News: Opodo and ebookers discounts, which Virgin Atlantic routes will use airberlin planes?

News in brief:

Opodo and ebookers launch new discount codes

Opodo and ebookers have new discount codes for anyone booking a flight or a ‘flight and hotel’ package in the next few days.

Via this link (click here), Opodo is offering £35 off a £500 flight or £100 of an £1100 ‘flight and hotel’ package.  You need to book by 11th January.  You can travel at any time but must depart from a UK airport.

Via this special link (click here), ebookers is offering £60 off a £500 spend.  You must book a flight and hotel package to qualify.  Book before 8th January for travel by 31st October.

Virgin Atlantic releases list of airberlin aircraft switches

We have covered the saga of Virgin Atlantic’s ‘out of service’ Boeing 787 fleet in recent weeks.

To get around the medium term loss of a number of aircraft which require new engines, Virgin Atlantic has leased a number of ex-airberlin A330 aircraft.  These are currently having a light refurbishment to give them the Virgin Atlantic look and feel, albeit with the existing airberlin seating.

Our last review of airberlin Business Class is here.  It is a decent seat and actually more suitable for families and couples than Virgin’s Upper Class product in my view.

The Virgin Atlantic website – click here – has now published a list of services from Manchester and Gatwick which will be flown with ex-airberlin aircraft.

If you have been booked to fly Premium Economy on these services you should already have been contacted, as no Premium Economy seating will be available. 

If you are booked in Economy you may want to look at your seat reservation as the seating is now 2-4-2.  In Upper Class, you may also want to rethink where you sit as you are effectively getting a staggered 1-2-1 configuration.

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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.