Oct 29, 2024 • 11 min read
30.10.2024 - 13:33 / thepointsguy.com / John F.Kennedy
The Virgin Atlantic Flying Club program reinvention is now live. The biggest change in the program's history is a new concept of dynamically priced redemptions for Virgin Atlantic-operated flights.
Every seat on every Virgin Atlantic flight is now bookable with Virgin points, a significant departure from the previous model of strictly limited and capacity-controlled award seats.
While some award seats are now much cheaper, others are significantly more expensive; plus, there are changes to those pesky surcharges, too.
Here's what you need to know about the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club program changes.
Related: Is Virgin Atlantic premium economy worth it on the A330-900neo?
With all seats bookable with Virgin points, look out for new Saver seats marked with a red tag when searching. These are now the cheapest options, though they will not be offered on every flight.
On dates with low demand, such as transatlantic flights on certain days over the northern winter period, these flights will now start from as low as 6,000 Virgin points from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Heathrow Airport (LHR) in economy, 10,500 Virgin points in premium economy and just 29,000 Virgin points in business class.
If you're lucky enough to snag this redemption you'll be booking the lowest redemption rate for business-class flights to Europe of any major airline loyalty program.
While the Flying Club program has previously discounted the points required during periods of low demand through its regular network-wide redemption sales, the fees, taxes and surcharges have not been reduced.
However, great news for Flying Club members: Carrier-imposed surcharges will be reduced for low-demand flights, starting from just $45 in economy, $78 in Premium and $227 in Upper Class on a flight from New York to London. Minor additional government taxes and airport fees are also payable, which differ from route to route. Remember that the taxes for flights departing London will be more expensive than those to London because of the U.K. APD Tax.
If you travel on dates or flights with the lowest demand, the new pricing system means you will need far fewer Virgin points and cash under the new system, an undeniable program improvement.
According to a press release from the carrier, Flying Club estimates that 75% of Virgin Atlantic-operated flights will have Saver seats available — and we have seen plenty in our initial searches.
Related: Virgin Atlantic to fly to Canada for first time in 10 years in broader 3-route expansion
While Flying Club previously guaranteed a minimum number of award seats at fixed award chart rates in each cabin on every flight (two in business class, two in premium economy and eight economy class seats),
Oct 29, 2024 • 11 min read
The Atlantic hurricane season is coming to an end, but experts predict there could be as many as three more named storms before it’s over.
Earlier this month, Thomas Cook India’s company – SOTC Travel – unveiled a series of 6 regional film campaigns around travel. The campaign was launched to mark its 75th anniversary and to reinforce the company’s focus on regional markets in India.
From the latest on a long-awaited biometric border system to prohibitions on pub crawls and the announcements of restricted access to an iconic sight and a host of new flights and cruises, it was a busy month in European travel. If you missed any of the headlines this month, read on to get up to speed on the big stories of October, and be sure to register for the TravelPulse newsletter to keep up to date with the latest news in the travel industry.
In 2022, I took two of the longest flights of my life, traveling between Auckland, New Zealand, and Los Angeles.
New York City's biggest airport is getting a major facelift.
In 2020, I was lying in bed in Torquay, England, trying to figure out what to do with my life.
Every airline traveler has been there. The boarding process begins, and the gate is swarmed with passengers before their zones have been called.
Finland's flagship carrier, Finnair, will expand in the United States next summer, launching its largest-ever schedule from the U.S. to Finland.
United Airlines may have dropped nearly 40 U.S. cities during the pandemic, but one of them will soon see service on the carrier once again.
During a time when new airport lounges are constantly aiming to one-up each other—with landscaped patios and over-the-top shower suites—Delta Air Line’s newest offering sets a high bar.
Have some extra American Airlines AAdvantage miles to spare?