Getting the reward seats you want isn’t just about having enough points — it’s about booking at the right time.
If you’re a Velocity Frequent Flyer member, knowing exactly when reward seats open can make a huge difference in securing early-release flights before they disappear.
Booking Early Release Reward Seats
Step 1 of 5: Know When Reward Seats Open
Airlines release reward seats on a specific day — usually many months before departure.
The best seats are often available the moment bookings open.
If you book on that first day, you have the highest chance of success.
Step 2 of 5: Understand Loyalty Program Timing
Even if an airline opens bookings, you can’t redeem through Velocity until Velocity itself opens access.
Sometimes, other loyalty programs may have already had access for weeks. That means some early seats may already be gone.
Timing is everything.
Step 3 of 5: Choose Airlines Smartly
To improve your chances:
✔ Choose airlines that open reward bookings at the same time or later than Velocity (330 days)
✘ Be cautious with airlines that open much earlier elsewhere
This helps you avoid being “last in line”.
Step 4 of 5: Know Which Airlines Give You the Best Chance
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When Velocity opens reward bookings
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When partner airlines open their reward bookings
By choosing airlines that open bookings later than the loyalty program, you ensure you’re first in line — rather than closer to last.
This significantly increases your chances of securing early-release reward seats using points and miles.
Step 5 of 5: Velocity Booking Window
Velocity Frequent Flyer opens reward bookings 330 days before departure.
Here’s how partner airlines compare:
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Etihad Airways – 330 days
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Virgin Australia – 330 days
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Virgin Atlantic – 331 days
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South African Airways – 334 days
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United Airlines – 337 days
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All Nippon Airways (ANA) – 355 days
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Singapore Airlines – 355 days
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Air Canada – 356 days
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Qatar Airways – 361 days
The closer an airline’s booking window is to 330 days, the stronger your timing advantage when booking through Velocity.
Prevent Expiry Of Your Velocity Points
Booking early is powerful — but only if your points are still active.
Here’s how to protect them.
Step 1 of 7: Understand the Expiry Rule
our Velocity Points will expire 24 months after your last eligible activity.
These reset the clock:
✔ Earning points
✔ Spending/redeeming points
✔ Buying points
These do NOT reset expiry:
✘ Family Pool transfers
✘ Family Points Transfers
Even one small eligible activity resets your 24-month period.
Step 2 of 7: Recovery Is Not Guaranteed
There is no official, advertised way to extend expired points.
If points expire, you may contact customer service — but reinstatement is not guaranteed.
Prevention is much safer.
Step 3 of 7: Use the Velocity e-Store
One of the quickest and easiest ways to prevent expiry is to make a small purchase through the Velocity e-store.
Even a low-cost purchase can reset your expiry clock for another 24 months.
Step 4 of 7: Use Other Earn and Redeem Options
You can also prevent expiry by:
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Redeeming a small number of points
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Earning points through eligible partners
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Completing any qualifying activity linked to your account
Step 5 of 7: Buy Points (Refer to Pointr #1040)
Buying points counts as eligible activity and resets expiry.
See Pointr #1040 for guidance.
Step 6 of 7: Transfer From Other Loyalty Programs (Refer to Pointr #1015)
Transferring points or miles from eligible loyalty programs may also reset your expiry.
See Pointr #1015 for more details.
Step 7 of 7: Transfer Out Before Expiry (Refer to Pointr #1941)
If your points are close to expiring, you may be able to transfer them to another eligible loyalty program.
See Pointr #1941 for instructions.
Final Strategy: Book Early + Keep Points Active
✔ Know the 330-day booking window
✔ Choose airlines strategically
✔ Book on opening day
✔ Do at least one eligible activity every year
✔ Never let 24 months pass without activity
Book early.
Stay active.
Keep your points working for you. ✈️
