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Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is offering a tiered bonus on purchases of “Virgin Points.” Until March 31st, all Flying Club members can get up to a 70% bonus. The cost per point changes depending on which country the account is registered in. If your account is registered in the US, the maximum bonus brings the cost down to 1.48 cents per point. Those with accounts registered in the UK get a much better deal a with a low price of 1.13 cents per point, well below our reasonable redemption value for Virgin Points of 1.3.
These points sales have been offered fairly frequently over the last couple of years and Virgin Atlantic does have some compelling high-value sweet spots. That said, points can be fairly easy to generate as VA partners with Citi, Chase, Bilt and Amex, so it’s usually not a good idea to buy speculatively. If you do have an eye on a specific high-value redemption and are low on transferrable points, this bonus could be worth looking at (especially for UK-registered accounts).
The Deal
Up to a 70% bonus on Virgin Points purchases according to the following tiers:
• 5,000 – 24,000: 20% Bonus
• 25,000 – 69,000: 40% Bonus
• 70,000 – 124,000: 60% Bonus
• 125,000 – 200,000: 70% Bonus
Direct link to offer (must log-in to see bonus)
Terms and Conditions
- Up to 70% bonus points applicable to Buy Points purchases made between 7th March and 23:59 GMT 31st March 2024 will be eligible to receive bonus points.
- When you buy 5,000-24,000 points you will earn 20% bonus points, 25,000-69,000 = 40% bonus, 70,000 – 124,000 = 60% bonus, 125,000 – 200,000 = 70% bonus.
- The bonus points will be credited at the point of purchase and will appear on the members account within 24 hours.
- A member can purchase a total of 100,000 points each calendar year, in increments of 1,000 points. Between 7th March and 23:59 GMT 31st March 2024, the limit has been increased to 200,000. A member can purchase a total of 200,000 points each, in increments of 1,000 points.
- Members will have the right to cancel any purchases of points for up to 14 days after the date of purchase provided that none of the purchased points have been redeemed. If any of the purchased points have been redeemed, the member will not be entitled to a refund for any of the purchased points including those that have not been redeemed. Once the 14 day cooling off period has expired any points purchased and received by members are non-refundable and non-transferable, except as expressly permitted under the terms and conditions of Flying Club.
- Every purchase comes with a one-off £15/$22 transaction fee. Members can purchase points in increments of 1,000. It costs £15/$25 for every 1,000 base points purchased. For example, if a member buys 1,000 base points they will pay £30/$47, if they buy 5,000 base points they will pay £90/$147 and if they buy 10,000 base points they will pay £165/$272.
- You won’t be able to buy, gift (or transfer) points if your points balance is zero.
Best Uses Virgin Points
- ANA First Class from the US for 72.5K (West Coast) - 85K (East Coast). For a long time, the sweetest of Virgin Points sweet spots was for First Class awards from the US to Japan on ANA. Unfortunately, Virgin devalued those awards in March 2023, but even with substantial increases these awards are still a solid value if not the amazing value they used to be. ANA has one of the best first class products around, often selling for over $20,000. This is an incredible points value...especially now that you can now book one-way awards for half the price shown above. It's worth noting that ANA flights can't be booked on the VA website, so you have to call or message via Twitter (see below).
- US to UK Economy for 10K (East Coast) - 15K (West Coast). Virgin Points can be used to fly to London at great value. Virgin Atlantic offers the same pricing whether flying Delta or Virgin Atlantic, but fees are higher when flying Delta. Flying from the US to London for 10K to 15K during standard season is a bargain even after accounting for moderate award fees ($150-225). Note that flights originating in the UK have considerably higher fees.
- Delta Business from US to Europe for 50K. Virgin Points can be used to book Delta business class from the US to Europe for only 50,000 points one way, with minimal surcharges when flying from the US. Flights to/from the UK and originating in Europe include extremely high award fees. Mixed Partner Awards can be an excellent value as well.
- Air France or KLM flights within Europe. Virgin Atlantic has great rates for nonstop flights within Europe on Air France or KLM. They charge between 4K and 8.5K for nonstop economy flights under 1250 miles in distance (which is most within Europe), and between 8K and 9K for business class flights under 600 miles in distance. Details here: Air France & KLM across Europe for less.
Things to Know
- Virgin Points purchases are processed by points.com and DO NOT qualify as airfare.
- Virgin Points do not expire.
- Many itineraries can be booked online at virginatlantic.com. This includes some partner flights such as Delta, Air France, and KLM.
- For partner flights that cannot be booked online, it is sometimes possible book via Twitter by sending a direct message on Twitter to @VirginAtlantic. If they respond that they cannot sell any flights which do not fly via the UK, tell them that you are not looking to purchase a flight but rather to redeem points to book an award ticket.
- Virgin Atlantic charges separately for every leg of the trip. When multiple legs are required, it is often cheaper to book the same flights with Air France Flying Blue miles or (sometimes) Delta SkyMiles.
- Point transfers from Amex, Chase, or Citi to Virgin Atlantic are usually instantaneous. It's best to find available award space before transferring points and then transfer and book the award.
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In all fairness it should be mentioned that the likelihood of finding Delta One awards for 50K Virgin points is extremely low.