Major Improvements to the Virgin Atlantic Credit Card

Yesterday Virgin Atlantic announced some big changes to the voucher you can earn with your Virgin Atlantic Credit Card. Unusually in the point collection game, these changes are a huge improvement! You may be convinced to apply for one like I just have…

This is my experience using the points system and is not a recommendation of any financial product. There are other credit cards which can earn you travel points including IHG credit card, Tesco Credit Cards (by exchanging Clubcard points for avios, hotel stays and more) & American Express credit cards. If you use one of my referral links to an American Express card upon you being accepted I will receive points, this varies between 9,000 – 18,000 depending on the card I refer you from.

What does a Virgin Atlantic Credit Card voucher get me?

Previously the voucher wasn’t particularly exciting for someone who doesn’t hold Virgin Flying Club status. You could use the voucher for…

1) 2 tickets for the price of 1 (in miles) when making Virgin Flying Club redemptions on Virgin Atlantic. Taxes and charges apply to both tickets.

Your booking class was restricted by your status level, Red members could only redeem in Economy, Silver members in Premium and Gold members in Upper Class. Not particularly good for those who don’t fly with Virgin Atlantic regularly!

2) Upgrading 1 return flight or 2 one-way flights from Economy to Premium. Good for solo flyers.

3) A voucher for Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse lounge access if flying with Virgin Atlantic. Pretty useless and a waste of a voucher to be honest.

What’s changed?

Quite a lot!

1. You can now use a 2-4-1 voucher in ANY class booking regardless of your Virgin Atlantic Flying Club status level. There are some restrictions however, Red members can redeem in ANY class but with Upper-Class bookings, the voucher only provides a 50% discount off the 2nd ticket. Silver and Gold members can redeem ANY class with no such restriction.
   
   Another huge change is that you can use your 2-4-1 voucher on CASH bookings too! This relies on there being reward tickets available for the 2nd ticket. This works in a similar way to reward bookings with a 2-4-1 voucher, Red members can redeem in ANY class but with Upper-Class bookings, the voucher only provides a 50% discount of the miles required for a 2nd ticket. Silver and Gold members can redeem ANY class with no such restriction.
   
   Remember taxes and charges apply will apply to any bookings paid for in ‘miles’. A potential downside to using your 2-4-1 with a cash booking is that your cash ticket will not, unless you pay full fare, be cancellable or refundable.
   
2. The upgrade voucher is no longer restricted to Economy to Premium upgrades AND it can be used on cash bookings. This means you can upgrade any Economy ticket paid in cash or miles (except Economy Light) to Premium OR any Premium ticket paid in cash or miles to Upper-Class! Remember there needs to be reward availability in the class you are looking to upgrade to.
   
   You can either upgrade a return flight for one person or two one way flights for two people.
   
3. The last (and least exciting!) change is that the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse lounge voucher is now valid if you are flying with Delta Air Lines, KLM or Air France too.

How do I earn a Virgin Atlantic Credit Card voucher?

Virgin Atlantic has two credit cards on which you can earn a voucher. They are the Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard & the Virgin Atlantic Reward Mastercard.

Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard – https://uk.virginmoney.com/cards/products/vaa-cards

You will receive a 2-4-1 voucher when you spend £10,000 in a year. The card has an annual fee of £160 and comes with a 15,000 miles bonus after your first purchase.

Virgin Atlantic Reward Mastercard – https://uk.virginmoney.com/cards/products/vaa-cards

You will receive a 2-4-1 voucher when you spend £20,000 in a year. The card has no annual fee and currently has no sign-up bonus

Conclusion

Overall the Virgin Atlantic credit cards have taken a huge leap in providing value. I can see a lot more spend being put through them now they have opened up restrictions on the 2-4-1 voucher, particularly as a Mastercard which is accepted in more places than American Express.

You can read more about the changes on the Virgin Atlantic website here – https://www.virginatlantic.com/content/vaa/gb/en/flying-club/reward-flight-sale.html – are you tempted to get a Virgin Atlantic Credit Card with the latest changes?