Buy Virgin Atlantic Points with up to 70% bonus (and how to use them)

[jase05]

I’ve used VS points on GA and they have a sweet spot MEL-DPS but it’s still a very patchy FFP and finding availability on partner airlines is a bit of a pain. Some decent availability on their own metal between the US and UK and I’ve had some decent luck getting AF tickets but carrier charges can get high. Until VS is integrated into SkyTeam fully it’s still a bit of work involved.

 

[tmdl]

I’ve used VS points on GA and they have a sweet spot MEL-DPS but it’s still a very patchy FFP and finding availability on partner airlines is a bit of a pain. Some decent availability on their own metal between the US and UK and I’ve had some decent luck getting AF tickets but carrier charges can get high. Until VS is integrated into SkyTeam fully it’s still a bit of work involved.

I might try GA or wait until something else opens up, have you had any luck on the non-SkyTeam partners?

 

[jase05]

GA has now been integrated into the VS system so awards can be booked online without needing to phone.

 

[Mattg]

GA has now been integrated into the VS system so awards can be booked online without needing to phone.

Woohoo!

 

[Gold Member]

The Up to 70% bonus miles deal is back from today until end of month.

• < 5,000 — No Bonus
• 5,000 - 24,000: 20% Bonus
• 25,000 - 69,000: 40% Bonus
• 70,000 - 124,000: 60% Bonus
• 125,000 - 200,000: 70% Bonus

 

[Cynicor]

Anyone know how to allocate seats on GA flights online with a VS booking?
Do I need to call?

 

[twinaisle]

Does anyone know how to earn quick points in order to purchase them from Australia?

 

[Cynicor]

Amex transfer

 

[elanshin]

@AFF Editor I believe the VS - NH redemption rates have been significantly enhanced.
According to their website post enhancement Australia is now lumped with NA and it cost a whopping 105k miles to redeem on NH for VS. (double?)

Definitely terrible value now and VA, AC (although temporarily unavailable), SQ would be better rates for NH.

Flying Club | All Nippon Airways | Virgin Atlantic

Find out how you could earn and spend Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles with All Nippon Airways.

flywith.virginatlantic.com

 

[Chicken]

@AFF Editor I believe the VS - NH redemption rates have been significantly enhanced.
According to their website post enhancement Australia is now lumped with NA and it cost a whopping 105k miles to redeem on NH for VS. (double?)

That's 105k VS miles RETURN, still OK value

 

[elanshin]

That's 105k VS miles RETURN, still OK value

Oh right sorry i missef the return part. But i definitely remember seeing one of the sweet spots being taken away when it was updated. Just didn't remember which one.

Edit: ah right found it, costs have increased by 30%.

Still decent but not mind-blowingly good like it was before.

 

[Chicken]

Still decent but not mind-blowingly good like it was before.

Well, I have been looking for 2 tix to fly ICN to SYD, mid October, in the last few weeks. Business class of course.

Anything from Qantas web site? Nope. Not even when I forced in some stop overs using multi city engine.
Anything from SQ web site? All waitlist for SQ, *A option had 1 day flying TG via BKK out of the whole Oct, but this seat was gone by last night.
VS: A lot of availabilities, with 2 options, either fly KE to CGK then GA to SYD, or GA to DPS then SYD.

So, I booked 2x J seats last night, flying KE to CGK then GA to SYD.

On top of availability, converting AmEx points to SQ is 3:1, but VS is 2:1.

Hence, I'm happy with VS.

 

[Gold Member]

Light on details right now, but VS seemingly going dynamic in a month’s time (thanks Delta). It’s uncertain if Partner awards will also be affected.

Ben from OMAAT has some insights - Bleh: Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Adopting Dynamic Award Pricing

 

[jase05]

Light on details right now, but VS seemingly going dynamic in a month’s time (thanks Delta). It’s uncertain if Partner awards will also be affected.

Ben from OMAAT has some insights - Bleh: Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Adopting Dynamic Award Pricing

VS already has “Peak period” pricing on its own metal so no real surprise they are going down this route. Hopefully partner awards remain as is

 

[Chicken]

Sounds like mixing SQ saver awards, and NZ Airbucks, together

 

[Mattg]

There's another promo on now with up to 70% bonus when buying Virgin Points. Ends 7 March 2025.

 

[zainman]

There's another promo on now with up to 70% bonus when buying Virgin Points. Ends 7 March 2025.

I can't check the price as I don't have any miles in my account. Does it price in USD for Australian registered accounts or GBP?

Also, is a hotel points transfer still the best way to get some miles in so you can actually buy?

 

[tmdl]

I can't check the price as I don't have any miles in my account. Does it price in USD for Australian registered accounts or GBP?

Also, is a hotel points transfer still the best way to get some miles in so you can actually buy?

From memory, it was signing up to their newsletter which got you 100 points but that may have changed?

 

[Chicken]

I can't check the price as I don't have any miles in my account. Does it price in USD for Australian registered accounts or GBP?

My account has Country = Australia

This is what it says when I tried to place an order:

Order summary
Virgin Points 200,000
70% bonus Virgin Points 140,000
Total Virgin Points 340,000
Cost of Virgin Points GBP£ 3,000.00
Handling Fee GBP£ 15.00
Total cost GBP£ 3,015.00

Also, is a hotel points transfer still the best way to get some miles in so you can actually buy?

Nah. I think the easiest way, and how I keep my account active, is to buy some junk from eBay UK. I live in Australia, but I buy using eBay UK via Virgin Atlantic "shops away", then ship back to me in Australia, and I also pay in AUD, so no difference from buying from eBay AU.

 

[zainman]

From memory, it was signing up to their newsletter which got you 100 points but that may have changed?

Just signed up to it.. let's see if I get the 100 points. Offer still seems to be there