The Reward Seat Winter Sale from Virgin Atlantic is back, presenting an opportunity to save 20% on selected routes. While it’s not breaking news, it’s still a noteworthy offer for those deal wanderers looking to make the most of their Virgin Points. The total cost of your trip is determined by your cabin selection, departure airport, destination, and travel dates. What exactly is the amount? That’s what you’ll discover when you’re ready to explore and make your reservation. Consider the details, keep an eye on the costs, and if it works for you, go ahead and book those Reward Seats.
Okay, now it’s time to talk about the less exciting side of things: taxes and fees. Even though that 20% discount is a mood booster, let’s not forget about taxes, fees, and carrier-imposed surcharges. Prepare yourself; they frequently lean toward the pricier side.
How It Works
- Booking Period: January 19th to January 31st, 2024
- Travel Period: Before December 31st, 2024
- Discount: A 20% off on selected routes
- Cabins: Economy, Premium, and Upper Class
- Booking Channels: The virginatlantic.com or Virgin Atlantic Customer Centre
Important Stuff to Know
- The discount applies only to Virgin Points, not the cash element (taxes, fees, and carrier-imposed surcharges) of the flight price.
- Valid on Virgin Atlantic marketed and operated routes (flight number starts with VS) excluding certain destinations.
- Not applicable to Gold Reward flights or Points Plus Money bookings.
- Standard tier points will be awarded, but passengers won’t earn Virgin Points.
- The offer cannot be combined with other Virgin Atlantic promotional offers.
Sample Fares
Here are some sample fares per person available during the Reward Seat Winter Sale:
- London (LHR) to Washington, D.C. (IAD)
- Sep 16, 2024 – Sep 23, 2024
- Starting from 16,000 Virgin Points + £388 or $492
- Economy Round trip
- London (LHR) to Orlando (MCO)
- May 11, 2024 – May 25, 2024
- Starting from 20,000 Virgin Points + £281
- Economy Round trip
- Manchester (MAN) to New York (JFK)
- Nov 19, 2024 – Nov 24, 2024
- Starting from 16,000 Virgin Points + £253
- Economy Round trip
- London (LHR) to San Francisco (SFO)
- Feb 18, 2024 – Feb 23, 2024
- Starting from 24,000 Virgin Points + £280
- Economy Round trip
- London (LHR) to Miami (MIA)
- Jan 31, 2024 – Feb 21, 2024
- Starting from 20,000 Virgin Points + £280
- Economy Round trip
Fare Evaluation and Comparison
As previously stated, taxes and surcharges can be a drag on your savings. Taking the example above, a round-trip ticket from IAD to LHR for 16,000 points in September (also available in October & November) appears appealing. However, there is a catch. The taxes total $492, which is a significant amount. Google Flights (at the time of my writing) offers the same journey for $719. When we do the math, we get the point value scenario: after subtracting the $492 taxes, we end up with $227. Dividing that by 16,000 points yields an average cost per point of approximately 1.4 cents. For those looking for a better deal, it may be worthwhile to investigate other programs such as Air France Flying Blue or others to see if they provide a more appealing offer. It’s always a good idea to consider your options when it comes to points and miles!
It’s relatively easy to earn Virgin Atlantic points! Many programs allow you to transfer points, and sometimes you even get bonus points when you buy them. For example, a recently expired deal from December 7 to December 31, 2023 offered members up to a 70% bonus. Partner programs such as Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou allow you to transfer Virgin Atlantic points. Watch out for these opportunities.
In a Nutshell
The Virgin Atlantic Reward Seat Winter Sale is a decent deal for those looking to maximize their Virgin Points. The 20% discount is ok, but keep an eye out for the less fun part: taxes and fees. The total cost is determined by your choices and will be revealed when you are ready to book. It’s not a groundbreaking sale, but if it fits into your plans, go for it. The sample fares indicate potential, but keep an eye on taxes. According to the numbers, a round-trip ticket from IAD to LHR in September costs approximately 1.4 cents per point after taxes. Look into programs like Air France Flying Blue for more options. Earning Virgin Points is relatively easy through transfer partners and occasional bonuses. Keep an eye out for those opportunities.
