Virgin points value

[ZorTM]

I am thinking of moving to Virgin from BA as it is difficult to get to LHR from Leeds. Now I can earn Virgin points by flying KLM from Leeds. How much is a Virgin point valued at? Any comparison to Avios?

[zio]

I think most will value them roughly the same as avios. They both transfer 1:1 from amex MR.

[memesweeper]

zio wrote:

I think most will value them roughly the same as avios.

Maybe most here will, but I’m thinking they are worth less that the usual penny if actually spent on Virgin. Perhaps some better value with partners — I’ve had good redemption value on KLM and AF to the middle east — so I’m happy to keep crediting some things to them, but I can’t see me getting in a Upper cabin again on their own mileage scheme.

Then again I don’t think of Avios as been worth a penny each anymore either. Post pandemic both British long-haul airlines have gone from “painfully high” to “I’m not paying that” on the surcharge component on long haul premium seats, and it’s long haul premium that drives the logic of the 1p valuation in most cases.

As the miles can’t be traded the valuation is personal, and is a complex calculation which needs to take into account where you want to fly, flexibility, cabin preference, willingness to route indirectly/inconveniently, and aversion to paying actual money. Amex might sell miles in the two schemes at the same price, but they may not represent the same value to you.

I’d run the numbers on the cash and mileage prices of some flights you aspire to take as a redemption, and make sure you are happy with the redemption pricing and availability, before putting a 1p sticker on their value.

[ChasP]

Good question and perhaps Rob should update his valuations – pre COVID I could easily get 3p per point.
Or perhaps do a comparison article; I was looking recently at a destination where both fly (solo and I have upgrade vouchers for both ) flying UC or CW off peak

Virgin
135k (or 55k+V )+£999 Cash £2046

BA
190k (or 95k+v) + £450 cash £2046

so without a voucher I would get £1047 saving for 135k V points = 0.78p
while BA offers £1594 for 190k avios = 0.84p

With vouchers the Virgin upgrade (from PE) looks better than the BA one (half Avios) giving 1.9p as opposed to 1.6p per upgraded point

[jj]

I’ve always found that, without a voucher, the best value Avios redemptions are longer distance Club Europe – but don’t take the minimum cash option if you want to maximise value.

I really don’t want to travel to Athens or the Canaries in Economy. And, to be honest, European beaches and especially cities are invariably more interesting than those elsewhere on the planet. So we travel to European destinations 3-4 times more often than the rest of the world put together.

And that’s the trouble with Virgin: they don’t fly to Europe, and they don’t fly to any of the major North American ski destinations.