Delta or Virgin program?

[Emerald]

Hi All.

I have return flight from LHR to SFO in Business coming up. Flight booked with Delta but flying Virgin Atlantic.

Normally fly BA to get Avios, so first time with SkYTeam.

Any advice best program to join for these miles? Virgin or Delta?

I live in UK

Thanks

[davefl]

Virgin. You have more opportunity to collect and redeem points via Virgin Red and the credit cards.

With Delta you have nothing apart from Amex MR transfers and redemptions on flights.

[Emerald]

Thanks Dave,

Does anyone know if the earning rate is the same? Or would it higher with Delta v Virgin Atlantic?

Thanks

[davefl]

Varies wildly depending on ticket class. Delta redemption rates are stupid now. Virgin are insane unless you get a “saver” fare. But Delta taxes are small. It’s swongs and roundabouts.

Earning depends on status and route. Generally you’ll get more “points” on VS but it’s about what you can get out of those points.

The way to calculate for a route is here https://travel-dealz.com/tools/miles-calculator/ and you can even put in the ticket cost for those that credit by value now (BA,IB,AA etc)

Wheretocredit dot com is effectively useless now.

[BA Flyer IHG Stayer]

You need to look not just at the earning rate but at the points required for a redemption.

Scheme A might look like it gives twice the points as Scheme B but might require 3 times the points to redeem but scheme B might have higher cash fees than A.

And add into that the ease of earning ancillary points via shopping etc etc

[Emerald]

Thanks all for your feedback and link to calculator.
Much appreciated.