How Virgin Points work
Virgin Points are the currency of Flying Club, Virgin Atlantic's loyalty programme. You can spend them on Virgin Atlantic flights and on its partner airlines, including Delta, Air France, KLM and ANA.
The easiest ways to collect them in the UK:
- American Express Membership Rewards, which move to Virgin Points at 1:1. Read our guide to the best ways to earn Amex points.
- The Virgin Atlantic credit cards, which earn Virgin Points on everyday spending and come with a yearly voucher. See our airline card guide.
- Flying with Virgin Atlantic and its partners.
How Virgin reward prices work
Virgin Atlantic uses dynamic pricing on its own flights. The number of points changes with demand, so the same route can cost very different amounts on different days.
In 2026, one-way Upper Class from London Heathrow to New York was seen at 35,000, 88,000 and 230,000 points on different flights. The cheapest prices are called Saver rewards, and finding them is the key to getting good value.
Partner airlines are different. Delta, Air France, KLM and ANA use fixed charts, so the price in points stays the same if a reward seat is available.
The best ways to use Virgin Points, ranked
| Redemption | Points | Extra charges | How to book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Class Saver, London to New York | 58,000 return | About £1,092 | Online |
| ANA business, London to Tokyo | 120,000 return | Around £700 to £800 | By phone |
| ANA First, London to Tokyo | 170,000 return | Around £700 to £800 | By phone |
| Delta One, UK to US | 47,500 to 67,500 one way | Varies by route | Online |
| Air France or KLM business, under 600 miles | 8,000 one way | Varies by route | Online |
Prices are off-peak examples from 2026. Partner charts can change and Virgin's own prices move with demand, so check before you transfer any points.
1. Upper Class with a Saver reward
Virgin's Upper Class is one of the best ways to cross the Atlantic: a flat bed, a great lounge at Heathrow and an onboard bar on many flights. With a Saver reward, it can cost fewer points than you'd expect.
- Where to go: New York, Boston, Washington, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Orlando and the Caribbean.
- When to look: quieter dates, midweek flights and outside school holidays usually have the lowest prices.
- What to check: the taxes and charges. A Saver price in points is only a good deal if the cash part still beats the fare.
Want to see the seat? Read our guide to the best business class seats you can book with points.
2. ANA business or First to Japan
This is the sweet spot most points experts rate highest. Virgin has a fixed chart for ANA, so you pay the same points whatever the cash fare:
- Business class: 120,000 points return from London to Tokyo
- First: 170,000 points return
- One way: half the return price
Cash fares in ANA First can run into thousands of pounds, so the value per point is excellent. There are a few catches:
- You have to book by phone, as Virgin's website doesn't show ANA seats.
- Find seats first using the United or Air Canada Aeroplan websites, which show the same ANA reward seats Virgin can book.
- Seats are hard to find, especially in First. Start looking as soon as flights open, around 11 months ahead.
- Expect around £700 to £800 in taxes and charges for a return in a premium cabin.
3. Use your Virgin credit card voucher
Spend £10,000 a year on the Virgin Atlantic Reward+ card (or £20,000 on the free Reward card) and you get a voucher worth up to 75,000 Virgin Points, or up to 150,000 if you have Silver or Gold status. It lasts two years and you can use it in two ways:
- Upgrade: book an economy or premium seat with points, then use the voucher to upgrade it to Upper Class.
- Companion: book a seat with points or cash, and use the voucher to add a second person in the same cabin on the same flight.
Used well, the voucher can save you tens of thousands of points on a trip for two. Note that it only works on Virgin Atlantic flights, not on partners.
4. Delta One to the US
Delta is Virgin's closest partner, and its Delta One business class uses a fixed chart. From the UK to the US, business class costs 47,500 to 67,500 points one way off-peak. From elsewhere in Europe it's 47,500 to 75,000, depending on the date and destination.
Delta One is a good backup when Upper Class Saver seats aren't available, and you can book it on the Virgin website. Starting your trip in Europe rather than the UK can also cut the taxes, because you avoid UK Air Passenger Duty.
5. Short-haul business on Air France and KLM
For short trips, Air France and KLM business class is cheap in points: 8,000 points one way for flights up to 600 miles, 25,000 for 601 to 1,249 miles, and 30,000 for 1,250 to 1,749 miles, off-peak. London to Amsterdam or Paris fits in the cheapest band.
These are also a handy way to use a smaller balance, or to get to a European city where your long-haul trip starts.
Uses to avoid
- Hotel transfers. Moving points to Hilton or IHG gives you very little value, around 0.4p to 0.5p per point.
- Shopping and gift cards. These usually give the lowest value of all.
- Peak-priced Upper Class. When the same seat costs three or four times the Saver price, wait or look at Delta.
- Cheap economy with high charges. A one-way economy seat to New York at 12,000 points sounds great, but with around £244 in charges it may cost little more to pay cash.
Tips to get more from your points
- Find the seat before you transfer. Amex points can't be moved back once they're Virgin Points.
- Be flexible with dates. Moving your trip by a day or two can halve the points price on Virgin flights.
- Book early. Virgin opens bookings around 331 days ahead, and Saver seats go fast.
- Compare the cash price. Add up the points and the charges, then compare with buying the ticket.
- Watch for transfer bonuses. Amex sometimes runs bonuses on transfers to Virgin Points, which can make a trip much cheaper.
Start with the basics
Our step-by-step guide to booking your first business class flight with points.
Frequently asked questions
Do Virgin Points expire?
Virgin Points don't expire as long as your account is active. Check Virgin's current terms for the latest rules.
Why are the taxes so high on Virgin flights?
Virgin passes on UK Air Passenger Duty plus its own carrier charges. Partner flights, and trips that start outside the UK, often cost less in cash.
Can I use Virgin Points on Delta?
Yes. Delta flights can be booked on the Virgin website using a fixed points chart, including Delta One business class.
What's a Saver reward?
It's Virgin's name for its lowest points prices on its own flights, usually on quieter dates. The same seat can cost far more points on busy days.