Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, loyalty program of Virgin Atlantic, is a program that allows you to book Virgin Atlantic and partner flights (Flying Club miles used to book an ANA flight).
Similar to Flying Blue, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, and United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic has a number of redemptions to consider. One, Central & Eastern US to Japan Business Class. Two, Europe to Asia First Class. Three, US to Hawaii. Four, US to South America Business Class. Five, US to Europe Premium Economy.
If you have an upcoming trip in mind and would like to use Flying Club miles, here’s what I’d consider as you evaluate your award booking:
- Fuel surcharges will vary between Virgin Atlantic and partner flights
- Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia flights can be booked one-way
- Partner flights, other than ANA, can be booked one-way
- Use United Airlines, ANA, or Air Canada to search for Star Alliance partner flights
- Use Delta or KLM/Air France to search for Delta
- Search for Hawaiian Airlines flights on American Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic partners with all major transferable point programs: Amex, Citi, Chase, SPG
- All partners use their own redemption chart
Now that we have a basic overview of the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club program, below are redemptions to consider.
You can book Virgin Atlantic and Delta flights by transferring your Chase Ultimate Rewards points directly to your Flying Club account. Simply login to your Ultimate Rewards account, select “Use Points,” select “Transfer to Travel Partners,” select “Transfer Points” to the right of Virgin Atlantic, and transfer the points necessary for your redemption.
1. Central & Eastern US to Japan
Virgin Atlantic prices round-trip ANA business class flights to Japan at 95,000 miles. Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), Houston (IAH), Newark (EWR), New York (JFK), and Washington (IAD) are in the US Northeast region.
Search for Saver Award availability on the United website and then call Virgin Atlantic at 800-365-9500 to book the flight. Examples of non-stop ANA flights that require 95,000 Flying Club miles + variable taxes and fees include:
Narita <> Boston, Chicago, Houston, Newark, New York, Washington-Dulles
Haneda <> Chicago, New York
2. US to Hawaii
Virgin Atlantic prices round-trip Delta economy flights to Hawaii at 40,000 miles. Delta has non-stop flights to/from Honolulu (HNL), Maui (OGG), Kona (KOA), and Lihue (LIH) and many mainland US destinations.
Search for the Lowest Point Award availability first on the Delta website and then on the Virgin Atlantic website. Here are examples of non-stop flights that require 40,000 Flying Club miles to fly Delta + $11.20 in taxes and fees.
Honolulu <> Atlanta (ATL), Minneapolis (MSP), Salt Lake City (SLC), Seattle (SEA)
Maui <> Los Angeles (LAX), Salt Lake City, Seattle
Kona <> Los Angeles, Seattle
Lihue <> Los Angeles, Seattle
3. US to South America
Virgin Atlantic prices round-trip Delta business class flights to South America at 90,000 miles. Delta flies nonstop between São Paulo (GRU), Bogotá (BOG), Rio de Janeiro (GIG), Santiago (SCL), and Lima (LIM) to several U.S. destinations.
Search for award availability on the Virgin Atlantic website and then book the flight. Another option is to search for flights using the Delta/Air France/KLM websites, and then call Virgin Atlantic at 800-365-9500 to book. You’ll also need to pay ~$97 in taxes and fees in addition to the miles.
Here are examples of non-stop Delta flights that require 90,000 Flying Club miles:
São Paulo <> Atlanta (ATL), New York (JFK)
Bogotá <> Atlanta
Rio de Janeiro <> Atlanta
Santiago <> Atlanta
Lima <> Atlanta
4. US to UK
Virgin Atlantic prices its own premium economy flights to the UK at 17,500 miles. The airline flies non-stop between London (LHR), Gatwick (LGW) and Manchester (MAN) to several US destinations.
Search for award availability and book flights on the Virgin Atlantic website. Here are examples of non-stop Virgin Atlantic flights that require 17,500 Flying Club miles.
London <> Boston (BOS), Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA), DC (IAD)
Manchester <> New York, Boston*, San Francisco* *seasonal
Conclusion
The Flying Club program provides you with less flexibility than Flying Blue, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, and United Airlines. The sweet spot I plan to use is flying ANA business class from the Central & Eastern US to Japan.
How do you book Virgin Atlantic flights? What award flights have you booked? Please let me know in the comments or by sending me an email on my contact page.
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