14 Best Ways To Redeem Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Virgin Points for Max Value [2024]

Key Takeaways

• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles can be redeemed for flights on Virgin Atlantic and other partners like ANA, Delta, and Singapore Airlines.
• Some of the best redemptions include flying ANA first class to Japan or Virgin Atlantic upper class to the U.K.
• Points can also be transferred from partners like Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards.

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club may not be one of the mileage programs you’re most familiar with, but it’s definitely worth paying attention to for a few reasons.

You can earn Virgin Points by flying Virgin Atlantic or its partners. The number of points you earn depends on flight distance, cabin choice, ticket type, and elite status. You can also earn points by using a Virgin Atlantic credit card, shopping through an online portal, and booking car rentals or hotel rooms with partnering programs.

In this guide, we’ll explore the best ways you can use Virgin Points for maximum value, focusing on premium cabin awards on Virgin Atlantic’s partner airlines. Let’s get started!

How To Boost Your Virgin Points

Virgin Points are some of the easiest to earn, thanks to handy transfer partners. In fact, Virgin Atlantic is a transfer partner of all 6 of the major transferable rewards currencies: Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One Miles, American Express Membership Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Bilt Rewards.

Capital One Miles and Bilt Rewards do not transfer directly to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Instead, you must transfer your rewards to Virgin Red, and then you can use those points with Flying Club.

Chase Ultimate Rewards Credit Cards

Chase points are so easy to earn, and there are lots of valuable Chase transfer partners, both airlines and hotels. Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club at a 1:1 ratio.

Recommended Chase Cards (Personal)

BEST BEGINNER CARD

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 bonus points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.74% - 27.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
• 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.74% - 27.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$550

APR

21.74% - 28.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-850)

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025

Cons

• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.74% - 28.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Business owner? See our article on Chase business credit cards that earn Ultimate Rewards.

American Express Membership Rewards Credit Cards

American Express Membership Rewards transfer at a 1:1 ratio to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, which is one of many American Express transfer partners.

Recommended Amex Cards (Personal)

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

80,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,760

Annual Fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card^® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card^® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card^®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card^® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck^® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card^®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card^®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

BEST FOR DINING

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express^® Gold Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

American Express^® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$325

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The American Express^® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $325 annual fee (rates and fees)
• No lounge access

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards^® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
• $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
• Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $325.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 90k points with the Amex Gold card. The current public offer is 60,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Business owner? See our article on Amex business credit cards that earn Membership Rewards.

Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards

You can earn Marriott Bonvoy points and transfer those to Virgin Atlantic at a transfer rate of 3:1. Plus, for every 60,000 Marriott points you transfer, you receive an extra 5,000 Virgin Points bonus.

Recommended Marriott Bonvoy Cards

Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A great option for Marriott hotel fans who want a no annual fee card and automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card

A great option for Marriott hotel fans who want a no annual fee card and automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 Bonus Points plus 1 Free Night Award after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Free Night valued at 50,000 points. Certain hotels have resort fees.

60,000 points + 1 Free Night Award

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$770

Annual Fee

$0

APR

20.74% - 27.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

Casual travelers who like to frequent properties that are part of the Marriott Bonvoy collection of brands may want to consider the Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card.

The Marriott Bold card rewards cardholders for Marriott stays and gives them a boost towards Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Up to 14x points per $1 on Marriott purchases
• 2x points at grocery stores, rideshare, select food delivery, select streaming, and internet, cable, and phone services
• 5 Elite Night Credits each year

Cons

• Lower point earn rate than other Marriott Bonvoy cards
• Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status is the lowest status tier

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Pay no annual fee with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card from Chase^®!
• Earn up to 14X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^® with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Card.
• New! Earn 2X points for every $1 spent at grocery stores, rideshare, select food delivery, select streaming, and internet, cable, and phone services.
• 1X point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
• New! Travel now, pay later - Break up purchases into equal monthly payments with no interest plus no plan fees on qualifying travel purchases. Terms apply.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.74% - 27.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual Free Night Award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card

Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual Free Night Award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.

Welcome Offer

Earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening.

125,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$875

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.74% - 27.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

If you’re a frequent traveler and a Marriott loyalist, there’s a lot to love about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card. The card comes packed with several great benefits like a free hotel night once a year, automatic Silver Elite status (with a fast-track to Gold Elite status), and multiple options for redeeming points.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Earn big when you use your card at thousands of participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
• Earn big at grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
• Automatic Silver Elite Status

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• Marriott Silver Elite Status is the lowest status tier

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases.
• Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
• Earn 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
• 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
• Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Card.
• Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, automatic Silver Elite status, and path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees. Your points don't expire as long as you make purchases on your card every 24 months.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.74% - 27.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express^® Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.

Welcome Offer

Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you spend $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

85,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$595

Annual Fee

$250

APR

19.99%-28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express^® Card, the latest mid-tier offering in the Marriott Bonvoy lineup of cards, offers cardholders automatic elite status and ways to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on each of their stays and daily purchases.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
• 4x points per $1 at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per calendar year, then 2x points)
• 2x points per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• $250 annual fee (rates & fees)
• Free Night Award certificate is not an automatic benefit

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy^® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
• Earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets per calendar year, then 2X points).
• Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases with the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ Card.
• Marriott Bonvoy 1K Bonus Points Per Stay: Earn 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points per paid eligible stay booked directly with Marriott for properties participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
• With complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elites status, earn up to 2.5X points from Marriott Bonvoy^® on eligible hotel purchases with the 25% Bonus Points on stays benefit, available for Qualifying Rates.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Free Night Award: Earn 1 Free Night Award after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® points) at a hotel participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
• 15 Elite Night Credits: Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express Card^® you can receive 15 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy^® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
• Plan It^® is a payment option that lets you split up purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee. Plus, you'll still earn rewards the way you usually do.
• $250 Annual Fee.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99%-28.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

Welcome Offer

Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

95,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$665

Annual Fee

$650

APR

19.99%-28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card is a premium card designed with road warriors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalists in mind.

So is the card a worthwhile addition to your wallet?

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy program
• 3x points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines and restaurants worldwide
• 2x points per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• Steep annual fee of $650 (rates & fees)
• 6x points per $1 is the same earn rate offered with lower annual fee alternatives like the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express^® Card

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Card Highlights

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The 14 Best Ways To Use Your Virgin Points

Some SkyTeam partner awards can be booked online with Virgin Points, but you’ll have to get on the phone for other partners. Before you call, it’s best to confirm that space is available with another tool. For example, you can check ANA availability on united.com.

Delta doesn’t release the same premium cabin availability to Virgin Atlantic as it releases to Delta SkyMiles members, but Virgin Atlantic can show online search results easily.

If you’re using Virgin Atlantic to search for Delta Air Lines availability, you may be unable to search online for travel to certain cities. To get around this, you can simply use ExpertFlyer or delta.com (look for partner-level availability). Another option, if you’re still confused by the variable award buckets put forth by Delta, is to use Korean Air, which is clunky but somewhat reliable.

Once you’ve confirmed availability for the flights and dates you’d like to travel, give Virgin Atlantic a call at 800-365-9500. Remember that you cannot mix partners on award tickets.

When you have enough Virgin Points for a trip, you can get some ideas by looking below and choosing one that appeals to you.

Keep in mind there are tons of different ways to use your points — don’t be limited to just the options we’ve highlighted!

1. Fly ANA First Class to Japan One-Way (From 72,500 Points)

Undoubtedly, this is one of the most valuable sweet spots in the world. Though there have been devaluations, this is a timeless and classic aspirational redemption on one of the best first-class airlines in the world. These first-class flights are on All Nippon Airways, one of Japan’s largest airlines.

Virgin Atlantic divides the U.S. into 2 zones with incredible premium cabin values:

ANA First Class U.S. to Japan:

• Eastern and Central U.S. to Japan: 170,000 points round-trip (85,000 points one-way)
• Western U.S. and Canada to Japan: 145,000 points round-trip (72,500 points one-way)

ANA Business Class U.S. to Japan:

• Eastern and Central U.S. to Japan: 95,000 points round-trip (47,500 points one-way)
• Western U.S. and Canada to Japan: 90,000 points round-trip (45,000 points one-way)

Hot Tip:

Check out our review of ANA’s 777 business class! 

If you want to continue elsewhere in Asia, you will, unfortunately, be charged 2 separate awards, so this deal is only worthwhile for travel to Japan. Expect taxes and fees to be around $300 for a round-trip flight per person. 

2. Fly Virgin Atlantic Upper-Class Round-Trip Between the U.S. and U.K. (From 95,000 Points)

Onto the next option in the best ways to use Virgin Points: flying Upper Class! Economy standard-season award flights between the U.K. and the U.S. vary between 20,000 and 30,000 Virgin Points round-trip, with one-ways at half of the round-trip cost.

East Coast cities require fewer points than West Coast cities. Peak-season awards require 20,000 more points based on a round-trip booking.

Round-trip premium economy tickets can be booked for 35,000 to 55,000 points depending on the route during standard season dates, and round-trip Upper-Class awards are priced between 95,000 and 135,000 Virgin Points during standard season dates.

Hot Tip:

Check out our step-by-step guide to booking Virgin Atlantic Upper Class!

Remember that Virgin Atlantic imposes rather high fuel surcharges on its award flights, and you are also be subject to pricey government and airport taxes when flying through the U.K.

For example, fees on round-trip flights between the U.K. and the U.S. are around $500. We’ve seen plenty of airfare sales that let travelers purchase a flight to Europe in economy for that amount, so an economy class redemption might not be the best use of Virgin Points.

Surcharges on premium economy awards are around $1,200, while fees in the Upper Class can be over $2,000 round-trip.

To check for peak versus standard season dates and access the Virgin Atlantic award chart for Virgin Atlantic flights, visit this link.

If you’ve already purchased a flight, upgrading an eligible existing reservation booked with cash is possible. An economy classic ticket can be upgraded to premium economy for 15,000 to 25,000 points round-trip, depending on the route, or to an Upper Class seat for between 70,000 and 105,000 points. Economy Light tickets are not eligible for upgrades.

Hot Tip:

Use the Amex Platinum card to get Global Entry and TSA PreCheck to make your trip go more smoothly.

3. Fly Air France or KLM Business Class One-Way From the U.S. East Coast or the Caribbean to Western Europe (From 48,500 Points)

Air France and KLM are among Virgin Atlantic’s many partners in the SkyTeam alliance, which Virgin joined in early 2023.

In this case, the highest cabin you can book is business, but it has a fully lie-flat bed, excellent catering, and great service. Believe it or not, you can even redeem Virgin Points on many routes cheaper than you’d redeem Flying Blue miles for!

If you redeem Virgin Points between Zone 1 and Zone 6, you can book business class during off-peak dates for 48,500 points (58,500 points during peak dates) for both Air France and KLM.

Here’s what Zone 1 includes:

• U.K., Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Denmark, Balearic Islands, Finland, Italy, Malta, Norway, and Sweden

Here’s what Zone 6 includes:

• U.S. East Coast (see below), eastern Canada (see below), Antigua, Barbados, Bahamas, Cuba, Bermuda, Dominican Republic, French Guyana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands, Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Martinique, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, and Sint Maarten.
  • The following U.S. states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Virginia, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida
  • The following Canadian provinces: Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island

As you can see, you can fly from much of Western Europe to the eastern U.S., eastern Canada, or the Caribbean. Here are a few example routes you can take:

• Chicago (ORD) – Amsterdam (AMS) – Naples (NAP) on KLM business class for 48,500 points during off-peak dates
• Helsinki (HEL) – Paris (CDG) – Sint Maarten (SXM) on Air France business class for 48,500 points during off-peak dates
• Miami (MIA) – Paris (CDG) on Air France business class for 48,500 points during off-peak dates

4. Fly Delta Economy to Hawaii One-Way (From 15,000 Points)

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club has 3 pricing categories for awards booked on Delta Air Lines:

All pricing is per segment, so if you need a connecting flight or want a stopover, the points needed for each segment are added together. On distance-based redemptions, pricing is as low as 7,500 points one-way for economy on routes from zero to 500 miles and goes up to 45,000 points for 6,000 miles or more. Round-trip flights are double the cost of one-way.

The distance between Los Angeles (LAX) and Honolulu (HNL) is just over 2,500 miles, which would price at 15,000 points for a Delta flight using Virgin Points.

Since Delta itself does not publish an award chart, there can be great redemption values with Virgin Points. However, you’ll want to compare redemptions with both programs, as sometimes flights may be priced lower with Delta.

5. Fly on Delta One Suites to Europe One-Way (From 50,000 Points)

We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide on the best ways to book Delta One, including Delta One Suites, its best business-class product. Delta One Suites are available on most Airbus A350 and A330-900 flights and feature sliding doors, comfortable Westin bedding, and an excellent soft pillow.

One of the best ways to book Delta One Suites is with Virgin Points. Nonstop flights between Europe (excluding the U.K.) and the U.S. are 50,000 Virgin Points each way. You’ll want to check the aircraft to ensure your flight has the Suites instead of the standard Delta One business class.

Delta One frequently costs upwards of 200,000 SkyMiles if you’re booking with Delta, so using Virgin Points can provide significant savings.

It used to be possible to book Delta One Suites from the U.S. to Asia for 60,000 points and Australia for 75,000 points. Unfortunately, Virgin’s switch to distance-based pricing for flights outside of Europe means these awards are now at least 100,000 points each way, depending on the route.

6. Fly From New Zealand to Oceania Round-Trip on Air New Zealand (From 15,000 Points) 

Intra-New Zealand redemptions are 15,000 Virgin Points round-trip in economy, but business class is unavailable.

Awards between New Zealand and Australia (including the Pacific Islands) cost 20,000 Virgin Points in economy and 30,000 points in business class, which is pretty reasonable.

These award flights cannot be booked online; they can only be booked over the phone.

Hot Tip: If you’re staying in a hotel, you might want to use a hotel credit card like the Marriott Boundless card. You’ll get Gold elite status benefits and earn additional points for your stays!

7. Fly From New Zealand to the U.S. in Business Class Round-Trip (From 125,000 Points)

One of the better ways to fly to New Zealand is nonstop via Air New Zealand, and you can redeem Virgin Points for business class flights on these routes.

A nonstop, round-trip flight between Auckland (AKL) and Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO) costs 80,000 Virgin Points in economy and 125,000 points in business class.

In practice, however, those awards are virtually unavailable. The key exception is this: During the first half of the year, Air New Zealand may periodically dump a huge number of business class award seats for travel during the low season (June to August, with most awards in July). 

For those still interested in trying out the airline, awards between New Zealand and Asia tend to be more available for booking through partners. Per the Flying Club chart, these round-trip flights can be booked for 60,000 points in economy and 80,000 points in business class.

8. Travel Within Australia on Virgin Australia (From 15,000 Points)

Redeeming Virgin Points on domestic Virgin Australia routes can be a good option if cash flights are expensive.

Redemption rates vary depending on the distance flown. For example, round-trip economy tickets with less than 400 miles cost 16,000 Virgin Points. For example, Perth (PER) to Cocos Islands (CCK) comes to 40,000 points, and Hobert (HBA) to Brisbane (BNE) costs 30,000 points. Fuel surcharges do not apply to domestic tickets.

Passengers can book one-way award flights for half the price of a round-trip award, meaning it’s possible to combine a few one-way awards for a tour of Australia.

Hot Tip: Check out more fantastic cabin photos of Virgin Australia’s business class in our review!

9. Travel Within Africa on South African Airways (From 20,000 Points)

Flying Club provides rather lucrative options for award travel within South Africa, as well as between South Africa and the following Southern Africa destinations:

• Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

Round-trip economy tickets on these routes are 20,000 points, and business class tickets are 30,000 points.

A slightly higher cost of redemption applies to award flights booked between South Africa and the following Central and Northern African destinations:

• Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda

Round-trip tickets on these routes are 40,000 points for economy, and business class tickets are 50,000 points.

All pricing is per segment, so if you need a connecting flight or want a stopover, the points needed for each segment are added together. One-way flights are half the cost of round-trip.

Hot Tip: When you’re flying multiple legs, and you need to check your bag, the chances of it getting lost increase. You can minimize that risk by getting baggage insurance from a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

10. Fly on ANA Economy Round-Trip Within Japan (From 15,000 Points)

Flying Club offers an interesting opportunity to redeem points for ANA-operated flights. The award chart shows the same redemption level — 15,000 points — for all round-trip intra-Japan flights in economy class, no matter the distance.

For example, flying from Ozora (MMB) to Tokyo (HND) round-trip can cost over $300 during the peak summer travel season, giving you a value of 2 cents per point. Similarly, round-trip flights from Miyakojima (MMY) to Osaka (KIX) are typically at least $250.

Neither business class nor first class redemptions are available, and these redemptions can only be made by phone.

11. West Coast Mainland U.S. to Hawaii on Hawaiian Airlines Round-Trip (From 40,000 Points)

Flights from the West Coast to Hawaii and back require 40,000 Virgin Points in economy and 80,000 Virgin Points in first class. East Coast cities cost a bit more at 80,000 Virgin Points in economy and 130,000 Virgin Points in first class. This redemption clearly benefits those on the West Coast!

The best part about these redemptions is that Hawaiian Airlines doesn’t charge exorbitant fuel surcharges on award tickets.

Keep in mind that it is possible to book cheaper awards to Hawaii using 30,000 Virgin Points for a round-trip economy flight on Delta Air Lines. So, this redemption with Hawaiian Airlines would mainly be useful if you cannot find availability with Delta. British Airways Avios and Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles also have cheaper redemptions — 26,000 and 36,000 points round-trip in economy, respectively, provided there’s availability on American Airlines or Delta Air Lines.

Since Delta, United, and American all use dynamic pricing, you’ll want to compare rates before you use a partner airline to book. For example, Delta has had pricing for as low as 27,000 SkyMiles for round-trip economy from Los Angeles (LAX) to Honolulu (HNL). In that case, it’d be better to book with SkyMiles, if you have them, instead of Virgin Points or Flying Blue miles.

12. Fly Between the Hawaiian Islands (From 15,000 Points)

For those already on the islands, it is possible to use Virgin Points to island-hop!

An itinerary between the islands requires 15,000 points for round-trip economy or 30,000 for first class, with one-ways available at half the mileage cost. Since one-ways and open-jaws can be booked with Hawaiian Airlines, the legs can be booked as separate segments, allowing travelers to visit multiple Hawaiian islands on the same trip.

13. Fly Nonstop Delta Economy (From 7,500 Points)

Virgin Atlantic uses distance-based pricing for Delta flights outside the U.K. and the rest of Europe. This can unlock some incredible values, especially for nonstop, short-haul routes where the cash price may be high. The award chart is as follows:

In addition to the West Coast-to-Hawaii sweet spot for 15,000 points, as noted earlier, another sweet spot is short-haul economy routes for 7,500 points each way. On a sample award booking from Detroit (DTW) to Nashville (BNA), Delta charges 15,500 SkyMiles, while the same flight is available with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club for 7,500 points. That’s more than half as many points as needed! First class is also available with Virgin Points at around half the price of what Delta charges.

14. Stay at Richard Branson’s Private Island for 7 Days (2 Million Points)

Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group, lives on his own private island— known as Necker Island — in the British Virgin Islands.

Why is this important?

Because you can redeem (a boatload) of Virgin Points to stay on Necker Island during certain Celebration Weeks. It won’t come cheap, though, at a whopping 2 million points for 2 people sharing 1 room in the Great House for 7 nights.

For perspective, Great House rooms cost $5,000 per night during Celebration Weeks, so your 7-night stay is worth $35,000.

But your stay doesn’t just include the room. Your stay includes all food and drink (including alcohol), activities on the island, and return boat transfers to Necker Island from Virgin Gorda or Beef Island.

Your flights are not included, however.

Points redemptions for Necker Island are limited to 15 bookings per year.

Using Virgin Points With Airline Partners

Virgin Atlantic is part of the SkyTeam alliance, and you can earn and redeem points with all member airlines. Virgin Atlantic also has several partners outside of the alliance, including:

• Air New Zealand
• All Nippon Airways (ANA)
• Hawaiian Airlines
• IndiGo (for mileage-earning only)
• LATAM
• Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) (for mileage-earning only)
• Singapore Airlines
• South African Airways
• Virgin Australia

Redeeming Virgin Points is allowed on all partners except SAS and IndiGo. Award seats can be booked up to 331 days in advance.

Hot Tip: For more information on Virgin Atlantic’s loyalty program, check out the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club loyalty program page. 

Final Thoughts

While Virgin Atlantic Flying Club often charges higher fees than many competing airlines for its operated flights, it does still offer a handful of good redemptions that you shouldn’t count out … especially since Virgin Points are so easy to obtain!

We hope our list of the best ways to use Virgin Points was helpful. Now all that’s left is to go earn some points and start saving up. Happy redeeming!