Frequent flyer miles

moreofthegoodstuff

I have just over 10,000 points on two different Virgin frequent flyer accounts, and I'm under no illusion that this is very much at all but don't want them to go to waste.

We don't plan to travel with Virgin again in the next 3 years so what would you do with the points/is it actually worth doing anything with them? Any advice would be good! I noticed you could get some internal flights in the USA but this wouldn't be any good.

callum9999

moreofthegoodstuff wrote: »

I have just over 10,000 points on two different Virgin frequent flyer accounts, and I'm under no illusion that this is very much at all but don't want them to go to waste.

We don't plan to travel with Virgin again in the next 3 years so what would you do with the points/is it actually worth doing anything with them? Any advice would be good! I noticed you could get some internal flights in the USA but this wouldn't be any good.

Internal US/Australia flights seem to be the only flights you could possibly redeem them for. Or if you're quick, a flight to Scotland.

The only other options I see are to earn more (Tesco Clubcard is probably your best bet, or their credit card) or convert them into hotel points (on the assumption you have 10k in each, not in total).

moreofthegoodstuff

I will definitely have a look at the scottish flights option.

With the hotel option, is it possible to add money to the points to be able to book a room as I presume 10k isn't enough for a night/also that we can't add both our points together to make 20k?

Caz3121

Flights between Edinburgh and London Heathrow are 7,500 miles and £34. A pretty good deal (includes baggage etc) - route ends in September though
I looked at the hotels but did not seem that great use (for me)
1 miles transfers to 1 IHG point (Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza etc)
2 miles transfers to 3 Hilton points
problem is that the hotel rates may be higher than the points you would get
full list here http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/content/dam/VAA/Documents/flyingclub/300616_VIRGIN_FlyingClub_Aug2014_SPENDING_V1.pdf

moreofthegoodstuff

Thanks for the link! I would have gone for the flight option but just realised there isn't any manchester flight options.

I think I'm going to change them to hotel points, its just hard to work out if they will cover a room (which I doubt) and if I can add money to them or add the 20k together?! Either way it's not the end of the world but would like to see them used

SW17

If your concern is that your miles will expire before you get to use them, and you think you might use them further into the future, it's relatively simple to extend their life. Any earning or spending activity will reset the expiry clock to 3 more years, and this should include transfer of eg Tesco Clubcard points. Of course, once you've transferred them they are in your Virgin account and can only transfer out at fairly unfavourable rates, so this is only recommended if you think you will use them at some point.

You can also earn miles on things like Purple Parking and No.1 Traveller lounges when booked using your Virgin Flying Club number. (You don't have to be flying Virgin). You will get a discount and the miles earned will reset the expiry clock. Check out "local partners" in the earning miles section.

callum9999

moreofthegoodstuff wrote: »

Thanks for the link! I would have gone for the flight option but just realised there isn't any manchester flight options.

I think I'm going to change them to hotel points, its just hard to work out if they will cover a room (which I doubt) and if I can add money to them or add the 20k together?! Either way it's not the end of the world but would like to see them used

IHG have PointBreaks every month where you can redeem in selected hotels for 5,000 points a night. The next lot should be out soon but the current selection is: http://blog.ihg.com/point-breaks-preview-feb-2015

As it's so restricted, it might not fit into your plans if you had a specific destination in mind, but I personally think 2 hotel nights will be much better value than the Scotland flights even if you could take them anyway (you could fly Ryanair for only a couple of quid more than the £35 cash you need for the redemption).

pmramsay

Take a look at the partners you can spend the miles on, wine, eurostar etc. May find an alternative use as opposed to flights

moreofthegoodstuff

Just to update, I booked two nights in a holiday inn express, glad not to have wasted the points! Thanks all

uk_moneyspinner

I appreciate that the original poster of this thread has resolved their issue but I just wanted to add my contribution.

Visit the Virgin 'Shops Away' site and find Domino's Pizza. Buy yourself a pizza and you'll get a point for every pound spent. Not a great deal but it will extend your flying miles for another 3 years!