Virgin Red to close its Red Room VIP box at the AO Arena in Manchester

Two weeks ago we announced that Virgin Red has added a box at The O2 in London with tickets available for Virgin Points. 12 artists are now bookable for June and early July, including Peter Kay and Liam Gallagher.

This was, we assumed, on top of the Virgin Red Room box at the AO Arena in Manchester. You have been able to redeem Virgin Points for seats there since Virgin Red launched – this article shows you what Sinead found when she gave it a try last year.

We were wrong.

According to an email sent to a HfP reader, Virgin Red is giving up its box at the AO Arena. It will be focussing on the new box at The O2 instead.

I don’t blame Virgin Red for this. Obviously we don’t know what the proposed new terms were on the AO Arena suite, but the venue has lost most of its big upcoming events to the new Co-Op Live arena.

Had Virgin Red continued with its box, it would not have had access to the biggest concerts in Manchester.

It isn’t clear how much longer tickets will be available for AO Arena shows. The email says that the contract on the box ends ‘this summer’.

The last concert currently showing on the Virgin Red app is Peter Kay on 24th August.

If you want to see the Red Room before it closes, you can currently redeem for:

• Theo Von, 13th June (25,000 Virgin Points for two)

• Peter Kay, 15th June (60,000 Virgin Points for two)

• Troye Sivan, 22nd June (30,000 Virgin Points for two)

• Paul Smith, 12th July (30,000 Virgin Points for two)

• Peter Kay, 23rd and 24th August (60,000 Virgin Points for two)

You can find out more about what you will get in our review of the Manchester Red Room experience here.

PS. After this article was published, Virgin Red told us in a statement:

Virgin Red’s contract with the AO Arena comes to an end this summer, however, we’re pleased to confirm we’re putting the finishing touches on the new Virgin Red Room at London’s O2 with tickets now available to purchase with your Virgin Points for shows from 2 June 2024.  We know how popular our rewards and experiences are and continue to find new ways for our members to spend Virgin Points across the country.

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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.