Quick Points: Book Delta transatlantic Main Cabin seats at low fixed rates with Virgin points
If you're unhappy with Delta Air Lines' dynamic award rates to Europe, there's a solution — in economy, at least.
We currently see plenty of Main Cabin economy award seats bookable through partner Virgin Atlantic, and the number of points required is dramatically lower.
Delta's SkyMiles loyalty program may charge at least 40,000 miles each way from the United States to the United Kingdom in economy.
However, you can book the same Delta-operated flights with Virgin Atlantic starting at just 10,000 points each way from the East Coast on off-peak dates. Peak dates require just 15,000 points.
Flights from other parts of the U.S. start at just 12,500 points on off-peak dates and 20,000 points on peak dates.
Admittedly, Virgin's Flying Club charges more fees, taxes and surcharges than Delta's SkyMiles would. However, if you are considering transferring credit card points to Virgin instead of Delta to book these flights, we value the 31,000 credit card points you would save far more than the $220 in cash you would need to pay.
Related: Dynamic pricing vs. fuel surcharges — which is the lesser of 2 evils for your next redemption?
Delta-operated flights from the United States to mainland Europe are priced higher at 30,000 Virgin points each way in Main Cabin, though you will be charged just $5.60 in fees and taxes (with no surcharges). Delta can charge more than twice that number of miles for the same flights — like this itinerary from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) next April.
This can be a great way to save tens of thousands of points per flight, especially because Virgin Atlantic is a transfer partner of every major program with transferable currency:
- American Express Membership Rewards (1:1, instant transfer)
- Bilt Rewards (1:1, instant transfer)
- Capital One (1:1, instant transfer)
- Chase Ultimate Rewards (1:1, instant transfer)
- Citi ThankYou Rewards (1:1, instant transfer)
- Marriott Bonvoy (3:1 with a 5,000-point bonus for transferring 60,000 points, 48-hour transfer time)
While Delta does not usually release Premium Select (premium economy) or Delta One (business class) seats to partners, there are several routes where we have seen nine-plus seats per flight in economy, bookable with Virgin points, even during the busy summer period.
You can use Virgin's handy reward seat checker for Delta flights to and from the United Kingdom, allowing you to view monthly availability.
Related: A review of Delta Air Lines economy on the Boeing 767 from London to New York
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
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