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Virgin pilots strike cancelled, whilst Virgin Atlantic / Flybe talks continue

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The proposed Virgin Atlantic pilot strike, which we covered last week, has been blocked in the courts.

The strike was due to run from today to Christmas Day and then on additional dates in the New Year.  It would only have impacted flights flown by the Professional Pilots Union.  As the court judgement was given on the grounds of an improper strike ballot, there is no risk of any action until a fresh ballot has taken place.

Meanwhile …..

Virgin Atlantic and Flybe ‘still in talks’

Virgin Atlantic issued a fresh statement, under Stock Exchange rules, on Wednesday regarding Flybe. 

It said:

“Following our statement on 23 November 2018, Virgin Atlantic confirms that we continue to review our options in respect of Flybe, including potentially making an offer for Flybe. Discussions with Flybe and its management are continuing. Virgin Atlantic emphasises there can be no certainty that any offer will be made nor as to the terms upon which any offer may be made.”

So …. something may still happen between the two companies.  There was some speculation that Virgin Atlantic was not serious and was simply taking the opportunity to have a good look at Flybe’s books, but this does not seem to be the case.

How to earn Virgin Points from UK credit cards

How to earn Virgin Points from UK credit cards (April 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 15,000 Virgin Points):

Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard

15,000 bonus points and 1.5 points for every £1 you spend Read our full review

Virgin Atlantic Reward Mastercard

A generous earning rate for a free card at 0.75 points per £1 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.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express comes with 40,000 Membership Rewards points, which convert into 40,000 Virgin Points.

The Platinum Card from American Express

40,000 bonus points and a huge range of valuable benefits – for a 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

40,000 points sign-up bonus 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.)

Category

Virgin Atlantic and Flying Club

Comments (88)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Shoestring says:
    22 Dec22 December 09:13

    Well I never! 🙂

    JULIANBRAY
    @aviationcomment
    #gatwick #drones arrested person wearing hi- viz vest and cycle helmet. Motorist says two drones one 4 ft wide, had flashing lights. Using a pushbike perp. constantly moved, used back streets footway paths and was ‘in plain sight’ of security forces most of the time says source.

    JULIANBRAY
    @aviationcomment
    #Gatwick Police arrested two people overnight connection with criminal activity relating to drones over the troubled airport. A motorist tipped off a newspaper when he saw two large #drones being broken down for packing into transit containers on the back of a bicycle!

  • Jordie says:
    22 Dec22 December 09:22

    O/T looks like I’ve been hit by the BA data breach. Someone range my mobile provider and blocked my sim and then rang my CC company band transferred over 2 grand to a bank account.

    • ChrisT says:
      22 Dec22 December 09:34

      How did they know your CC security details that they used when calling? That would not have been on the BA data.

      Also if money was transferred to a bank account, tell the police so they can trace who opened the bank account.

      What you wrote sounds suspiciously like you wanted to slam the BA data breach. Using an obvious CC password over the phone is on you I’m afriad.

      • Jordie says:
        22 Dec22 December 09:46

        How have I slammed BA?
        Whoever did this have a lot of my information including date of birth etc Mobile phone provider, cc company are both investigating and I have filed reports with action fraud.

        • Andrew says:
          22 Dec22 December 18:43

          Date of birth is easy. You wouldn’t believe how many people do stupid stuff like publicly share birthday celebration pics.

          It may be the BA breach, chances are you’ve been targetted via a completely different route. There is a vast amount of personal data swimming out there.

          Have you been given a copy of the audio? You might recognise the voice…

      • Anna says:
        22 Dec22 December 12:19

        Agreed, your credit card company would have asked extra security questions before making any transactions, these wouldn’t have been in BA’s database. Also, what would they have to gain by blocking your SIM?

        • Jordie says:
          22 Dec22 December 12:47

          Probably so I didn’t receive any messages regarding the transaction or the bank couldn’t call on the day they were doing it. The phone company advised this has happened a lot this year.

        • ChrisT says:
          22 Dec22 December 13:58

          Were your CC security details perhaps a partner’s name or date of birth that may have been on a booking? If so, that’s on you for having chose something easy to guess, and I suggest you change all passwords that use those details or you may find further issues.

          If not, how did they get through your CC security?

    • the_real_a says:
      22 Dec22 December 14:00

      “Sim swap fraud” – very common right now

      • Jordie says:
        22 Dec22 December 15:05

        In reply to Chris T. I use last pass for all my passwords online, in regards to the security questions with the credit card company I don’t know as I don’t know what questions they asked over the phone but they appear to have detailed info on me. My phone provider have been the most helpfull.

  • A270 says:
    22 Dec22 December 10:57

    OT: I need to follow up on my Lloyds Avios Voucher but I usually get told by Lloyds that they are closed over the weekend. Does anyone have a number that’s open on the weekend? They never asked for my Avios when applying for a credit card and hence had to ask for a manual transfer but even now my Avios are not being transferred and I don’t know how to access my voucher.

    • Anna says:
      22 Dec22 December 12:22

      Do you mean Lloyds are closed at the weekend? I guess is that particular department is closed you’ll just have to wait till Monday. Your voucher is accessible by calling avios.com, however it’s not clear whether you mean Lloyds hasn’t issued it yet.

  • Stu287 says:
    22 Dec22 December 11:00

    I got a mail from Hilton the other day asking if i was interested in joining an online community. Did anyone else get this?

    Dear Stuart,

    The Hilton portfolio of hotel brands would like to offer you the opportunity to join an exclusive, online community limited in membership to 750 guests.

    I filled out the required survey and it mentioned that through regular contribution you would get some rewards, is anyone already a member of this group?

    • Fenny says:
      22 Dec22 December 11:38

      Not had this one, but I’ve been a member of various of these type of groups in the past. There are some that give excellent rewards and others that require participation for not a lot in return. Best ones were for The Times and Baileys, where I ended up with several hundred quids worth of Amazon vouchers.

      It’s generally worth signing up and then seeing what kind of contributions they are looking for.

  • Darren says:
    22 Dec22 December 11:19

    O/T, Miami Car rental.

    Looking to get a premium car from Miami Airport and I’m considering Sixt as they heavily advertise Merc’s etc rather than Hyundia/Ford, but they are getting slammed on review sites, this may be a bait and switch tactic? Any first hand experience?

    I’d usually use Avis as I’m normally not too bothered what I get and I don’t rate any rental company higher than another.

    • Clive says:
      22 Dec22 December 12:00

      I have used Sixt many times in the US (FL/AZ) and had superb service. I matched my loyalty card to the Sixt programme, which gave me Platinum, and was often given a one or two car upgrade. Had Volvo XC90 upgraded from a GLA and also Cadillac SUVs which were brand new.

    • Ben says:
      22 Dec22 December 16:54

      I used Sixt for the past couple of years at LAX. Both times for a Range Rover Evoke or Last year was the BMW 4 series when I only reserved a Ford Mustang.
      I think as they are newer they are trying to win the business from Alamo etc.

  • Kai says:
    22 Dec22 December 13:25

    Re. Amex Platinum Travel Insurance: I thought Rob has mentioned many times that you are covered as long as you pay with any Amex card? My flight is delayed and just called to ask about information, and was told since I didn’t pay with the Platinum card (I used the SPG card), I’m not entitled to any benefits.

  • TM says:
    22 Dec22 December 15:49

    OT – What success have people had getting hotel loyalty numbers added to reservations made third-party (specifically Amex Travel)? I’m not really after points, more the status benefits.

    I just tried to add my Marriott number to a reservation, Marriott said their system wouldn’t do it and to contact the hotel directly. The hotel said it was added successfully.

    Has anyone tried to do this with Marriott/Hilton/Radisson? Would be interested to know of success/failure stories

    • Anna says:
      22 Dec22 December 16:50

      I’ve had status recognised at the Hilton at Manchester airport, and the HGI we’re using in Rome next year has added my HH number and guaranteed 2 x free breakfast (4 nights so a decent saving). Both were booked via BA. It’s best to contact the hotel directly as HH will be quite aggressive about denying you benefits if you haven’t booked direct.

  • Pid says:
    22 Dec22 December 17:51

    Does paying amex with curve linked to virgin MasterCard attract any fees? I can not recall if someone said it did or not. I know ing card does not.

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