Virgin Makes Every Seat Bookable With Points, Introduces Dynamic Pricing

Updated: September 30, 2024, 7:10pm CDT

Edited by:

Flying Club Changes
Some Good News
Final Thoughts

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Virgin Atlantic is making big changes to its Flying Club program, including new earning rates and the opportunity to book any Virgin seat with points.

However, these seats (and the new Saver award seats) will be sold using a dynamic pricing model.

If you are savvy with points and miles, the word “dynamic” might as well mean “devaluation.” But is it all bad news?

Let’s take a look at the details.

Flying Club Changes

Virgin Atlantic announced that starting October 30, 2024, every seat onboard Virgin flights will be bookable with Virgin Points. Currently, only a fixed number of award seats are available per flight at fixed rates. The quantity is changing, time will tell about the pricing.

Virgin Atlantic A350 Upper Suite seat laid flat — More Upper Class availability is coming, but at what cost? Image Credit: Daniel Ross

In addition, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club will introduce Saver award seats, which will be sold at the lowest rates possible, some starting even cheaper than the current fixed rates — which is good news.

However, the rest of the seats will “vary in line with demand, in a similar way to standard tickets.” In other words, if the seat is expensive in cash, it will be expensive in points.

And let’s not forget that Virgin award tickets often come with eye-watering taxes and fees.

“Our customers mean the world to us. We are flying because of them and for forty years we have existed to make their journeys safe and special. Our aim is always to do right by them and to make them smile. In our special Ruby anniversary year, we are making every single seat available for purchase with points, becoming even more rewarding for our millions of loyal Flying Club members.”
Shai Weiss, CEO, Virgin Atlantic

Award vouchers are also changing. They will be valid “up to a maximum of 75k points for Flying Club Red tier members, or 150k points for Flying Club Silver or Gold tier members based on status at the time of voucher redemption.”

Personally, I’m not too sure that Flying Club members are excited about this news, especially those who are familiar with the Delta SkyMiles program and its current redemption rates.

Bottom Line:

Virgin Atlantic is shifting to dynamic pricing for award flights, which could make business class flights quite expensive when you factor in taxes and fees. See our guide to Virgin Atlantic routes to the U.S. if you want to learn more about plane types and destinations.

Some Good News

Although points and miles enthusiasts will focus on the dynamic pricing and what might be, there is some good news to look forward to.

Virgin has said that Saver reward seats will be priced at or below today’s prices, with flights to New York starting as low as 6,000 Virgin Points. That sounds nice!

Also, if you are paying cash for your Virgin Atlantic flight, there is some good news: You will earn 50% more Virgin Points on Upper Class tickets and 75% more on Premium tickets.

Final Thoughts

It is hard to look at this news and not see it as a devaluation.

Yes, Virgin did say that some seats will keep their prices or even become cheaper. However, based on what we have seen with other programs, dynamic pricing often means a big jump in award rates.

If you are currently searching for flights and see a price you like, book it. You have until October 30 before the new program kicks in.