Weekly News Roundup: Sep 7 - Sep 13, 2026
By Craig McNamara · Published on 12 October 2026
This is a backfill for 7–13 September 2026, published on 12 October 2026. The card changes below took effect after the coverage week. They are already in force as this article is published.
Finder revisited Velocity High Flyer’s October changes
Finder reported on 8 September that the Virgin Australia Velocity High Flyer Card would earn fewer points and cost more from 1 October. Virgin Money's archived terms set the old rate at 1 Velocity Point per eligible A$1 on the first A$8,000 of a statement period, then 0.5 point per A$1. Virgin Money's updated earn table shows 0.75 point per eligible A$1 on the first A$5,000, then 0.25 point per A$1. Its fee table shows an A$349 annual fee, up from A$329 reported by Finder.
For A$6,000 of eligible spend in one statement period, the old terms gave 6,000 points; the new terms give 4,000 points (3,750 plus 250). That is 2,000 fewer points before the A$20 fee increase. I would check my own statement-period spend against both thresholds before judging the card's value. The RBA's reform timetable confirms that lower domestic interchange caps and changes to card surcharging both started on 1 October; an issuer decides its own rewards terms.
Qantas Points became an option for direct Sydney–Tahiti flights
Australian Frequent Flyer reported on 9 September that Classic Reward seats had appeared for Air Tahiti Nui's planned Sydney–Papeete flights under Qantas flight numbers. Qantas confirms that eligible QF-numbered Air Tahiti Nui flights can be booked as Classic Flight Rewards with Qantas Points. Paid eligible QF-numbered flights can earn Qantas Points and Status Credits. Reward seats remain subject to availability, and taxes, fees and carrier charges are payable in addition to points.
Air Tahiti Nui announced the route in March, with two flights a week planned from 14 December 2026. The route itself was old news by September; the points-booking option was the week's development. I would compare the points and cash cost with a paid fare before booking.