Virgin Atlantic to join SkyTeam on March 2 — here's what this could mean for existing elites
It's official — Virgin Atlantic will join SkyTeam in less than a month. Virgin Atlantic's CEO Shai Weiss officially told TPG that the London-based airline will join the 18-member alliance March 2.
Since Virgin Atlantic formed a joint venture with Delta Air Lines, Air France and KLM in 2019, there has been speculation that Virgin Atlantic would join SkyTeam; however, this wasn't confirmed until September 2022. For reference, Delta owns 49% of Virgin Atlantic.
Other prominent SkyTeam carriers include Aeromexico, China Airlines and Korean Air.
Here's what Virgin Atlantic's membership in SkyTeam could mean for elite members.
SkyTeam elite benefits
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club has two elite status tiers: Silver and Gold.
SkyTeam also has two elite status tiers, which, in theory, should apply on all SkyTeam-operated flights with an elite frequent flyer number. For example, this means a Virgin Atlantic elite member will be entitled to benefits on all SkyTeam member airlines so long as they attach their Flying Club number to their reservation. Likewise, an elite member of another SkyTeam airline should receive these benefits when flying Virgin Atlantic once the airline joins the alliance and fully integrates its systems.
We expect Silver to receive SkyTeam Elite, while Gold members will likely be given SkyTeam Elite Plus. Here are the key benefits of SkyTeam elite status:
SkyTeam Elite
- Priority reservation waitlist.
- Priority airport standby.
- Priority check-in.
- Extra baggage allowance.
- Priority boarding.
- Preferred seats.
- Mileage upgrades.
SkyTeam Elite Plus
- SkyTeam Elite benefits.
- Guaranteed reservation.
- SkyPriority.
- Priority security and immigration.
- Lounge access on international flights.
- Priority baggage handling.
Some TPG staffers have reported challenges receiving their SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus benefits on some less-common SkyTeam carriers. For example, ITA Airways still hasn't fully integrated with SkyTeam despite being a member of the alliance. We hope that Virgin Atlantic integrates quickly into SkyTeam so its elite members can enjoy reciprocal benefits without delay.
It's also worth noting that Virgin Atlantic elite members already receive benefits on some SkyTeam airlines, like Delta Air Lines, due to existing partnerships.
Related: Book This, Not That: SkyTeam award tickets
Potential changes to non-alliance partnerships
We expect Virgin Atlantic members to be able to redeem Flying Club points across all SkyTeam member airlines in the future. However, this could take some time: For example, when Alaska Airlines joined Oneworld two years ago, alliancewide redemptions took a while to be implemented. Note that you can already redeem Flying Club miles on Air France, KLM and Delta due to existing partnerships.
We might also see Virgin Atlantic drop partnerships with some of the existing partners that aren't part of SkyTeam. For instance, Virgin Atlantic currently has partnerships with many Star Alliance carriers, including Aegean Airlines, ANA, Air India, Air New Zealand, SAS, Singapore Airlines, TAP Air Portugal and Singapore Airlines.
Virgin Atlantic also has a tie-up with Hawaiian Airlines, which goes head-to-head with its joint venture partner Delta on some key routes to the Aloha State.
Whether these non-SkyTeam partnerships will stick around is anyone's guess. But just in case they're slated to be terminated in the future, you might want to lock in some of the airline's best partner redemptions before they go away. For example, perhaps our favorite sweet spot is booking ANA business class for just 90,000 miles round-trip from the U.S. West Coast to Japan.
Related: Unlock incredible value with Virgin Atlantic points
Bottom line
Some TLC is long overdue in the SkyTeam alliance. In 2019, China Southern Airlines quietly left SkyTeam, and SkyTeam suspended Aeroflot from the alliance when Russia invaded Ukraine a year ago.
When Virgin Atlantic joins SkyTeam next month, SkyTeam elite members will receive their Elite and Elite Plus benefits on the carrier. Flying Club members will likely be able to earn and redeem their points throughout the alliance, though that leaves the airline's non-alliance partnerships in question.
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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
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
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- 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.
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- 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.