1. The “Golden Pipeline”: Flybuys to Velocity
In 2026, the most efficient way to turn groceries into airfare is through the Velocity Frequent Flyer (Virgin Australia) partnership.
| Action | Result |
| The Transfer Rate | 1,000 Flybuys = 500 Velocity Points. |
| Minimum Transfer | 1,000 Flybuys points. |
| Status Credits | Earn 1 Status Credit for every $100 spent at Coles/Liquorland (up to 10/month). |
2026 Pro-Tip: Don’t transfer points as you go. Wait for a “Transfer Bonus” event (usually in May and November), where you can get an extra 15–25% bonus Velocity Points for the same amount of Flybuys.
2. The “4-Week Challenge” (The 10k Point Drop)
The fastest way to a free flight in 2026 is the “Spend and Get” offer. Coles frequently offers a massive bonus (usually 10,000 points) if you spend a certain amount (e.g., $50) for four consecutive weeks.
- The Math: 10,000 Flybuys points = 5,000 Velocity Points.
- The Flight: A one-way domestic flight (e.g., Sydney to Melbourne) often starts at 7,800 Velocity Points + taxes. One 4-week challenge gets you more than halfway there.
3. Triple-Dipping at Kmart, Target & Bunnings
In 2026, Flybuys is no longer just for food. The OnePass ($4/mo) integration is the ultimate “point multiplier” for students furnishing a room.
- Link OnePass: Get 5x points per $1 spent at Kmart, Target, and Bunnings.
- The Result: Furnishing a room for $300 at Kmart nets you 1,500 Flybuys points instantly.
- The Stack: Pay with a points-earning credit card (if you have one) to “triple-dip” on a single purchase.
4. The “20x Point” Gift Card Secret
This is the “cheat code” of 2026. Watch for weeks where Coles offers 20x points on third-party gift cards (Uber, Apple, Netflix, or Airbnb).
- The Play: If you spend $100 on an Airbnb gift card for a trip, you get 2,000 Flybuys points ($10 value).
- The Conversion: Those 2,000 points become 1,000 Velocity Points. It is the fastest way to build a flight balance without spending “extra” money.
5. 2026 “Flybuys Travel” vs. Point Transfer
You have two ways to use points for travel in 2026:
- Manual Transfer (Recommended): Converting to Velocity and booking “Reward Seats” offers the best value per point.
- Flybuys Travel: You can book any flight directly on the Flybuys Travel site using points like cash (200 points = $1). This is easier but often requires more points than a Reward Seat.
6. Checklist: Your Flight-Earning Routine
- Auto-Transfer OFF: Keep your points in Flybuys so you can wait for a Transfer Bonus to Velocity.
- The Monday Sweep: Check the Flybuys app every Monday at 5 PM for the “Sneak Peek” of the Wednesday catalogue.
- Survey Boosting: Use the “Flybuys Surveys” in the app during your commute. A 10-minute survey can net you 100–500 points.
- The “Status Credit” Cap: Spend at least $100 a month at Coles to keep your Velocity Status Credits ticking up—this leads to lounge access and priority boarding
