Virgin Atlantic Flying Club adds huge surcharge for Delta One redemptions to Europe, but it won't impact most members
The Virgin Atlantic Flying Club program has devalued Delta One business-class redemptions to and from Europe without notice, but this move will unlikely impact many members.
Delta One awards booked through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club on most dates will still cost 47,500 Virgin points from the East Coast and central U.S. to Europe and 67,500 Virgin points from the West Coast to Europe.
However, Virgin Atlantic has now implemented peak award pricing, increasing awards to 57,500 points from the East Coast and central U.S. and 77,500 points from the West Coast to Europe (excluding flights to and from the U.K. that are already subject to this peak and off-peak pricing).
Keep reading to find out more about Virgin's latest devaluation of Delta One award flights.
Related: Delta One Suites review on the Airbus A330-900neo
Virgin Flying Club increases Delta One award prices, adds massive surcharge
If you're looking to book Delta One tickets through Virgin Atlantic, be aware of the peak and off-peak dates.
Peak dates for 2024 and early 2025 are:
- Jan. 1-3, 2024
- March 22-April 15, 2024
- June 16-Sept. 2, 2024
- Oct. 25-Nov. 5, 2024
- Dec. 7, 2024-Jan. 5, 2025
Adding peak dates with a price increase of 10,000 miles for a business-class ticket to select destinations within a single region is not an unreasonable devaluation and is still a competitive redemption price across the Atlantic.
What is eyebrow-raising is that Virgin is now imposing a large carrier surcharge, with total fees, taxes and surcharges adding up to over $1,000 per person each way in business class.
Therefore, you can now expect to pay over $2,000 in fees, taxes and surcharges for a round-trip business-class flight on Delta booked with Virgin points. This is right in line with what Virgin imposes on Flying Club redemptions it operates itself. Before the devaluation, one-way Delta One flights to mainland Europe from the U.S. cost customers just $5.60 in taxes and fees.
This additional surcharge seems to only affect business-class tickets, as economy award seats still do not have a surcharge and can be booked for $5.60 in taxes and fees.
If you want to book a Delta One flight through the Delta SkyMiles program, which does not charge any surcharges, you can readily find business-class availability to Europe. You can expect to pay up to 375,000 SkyMiles per person, per flight.
Related: Dynamic pricing vs. fuel surcharges — which is the lesser of 2 evils for your next redemption?
Why will this devaluation not impact most Flying Club members?
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is a transfer partner of all major transferable credit card currencies and often offers transfer bonuses and award flight promotions. Thus, there are some great deals to be found when using Virgin points to fly from the U.S. to Europe. For example, I flew from New York to London in April for just 5,000 Virgin points.
But when it comes to finding Delta One award availability on Virgin, award flights have been nonexistent.
I have regularly monitored Delta One availability using Virgin points for flights across the Atlantic over the past six months. There have been, at most, a handful of dates available across the entire 12-month schedule, with most availability from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Iceland's Keflavik Airport (KEF), a flight of just 5 1/2 hours.
This year, the scarce availability to the U.K. and mainland Europe has been primarily on (super) off-peak dates, such as the dead of winter when you should have no problem finding availability on other carriers, especially if you have transferable credit card points.
Related: 10 no-annual-fee credit cards that earn transferable points
For example, one of the only options I found during my search for Delta One availability to Europe over the next 12 months is from JFK to Portugal's Lisbon Airport (LIS). Though it will cost you less than 48,000 Virgin points, you'll pay over $1,000 in taxes, fees and surcharges.
Instead, if you want to use Virgin points to fly to Portugal in January, you can save more than $700 in surcharges by booking the Air France business-class option.
If you prefer Delta rather than Air France, you could book this same flight for 20,000 more miles through the Air France-KLM Flying Blue program to save around $1,000 in fees, taxes and surcharges.
Again, there are no changes to the prices of Delta-operated economy-class redemptions to the U.K. (which remain a great use of Virgin points) or mainland Europe, as these are readily available to book online. Fortunately, economy awards have been spared this new surcharge, so you can typically expect to pay less than $200 in total for fees, taxes and surcharges when flying to Europe in Delta economy through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
Note that while Delta charges $5.60 in taxes and fees when flying from the U.S. to Europe, there are country-imposed taxes and fees when flying from Europe to the U.S.
Unfortunately, Delta's premium economy product is still unavailable to book with Virgin points.
Bottom line
Devaluations are an unfortunate reality of the points and miles industry. We recommend redeeming points and miles soon after earning them rather than stockpiling them for a rainy day.
Ordinarily, adding a carrier-imposed surcharge of more than $1,000 each way without notice would be unforgivable by Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
However, the reality is that this change will not affect 99% of Flying Club members, as there are virtually no Delta One flights available to book with Virgin points anyway. In the unlikely event you find a seat available, it will likely be on an off-peak date (so the new increased peak pricing won't matter). Not to mention, you can probably book the same Delta flight through Flying Blue to save hundreds of dollars.
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.