Flights
How I Flew Virgin Atlantic Upper Class to London on Points
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THE QUICK ANSWER
I booked Virgin Atlantic Upper Class, Virgin's business class, from Tampa to London for about 45,000 Virgin points each. The points came from my credit cards. I moved them over during a 40% transfer bonus, so every 1,000 points I sent became 1,400 Virgin points. Taxes and fees are paid in cash.
POV: your flight to London costs less than a Target run. That was us on our first Virgin Atlantic Upper Class flight, and honestly, we've ruined flying forever. Lie-flat seats, lounge vibes, unreal service. All on points.
Here's exactly how it worked, so you can do it too.
Why Virgin Atlantic Upper Class?
Upper Class is Virgin Atlantic's business class. You get a seat that turns into a fully flat bed, real meals, and a crew that actually seems happy you're there. On an overnight flight to London, landing rested instead of wrecked changes the whole first day of your trip.
Virgin is also one of the easiest airlines to reach with credit card points, which makes it a great first "big" redemption for beginners.
Where the points came from
Every point on this booking came from credit card spending and welcome bonuses. No flying required. Points from several major card programs can end up in Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club, including Chase, Amex, Capital One, Citi and Bilt. Some move over directly and some go through Virgin Red first, so check your bank's transfer page for the current route before you move anything.
What a transfer bonus is, and why I waited for one
Every so often a bank runs a transfer bonus: for a limited time, you get extra airline points for every bank point you move. Ours was 40%.
Here's the math. If a flight costs 45,000 Virgin points, a 40% bonus means you only need to move about 32,200 bank points to get there. That's like a 30% discount on the flight, just for timing it right.
Bonuses come and go, so if you're not in a rush, it can pay to wait for one.
How to book it, step by step
- Search first. Go to Virgin Atlantic's website, choose "Book with points," and search your dates. Look for Upper Class seats at the points price you want.
- Check the total. Note the points price and the taxes and fees you'll pay in cash. Upper Class fees can run a few hundred dollars or more, so know the number before you commit.
- Look for a transfer bonus. Check whether your bank is running one to Virgin right now.
- Transfer your points. Move just what you need. This is one-way: once points leave your bank, they can't come back.
- Book right away. Award seats can disappear, so book as soon as the points land.
What I'd tell a friend before booking
- Be flexible. Moving your dates by a day or two can make a big difference in points and seats.
- Never transfer "just in case." Find the seat first, then move the points.
- Stop hoarding. Points don't get more valuable sitting in your account. Airlines raise prices over time. Use them.
- Keep track. Know your balances and which programs can reach which airlines before a deal pops up.
Keep it all in one place
The Beginner Points and Miles Tracker: your cards, points, perks, 5/24 count and trip goals in one plain-English spreadsheet. Excel and Google Sheets.
Frequently asked questions
Is Virgin Atlantic Upper Class business class?
Yes. Upper Class is Virgin Atlantic's business class cabin, with lie-flat seats, lounge access and full meal service.
How many points does Virgin Upper Class to London cost?
It depends on your dates, route and how full the flight is, and Virgin can change prices at any time. I paid about 45,000 Virgin points each from Tampa to London. Search Virgin's site with points to see current prices.
Which credit card points transfer to Virgin Atlantic?
Points from Chase, Amex, Capital One, Citi and Bilt can end up in Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, some directly and some through Virgin Red. Check your bank's transfer page for the current route and ratio.
What is a transfer bonus?
A limited-time promotion where a bank gives you extra airline or hotel points when you transfer. With a 40% bonus, 1,000 bank points become 1,400 airline points.
Do I pay anything when I book with points?
Yes. You pay taxes and fees in cash. On Virgin Upper Class those can be a few hundred dollars or more, so check the total before you transfer.
Liane Jamason is a St. Petersburg, Florida real estate broker who has flown business class to Italy, France and the UK on credit card points. She founded Points & Provisions to make points simple for beginners. Read her story or follow along on Instagram.
