Virgin Atlantic announces three new codeshares including EL AL

Virgin Atlantic has announced three new codeshare deals. Two are with SkyTeam (or future SkyTeam) partners so it doesn’t mean much in terms of earning Virgin Points and tier points. The third, however, is a genuinely new airline.

EL AL

Virgin Atlantic will sell and put its own flight numbers on EL AL flights between London and Tel Aviv from next week. This will be reciprocated with EL AL flight numbers on Virgin Atlantic’s flights to Tel Aviv when they relaunch on 5th September.

As long as you book EL AL via the Virgin Atlantic website, or another route which ensures that your flight has a VS flight number, it will earn Virgin Points and Virgin Flying Club tier points.

Saudia

Less relevant for UK travellers but still new, Virgin Atlantic will add codeshares from London to Jeddah and Riyadh and Manchester to Jeddah for customers booking a Virgin Atlantic flight to/from the United States. The codeshares do not apply to stand-alone bookings for Saudia flights to/from the UK.

As Saudia is an existing SkyTeam member, you have always been able to earn and spend Virgin Points, and earn Virgin Flying Club tier points, on their flights irrespective of the flight number.

SAS

SAS is due to join SkyTeam on 1st September and Virgin Atlantic has said that a number of codeshare routes will be added. No detailed announcements have been made but I would expect to see connections to/from SAS hubs to connect with Virgin Atlantic long haul flights.

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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.