BIG NEWS: Major changes at Virgin Flying Club

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Virgin Atlantic announced major changes to Flying Club at 2pm today which, on the face of it, appear to move it closer to British Airways Executive Club in terms of earning and burning.

Unfortunately I am, literally, on a beach and Anika is, literally, getting onto a plane. I am therefore leaving it to you lot to analyse 🙂

There will be a full article tomorrow.

You can see details of the changes to Virgin Flying Club by clicking here.

Here is the official Virgin statement:

“Our goal is to make Flying Club a key differentiator for Virgin Atlantic customers, through the value we offer with miles and by enhancing their Virgin Atlantic experience. As a long haul airline, we know that our members have different needs from a loyalty programme and, by reimagining each component of Flying Club, we ‘re making it more relevant and engaging.”

“The changes we’re making will mean that, whether a customer only travels long haul for a holiday every few years, or they travel frequently or on business, Flying Club will offer them great value and benefits that really make a difference to their experience with us. This is the first step in an exciting journey of change for Flying Club with many more enhancements in the works that we will be announcing through 2017.”

How to earn Virgin Points from UK credit cards (December 2021)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Virgin Points from UK credit cards. Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

You can choose from two official Virgin Atlantic credit cards (apply here, one has a bonus of 15,000 points):

Virgin Atlantic Reward Mastercard

The UK’s most generous free Visa or Mastercard at 0.75 points / £1 Read our full review

Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard

15,000 points bonus and the most generous non-Amex for day to day spending Read our full review

You can also earn Virgin Points from various American Express cards – and these have sign-up bonuses too.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is FREE for a year and comes with 20,000 Membership Rewards points, which convert into 20,000 Virgin Points:

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & two airport lounge passes Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express comes with 30,000 Membership Rewards points, which convert into 30,000 Virgin Points:

The Platinum Card from American Express

30,000 points and an unbeatable set of travel benefits – for a fee Read our full review

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Virgin Points.

(Want to earn more Virgin Points? Click here to see our recent articles on Virgin Atlantic and Flying Club and click here for our home page with the latest news on earning and spending other airline and hotel points.)

Category

Virgin Atlantic and Flying Club

This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.

M Brown says:

31 Oct31 October 21:12

I assume the 2 economy bookings I have already made for after this date will now only earn at the new lower rate?
- Rob says:
  
  31 Oct31 October 22:04
  
  No, you get the higher rate.
Wetboy1uk says:

31 Oct31 October 21:25

The change in miles doesnt reqlly bother me but seems like there will be a significant increaee in taxes – would thia be correct?
- Dale says:
  
  31 Oct31 October 21:47
  
  Might mean the reasonable reward sales of 30% might be a thing of the past? Otherwise economy will be ridiculously cheap?
  - Lev441 says:
    
    31 Oct31 October 22:09
    
    this is what I am afraid of! ALways book in the reward seat sales!
Will Squires says:

31 Oct31 October 21:36

Are Hilton/IHG transfers unaffected?
- Anon says:
  
  31 Oct31 October 21:54
  
  Will – read above 2 hrs ago.. 🙂
  https://headforpoints.com/2016/10/31/big-news-major-changes-at-virgin-flying-club/comment-page-2/#comment-216659
James67 says:

31 Oct31 October 21:52

I was excited to see household accounts until I read they were restricted to gold only.
Lev441 says:

31 Oct31 October 22:14

Not the best news to get today…

My questions are:

1) Will the regular reward seat sales continue? I’ve booked all my reward redemptions in the sales in the past couple of years?
2) Wonder if there will be changes on the way for the flying club credit cards. Would be nice if they changed the PE upgrade voucher to an any class voucher like the Lloyds Avios card.
3) If I have flights booked now at current prices, will I need to pay the new redemption prices if I wanted to change the dates?
4) Any news on the other ‘enhancements’?
TGLoyalty says:

31 Oct31 October 22:56

Sticking with virgin

Virgin Red advertised a 10% bonus for 1st time Tesco converters anyone whose converted before do any and get a bonus?
- Rob says:
  
  1 Nov1 November 04:35
  
  Not sure. Even the app bonus was targeted – I didn’t have it. We need to wait another week I think until Clubcard vouchers go out.
  - Simmo says:
    
    1 Nov1 November 09:37
    
    Tesco Vouchers in my account already…. no sign of any bonus across Virgin/BA/Avios
    - Chris says:
      
      1 Nov1 November 11:55
      
      Apparently…’The promotion was between 01st August – 16th Sep. We had no other Tesco promotion after, I’m sorry to disappoint you.’
      
      I thought the Virgin Red promotion ran until the end of October…but can’t find any record of it now.
Bob says:

1 Nov1 November 03:33

Is it saying that we can book at the current rates until 12 November (to fly later) or only fly at the current rates until 12 November? (I think it says the changes are introduced then?)
- Rob says:
  
  1 Nov1 November 04:33
  
  Redemptions can be booked until Jan at current rates.
  
  Earn rates change on 13/11.
  - Bob says:
    
    1 Nov1 November 04:44
    
    Thanks
Paul Irving says:

1 Nov1 November 08:22

What would happen if I book a flight now, then move the dates after 13th November, would I need to pay the new amount of miles?
- Paul Irving says:
  
  1 Nov1 November 08:43
  
  Actually I think the redemption price hike in UC is from January onwards.