New higher offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points on the Virgin Red Mastercard
Virgin Red might not be the first loyalty program that springs to mind for U.S. travelers. However, if you're someone who wants flexibility, experience-based rewards and transatlantic escapes to the United Kingdom and beyond, you need to know about the valuable Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard®.
Currently, new applicants can earn an elevated bonus of 60,000 Virgin points after spending $4,000 within 90 days of account opening — that's a 50% increase from its previous bonus.
Based on TPG's July 2025 valuations, 60,000 Virgin points are worth an impressive $780. At only a $99 annual fee, the Virgin Red card offers a solid welcome bonus and additional cardholder perks.
So, whether you want to fly across the pond, book a hotel stay or redeem your points for a memorable dining experience, Virgin Red's loyalty program can offer you great value.
The information for the Virgin Red Rewards credit card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The best ways to use Virgin points
Let's start with flights to Europe. We're huge fans of Virgin Atlantic's Saver fares at TPG. By linking your Virgin Red account with your Virgin Atlantic Flying Club account, you can combine all of your Virgin points into one account, which would allow you to book award flights to London starting at only 6,000 Virgin points plus fees, taxes and surcharges.
That means those 60,000 points from the Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard could net you up to 10 one-way flights to London. Alternatively, you could take the whole family and fly five people round-trip.
If flying isn't your priority, Virgin Red also offers hundreds of ways to redeem your points across food and drinks, health and wellbeing, live events, retail, travel and other spaces.
For example, you could treat yourself and a plus-one to a sunset dinner at the Empire State Building for 31,000 Virgin points, or book a Brooklyn Bridge bike tour for two for only 12,000 points. Since Virgin Hotel reward nights start at just 25,000 points per night, you could also opt to spend your bonus points on a two-night getaway.
You might also choose to save your Virgin points to eventually splurge on a luxury cruise vacation with Virgin Voyages or a stay at one of Virgin's Limited Edition properties, such as Mont Rochelle in South Africa or Son Bunyola in Mallorca, Spain.
Related: Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch is now open
Benefits of the Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard
Aside from the solid welcome offer, for every dollar you spend on the card, you will earn up to 3 Virgin points. Plus, if you're a regular spender, the card's "Personal Perks" system can be even more rewarding. If you spend $15,000 annually on the card, you can choose a benefit like a companion flight on Virgin Atlantic, up to a $300 bar tab on a Virgin Voyages cruise or a free night stay at Virgin Hotels. If you spend $30,000, you get to pick two perks — and yes, you can pick the same one twice.
Flyers also earn Tier Points toward Virgin Atlantic elite status: 25 Tier Points per $2,500 spent, with a monthly cap of 50 points. If you're strategic with your spending, you could significantly speed up your climb to Silver or Gold Flying Club status, which will allow you to enjoy benefits like bonus Virgin points, free checked baggage, premium check-in and complimentary seat assignments.
There's also an annual third-night-free benefit at participating Virgin Hotels.
Bottom line
With an annual fee of just $99, the Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard offers a solid earning structure and card benefits. Plus, the elevated 60,000-point welcome bonus can be redeemed for travel, lifestyle, events and more.
This loyalty program stands out for offering genuinely fun, experience-driven redemptions. There are many ways to redeem Virgin points at home and abroad, and the card also offers a neat path to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club elite perks.
TPG featured card
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| 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.