Now Virgin Atlantic launches a status match for BA (and other airline) elites

Virgin Atlantic has followed Flying Blue (see our article here) in launching a status match for dissaffected British Airways Executive Club members.

The Virgin Atlantic match does not have the £99 administration fee requested by Flying Blue.

There are some downsides, however, especially for British Airways Silver members.

You can find full details, and apply, on this page of the Virgin Atlantic website.

This match looks unattractive for British Airways Executive Club Silver members compared to the Flying Blue alternative.

Not only do you have to book a Virgin Atlantic flight before you will be matched (Flying Blue does not ask for a booking) you will only receive Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Silver status in return.

This has fewer benefits than British Airways Silver status, including no lounge access. More importantly, it only maps to SkyTeam Elite which means you don’t get lounge access with other SkyTeam airlines either.

If you are British Airways Silver, you should probably do the Flying Blue match instead:

• you will receive Flying Blue Gold status, which is SkyTeam Elite Plus and gets you lounge access

• you don’t need to book a flight to be matched

• …. although you do need to pay a £99 administration fee

One reason why you MIGHT want Virgin Atlantic Silver is if you have the Virgin Atlantic Reward credit cards. Having elite status doubles the value of your annual voucher from 75,000 Virgin Points to 150,000.

How does the Virgin Atlantic status match work?

If you are British Airways Gold (because this is probably a bad deal for Silver members compared to the Flying Blue match) this is how it works:

• you must have an existing Virgin Atlantic booking (one way or return) in Upper Class or Premium

• alternatively, you can book a Business Class or Premium Economy flight with a codeshare partner as long as your flight carries a VS flight number

• your flight can be for any future date

• cash OR REDEMPTION bookings count

• your status will be upgraded 72 hours before your flight – this is actually a good thing, because Virgin Atlantic status works on a rolling year and this maximises the time you have to earn enough points to requalify

• you must not have received a status match from Virgin Atlantic in the previous five years – but you can apply if you previously held Virgin Atlantic status which you earned via flying

A British Airways Silver member matching to Virgin Atlantic Silver can book a flight in any cabin, including Economy. There is no requirement to travel in a premium cabin.

What match will I get?

This is how it works:

• British Airways Executive Club Bronze members cannot take part

• British Airways Executive Club Silver members will receive Flying Club Silver status

• British Airways Executive Club Gold members will receive Flying Club Gold status

What are the benefits of Virgin Flying Club Silver status?

Look at the Flying Club website here.

The key benefits are:

• 30% bonus Virgin Points on every flight
• use of Premium Economy check-in desks where available
• additional baggage allowance
• priority boarding
• free seat assignments in Economy (from seven days before travel)
• extra benefits at Virgin Hotels
• maps into SkyTeam Elite status

As I noted above, this is weaker than the SkyTeam Elite Plus benefits you receive by using the Flying Blue status match to get Flying Blue Gold from British Ariways Silver.

What are the benefits of Virgin Flying Club Gold status?

Look at the Flying Club website here.

The key benefits are:

• 60% bonus Virgin Points on every flight
• Clubhouse access when flying Virgin Atlantic or Delta, with a guest
• able to force open reward seats on any flight, paying double Virgin Points
• Revivals (arrivals) lounge access at Heathrow
• use of Upper Class check-in desks
• priority boarding
• free seat assignments in Economy from time of booking
• additional baggage allowance
• extra benefits at Virgin Hotels
• a voucher worth 150,000 Virgin Points when you renew your Gold status (this is subject to the same rules as the Virgin Atlantic credit card vouchers)

Ignore references on the Virgin Atlantic website to being able to open a household account if you have elite status. This is now available to all members regardless of status.

Can I use my status on other airlines?

Yes.

Virgin Atlantic is a member of the SkyTeam airline alliance. This means that your status will also be valid when flying on:

• Aerolíneas Argentinas
• Aeromexico
• Air Europa
• Air France
• China Airlines
• China Eastern
• Delta Air Lines
• Garuda Indonesia
• ITA Airways
• Kenya Airways
• KLM
• Korean Air
• Middle East Airlines
• SAS
• SAUDIA
• TAROM
• Vietnam Airlines
• Xiamen Air

Silver members of Flying Club receive SkyTeam Elite status. This gets you:

• Priority check-in and baggage drop-off
• Priority boarding
• Free seat selection at the time of booking for you and anyone else on your booking,
• One additional bag per person, or 20kg increased weight allowance, depending on the flight

Gold members of Flying Club receive SkyTeam Elite Plus status. This gets you:

• Lounge access for you and a guest when flying with any SkyTeam airline
• Priority check-in, baggage drop-off, immigration and security
• Priority boarding
• Free seat selection at the time of booking for you and anyone else on your booking,
• One additional bag per person, or 20kg increased weight allowance, depending on the flight
• Reservation assurance on full-fare economy tickets, guaranteeing you a seat even on full or overbooked flights, when booked at least 24 hours before departure

It’s not just SkyTeam ….

There are also benefits when flying Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia if you are Flying Club Gold.

How long will my status last?

Virgin Flying Club status runs on a rolling 12-month basis. Your status will last for a year from the date you are upgraded.

Your upgrade is processed 72 hours before your upcoming Virgin Atlantic flight, which allows you to maximise the time you hold Silver or Gold status.

Remember that redemption flights on Virgin Atlantic booked with Virgin Points earn tier points. This means that you could retain your Silver or Gold status in Flying Club purely from redemption flights!

There’s an extra carrot ….

Virgin Atlantic is running a competition for anyone who takes part in the status match.

Five UK-based matchers will be drawn at random at the end of the promotion and will each win 1 million Virgin Points.

This is enough for one Upper Class return flight at peak dynamic pricing (!) although Virgin’s press release says that you can get ‘28 Premium Saver reward seats to New York City or Tampa’. Fill in your own punchline here.

What other airlines are taking part?

This match, unlike the Flying Blue one, is not restricted to British Airways customers.

It is also valid for mid- and top-tier elite members with Air Canada, Air India, American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Hawaiian, Iberia, Lufthansa, South African Airways and United Airlines.

How do I apply for my match?

You need to visit this page of the Virgin Atlantic website.

You will need to upload a photo or screenshot of your British Airways Executive Club membership card, as well as details of your upcoming Virgin Atlantic booking.

You need to apply by 14th February. Before applying, compare it with the Flying Blue status match to decide which works best for you.

If you want to look at a potential booking to take advantage, you can browse the Virgin Atlantic site here.

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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):

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.

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.

Small business owners should consider the two American Express Business cards. Points convert at 1:1 into Virgin Points.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Virgin Points.