find out more at www.velocityfrequentflyer.com/pets.