Such a helpful video! We are flying to Florida next year with Virgin for our honeymoon! Working desperately to build up my points (only on 25k at the moment) to get an upgrade so I have Virgin red and linked up my Tesco club card which seems to be boosting it up quite a bit! Also tried asking friends/family if they had any Virgin points they’d kindly gift us with no luck 😂 thanks for the helpful tips in this video!
So glad it was helpful, and congrats! Hope the honeymoon is special and you get that upgrade! Keep an eye out for promotions from Virgin, they sometimes run ‘half price upgrades with points’ type promo’s. Where are you flying from?
They ran a promo earlier this year, so keep an eye open! At Manchester there’s the 1903 lounge - nice if you don’t get the upgrade as it’s the lounge Virgin use for their Upper Class passengers, but you can pay to access (I’ll have a video on this in September). they’re also opening a private terminal at Manchester later this year which you’d be able to book to make your trip a bit more special. It’s called Aether if you want to take a look! The upgrade is definately doable though if you’re not heading away until next year, just keep doing what you’re doing!
@@theharkinstvthis is all such good information! I’ll definitely be watching your video in September as that sounds like something we could do to make it more special. This new terminal sounds interesting! Thanks so much ☺️
I’ve never tried it myself. I believe NS&I only accept debit cards for premium bonds. This may have changed in recent years so don’t quote me on it! I imagine if it was accepted however, you may get a cash advance fee applied from VA and no points.
I know VA introduced cash advance fees for fronted payments a year or so ago, and I’ve heard of VA users getting fees attached to transactions through Curve. Might be worth a shot getting a small number of bonds to see?
Thank you! Yes it was per person. A little annoying having to spend money when you’ve got the points to upgrade, but well worth it still in my opinion. The fee will differ depending on your destination.
And £200 is far cheaper than the cash cost of the same upgrade. We wouldn’t be able to upgrade our trips without using miles/points, it just wouldn’t be affordable. Plus Virgin often do offer periods, for example reduced points required for upper class upgrades.
Is it worth having accounts for the kids? We travelled Economy Light recently so only earned about 1K per person per flight - is it worth it given we woulf have to pay to transfer them from any kid accounts?
Given points don’t expire, I’d say yes. If they are going to fly again with Virgin, even if not for a few years, it costs nothing them having an account to earn points. Better to earn them and not end up using them!
To use your Virgin points with KLM book with Virgin Atlantic and select to ‘show price in points’ when searching for flights. The options should give you all available flights, including those with KLM and other Sky Team member airlines. Hope this helps. Planning on going anywhere nice? :)
If i already have the free virgin credit card and wanted to change to the premium card would I be eligible for the large points bonus you get after the first purchase?
You’d only be eligible for the sign-up bonus if you cancelled your previous VA credit card over 6 months ago unfortunately. If you’ve not already utilised the AMEX sign-up bonus it could be worth cancelling your VA Reward card, get the AMEX bonus, and then apply for the VA Reward+ after 6 months.
Thanks, glad you like the video! Not sure what you mean regarding air miles as we’ve had nothing but positive experiences from them and it’s allowed us more trips than we would have. Earning without flying is definitely the way to go in our opinion for those vacationing infrequently!
Such a helpful video! We are flying to Florida next year with Virgin for our honeymoon! Working desperately to build up my points (only on 25k at the moment) to get an upgrade so I have Virgin red and linked up my Tesco club card which seems to be boosting it up quite a bit! Also tried asking friends/family if they had any Virgin points they’d kindly gift us with no luck 😂 thanks for the helpful tips in this video!
So glad it was helpful, and congrats! Hope the honeymoon is special and you get that upgrade! Keep an eye out for promotions from Virgin, they sometimes run ‘half price upgrades with points’ type promo’s. Where are you flying from?
@@theharkinstvah I didn’t realise they ran promotions like that! Thank you I will definitely keep an eye out. Flying from Manchester!
They ran a promo earlier this year, so keep an eye open! At Manchester there’s the 1903 lounge - nice if you don’t get the upgrade as it’s the lounge Virgin use for their Upper Class passengers, but you can pay to access (I’ll have a video on this in September). they’re also opening a private terminal at Manchester later this year which you’d be able to book to make your trip a bit more special. It’s called Aether if you want to take a look! The upgrade is definately doable though if you’re not heading away until next year, just keep doing what you’re doing!
@@theharkinstvthis is all such good information! I’ll definitely be watching your video in September as that sounds like something we could do to make it more special. This new terminal sounds interesting! Thanks so much ☺️
No problem at all, glad its useful!
Do premium bonds count as spending for the companion vouchers?
I’ve never tried it myself. I believe NS&I only accept debit cards for premium bonds. This may have changed in recent years so don’t quote me on it! I imagine if it was accepted however, you may get a cash advance fee applied from VA and no points.
@@theharkinstv I was thinking of doing it via curve fronted to bypass this perhaps
I know VA introduced cash advance fees for fronted payments a year or so ago, and I’ve heard of VA users getting fees attached to transactions through Curve. Might be worth a shot getting a small number of bonds to see?
Hi, really helpful video. On the fee for the upgrade was that c£200 per person on top of the points?
Thank you! Yes it was per person. A little annoying having to spend money when you’ve got the points to upgrade, but well worth it still in my opinion. The fee will differ depending on your destination.
@@theharkinstv Thank you very much, I know it another dip into the pocket but like you say it’s not like a cash upgrade so still winning.
And £200 is far cheaper than the cash cost of the same upgrade. We wouldn’t be able to upgrade our trips without using miles/points, it just wouldn’t be affordable. Plus Virgin often do offer periods, for example reduced points required for upper class upgrades.
Is it worth having accounts for the kids? We travelled Economy Light recently so only earned about 1K per person per flight - is it worth it given we woulf have to pay to transfer them from any kid accounts?
Given points don’t expire, I’d say yes. If they are going to fly again with Virgin, even if not for a few years, it costs nothing them having an account to earn points. Better to earn them and not end up using them!
How do you book a flight with klm using virgin points?
To use your Virgin points with KLM book with Virgin Atlantic and select to ‘show price in points’ when searching for flights. The options should give you all available flights, including those with KLM and other Sky Team member airlines. Hope this helps. Planning on going anywhere nice? :)
If i already have the free virgin credit card and wanted to change to the premium card would I be eligible for the large points bonus you get after the first purchase?
You’d only be eligible for the sign-up bonus if you cancelled your previous VA credit card over 6 months ago unfortunately. If you’ve not already utilised the AMEX sign-up bonus it could be worth cancelling your VA Reward card, get the AMEX bonus, and then apply for the VA Reward+ after 6 months.
Great video, I agree with all points made. Air Miles are a scam for gullable idiots.
Thanks, glad you like the video! Not sure what you mean regarding air miles as we’ve had nothing but positive experiences from them and it’s allowed us more trips than we would have. Earning without flying is definitely the way to go in our opinion for those vacationing infrequently!
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