Question 1

How do I search for and book ANA flights using Virgin Atlantic points?

Accepted Answer

Booking ANA flights with Virgin Atlantic points requires a few specific steps:1. Search for availability: ANA award space cannot be searched on Virgin Atlantic's website. Instead, use other Star Alliance search tools like United.com, Air Canada's Aeroplan, or AwardNexus. Look for dates showing "Saver" availability.2. Call Virgin Atlantic: Once you find available flights, call Virgin Atlantic Flying Club at 1-800-365-9500 to book. Be prepared with your Flying Club number, ANA flight details (dates, flight numbers, and cabin class), and passenger information.3. Pay the taxes and fees: These are relatively reasonable for ANA awards, typically around $200-300 for a round-trip.Important notes: ANA awards must be booked as round-trips through Virgin Atlantic. The best availability is typically found either 355 days in advance (when schedules open) or within 2-3 months of departure. First class availability is extremely limited, so flexibility with dates is essential.

Question 2

How do taxes and fees compare between Virgin Atlantic and other programs?

Accepted Answer

Virgin Atlantic is known for charging higher taxes and fees than many other frequent flyer programs, particularly for flights involving the UK:• Virgin Atlantic own flights: Expect $400-500 in taxes/fees for US-UK one-way in economy, and $700+ for Upper Class departing from London due to UK Air Passenger Duty• Delta flights: Much more reasonable, typically $5.60 for domestic US flights and $150-200 for US-Europe one-way in business class• ANA flights: Moderate at around $200-300 for a round-trip between US and Japan in any cabin• Air New Zealand: Approximately $100-150 for one-way business class between US and New ZealandBy comparison, programs like United MileagePlus and Avianca LifeMiles charge minimal fees for Star Alliance partners, while British Airways Executive Club often has even higher fees than Virgin Atlantic for transatlantic flights. When calculating the value of a redemption, always factor in these additional costs alongside the points required.

Question 3

Can I book one-way awards with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can book one-way awards with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club for most partner airlines, with one notable exception:• Virgin Atlantic flights: One-way awards available• Delta flights: One-way awards available• Air France/KLM: One-way awards available• Singapore Airlines: One-way awards available• Air New Zealand: One-way awards available• ANA: Round-trip bookings requiredThe requirement for round-trip bookings on ANA is a significant limitation, as it means you need more points upfront and less flexibility in your travel plans. However, the exceptional value (especially for first class) often outweighs this inconvenience. For all other partners, the ability to book one-way awards provides greater flexibility, particularly when combining different airlines or programs for a multi-stop journey.

Question 4

How does Virgin Atlantic's dynamic pricing affect award redemptions?

Accepted Answer

Virgin Atlantic switched to dynamic pricing for its own flights in late 2023, which has created both opportunities and challenges:Advantages:• Lower starting rates for economy (from 6,000 points) and Upper Class (from 29,000 points)• More award availability overall• Occasional flash sales with exceptional value• No peak/off-peak calendar to navigateDisadvantages:• Unpredictable pricing that can vary significantly day to day• Higher rates during peak travel periods• Difficulty planning redemptions far in advance• Potential for sudden devaluationsTo maximize value under dynamic pricing, be flexible with travel dates, search multiple options, and book when you find good rates rather than waiting. Off-peak seasons and less popular routes typically offer the best value. Partner airline awards still use fixed award charts, providing more predictable redemption rates.

Question 5

What happens if I need to change or cancel an award booked with Virgin Atlantic points?

Accepted Answer

Virgin Atlantic's change and cancellation policies for award tickets are relatively reasonable compared to some other programs:Changes:• Free date and time changes for all award tickets• Route changes cost £30 ($38) online or £40 ($51) by phone• Changes must be made at least 24 hours before departureCancellations:• £30 ($38) fee to cancel and redeposit points if done online• £40 ($51) fee if done by phone• Cancellations must be requested at least 24 hours before departure• Points are immediately redeposited upon cancellationThese policies apply to Virgin Atlantic's own flights. For partner awards, the fees are generally the same, but the rules may vary slightly. ANA awards, for example, follow the same cancellation policy, but changes to routing or airlines are not permitted—you would need to cancel and rebook, subject to availability. Always verify the specific terms for your booking, as policies can change.

Question 6

Can I transfer Virgin Atlantic points to other programs?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club offers several transfer options:1. Virgin Red: You can freely transfer points between Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Virgin Red (Virgin's broader loyalty program) at a 1:1 ratio. This opens up additional redemption options including Virgin Voyages cruises, Virgin Hotels, and various merchandise.2. IHG One Rewards: You can transfer Flying Club points to IHG at a rate of 1:1, though this generally doesn't represent good value compared to using the points for flights.3. Hilton Honors: Transfer to Hilton at a 1:1.5 ratio (1,000 Virgin points = 1,500 Hilton points). This can be useful for topping up a Hilton account for a specific redemption, though again, it's typically not the best use of Virgin points.4. Points sharing: You can transfer up to 100,000 points annually to another Flying Club member for a fee of £30 ($38) per transaction.These transfer options provide additional flexibility, though in most cases, using Virgin points directly for flight redemptions will offer the best value.

Jean-Maximilien Voisine

Posts by Jean-Maximilien Voisine