Is the Virgin flying club a waste of time?

nigreeves

I have earnt approx 25,000 Virgin airmiles.
They are currently running a sale and I can get to Miami for 25,000 miles.
When I went to check flights etc I noticed that I will have to pay taxes etc of approx £275 plus redeem all my airmiles. I then checked how much Virgin would charge me to purchase a ticket and pay rather than use my airmiles.
I was most surprised to see that it would only cost me approx £380 including taxes.
This means my 25,000 airmiles are only worth approx £100.
Is it me or are these airmiles rather hyped up but are pretty worthless?

Mr_Wang

I used to have about 200k miles and at the time (about 3 years ago) the best way for me to use them were for one way flights from the US. I can't remember exactly but I seem to remember getting something like four one way flights from NYC to the UK for some miles and about hundred quid.
I also used some for upgrades which seemed to be worthwhile.

I quickly learned however that the expense of sticking with a particular airline and the rewards you get are often and in my case simply not worth it.

phatbear

They can be worth while it depends on the flights for example:

Heathrow to Dubai 25/06 to 02/07 is 20000 miles + £279.33
Heathrow to Dubai 25/06 to 02/07 = £453.33

Therefore your miles are only worth £174.00

However

Heathrow to Dubai 24/06 to 30/06 is 20000 miles + £279.33
Heathrow to Dubai 24/06 to 30/06 = £747.00

Therefore your miles are worth £467.67

Caz3121

Most airlines miles are worth the most when redeeming on premium classes - then you see the big savings, I have traveled business and first class for the cost of an economy ticket (as you have see the majority of the economy fare can be the taxes)

neilbond007

I have used Virgin miles twice to fly Upper class for 2 people LHR - SFO return. So, no, they aren't!

stoneman

neilbond007 wrote: »

I have used Virgin miles twice to fly Upper class for 2 people LHR - SFO return. So, no, they aren't!

Ah, but as well as your 100K miles, what were the taxes and fees? Last time I did it, the fees came to £700 per person

stoneman

Caz3121 wrote: »

Most airlines miles are worth the most when redeeming on premium classes - then you see the big savings, I have traveled business and first class for the cost of an economy ticket (as you have see the majority of the economy fare can be the taxes)

This is true. Upgrading is the best use, save your miles until you have enough for a qualifying economy ticket and then upgrade. But with Virgin this is easier said than done

neilbond007

stoneman wrote: »

Ah, but as well as your 100K miles, what were the taxes and fees? Last time I did it, the fees came to £700 per person

Fees were ridiculous. But still miles cheaper (pun intended) than paying cash.

eslick

found with virgin you also need to be ultra flexible, they never had the dates or near them when we were looking. upgrading seems to be the way to go

underthesea

despite the flight for free, the flight taxes you have to pay really sting to make it not worth it. This comes from fliying peak times - if you're flexible your miles will go further.

stephb34

The thing with points is you have to shop accordingly and not buy to get the points. Its no good buying virgin flights for the points if BA are cheaper, but if virgin are cheaper then you've got the bonus of points. For example i use my tesco credit card in tesco only as i get the most points with that card, when i go to sainsburys i use my nectar credit card but for all other purchases i use my Thomas cook credit card cause it gives me 1% of the spend in tc pounds. As martin always says boots have 1 of the best points offers on offer but its no good buying shampoo etc there at £2 a bottle for the points if its a quid in the pound shop. Oh and if anyone knows of a credit card that pays more than 1% permanently and not just for the first so many months then tell me, i could be missing out