Virgin Atlantic may not have the global reach of some larger carriers, but its Flying Club loyalty program punches above its weight, thanks to generous partner redemptions and flexible points transfers. While taxes and surcharges on redemptions can be eye-watering, strategic use of the program unlocks serious value – especially for business and first-class travel. If you’re looking for a frequent flyer program that balances premium travel perks with flexible redemptions, this Virgin Atlantic Flying Club review will help you decide if it’s worth your loyalty.
Points Earning Rates On Short, Mid, And Long-Haul Flights
Flying Virgin Atlantic earns Virgin Points based on fare class and distance flown. A one-way Upper Class ticket in the highest fare bucket (J, C, D, I) brings in 200 Tier Points, while discounted Economy Light fares (T) scrape the bottom at 25 Tier Points.
Short-haul partner flights within Europe or the US can be surprisingly rewarding, depending on the airline. SkyTeam members, including Delta and Air France-KLM, also credit points to Flying Club, making it an excellent option for regular transatlantic travellers.
How Easy Is It To Redeem Points For Flights?
With dynamic pricing, redemptions on Virgin’s own flights vary wildly. A Saver Upper Class seat between JFK and London Heathrow starts at 29,000 points, but peak pricing can be exorbitant. Partner awards offer better consistency, particularly with ANA, where a return first-class ticket between the US and Japan costs just 145,000 points – one of the best sweet spots in frequent flyer programs today.
Upcoming changes to some partner redemptions may affect the pricing of ANA redemptions in premium cabins, diminishing the once lauded sweet spot of Virgin Flying Club.
Introduction To The Status Tiers
Flying Club status comes in three tiers:
- Red: Basic membership with minor perks like early boarding in Economy.
- Silver (400 Tier Points): 30% bonus on flights, premium check-in, and extra baggage.
- Gold (1,000 Tier Points): 60% bonus, Upper Class check-in – including the Upper Class Wing at Heathrow – and Clubhouse lounge access no matter the class flown.
Gold members also get an annual reward voucher, which can be used for a free companion seat or an upgrade.
Tier Point Accrual Rates On Short, Mid, And Long-Haul Flights
Long-haul Upper Class fares (J, C, D, I) earn 200 Tier Points one way, meaning just five round-trip flights reach Gold status. Premium Economy (W, S) earns 100 Tier Points, while discounted Economy Delight (V) and some Economy Classic fares (L, U, M, Y, B, R) earn 50 Tier Points.
Flights with partner airlines credit Tier Points based on distance and fare class, so long-haul premium cabin flights are the fastest way to elite status.
Approximate Cost And Travel Required To Reach Equivalent SkyTeam Elite Plus Status
To achieve Flying Club Gold, you’d need 1,000 Tier Points, which translates to five round trips in Upper Class (J, C, D, I) or ten in Premium (W, S). Compared to SkyTeam Elite Plus, which typically requires 50,000 miles or 40 segments, Flying Club’s Gold tier is relatively achievable – especially with partner airline flights contributing to status.
Sweet-spot for earning status
If you want Virgin Flying Club Gold quickly, you don’t need a heroic number of long-hauls. You need segments – specifically, short European business-class hops that still earn 40 Tier Points per flight. That’s why KLM and Air France sit at the top of the pile: Virgin’s partner tables award 40 Tier Points on short / mid-haul Business (eligible fare buckets), so a simple “via AMS or CDG” routing can rack up Tier Points at a frankly silly rate.
If you’re US-based (or already there anyway), Delta domestic First / Business can play a similar game – lots of short flights, 40 Tier Points each, and you’re suddenly “accidentally” Gold.
Everyone else (SAS, Saudia, Korean, etc.) can still help, but the maths is less spicy because their short-haul business accrual often drops to 30 Tier Points per segment.
| Best status run option | Airline(s) | Route pattern to aim for | Tier Points per segment | Tier Points per return trip | Why it works | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European “via hub” Business runs | KLM / Air France | UK/Europe – AMS or CDG – short EU destination – return same way | 40 | 160 (4 sectors) | You turn one weekend trip into four Tier Point-earning segments | Must book eligible Business fare buckets (and credit correctly) |
| Long-haul Business with a forced connection | KLM / Air France | UK – AMS/CDG – long-haul – return same way | 40 + 200 per direction (if eligible) | 480 (2 short + 2 long sectors) | Hits Gold in very few trips if you catch a decent fare | I and Z discounted long-haul Business buckets earn only 100 TP |
| US domestic Tier Point grind | Delta | Short US domestic hops in First / Business | 40 | Depends on routing (stack segments) | Easy to stack segments fast if you fly the US regularly | Only “cheap” if you’re already travelling in the States |
| Backup plan partners | SAS / Saudia / Korean (and others) | Short-haul business sectors, ideally stacked into multi-segment itineraries | 30 (typical short-haul business) | Lower than AF/KLM for the same distance | Works when fares are cheaper or routing convenience wins | Needs more flying (or more segments) to reach 1,000 TP |
If you want a simple target to sanity-check any itinerary: 4 business segments on AF/KLM short/mid-haul should land around 160 Tier Points – so you can think in chunks of “160 TP weekends” on the road to 1,000.
Overall Quality Of The Lounges And Cabin Products
Virgin Atlantic’s Clubhouse lounges stand out among airline lounges, offering à la carte dining, stylish design, and premium cocktails. Access is complimentary for Flying Club Gold members, regardless of cabin.
Onboard, Upper Class seats provide a fully flat bed, direct aisle access, and exclusive bar or lounge areas on some aircraft. Over half of the fleet is flying with old coffin style seats, while a newer suite product is gradually rolled out on newer A350 and A330neo aircraft. Premium Economy is solid, but Economy Light fares come with fewer perks and no free seat selection.
BG1 Verdict
In our review, we’ve seen that Virgin Atlantic Flying Club has its quirks, but for those who fly transatlantic or leverage partner redemptions, it can be a goldmine. Gold status is achievable without excessive flying, and sweet spots like ANA first class redemptions make the program stand out. Taxes and surcharges remain a drawback, but with strategic use, Flying Club can be one of the best frequent flyer programs for premium travel.
Take a look at our other SkyTeam frequent flyer reviews.
Where Can I Sign-Up?
Ready to join? Sign up for Virgin Atlantic Flying Club here.
Leave a Reply