“Is it better to collect Avios or Virgin Flying Club miles via Clubcard?”
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Over Easter, I will be answering a number of the reader questions that were submitted via this article. If you didn’t take part this time, don’t worry as I will be re-running this feature in the Summer. Feel free to expand on or critique my answer using the Comments section below!
Today’s question is from Danielle who asked:
“I have just signed up to the Virgin Flying Club airmiles as they were offering bonus points of you had a Clubcard. I currently have about 19,000 miles and need 38,000 to travel to Chicago in July.
My partner has just signed up to Avios and seems to think its a better deal with the Clubcard. What I want to know is whats better, Avios or Virgin airmiles? If you are only collecting miles via a Tesco Clubcard?”
To be honest – in general – Avios are a more flexible currency than Virgin Flying Club miles. Your partner is right to that extent. For example:
You can redeem for European flights with Avios, which need only a small number (from 9,000 Avios return + £30 tax) which makes them ideal target redemptions for a Clubcard holder
BA has a wider long-haul network than Virgin
BA has a wider network of partner airlines than Virgin, especially now that Virgin has announced it will not be joining the SkyTeam alliance just yet
BA partners include Aer Lingus and airberlin, both of whom charge very low taxes on long-haul redemptions (see here and here)
You can redeem Avios for hotels or car hire at acceptable rates (0.6p-ish per Avios)
So, if I was building up a pot of airline miles via my Clubcard points with no particular goal in mind, then I would definitely want to be in Avios. Virgin may have a higher conversion rate (250 miles vs 240 Avios per £1 of Clubcard vouchers) but that is not enough to win me over.
However, in your case, it is different.
You have a specific destination in mind, and of course there has been a 50% bonus on Tesco to Virgin transfers in recent months. On that basis, it doesn’t make much difference which way you went.
That said, you will find – when you come to redeem – that if you had used Avios to Chicago on Aer Lingus via Dublin, or on airberlin via Berlin, your taxes bill would have been lower than redeeming on either BA or Virgin.
How to earn Virgin Points from UK credit cards (December 2024)
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, the Reward+ card has a bonus of 18,000 Virgin Points and the free card has a bonus of 3,000 Virgin Points):
Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard
18,000 bonus points and 1.5 points for every £1 you spend Read our full review
Virgin Atlantic Reward Mastercard
3,000 bonus points, no fee and 1 point for every £1 you spend 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.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 14th January 2025, the sign-up bonus on ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is increased to 30,000 Membership Rewards points. This converts into 30,000 Virgin Points. Click here to apply.
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold
Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review
The Platinum Card from American Express comes with 50,000 Membership Rewards points, which convert into 50,000 Virgin Points.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 14th January 2025, the sign-up bonus on The Platinum Card from American Express is increased to 80,000 Membership Rewards points. This converts into 80,000 Virgin Points! The spend requirement is changed to £10,000 in six months for this offer. Click here to apply.
The Platinum Card from American Express
Huge 80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review
Small business owners should consider the two American Express Business cards. Points convert at 1:1 into Virgin Points.
American Express Business Platinum
50,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review
American Express Business Gold
20,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year 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.)
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