Virgin Group to run trains through the Channel Tunnel?

According to a report in the Telegraph last weekend (paywall), Virgin Group is preparing to announce a new rail service to break Eurostar’s monopoly on the Channel Tunnel.

The report says that the former boss of Virgin Trains, Phil Whittingham, who joined First Group after Virgin Trains was wound up in 2019, is leading the plans. Whittingham has time on his hands after being forced out as Managing Director of Avanti West Coast last year due to service failures.

Virgin Group is not the only company considering options for the Channel Tunnel. Spanish operator Evolyn is also believed to be planning services.

Whilst there is substantial spare capacity on the HS1 rail line and through the Channel Tunnel, it isn’t clear how scarce platform space at London St Pancras would be allocated. One option may be for Virgin Group to operate from Stratford International, although I suspect that it would need to position itself as a low cost operator for this to succeed.

PS. The person negotiating with Evolyn and Virgin Group for track access rights will be Robert Sinclair. The CEO of London City Airport, who we have interviewed on HfP in the past, resigned last week and will be joining HS1 as CEO in January.

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How to get Club Eurostar points and lounge access from UK credit cards (March 2025)

Club Eurostar does not have a UK credit card.  However, you can earn Club Eurostar points by converting Membership Rewards points earned from selected UK American Express cards. 

Cards earning Membership Rewards points include:

• American Express Preferred Rewards Gold (review here, apply here) – sign-up bonus of 20,000 Membership Rewards points converts into 1,333 Club Eurostar points. This card is FREE for your first year and also comes with four free airport lounge passes.

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.

• The Platinum Card from American Express (review here, apply here) – sign-up bonus of 50,000 Membership Rewards points converts into 3,333 Club Eurostar points. Card benefits include Eurostar lounge access.

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.

• American Express Rewards credit card (review here, apply here) – sign-up bonus of 10,000 Membership Rewards points converts into 666 Club Eurostar points. This card is FREE for life.

Membership Rewards points convert at 15:1 into Club Eurostar points.  The cards above all earn 1 Membership Rewards point per £1 spent on your card, so you will get the equivalent of 1 Club Eurostar point for every £15 you spend.

American Express Platinum comes with a great Eurostar benefit – Eurostar lounge access!  

You can enter any Eurostar lounge, irrespective of your ticket type, by showing The Platinum Card at the desk.  No guests are allowed but you can get entry for your partner by issuing them with a free supplementary Amex Platinum card on your account.