I need to get at least 1 Virgin Atlantic Point ASAP- how to do this based in Australia

[zahra01]

Hello, I joined Virgin Atlantic so that I could purchase points when they have them on sale from time to time and then redeem on one of their partner airlines.
It wont let me purchase points unless I have at least one point already.
I cannot see any method of obtaining any points without a hotel stay/flying etc. I already have numerous trips planned out and all booked, so doing a random travel booking is not an option.
I tried looking at their online store to just buy something, however I think you need to be based in the UK.
Anyone else have any other bright ideas ?

Thanks in advance !

 

[Human]

The obvious answer that springs to mind is to convert American Express Membership Rewards points.

It’s not all that difficult to take out an Amex that earns MR points if you don’t already have one, and some of their sign-up bonuses are pretty good.

 

[zahra01]

The obvious answer that springs to mind is to convert American Express Membership Rewards points.

It’s not all that difficult to take out an Amex that earns MR points if you don’t already have one, and some of their sign-up bonuses are pretty good.

Thanks, but a credit card option will be too slow I think...by the time I apply, wait for card, do the minimum spend... wait for points could be over month at a minimum. I just googled Marriot Bonvoy points... i think perhaps I can just buy a small amount of those points and then transfer them to my Virgin Atlantic to get myself some runs on the board.....so that as soon as Virgin Atlantic have a bonus points offer on purchases I can be ready to jump in ! The flights I want to redeem are available...so hopefully it comes off !

 

[Human]

Thanks, but a credit card option will be too slow I think...by the time I apply, wait for card, do the minimum spend... wait for points could be over month at a minimum. I just googled Marriot Bonvoy points... i think perhaps I can just buy a small amount of those points and then transfer them to my Virgin Atlantic to get myself some runs on the board.....so that as soon as Virgin Atlantic have a bonus points offer on purchases I can be ready to jump in ! The flights I want to redeem are available...so hopefully it comes off !

Well, you may be right ... only you know how soon you need the points.

Just be aware that Amex, unlike most other credit card providers, gives the bonus points as soon as you've done the required spending: you don't need to wait until the next statement. So in theory you could apply, receive the card, spend the money and receive the bonus points within 10-14 days.

 

[zahra01]

Well, you may be right ... only you know how soon you need the points.

Just be aware that Amex, unlike most other credit card providers, gives the bonus points as soon as you've done the required spending: you don't need to wait until the next statement. So in theory you could apply, receive the card, spend the money and receive the bonus points within 10-14 days.

Hmmm, maybe you are right. I only need 90k of points for my redemption flights and I think there is an Amex card for about $395k AUD annual fee and 100k of bonus points (minimum spend $3k)...so if the points transfer at a rate of one to one.... then this would cover all of my flights

 

[Human]

Hmmm, maybe you are right. I only need 90k of points for my redemption flights and I think there is an Amex card for about $395k AUD annual fee and 100k of bonus points (minimum spend $3k)...so if the points transfer at a rate of one to one.... then this would cover all of my flights

You might be thinking of the Explorer, that has fairly frequent 100,000 point sign-up offers (though I don't think there's one at the moment). Sadly, Amex MR points transfer to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club at a 2:1 rate.

 

[jase05]

Thanks, but a credit card option will be too slow I think...by the time I apply, wait for card, do the minimum spend... wait for points could be over month at a minimum. I just googled Marriot Bonvoy points... i think perhaps I can just buy a small amount of those points and then transfer them to my Virgin Atlantic to get myself some runs on the board.....so that as soon as Virgin Atlantic have a bonus points offer on purchases I can be ready to jump in ! The flights I want to redeem are available...so hopefully it comes off !

Transfer hotel points over. When I first signed up to Virgin Atlantic I transferred a small amount of Hilton Honors points over and they credited almost instantly

 

[zahra01]

You might be thinking of the Explorer, that has fairly frequent 100,000 point sign-up offers (though I don't think there's one at the moment). Sadly, Amex MR points transfer to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club at a 2:1 rate.

Yes, I was thinking of that, thanks for the heads up that it's only 2 to 1 transfer rate. The Amex plan fell over as my last Amex card was closed less than 18 months ago, so I wouldn't get the sign up bonus anyway.... however I will keep this in mind when the 18 months is over and get the card for this purpose for future flights.
Back to my existing problem, i think i'll try and buy some Bonvoy points (small amount) and then convert them to Virgin Atlantic points...and then cross my fingers there is a Virgin Atlantic 60 % bonus points purchase deal soon so that I can buy the bulk of the points i need.... all this hassle to try and get a cheap Garduda flight from Dps to Melbourne..paid biz flight is around $1550 AUD one way... according to articles i'd read i could purchase required points for about $880 aud

 

[zahra01]

Transfer hotel points over. When I first signed up to Virgin Atlantic I transferred a small amount of Hilton Honors points over and they credited almost instantly

thanks, did you need to transfer a minimum amount ? The Bonvoy will let me buy 1000 points for $12.50 USD... seems pretty risk free as long as it will allow a trf of only 1k of points to Virgin Alantic

 

[jase05]

thanks, did you need to transfer a minimum amount ? The Bonvoy will let me buy 1000 points for $12.50 USD... seems pretty risk free as long as it will allow a trf of only 1k of points to Virgin Alantic

10k was minimum if I recall correctly

 

[zahra01]

10k was minimum if I recall correctly

So far so good, I purchased 3000 points, they showed immediately in my Bonvoy account. I was able to transfer them to Virgin, and just waiting for them to arrive in the Virgin account !