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Virgin Atlantic is extending elite status and vouchers by another 6 months

Sept. 07, 2021
2 min read
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Virgin Atlantic is extending elite status and vouchers by another 6 months
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Editor's Note

This story has been updated with the latest information.

Virgin Atlantic is extending elite status, as well as upgrade, companion and Clubhouse vouchers for members of its Flying Club due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

On Tuesday, Sept. 7, Virgin announced it's giving elite members more time to maintain their status, as well as extending the expiration dates on some benefits.

Virgin is extending the status for Gold and Silver members by six additional months. While the number of Tier Points needed is staying the same — 1,000 for Gold and 400 for Silver — members will get an additional six months added to their membership year to meet the requirements for an additional year of status.

Throughout 2020 and 2021, Virgin has now extended members' elite status five separate times, giving travelers a total of two extra years to maintain their tier status.

While Flying Club isn't sending out new physical membership cards with the new status expiration date, Virgin will offer a digital membership card online and via the airline's app.

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Members can log in to their Flying Club account to see how many Tier Points they've earned and the new end date for their membership year online or on the app.

“With travel to the U.S. still facing restrictions, we wanted to offer continued flexibility as our customers make plans to travel in 2021 and beyond," said Siobhan Fitzpatrick, Virgin Atlantic's chief digital and marketing officer, in a statement accompanying the announcement. "I’m delighted we can continue to offer our customers reassurance and flexibility with a further six-month status extension."

Related: The ultimate Virgin Atlantic Flying Club guide

In addition to extending status and requalification periods for elites, Flying Club is also extending the validity for some benefits. For all members, regardless of status, Virgin is extending the validity of the following rewards an extra six months:

  • Companion vouchers have been extended
  • Upgrade vouchers have been extended
  • Clubhouse vouchers have been extended

All new expiration dates will show in members' Flying Club accounts soon. You will not need to call Virgin to update your status or extend your reward benefit, as it will be automatically done. Virgin Atlantic has also extended its rebooking window to April 30, 2023.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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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)

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • 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.
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  • 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.