Virgin Atlantic will NOT be joining the SkyTeam alliance

If you have been following the Virgin Atlantic / Delta tie-up, this statement may have taken you by surprise.

Late last year, Delta Air Lines of the US announced that it was buying the 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic held by Singapore Airlines, a sale which crystalised a large loss for Singapore.

At the time of the deal, it was widely assumed that Virgin would join the SkyTeam alliance.  Delta is already a core member, the alliance has only a modest existing presence at Heathrow, and it would drive extra business to Virgin Atlantic.

Given how much money Virgin lost last year (£135m), I assumed it would be desperate for all the business it could get.  It would also make Virgin Flying Club into a more serious competitor to British Airways Executive Club, since you would have been able to redeem across all 19 SkyTeam members.

But, according to this new statement, it isn’t going to happen.  At least not in the short term.  And Virgin Flying Club will be all the worse because of it.

Of course, Virgin didn’t join Star Alliance despite having Star member Singapore Airlines as a 49% shareholder for years.  But we all know how that turned out ….

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How to earn Virgin Points from UK credit cards (April 2025)

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 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. 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 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

The Platinum Card from American Express

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.