Bits: seven new British Airways short haul routes, what is the best Virgin Atlantic redemption?
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News in brief:
New British Airways short haul routes announced
British Airways has added seven new short haul routes from London Heathrow to their Summer 2017 season.
Included is one of the most gorgeous cities I’ve been to: Tallinn in Estonia. (Here is my review of the Hilton Tallinn Park hotel and a photo from my trip is below.)
In total there will be six new routes from Terminal 5 and one new route from Terminal 3.
Terminal 5:
- Brindisi (Tuesdays and Saturdays)
- Montpellier (Wednesdays and Saturdays)
- Murcia (Tuesdays and Saturdays)
- Nantes (Wednesdays and Saturdays)
- Tallinn (Tuesdays and Saturdays)
- Zakynthos (Wednesdays and Saturdays)
Terminal 3:
- Pula (Tuesdays and Saturdays)
Cash and Avios redemption seats are available for booking at ba.com.
This is the best Virgin Atlantic redemption
Head for Points dedicated a lot of time this week to analysing the changes to Virgin Flying Club.
What we didn’t point out at the time is that there is one ‘no brainer’ best redemption out there.
It is illegal to add any sort of fuel surcharge to flights which are booked from Hong Kong. This does not apply to return tickets which start elsewhere, however. Your ticket must start in Hong Kong.
After 16th January, a one-way redemption from Hong Kong to London will cost, off peak:
12,500 Flying Club miles + £35 in Economy
22,500 Flying Club miles + £35 in Premium Economy
57,500 Flying Club miles + £35 in Upper Class
You really can’t argue with that. You obviously need to get to Hong Kong in the first place, as those are one way prices to get back to London, but this flight would be a great addition to a round the world itinerary.
PS. It is also illegal to add fuel surcharges to flights departing Brazil, which makes one way Avios redemptions from Brazil to London (on BA) or Madrid (on Iberia) also a great deal.
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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.
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