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Virgin Atlantic Baggage Fees & Tips To Cover the Expenses

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Erin Miller
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Erin Miller

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An experienced points hacker, Erin is Alex’s partner-in-crime and contributes to Upgraded Points with in-depth guides and relationship management. Erin’s work has been cited in multiple major publicat...
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Keri Stooksbury

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With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now editor-in-chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r...
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Key Takeaways

  • All passengers are permitted 1 personal item and 1 standard carry-on bag for free while Upper Class permits 2 bags.
  • Economy light fares do not include checked baggage, whereas economy classic includes 1, premium economy, and Upper Class includes 2.
  • Overweight bags incur a fee of $100, and oversized bags cost $300.

Virgin Atlantic’s baggage policies and fees are some of the clearest we’ve seen, which makes it a heck of a lot easier to determine your total luggage costs than with most other airlines!

Virgin Atlantic Carry-on Allowance

1 personal item: FREE
1 standard carry-on bag: FREE (Economy Light, Economy Classic, Economy Delight, and Premium Economy)
2 standard carry-on bags: FREE (Upper Class)

Size Restrictions

  • Personal: undisclosed
  • Standard: 9 x 14 x 22 inches (23 x 36 x 56 cm), 22 pounds (10 kg) for economy; 26 pounds (12 kg) individual and 35 pounds (16 kg) combined for Upper Class

Lap Infant Carry-on Policy

  • 1 standard carry-on bag, 9 x 14 x 22 inches (23 x 36 x 56 cm), up to 13 pounds (6 kg). The following foldable buggies are permitted in the cabin: GB Pocket, Britax Holiday, SIlver CrossJet, and BabyZen YoYo.

Stroller Check Policy

  • Strollers can be checked in at the ticket counter or can be used up to the boarding gate. If being checked at the gate, the stroller will be put in the hold for the flight and will be ready for you outside of the aircraft doors (however, at some destinations you may have to reclaim it at the baggage hall, due to local customs restrictions).

Virgin Atlantic Checked Baggage Allowance

All checked bags must adhere to a max weight of 50 pounds (23 kg) for economy and premium economy fares and 70 pounds (32 kg) for Upper Class fares and must adhere to max linear dimensions of 35.5 x 29.5 x 16 inches (90 x 75 x 43 cm).

Economy Light: No checked baggage
Economy Classic/Delight: 1 bag included*
Premium Economy: 2 bags included
Upper Class: 2 bags included

* In economy, on flights from the U.K./U.S./Canada to India and vice-versa, flights from the U.S. to South Africa, flights from the U.K. and U.S. to Lagos, and flights from U.K./U.S. to Pakistan or Pakistan to U.K./U.S. the allowance is 2 bags.

The luggage allowance cannot be pooled across members of your traveling party.

Additional/Excess Baggage Fees

Please note, Virgin Atlantic charges excess baggage fees on a per-flight basis.

SCROLL FOR MORE

Fare Type

First bag

Second bag

3+ bags

Overweight

Oversized

Economy Light

£50/$75

£65/$100

£140/$200

£65/$100

£200/$300

Economy Classic/Delight

Included

£65/$100

£140/$200

Premium

Included

Included

£140/$200

Upper Class

Included

Included

£140/$200

If a bag is both overweight and oversized, both fees will apply.

Lap Infant Checked Bag Policy

  • Infants too young for their own seat on the aircraft (traveling on the lap of a parent or carer) can have 1 piece of hold baggage weighing up to 50 pounds (23 kg).

For baggage fees related to special luggage (sporting equipment, musical instruments, etc.) please refer to Virgin Atlantic’s policy.

Exclusions and Waivers

Flying Club Gold members can check in an extra piece of luggage on all Virgin Atlantic-operated flights for no extra charge, weighing up to 50 pounds (23 kg). It doesn’t matter which cabin you’re flying in.

Can I Prepay for Baggage?

Virgin Atlantic does allow passengers the ability to prepay for luggage online or via the mobile app when they check-in from 24 hours before the flight departure.

Here are the ways you can prepay:

Credit Cards That Reimburse You for Checked Bag Fees

Virgin Atlantic has a better-checked bag policy than most airlines, but if you need an additional checked bag, these Capital One cards will reimburse you at a rate of 1 cent per mile against travel purchases made within the last 90 days.

TOP PICK
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
Star rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating icon
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 Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Apply Now(at Capital One's secure site)
The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles
$1,350
$395
19.99% - 29.49% (Variable)
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 (740-840)
Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

 

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
  • 5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
  • 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
Cons
  • $395 annual fee (rates & fees)
  • Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status
Card Highlights
  • Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
  • Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
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  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 19.99% - 29.49% (Variable)
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
Star rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating icon
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.

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Apply Now(at Capital One's secure site)
Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles
$1,350
$95
19.99% - 29.49% (Variable)
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 Credit (670-850)
Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 5x miles per $1 on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
  • Up to a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
Cons
Card Highlights
  • Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 19.99% - 29.49% (Variable)
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
Star rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating icon
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 card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.

Apply Now(at Capital One's secure site)
The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.
Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel.
20,000 miles
$360
$0
19.49% - 29.49% (Variable),0% intro on purchases for 15 months
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

Interested in a travel rewards credit card without one of those pesky annual fees? Then say hello to the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.

In addition to no annual fee, the Capital One VentureOne card offers no foreign transaction fees.

But is this card worth its salt, or is it merely a shell of the more popular Capital One Venture card?

Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
  • Weak earn rate at 1.25x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
  • No luxury travel or elite benefits
Card Highlights
  • $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
  • Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.49% - 29.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 19.49% - 29.49% (Variable),0% intro on purchases for 15 months
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

Capital One Miles


To see more airline baggage fees and policies, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much luggage can you take on Virgin Atlantic?

Flying Virgin Atlantic, Economy Classic/Delight passengers can bring 1 piece of checked baggage (50 pounds/23 kg) across most routes (2 bags for some destinations), Premium Economy can bring 2 bags 50 pounds/23 kg each) and Upper Class 2 bags (70 pounds/32 kg each) or 3 bags for flights between the U.K. and South America. Customers who booked Virgin’s Economy Light fare will not receive any free checked baggage.

Can you take a handbag as well as hand luggage on Virgin Atlantic?

Yes, you can take 1 personal item such as a handbag and 1 standard carry-on bag when flying Virgin Atlantic in economy or premium economy. Passengers in Upper Class can bring 2 standard carry-on bags. The maximum size of a carry-on bag is 9 x 14 x 22 inches (23 x 36 x 56 cm).

How much does it cost to check a bag on Virgin Atlantic?

Outside of your baggage allowance with Virgin Atlantic, your first piece of extra baggage can be purchased for £50/$75 when you’ve booked Economy Light. For Economy Classic/Delight a second piece of luggage can be purchased for £65/$100. Premium Economy/Upper Class can purchase extra luggage from £140/$200.

What is the weight limit for Virgin Atlantic?

Virgin Atlantic’s checked baggage weight limits are 50 pounds (23 kg) for economy and premium economy and 70 pounds (32 kg) for Upper Class. If your bag is overweight then Virgin will charge £65/$100 per bag and £200/$300 if your bag exceeds 35.5 x 29.5 x 16 inches (90 x 75 x 43 cm).

Erin Miller's image

About Erin Miller

An experienced points hacker, Erin is Alex’s partner-in-crime and contributes to Upgraded Points with in-depth guides and relationship management. Erin’s work has been cited in multiple major publications.

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