Virgin America Tweaks Its Elevate Program in Favor of Flyers
Update: An earlier version of this post detailed the new bonus points-earning level for Elevate Gold at 120%, however, there was a typo in the original Virgin America email to Elevate members. This post has been updated to reflect the actual Elevate Gold bonus level of 140%.
Alaska Airlines recently announced it was acquiring Virgin America, and now Virgin just shared the news that it's making new improvements to its Elevate program. The new changes make it easier for Elevate members to maintain their status with the airline by allowing reward flights to count toward elite status, among other positive changes.
In an email sent to Elevate status members today, Virgin America announced that it was making "some changes to the Elevate program." With that kind of wording from an airline, impending changes usually mean bad news for flyers. However, these updates to the Elevate program appear to be in favor of the frequent flyer.
As you can see, the carrier has changed both the required amount to qualify for Silver and the bonus once you have Silver status. Instead of requiring 20,000 status credits at 5 credits per dollar, you now have to earn 20,000 status credits at 5 per dollar or complete 15 flights. In addition, the bonus points increased from 25% to 50%, or 7.5 points per dollar.
Elevate Gold status has also changed. You can still earn 50,000 status credits to qualify, or you can choose to complete 30 flights to get Elevate Gold status, instead. In addition, the bonus points has increased from 100% to 140%, or 12 points per dollar.
In addition to the new ways to qualify and additional bonus points when you have status, Virgin also changed which flights count toward status, again in favor of the flyer. Now, all award flights will be counted toward achieving status. With these new changes, any flights taken since January 1, 2016 will count toward qualification.
With the news that Alaska Airlines beat out JetBlue to acquire Virgin America, there's been some visible competition between the latter two carriers, with each trying to gain the business of the opposing airline's customers. First, JetBlue announced that it was giving away 500 free flights to "JetBlue virgins" in California and New York. And now, with Virgin's Elevate program updates, the carrier is expanding its Gold status match to include JetBlue Mosaic members.
Virgin also addressed the issue regarding the future of its Elevate program at the end of the email:
Please be assured that there will be no changes to the program during the next several months — and potentially until the end of the year, following the recent announcement that Alaska Airlines will acquire Virgin America.
Bottom Line
When an airline announces changes or "improvements" to its loyalty programs, it's usually bad news for frequent flyers. However, with these new changes to Virgin America's Elevate program, it's become much easier for frequent flyers to qualify for and maintain their status. In fact, Virgin is now the only US-based airline that allows award flights to count toward elite status qualification.
While it's not clear what will happen to the Elevate program as the merger with Alaska Airlines draws nearer, there is a good opportunity to take advantage of these positive changes now, before any major adjustments are made.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.