Relax in a Virgin Upper Class seat in your nearest Virgin Money lounge!

I wrote yesterday about the Virgin Money promotion for 5,000 Flying Club miles for opening an ISA.

One of the odder upsides of having an account with Virgin Money (the old Northern Rock) is that it gives you access to their new network of city centre lounges.

This is quite a novel idea.  They are, basically, like very pleasant airport lounges.  They are more leisure focussed than the Regus business centre lounges I have discussed on here before – you don’t get a piano at Regus!  Neither is Regus open at the weekend – the Virgin lounges are open seven days a week.

I went along to the London lounge, situated just off Piccadilly Circus, a couple of days ago.  It is in the same building as the Virgin Money offices.  Oddly, it is on the first floor – you need to enter the building and take a flight of stairs up.  (Visitors to the Virgin Trains lounge at Euston will know the feeling!)

You can visit if you have any sort of account with Virgin Money, although you need to register in advance here.  On your first visit, they will (on sight of photo ID and proof of your account) give you an access card.  You can bring in guests without problems.

Note that these are NOT bank branches.  You cannot undertake banking services even if you want to, and there is absolutely no attempt to sell you anything whilst you are there.

Above is main relaxation area. There is a piano (!) behind where I stood, plus some board games!  Coffee, tea, soft drinks and biscuits are free and self serve.

This is the ‘library’ bit.  In an impressive move, you can take an iPad from the shelf and use it for browsing whilst in the lounge.  (There is also free wi-fi for your own devices.)  There are 2 Macs as well as you can see, along with newspapers and magazines.

Here is the oddest bit.  Here are a pair of fully functioning Virgin Upper Class seats!  The clever bit is that the TV monitor has been replaced with an iPad, so you can turn the seat into a bed and surf away to your hearts content!

There are similar Virgin Money lounges in Norwich, Edinburgh and Manchester.

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How to earn Virgin Points from UK credit cards (March 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.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 8th April 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Business Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to 120,000 points. You receive 80,000 points when you spend £12,000 within three months and a further 40,000 points if you spend on the card between Month 14 and Month 17. Points convert 1:1 into Avios and many other programmes. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 8th April 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Business Gold is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 60,000 points. You receive 40,000 points when you spend £6,000 within three months and a further 20,000 points if you spend on the card between Month 14 and Month 17. Points convert 1:1 into Avios and many other programmes. Click here to apply.

American Express Business Platinum

Up to 120,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

American Express Business Gold

Up to 60,000 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.