HNA Partners with Virgin Australia for Loyalty

Hainan Airlines has teamed up with Virgin Australia to offer rewards to the members of the two airlines’ loyalty programs.

The relationship covers point accumulation, award tickets redemption, and reciprocal elite benefits for members of Hainan Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Capital Airlines, and Tianjin Airlines’ Fortune Wings Club and Virgin’s Velocity.

Starting this month, members of the Fortune Wings Club may accrue Fortune Wings status qualifying points and award points when flying Virgin Australia between and within Australia and New Zealand and Greater China (mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan). Conversely, members of Virgin Australia’s frequent flyer program can also accrue Velocity points when using four member airlines of the Fortune Wings Club, including Hainan Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Capital Airlines, and Tianjin Airlines.

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Members of either program will be able to redeem their points for award tickets on the other party’s flights, and elite members will enjoy a variety of elite privileges, such as priority check-in, additional free baggage allowance, lounge access, and priority boarding when travelling on the other airline’s flight.

Since their equity cooperation in 2016, the HNA Group and Virgin Australia have entered into a number of cooperative agreements including codeshare. The launching of cooperation on frequent flyer programs represents the first major step forward by both sides in business cooperation.

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“Virgin Australia is one of the most important strategic partners of the HNA Group”, says Sun Jianfeng, president of Hainan Airlines. “The Fortune Wings Club and Velocity have begun a cooperative effort in their frequent flyer programs, which will not only expand members’ ability to earn points, but the upcoming redemption and reciprocal elite benefits will also create a perfect experience for members.”

At present, the four member airlines of The Fortune Wings Club, namely Hainan Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Capital Airlines, and Tianjin Airlines, operate eight routes and more than 70 weekly flights from Hong Kong and 7 destinations in mainland China to Australia and New Zealand. The new cooperation with Velocity will enhance the market competitiveness of both airlines’ international routes between China and Australia.

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The Art of Business Travel is Asia-Pacific's leading portal for corporate travel news and views. We cover everything from airline routes and airport developments, to new hotels, meeting venues, loyalty schemes, and entertaining.