Is the Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard worth it?
Editor's Note
If you're a frequent Virgin Atlantic flyer, you may want to consider applying for the Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard®. This Synchrony-issued card earns 3 points per dollar spent at Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Hotels and Virgin Voyages and comes with some unique and customizable perks for a $99 annual fee.
Here’s what else to you should know if you're thinking about applying.
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.
Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard details
Currently, the Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard is offering a limited-time welcome bonus. New cardholders can earn 60,000 points after spending $3,000 on the card in their first 90 days of account opening. The offer expires March 31.
This card's typical bonus offers 40,000 points, so you could earn 20,000 more if you apply for the card during this limited-time offer.
The card also features a host of bonus-earning categories:
- 3 points per dollar spent on spending with Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Hotels and Virgin Voyages
- 2 points per dollar spent on dining, groceries, select streaming services and electric vehicle charging
- 1 point per dollar spent everywhere else
Plus, you’ll enjoy the following benefits:
- A third night free after booking two nights at a participating Virgin Hotels property once a year
- An anniversary bonus of 5,000 Virgin points each anniversary year upon card renewal
- No foreign transaction fees
- 25 Flying Club tier points for every $2,500 in eligible purchases (up to 50 tier points per month)
- 2,500 Virgin points when you add an authorized user (up to four users; limit of 10,000 Virgin points)
The product also comes with a unique benefit system. Cardholders can choose from the following Virgin perks twice each account anniversary year — one can be selected after spending $15,000, and another can be selected after spending $30,000. The perks include:
- Either book a companion for no extra points or upgrade one passenger round-trip on a Virgin Atlantic flight redemption (fees, taxes and substantial carrier-imposed surcharges are payable)
- One free night at a participating Virgin Hotels property in the United States or United Kingdom
- Upgrade your room at a Virgin Hotels property in the United States or United Kingdom
- Up to $300 bar tab on Virgin Voyages cruise of seven nights or more, or up to $150 tab on cruises of under seven nights
- Access to Blue Extras tier on Virgin Voyages, which includes perks like a Sailing Club cocktail event, $10 daily specialty coffee credit, laundry service and Sailing Club Services Support
Related: Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady review: A look at Virgin’s third cruise ship
Is the Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard worth it?
Given you can transfer all major credit card points to Virgin Flying Club and/or Virgin Red, Virgin points are easy to earn. The current welcome bonus of 60,000 points is low compared to the welcome bonuses on many transferable currency cards.
However, for just a $99 annual fee, the Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard and its long list of unique perks can provide value to Virgin loyalists, especially since the Virgin brand now covers flights, hotels and cruises.
You can earn mid-tier Flying Club Silver status just from spending on the card. This usually requires 400 Tier Points a year, which you could earn in eight months by spending $5,000 on the card monthly. This card should be very valuable if you aim for Virgin elite status.
Although the third night free at Virgin Hotels initially looks like a generous perk, remember that it is only valid at a handful of properties and can only be used once yearly.
The twice-a-year customizable perk is where this card gets really interesting and potentially lucrative. Choosing the companion or upgrade perk could save you thousands of dollars on your next flight to or from the United Kingdom, though remember that even if the upgrade or companion can be booked for no extra points, the full fees, taxes and surcharges are payable for that passenger.
Virgin imposes some of the highest surcharges of any airline, so for a round-trip business-class ticket from the United States to London, you must pay around $2,350 in fees, taxes and surcharges for your “free” companion to travel.
The free room night or upgrade is undoubtedly valuable, as is the bar tab on Virgin Voyages. However, many of their most popular cruises are less than seven nights, so only an up to $150 tab is offered on these shorter cruises.
For those wondering, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Virgin Red points are essentially the same, as you can transfer them between the two programs. TPG’s February 2025 valuations place these points at 1.4 cents apiece, making them one of the more valuable airline currencies on the market.
All that said, the Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard is likely worth getting if you’re chasing Virgin status or you’re a dedicated fan of Virgin flights and cruises. Otherwise, a card that earns transferable points or miles is the better option.
Related: This concept won’t be for everyone: Virgin Hotels Chicago
Other ways to earn Virgin points
You can easily boost your Virgin points balance with the right transferable rewards currency credit card. The following cards all currently offer strong welcome bonuses that you could easily convert to Virgin’s Flying Club and Virgin Red:
- American Express® Gold Card: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in your first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 on purchases in the first six months from account opening.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees): Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees): Earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
The information for the Ink Business Preferred has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: The best credit card welcome bonuses currently available
Bottom line
The Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard offers a solid and unique value proposition if you fly or sail Virgin often and want a card to take advantage of that.
With healthy earning rates and benefits, plus a unique choose-your-own-perk system that can singlehandedly justify the card’s annual fee, it is a notable addition to the Virgin lineup of cards. Just note that if your main goal is a large welcome bonus, there are plenty of better options you can transfer to Virgin points at a 1:1 rate.
Related: Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: How to earn and redeem points for maximum value
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.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.