- Views: 1
- Report Article
- Articles
- Travel & Tourism
- Flights
Virgin Points Upgrade
Posted: Sep 26, 2024
Want to make your next journey special? A Virgin Points Upgrade lets you move up to a better flight class without spending a lot. Instead of paying cash, you can use your Virgin Points to upgrade to Virgin Atlantic’s Premium or Upper Class.
With the How-To-Upgrade-A-Flight-With-Virgin-Points, you not only get a nicer seat but also enjoy perks like priority boarding, extra baggage, and access to Virgin Atlantic's luxurious Clubhouses. It’s a fantastic way to add some luxury to your trip.
What Are Virgin Points?
Virgin Points are the loyalty currency of Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club. Unlike traditional air miles, these points never expire, meaning you can accumulate them over time and use them when you’re ready to redeem rewards. Virgin Points can be earned by flying with Virgin Atlantic or its partner airlines, as well as through purchases made with co-branded credit cards, hotel stays, and other lifestyle partnerships.
One of the most popular ways to spend Virgin Points is to upgrade your flight experience—turning a standard economy ticket into a more luxurious journey in Premium Economy or Upper Class.
How to Upgrade Using Virgin PointsUpgrading with Virgin Points is straightforward but comes with a few key steps to ensure you maximize your reward.
Book an Eligible Ticket: Not all economy fares are upgradeable, so make sure to check the fare class before booking. Economy Classic and Economy Delight fares are usually upgradeable, but the lowest fare class, Economy Light, typically isn't. The same rules apply when upgrading from Premium Economy to Upper Class.
Check for Availability: Upgrades depend on availability in the next cabin class. Virgin Atlantic only allows upgrades when there are seats available in the cabin you want to upgrade to. It’s worth checking availability frequently, especially if your travel dates are flexible.
Use Your Points: The number of Virgin Points required for an upgrade depends on the route and the cabin class. For example, upgrading from Economy to Premium Economy on a short-haul flight requires fewer points compared to long-haul international routes. Virgin Atlantic’s website or Flying Club customer service can give you the exact points needed for your specific route.
Pay the Taxes and Fees: While the points cover the cost of the upgrade, you will still need to pay any additional taxes and surcharges associated with the higher fare class. These fees can vary, so it’s worth factoring them into your upgrade decision.
The number of points required to upgrade varies depending on the flight route and the class of service. As a rough guide:
- Economy to Premium Economy: On most long-haul flights, expect to spend between 15,000 and 30,000 Virgin Points for a one-way upgrade.
- Premium Economy to Upper Class: Upgrading from Premium Economy to Upper Class usually costs between 25,000 and 50,000 Virgin Points for a one-way flight.
- Tips for Maximizing Your Virgin Points
Book Early: Upgrades are subject to availability, and premium cabins can fill up quickly, especially on popular routes. Booking your flight as early as possible increases your chances of securing an upgrade.
Flexible Travel Dates: If you're flexible with your travel dates, you have a better chance of finding upgrade availability. Midweek flights often have more availability compared to weekends.
Use a Virgin Atlantic Credit Card: If you're not already doing so, consider using a co-branded Virgin Atlantic credit card to earn Virgin Points on everyday purchases. This can help you build up your points balance faster.
Look for Special Offers: Virgin Atlantic occasionally offers promotions where fewer points are needed for upgrades. Keep an eye on the Flying Club website or sign up for their newsletter to stay informed.
Partner Airlines: Don’t forget that you can also use your Virgin Points to upgrade flights on Virgin Atlantic’s partner airlines, including Delta and Air France-KLM. The process is similar but will depend on each airline’s rules and availability.
- Is It Worth It?
Upgrading with Virgin Points can offer tremendous value, especially on long-haul flights where the comfort of Premium Economy or the luxury of Upper Class can make a significant difference. Instead of using points for free flights (which often come with high taxes and fees), many frequent flyers prefer to use their points for upgrades, getting the most out of the flight experience.
Getting an upgrade on Qatar Airways can enhance your travel experience significantly.