Starting October 30, Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club will undergo significant changes, bringing both exciting new opportunities and the introduction of dynamic award pricing. These updates are designed to offer members more flexibility in redeeming Virgin Points for flights but also introduce some potential challenges. Here’s what you need to know.

TIME BEFORE PROGRAM CHANGES

Dynamic Award Pricing

Virgin Atlantic is shifting to dynamic award pricing, which means that the points required for any seat will fluctuate based on demand—similar to how cash fares are priced. This is a big change from the fixed-point system many travelers are used to, and it could lead to price increases during peak travel periods. While this offers more flexibility, the downside is that once low-cost seats are booked, you may need to spend significantly more points for the same flight.

More Seats Available with Virgin Points

On the positive side, Virgin Atlantic is increasing the number of seats available for booking with Virgin Points. From October 30, every seat on Virgin-operated flights can be purchased with points, including upgrades. This move expands the previous system that guaranteed only 12 seats for Flying Club members on each flight, giving members many more opportunities to use their points.

New Saver Reward Seats

To counterbalance dynamic pricing, Virgin is introducing Saver reward seats. These seats will offer lower, locked-in point prices—sometimes even lower than current rates. For example, flights from the UK to New York will start at just 6,000 Virgin Points. However, availability for these Saver seats may be limited, and they could disappear quickly as demand rises.

Remember that, when searching for available seats, AwardFares lets you easily filter saver vs. non-saver reward seats.

Changes to Companion and Upgrade Vouchers

Virgin Atlantic is also making changes to how Companion and Upgrade vouchers can be used. From October 30, these vouchers will be valid for any seat in any cabin, but the value of the voucher will be capped. For Flying Club Red tier members, vouchers will cover up to 75,000 points; for Silver and Gold members, up to 150,000 points. If the seat costs more than the voucher’s maximum value, members will need to top up with additional points.

Increased Points Earning on Flights

Another notable change is the boost in points earned on paid flights. Members flying in Upper Class will earn up to 50% more points, while those in Premium cabins will see up to a 75% increase in points earned. This change will allow loyal Flying Club members to accumulate points faster, particularly on higher-tier tickets.

RELATED ARTICLE: Best Business Class Cabins in SkyTeam (And How To Book Them With Points).

What’s Next?

These changes reflect a mixed bag for Flying Club members. While the introduction of dynamic pricing could mean higher point costs during busy travel times, the ability to redeem points for any seat and the launch of Saver reward seats provide more options than ever before. Additionally, increased points earning rates and greater flexibility with vouchers make this an exciting time for those looking to maximize their Virgin Points.

Read the full press release here.

How To Find Flying Club Reward Flights

1. Go to AwardFares.
2. Under Frequent Flyer Program, choose Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
3. Under Departure city, select an origin airport, e.g., London (LHR).
4. Similarly, enter a Destination, e.g., New York (JFK)
5. Choose a date, or use the Timeline view to explore flights for different dates.

AwardFares will show you the available seats/flights on the list below.

Become a Flying Club Pro

You can try AwardFares for free. With our Gold and Diamond tiers, you can get access to premium features including unlimited daily searches, alerts, seat maps, flight schedules, and more!

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