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Virgin America Announces End Dates for Its Partnerships

June 16, 2017
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2 min read
Jet Blue And Alaska Air Reportedly Prepare Takeover Bids For Virgin America
Virgin America Announces End Dates for Its Partnerships
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Since the close of the Alaska Airlines-Virgin America merger last year, details about what the future will look like have slowly rolled out. But, we do know that Alaska will discontinue the Virgin America brand as of the beginning of 2018, and the two will become one entity. Now, we have details from Virgin about what it plans to do with its partners.

Today, Virgin America published a page on its site explaining when Elevate members can last earn points with partners, last redeem points with partners and the last day to travel on an award with its partners. Most notably, you'll no longer be able to earn or redeem points with its airline partners — Emirates, Hawaiian, Singapore and Virgin Australia — as of September 30, 2017. The last day to travel on an award with each of those partners comes at the beginning of next year, January 15, 2018.

It's worth noting that Emirates is also a partner of Alaska's Mileage Plan program, so Elevate members will still be able to redeem their points for travel on the Dubai-based airline when the two frequent flyer programs become one. However, the same can't be said for Hawaiian, Singapore and Virgin Australia, all of which aren't partners with Alaska.

Virgin America also announced that it's no longer going to be a transfer partner of Amex Membership Rewards after October 31, 2017. Currently, Virgin America is a 2:1 transfer partner of Amex MR points, which isn't the best of ratios. However, Alaska isn't a transfer partner of Membership Rewards points so that option will be closing altogether.

All of its hotel partnerships will be ending following September 30, 2017. However, Airbnb will be ending in just a couple of weeks — you only have through June 30, 2017 to earn Elevate points with Airbnb.

Keep in mind these partnerships and their end dates going forward if you have a stash of Elevate points and want to make a redemption before it's no longer available. As a reminder, you can transfer your Virgin America Elevate points to Alaska Mileage Plan miles with a 30% bonus.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 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.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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 $6,000 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.
  • 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 get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $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. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $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.
  • Terms Apply.