MSE News: Virgin Atlantic launches two credit cards - but how do they compare to BA cards?

Former_MSE_Callum

Virgin Atlantic has relaunched two airline credit cards allowing customers to earn a free flight upgrade or companion ticket. They're good for Virgin collectors but don't have the 'wow' factor of the longstanding British Airways cards...

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'Virgin Atlantic launches two credit cards - but how do they compare to BA cards?'

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femster82

Will the MBNA cards still work or are they getting rid of them?

This is a much worse deal. I might just get rid of it.

stevenhp1987

femster82 wrote: »

Will the MBNA cards still work or are they getting rid of them?

This is a much worse deal. I might just get rid of it.

They will continue to work for now, but they'll go at some point, the same as all non-amex issued amex cards will (are there any left now that you can apply for?!).

glider3560

I've collected a large number of Virgin Atlantic points from work trips. Annoying thing, compared to BA, is the very limited selection of destinations. Also, since their flights are long haul, you're looking at higher "taxes and charges" on most flights compared to redeeming on a short haul flight.

PeacefulWaters

glider3560 wrote: »

I've collected a large number of Virgin Atlantic points from work trips. Annoying thing, compared to BA, is the very limited selection of destinations. Also, since their flights are long haul, you're looking at higher "taxes and charges" on most flights compared to redeeming on a short haul flight.

Apparently KLM and Air France will become options at some point.

skybluearmyontour

I am a MBNA 'white card' user - I have been considering ditching for some time. I have around 90,000 miles but whenever I go to select Virgin flights - it ends up costing more than if I went with another airline without using miles....

Started collecting them as I flew to USA 4 years in a row and at the time Virgin were competitively priced...now I feel a bit trapped....

PeacefulWaters

skybluearmyontour wrote: »

I am a MBNA 'white card' user - I have been considering ditching for some time. I have around 90,000 miles but whenever I go to select Virgin flights - it ends up costing more than if I went with another airline without using miles....

Started collecting them as I flew to USA 4 years in a row and at the time Virgin were competitively priced...now I feel a bit trapped....

I'm no Virgin expert, but if you're focusing on economy flights you'll find things tough.

Perhaps switching miles to Hilton or other hotel groups will help you establish value. Or seek out Upper Class redemptions.

stevenhp1987

skybluearmyontour wrote: »

I am a MBNA 'white card' user - I have been considering ditching for some time. I have around 90,000 miles but whenever I go to select Virgin flights - it ends up costing more than if I went with another airline without using miles....

Started collecting them as I flew to USA 4 years in a row and at the time Virgin were competitively priced...now I feel a bit trapped....

95k miles for an upper class redemption, or 35k for premium to some locations.

95k for upper class is good value. I booked 2x using 190k points to Cancun for around £1.1k in taxes and surcharges.

There's a good article on HeadForPoints recently about Virgin redemptions.

A good one is 75k First Class (not business!) return to Beijing.

Give it a year or so and KLM/Air France should be redeemable.

Ben8282

stevenhp1987 wrote: »

A good one is 75k First Class (not business!) return to Beijing.
.

With which airline? Virgin don't fly to Beijing and certainly don't and never have offered First Class on any flight.

glider3560

Ben8282 wrote: »

With which airline? Virgin don't fly to Beijing and certainly don't and never have offered First Class on any flight.

Air China: https://www.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/flying-club/partners/airlines/air-china.html

Who knows what the taxes and charges will be, since you have to phone to book.

I'm sort of miffed with all these airline frequent flyer schemes. The taxes and charges are almost always as much as booking another flight with another airline. The only Virgin redemption which doesn't seem to be like that, would be Hong Kong.

I_love_My_Points

I have just emailed Virgins Flying Club to find out if the old Black Amex card is being discontinued.
As I pay an annual fee I suspect that the old cards will be cancelled on the renewal date.
I fly Virgin frequently to the USA and have had many free Upper Class trips with them. I'm not convinced that the new cards are in fact a better deal. I hope I'm proved wrong. By the way had a B.A. card before and found it useless to book seats with points.