Book now: Virgin Atlantic Flying Club increasing prices of many Delta redemptions
If you've used Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club program to book Delta-operated flights in the past, listen up. You have just a couple of days before Virgin significantly increases the price of many Delta award itineraries. While it's not all bad news, you'll soon need more Virgin points across a large portion of Delta's route network.
For bookings made from Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, for travel from Jan. 1, 2024, Flying Club redemptions for travel on certain Delta-operated flights will increase as follows:
| Distance (miles) | Economy (current) | Economy (new) | % change | Delta One/First (current) | Delta One/First (new) | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 to 500 | 7,500 | 7,500 | 0% | 17,500 | 21,000 | 20% |
501 to 1,000 | 8,500 | 11,000 | 29.41% | 27,500 | 41,500 | 50.91% |
1,001 to 1,500 | 11,500 | 16,500 | 43.48% | 40,000 | 59,500 | 48.75% |
1,500 to 2,000 | 12,500 | 18,500 | 48% | 45,000 | 66,500 | 47.78% |
2,001 to 3,000 | 15,000 | 22,000 | 46.67% | 52,500 | 70,000 | 33.33% |
3,001 to 4,000 | 22,500 | 35,000 | 55.56% | 80,000 | 80,000 | 0% |
4,001 to 5,000 | 27,500 | 44,000 | 60% | 105,000 | 105,000 | 0% |
5,001 to 6,000 | 35,000 | 49,500 | 41.43% | 130,000 | 130,000 | 0% |
6,001-plus | 45,000 | 65,500 | 45.56% | 165,000 | 165,000 | 0% |
However, this updated award chart only applies to Delta flights outside of Europe and the United Kingdom, which remain unaffected.
Nevertheless, many of these changes are brutal. Only one readily available redemption (an economy flight covering up to 500 miles in distance) remains at the same price. All other Delta-operated economy flights are climbing, in some cases by more than 50%.
For example, nonstop Delta award flights from the U.S. to destinations in Australia increase to 65,500 Virgin Points each way, representing a 45% increase.
It's a similar story for premium cabins. Many domestic first-class tickets will climb by close to 50%, with only the longest flights (greater than 3,000 miles in distance) remaining unchanged. And since award availability in Delta One on long-haul international flights has been essentially nonexistent for some time, keeping those prices the same doesn't have any practical benefit to travelers.
While many of the price increases are extreme, some caveats soften the blow:
- The price increases do not commence until Dec. 7, so if you do have a redemption in mind, book it immediately before the price rises.
- Travel booked and undertaken before the end of 2023 is unaffected.
- All Delta-operated flights to and from Europe and the U.K. are unaffected by the price increases.
Related: When and how to book Delta awards with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points
Here's a statement a Virgin Atlantic spokesperson sent to TPG via email:
We recognize how much our members value the extensive range of redemption partner options available through Flying Club, including flights with our joint venture partner, Delta Air Lines. We routinely evaluate our pricing, and have updated pricing for redemption flights using Virgin Points on non-transatlantic Delta routes. Virgin Atlantic remains committed to offering our loyal members the most competitive pricing for redemption flights across our partner airline network.
Thankfully, Delta Main Cabin flights to Europe on standard season dates will continue to provide great value for a solid product, with flights from just 15,000 Virgin points each way. These flights also incur lower surcharges than Virgin-operated flights on the same routes.
| Standard season (Main Cabin, each way) | Peak season (Main Cabin, each way) | |
|---|---|---|
East Coast (Boston, New York) to the U.K. | 15,000 points | 25,000 points |
Central U.S. (Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis) to the U.K. | 17,500 points | 27,500 points |
West Coast (Salt Lake City) to the U.K. | 20,000 points | 30,000 points |
Flights to other European destinations (i.e, Amsterdam to Boston, Paris to Atlanta) | 30,000 points | 30,000 points |
You can view a full breakdown of these award charts on Virgin Atlantic's partner page for Delta Air Lines.
Related: Quick Points: Book Delta transatlantic Main Cabin seats at low fixed rates with Virgin points
Our take on the changes
Simply put, these changes represent a severe devaluation for non-European Delta award flights booked via Virgin Atlantic. Aside from the few distance bands that will remain unchanged, you'll soon pay at least 30% more for these award tickets.
Of course, short-haul flights in domestic first class often provided poor value even at the existing rates, with 40,000 Virgin points needed for a three-hour flight in recliner seats between New York and Florida, for example. Meanwhile, on premium transcontinental routes like New York to California — where Delta may have offered a proper lie-flat seat — availability has been very hard to come by.
However, nonstop economy flights within the U.S. still offered some terrific value, especially given the fact that Virgin Atlantic partners with all the major transferable credit card currencies. This will significantly change once the new award charts take effect.
Finally, it's worth noting another aspect of the Flying Club program that's not changing. Virgin Atlantic will continue to price Delta awards on a segment-by-segment basis, so you'll still need more Virgin points for a connecting itinerary than a nonstop one.
Bottom line
Virgin Atlantic is increasing the award rates on many Delta-operated flights as of Dec. 7 for flights on (or after) Jan. 1, 2024. While Delta award availability through Virgin has always been limited, many of these increases are severe.
Using Virgin points for nonstop Delta flights has long been an appealing value proposition (even after the 2021 devaluation). Booking the same flights through Delta SkyMiles can often require more miles, so these changes will remove some of those sweet spots — though, thankfully, flights to (and from) Europe aren't affected.
If you wish to book Delta flights for attractively low rates using Virgin points, you have only a few days left before prices increase.
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- 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.
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- $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.