Virgin Atlantic cuts redemption prices and scraps change fees at Virgin Flying Club

Virgin Atlantic has announced a few key changes to Virgin Flying Club redemptions tonight as it attempts to put bums on seats during the coronavirus crisis.

Change 1

First, redemptions made between 18.15 tonight (Friday 6th March) and the end of March will NOT incur change fees.  This allows you to change the date of your redemption, subject to seats being available, for free.

Standard cancellation charges will still apply, as per any usual Flying Club redemption, should you want to cancel your ticket entirely and get all your miles and taxes back.

Change 2

Three routes have seen their mileage requirements cut.  These discounts are already live and are valid for bookings until 20th March.

Heathrow to Washington Dulles

Economy tickets, for travel in April and May, reduced by 5,000 miles

The new price is 15,000 miles on standard dates and 35,000 miles on peak dates

Heathrow to Boston

Premium tickets, for travel in April and May, reduced by 10,000 miles

The new price is 25,000 miles on standard dates and 45,000 miles on peak dates

Heathrow to Boston

Upper Class tickets, for travel in April, reduced by 15,000 miles

The new price is 80,000 miles on standard dates and 100,000 miles on peak dates

This seems a bit half-hearted, but if you were planning to visit these cities anyway then a discount is a discount.  Whether cash prices have gone down by more than the value of the mileage discount is another question …..

Change 3

Virgin Atlantic has opened up availability sharply on many key routes.  As it happens, British Airways has done the same this afternoon.

There is a SeatSpy search box to your in the right hand sidebar if you are reading this on desktop, or under under this article on the mobile site.

This availability has not been opened up across the board.  I can’t see much improvement on tourist routes such as Barbados, for example, from either British Airways or Virgin Atlantic.

However, if you don’t have anything booked for Easter then now is a VERY good time to start looking.  The Virgin Flying Club home page is here.

PS. Here is a tip. Do NOT pay for excess baggage or, on BA, seat reservations.  This money is not refundable if you voluntarily cancel later.

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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.