Buying points can reflect strategic value for those who do not have access to big international travel programmes via credit cards. Points can power luxury travel experiences without the big upfront spend. Virgin Atlantic is now offering a rare opportunity to purchase points at the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club programme with a 70% Bonus.

Virgin Atlantic is a great frequent flyer programme, and there are some great redemption opportunities. You can redeem Virgin points for travel on Virgin Atlantic (including Upper Class), but there are some other fantastic opportunities, such as those on Delta and All Nippon Airlines. Additionally, Virgin Atlantic is finally heading into SkyTeam in 2023.

Purchase Virgin Atlantic points with an (up to) 70% Bonus

Through Friday, December 31, 2022, Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club loyalty programme is offering a bonus on purchased points. The program is offering all VS members up to a 70% bonus. The up to 70% bonus is tiered as follows:

• On buying 5,000-24,000 points, you get a 20% bonus
• On buying 25,000-69,000 points, you get a 30% bonus
• On buying 70,000-119,000 points, you get a 50% bonus
• On buying 120,000-200,000 points, you get a 70% bonus

The cost to purchase Virgin Atlantic points is GBP 15 per 1,000 points, pre-tax before any discounts or bonuses (There is a different price for US registered accounts). The one thing to know is that all purchase Virgin Atlantic points transactions are subject to a GBP 15 or USD 22 transaction fee. Assuming you are buying at the top end for a 70% bonus, you can purchase 320,000 Flying Club points for GBP 3,015, which is a rate of GBP 0.0089 per Flying Club point (USD 0.0109/ INR 0.90)

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club ordinarily lets members purchase up to 100,000 points per account per calendar year before any bonuses. However, during this promotion, the usual cap has been doubled, to 200,000 points. The best part about buying Virgin points is that they don’t expire.

Which credit card should you buy Virgin points with?

Typically, these point purchases are processed through Points.com and not directly by the airline. However, you will almost always pay in USD/EUR/GBP and not INR. So, the best cards to earn a bonus are Citi Prestige, Axis Reserve or American Express Platinum Charge Card, as these cards offer an international spending bonus. Beyond these, look at any card that provides a reduced foreign exchange spend conversion or one where you want to meet any minimum spend requirements.

Bottomline

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is offering members a 70% bonus on purchased points, which is an opportunity to buy points for INR 0.90 each. These points can then be used for redemption on Virgin Atlantic, Delta, ANA and other airlines, and next year on, with SkyTeam as well, if their joining goes smoothly. Do run your own numbers though, before you buy.

Do you plan on a purchase of Virgin points with a 70% bonus?

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