Spending Virgin Atlantic Reward Miles

WSoap

Hey all,

I've accumulated just over 30,000 Virgin Atlantic reward miles in the last few years or so. If their reward seat calculator is to believe, that means I'm eligible for a free flight to most of the destinations they fly to (for example, a flight to Miami is 25,000 miles)
However, whenever I try to book a flight (using Miami as the example), the website will show a price of 25,000 miles + £300 (or so). I've tried checking loads of different destinations across loads of different dates, but there are no flights I can redeem a free seat for. All have an extra cost of a few hundred pounds.
Is this normal? I'm guessing Virgin Atlantic have some small print somewhere which lists a reason I can't use my points for a free flight, but I can't seem to find it anywhere. I'm not actually that fussy about the destination - I'd just like to use these points if I can!

Thanks!

Westin

The taxes and charges are always extra on reward redemption over and above the ‘free’ seat.

Alan_Bowen

Frankly, as you can see trying to book an economy seat using miles is a complete waste as you can often buy flights for little more than the taxes and fees airline charge. You either need to earn more miles and look for a better redemption or look to see what else you can buy with the miles. 

davelewis

Its definitely taxes and charges on top of the airmiles. I collect virgin miles Via Tesco Clubcard and find them fantastic. I cruised from Southampton to Miami last January and flew home with Virgin for 12.500 miles and £125 cash taxes and fees. Bargain. 

Westin

As you discovered davelewis, it can often be better value to buy a flight using VS FF miles with an ex US departure point.  The taxes and charges are much lower.

Sharon87

I've found this too. I would more likely to use them to upgrade my seat if I could. I have around 20,000 points. I mean it's still a lot cheaper than a regular return to the USA. Frequent Flyer points are that, they benefit frequent flyers more - ones that earn 100,000 points a year!

Have you tried another country to see if the same amount of taxes are charged on them too? There will always be some taxes to pay. I paid around £17 in taxes for a BA reward flight to Ibiza.

steve1500

The miles come into their own if you can use them during the school holidays, whatever class you are flying. Or look to buy a ticket for cash & upgrade

davelewis

steve1500 said:

The miles come into their own if you can use them during the school holidays, whatever class you are flying. Or look to buy a ticket for cash & upgrade

I'm sure Virgin Miles are only worth half during peak times (including school holidays). For example a return flight to NYC is 20,000 miles but during peak travel times (including school holidays) it is 40.000 miles for an NYC return flight. 

steve1500

davelewis said:

steve1500 said:

The miles come into their own if you can use them during the school holidays, whatever class you are flying. Or look to buy a ticket for cash & upgrade

I'm sure Virgin Miles are only worth half during peak times (including school holidays). For example a return flight to NYC is 20,000 miles but during peak travel times (including school holidays) it is 40.000 miles for an NYC return flight. 

Yes, they are more, but we have used them for Orlando- savings are massive