IHG Business Edge, IHG Hotels & Resorts' comprehensive program designed for small-to-medium enterprises (SME), has joined forces with Virgin Australia Business Flyer to create the industry's first complimentary SME partnership enabling members to enjoy benefits of both programs when they book hotels and flights.

The partnership marks Virgin Australia Business Flyer's first hotel partnership, extending value to its members with access to guaranteed savings at IHG Hotels & Resorts' leading portfolio of more than 6,200 hotels across 19 brands, including InterContinental, Kimpton, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza, voco, Holiday Inn and more.

In addition to members receiving benefits of both programs when they sign up to IHG Business Edge via their Virgin Australia Business Flyer account, members will also jump to Gold Elite status^ in the IHG One Rewards loyalty program on their first stay as an exclusive benefit of the partnership (previously Silver Elite). Gold Elite enhances member benefits including a late check out of 2pm*, complimentary internet, exclusive access to member promotions and member rates and a guaranteed rollover of status to the following year.  

Dean Jones, Vice President Commercial for IHG Hotels & Resorts, Japan, Australasia & Pacific, said: “This is a significant move for the industry. In a time when business operating costs are higher than ever, our partnership with Virgin Australia Business Flyer is specifically designed to reward members twice with meaningful perks and savings we know they need, while keeping the programs free to join. The partnership is an exciting milestone for tourism, not only to maximize business efficiency for SMEs, but to take advantage and explore the extensive global networks of these two much-loved brands.” 

Nick Rohrlach, CEO, Velocity Frequent Flyer, said: “We are incredibly proud to be partnering with IHG Hotels & Resorts as part of our continued focus on delivering SMEs with value across all areas of their business travel. IHG Business Edge opens up a world of convenience and value for our members, including guaranteed discounts, flexible change and cancellation policies and customised booking portals, to name a few. Both Virgin Australia Business Flyer and IHG Business Edge are built on rewarding SMEs and we look forward to benefiting Australia's business community through the meaningful savings this partnership will deliver.”

Explore the programs

Designed with SMEs in mind, IHG Business Edge is a complimentary, comprehensive program designed to enhance the corporate travel experience, including access to a one-stop-shop portal that travel bookers can customise to keep track of spending and savings data. Additional benefits of the program include guaranteed discounts at participating IHG Hotels & Resorts properties, flexible change and cancellation on bookings and an automatic upgrade to IHG One Rewards Gold Elite status for joining members after the first stay.

Perks of the Virgin Australia Business Flyer program include savings of up to 6 per cent on eligible Virgin Australia domestic flights and up to 10 per cent on eligible international flights, discounted annual Lounge memberships for the business' team and two Velocity Pilot Gold memberships for new members when they spend $2,000 on flights in the first three months. Virgin Australia Business Flyer is complimentary to join and boasts a newly enhanced booking portal to manage travel in one central place.

The partnership is the first in an exciting series of activations and promotions to launch in the months ahead between the two programs.

Virgin Australis Business Flyer members are invited to sign up to IHG Business Edge via their Virgin Australia Business Rewards Portal Home | Business Rewards Portal (velocityfrequentflyer.com).

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ENDS