Best Uses for Virgin Points | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep268 | 8-16-24
Aug 16, 2024
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Discover creative ways to maximize Virgin Points for flights, cruises, and hotels. Learn about the resurgence of Air France and KLM bookings with these points, alongside strategies for car rentals using AutoSlash. The hosts dive into the latest Amex Gold card benefits, including surprising tips on Dunkin' perks. They also tackle airline cancellation policies, recent LifeMiles devaluations, and how to navigate hotel upgrades effectively. Plus, uncover rare deals and smart tips for getting free cruises and maximizing travel benefits!
Virgin points can be effectively redeemed for economical short-haul flights with Air France and KLM, offering great value for travelers.
Recent devaluations in Virgin points redemption have diminished the attractiveness of transatlantic Delta One flights due to high surcharges.
Redeeming Virgin points for Virgin Voyages cruises presents a unique all-inclusive travel experience, expanding options for travelers seeking adventure.
Deep dives
Best Uses for Virgin Points
Virgin points, such as those from Virgin Atlantic or Virgin Red, can be effectively utilized for various travel experiences. One prominent use is flying with their partners, particularly Air France and KLM, for short-haul flights within Europe. Economy flights can start at just 4,000 points, while business class flights are available for as low as 8,000 points one way, making them an attractive option for budget-savvy travelers. Additionally, the potential for high award availability enhances the appeal of these redemptions, especially for travelers looking for flexibility and options.
Current Devaluations and Changes
Recent changes to Virgin points redemption values have caused some previously lucrative options to lose their appeal. Notably, flying Delta One across the Atlantic using Virgin points is no longer favorable due to increased surcharges that can reach over a thousand dollars on top of the points cost. While other options still exist, such as booking short flights with Air France and KLM, the value proposition requires careful consideration to ensure travelers are obtaining the best value for their points. This shift highlights the importance of regularly reviewing award charts and redemption opportunities.
The Value of Cruise Bookings
Using Virgin points for Virgin Voyages cruises presents a unique and potentially valuable redemption opportunity. With cruises around the Mediterranean included, points cover food, soft drinks, tips, group fitness classes, and Wi-Fi – making it a compelling all-inclusive experience. The pricing varies, with a transatlantic journey costing around 320,000 points for 16 nights, equating to about 20,000 points per night for double occupancy. While not traditionally appealing to everyone, the addition of these cruise options provides a new avenue for leveraging Virgin points and broadening travel experiences.
Comparing Award Programs
When redeeming points for transatlantic flights, comparing Virgin points with alternative loyalty programs can yield better outcomes. For example, while Virgin offers competitive pricing for economy and business class tickets, Flying Blue may provide lower rates during peak seasons. Award availability fluctuates between these programs, so checking both can maximize rewards and ensure travelers get the best fare to Europe. Finding eight seats in economy through Virgin is feasible, positioning it as a strong contender for family travel compared to other frequent flyer programs.
Navigating Award Availability Challenges
Booking award flights with airlines like Air New Zealand or ANA can be challenging due to limited availability. Both offer competitive prices, with ANA's business and first-class tickets priced at under 50,000 and 72,500 points respectively for flights from North America to Japan. However, finding these awards often requires flexibility and attentiveness to date availability, making them difficult to secure. Travelers eager for these deals should remain persistent and leverage search tools to spot opportunities when they arise, rather than expecting to plan a trip around fixed dates.
You can use these points for cruises, hotels and some really compelling deals on flights, of course. In this episode, we'll discuss some of our favorite uses for Virgin Points.
(01:28) - Tips for using AutoSlash for car rentals...
(06:50) - The Amex Gold card's Dunkin' benefits can apparently be used at Baskin Robbins!
(47:25) - What do you do when a Marriott nightly upgrade award would put you in a suite with a lower room occupancy than the lower, standard room (and a lower occupancy rate than you need)?
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