Velocity points now redeemable when dining out at 3,000 venues

Velocity Frequent Flyer members in Australia can now earn and use loyalty points when dining at thousands of venues nationwide, following a partnership with hospitality ordering platform me&u. The collaboration enables customers to earn points with every order and to spend those points to reduce restaurant bills, as living costs continue to affect household budgets.

Points earning

Members earn 1 Velocity Point for every AUD $5 spent through the me&u app at participating venues. Those who link their Velocity and me&u accounts will also receive a 100-point bonus. The rewards are available at more than 3,000 restaurants, cafés, pubs, and bars across the country, according to the companies.

This announcement comes ahead of the year-end festive period, traditionally a peak time for dining out in Australia. Velocity Frequent Flyer claims that one in every Australian household is represented in its member base. The loyalty scheme's latest data shows increased interest in accumulating points through outlets other than airlines.

Redemption options

Points accrued on hospitality spending can now be redeemed through the Pay with Points feature. Members can use their earned points to offset eligible transactions made via the me&u ordering platform, provided these are paid with a linked Visa credit or debit card. The amount is subsequently credited back to the cardholder's account, typically within two to ten business days.

To use this feature, members must opt in via the Velocity app, link an eligible card, and enable notifications. When an eligible purchase occurs, the app notifies the user and gives the option to apply points towards the bill. The minimum spend required is AUD $5, and the offer's availability may vary between venues.

Market trends

Recent research from me&u indicates that more than half of adult Australians have used its app in the past year, resulting in over a million orders each week. The chicken parmigiana emerged as the most ordered menu item, with almost 2.5 million sales. Customers also consumed more than 2.5 million litres of beer. Leading cocktail choices included Aperol Spritz, Espresso Martini, Tommy's Margarita, and Long Island Iced Tea.

Perspective from partners

"We're excited to partner with me&u, bringing even more value to our members and helping to turn their next meal into their dream holiday," said Nick Rohrlach, CEO, Velocity Frequent Flyer.

"We've seen a 40% increase in members earning Points through non-air partners. From shopping at Myer to dining out with me&u, we're opening up more ways for our members to earn and use their Points, on the ground not just in the air," said Rohrlach.

"By partnering with Velocity, we're giving Australians a little more back every time they order me&u - whether that's savings on their next meal or Points towards their next holiday. At me&u, we're focused on creating meaningful value for both venues and guests, and this partnership lets us deliver those rewards at scale. And this is just the beginning; soon, venues will also be able to offer their own bonus Point promotions, giving guests even more reason to dine out. Together, we're turning everyday dining into real benefits for millions of Australians and making great food even more rewarding," said Kim Teo, CEO, me&u.