The 5 Best Ways to Use Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Points

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Detailed Breakdown of the Top 5 Uses for Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Points

1. Fly to Japan in Luxury with ANA First and Business Class

One of the most celebrated “sweet spots” in the world of points and miles is redeeming virgin atlantic flying club points for flights on All Nippon Airways (ANA), a non-alliance partner. The value here is simply outstanding, especially when compared to what other flight loyalty programs charge for similar redemptions. ANA is renowned for its exceptional premium cabin products, including “The Suite” in first class and “The Room” in business class on many of its long-haul aircraft.

You can fly one-way from the Central or Eastern U.S. to Japan in ANA’s incredible first class for just 85,000 virgin atlantic flying club points, or in their world-class business class for only 60,000 points. From the West Coast, the rates are even better: 72,500 for first class and 52,500 for business. Considering these flights can often cost over $15,000 and $8,000 respectively, the value proposition of using your virgin atlantic flying club points is undeniable. While finding award availability can be the biggest hurdle, the payoff is well worth the effort. To book, you’ll need to find saver award space using a Star Alliance search tool and then call Virgin Atlantic to complete the reservation.

2. Cross the Atlantic in Style with Air France/KLM Business Class

Thanks to a strong partnership within the transatlantic joint venture that also includes Delta, using your virgin atlantic flying club points for business class flights on Air France and KLM is another fantastic option. This redemption is particularly appealing because the taxes and fees are often significantly lower than what you’d pay on Virgin Atlantic’s own flights to London. For example, a one-way business class flight from the East Coast of the U.S. to many European destinations can be booked for as few as 48,500 virgin atlantic flying club points during off-peak dates.

This provides an accessible way to experience a lie-flat business class seat to Europe, making it a popular choice among those who participate in flight loyalty programs. Keep an eye out for transfer bonuses from credit card partners to make this excellent redemption even better. You can search for and book these awards directly on the Virgin Atlantic website, which simplifies the process considerably..

3. Get to the U.K. for Less with Delta Main Cabin

While premium cabin redemptions often steal the spotlight, using your virgin atlantic flying club points for economy flights can also offer tremendous value. A prime example is booking Delta Air Lines Main Cabin seats to the United Kingdom. During off-peak periods, it’s possible to find one-way flights for as little as 10,000 to 15,000 virgin atlantic flying club points. This is a fraction of what Delta’s own SkyMiles program often charges for the same flights, which can run into the tens of thousands of miles.

This redemption is perfect for families or solo travelers looking for a cost-effective way to get to London and beyond. The ability to use a small number of virgin atlantic flying club points for a transatlantic flight is a significant advantage of the program. While you will still be responsible for taxes and fees, the low point requirement makes this a very attractive option for those who are flexible with their travel dates. You can search for these awards on Virgin Atlantic’s website, and they even have a handy reward seat checker to help you find the best availability.

4. Experience Virgin’s Own Upper Class

Of course, one of the most aspirational uses of virgin atlantic flying club points is to fly in Virgin Atlantic’s own Upper Class. Known for its stylish cabins, onboard bars on some aircraft, and chic Clubhouse lounges, it’s an experience many travelers aim for. The program uses a dynamic pricing model for its own flights, but there are still “Saver” fares that offer the best value. During off-peak times, you can find one-way Upper Class seats from the U.S. East Coast to the U.K. starting at 47,500 virgin atlantic flying club points.

The key to getting the most value from this redemption is to be flexible and travel during the standard season, as peak season prices can be significantly higher. It’s important to note that Virgin Atlantic does pass on carrier-imposed surcharges, which can be quite substantial, especially on round-trip bookings originating from the U.K. However, for a one-way flight to London, this can still be a great deal, particularly if you’re taking advantage of a credit card transfer bonus.

5. Unlock a World of Destinations with SkyTeam Partners

In early 2023, Virgin Atlantic officially joined the SkyTeam alliance, dramatically increasing the number of ways you can use your virgin atlantic flying club points. This opened up redemptions on a host of new airlines, including Korean Air, ITA Airways, and Aeromexico. Virgin Atlantic uses a distance-based award chart for most of its SkyTeam partners, which can present some excellent opportunities for both short-haul and long-haul travel.

For example, you could book a one-way business class flight on ITA Airways from Boston to Rome for 75,000 points. Or you could fly within Asia on partners like China Airlines or Korean Air for a relatively low number of points. This expanded partner network makes virgin atlantic flying club points more versatile than ever, transforming it from a niche program into a major player in the flight loyalty programs landscape. To learn more about specific partner airlines, see our In-Depth Review of SkyTeam Partners.

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