Airline credit cards
Discussion
It looks like there are two major airline credit cards, AVIOS and Virgin. Who is using what and why?
I'm not a frequent flyer anymore, just the usual trip to America once or twice a year. I have no loyalty to any particular airline, but I do typically gravitate to Virgin Atlantic.
As of 2020 their flying points no longer expire, and I think I can amass enough points every 12-16 months for a free return premium economy ticket to the western US, with a free upgrade to upper class based on a £10k a year spend which I'll easily achieve each year.
I've already checked availability for a few flights this year and they've got plenty of reward seat availability. On the flip side, their reward+ card is a bit pricey at £160 a year and they don't fly to as many places as AVIOS. But then I think AVIOS points are more difficult to come by, and short-haul flights are so cheap it's not worth bothering collecting points.
So I'm leaning towards Virgin but I'd be interested in the collective experience of PH.
I'm not a frequent flyer anymore, just the usual trip to America once or twice a year. I have no loyalty to any particular airline, but I do typically gravitate to Virgin Atlantic.
As of 2020 their flying points no longer expire, and I think I can amass enough points every 12-16 months for a free return premium economy ticket to the western US, with a free upgrade to upper class based on a £10k a year spend which I'll easily achieve each year.
I've already checked availability for a few flights this year and they've got plenty of reward seat availability. On the flip side, their reward+ card is a bit pricey at £160 a year and they don't fly to as many places as AVIOS. But then I think AVIOS points are more difficult to come by, and short-haul flights are so cheap it's not worth bothering collecting points.
So I'm leaning towards Virgin but I'd be interested in the collective experience of PH.
I've had a few over the years, but I'm doing a lot less travelling than I used to. I'm currently on a Virgin one as they were running a good introductory offer with a load of extra 'free' miles.
The cost is maths really - how much will you spend on it, how many points would that give you - what do those points save you. You still have to pay tax & sometimes other surcharges, so the resulting flights are not free, but if in a decent cabin & long haul, usually work out a good bit cheaper.
This site is pretty good for explaining the relative pros & cons -
https://www.headforpoints.com/best-uk-avios-airlin...
The cost is maths really - how much will you spend on it, how many points would that give you - what do those points save you. You still have to pay tax & sometimes other surcharges, so the resulting flights are not free, but if in a decent cabin & long haul, usually work out a good bit cheaper.
This site is pretty good for explaining the relative pros & cons -
https://www.headforpoints.com/best-uk-avios-airlin...
I have the Amex Gold and BA cards - use the BA to get the two for one voucher (and Avios) and the Gold for reward points which can be exchanged 1:1 for Avios.
The problem I have with Avios is we generally have to fly BA to go to the destinations we like to visit; plus the two for one is a real kicker when booking on points.
The problem I have with Avios is we generally have to fly BA to go to the destinations we like to visit; plus the two for one is a real kicker when booking on points.
Jasmine1 said:
As of 2020 their flying points no longer expire, and I think I can amass enough points every 12-16 months for a free return premium economy ticket to the western US, with a free upgrade to upper class based on a £10k a year spend which I'll easily achieve each year.
I've already checked availability for a few flights this year and they've got plenty of reward seat availability. On the flip side, their reward+ card is a bit pricey at £160 a year and they don't fly to as many places as AVIOS. But then I think AVIOS points are more difficult to come by, and short-haul flights are so cheap it's not worth bothering collecting points.
So - firstly I'll say I'm a Virgin CC card holder - use it exclusively/maximise points etc. So maybe slightly biased.I've already checked availability for a few flights this year and they've got plenty of reward seat availability. On the flip side, their reward+ card is a bit pricey at £160 a year and they don't fly to as many places as AVIOS. But then I think AVIOS points are more difficult to come by, and short-haul flights are so cheap it's not worth bothering collecting points.
Reward Seat Availability
Virgin Guaranteeing seats on every flight going forward
Destinations/Network
Virgin partner with a few other airlines - so destinations are not just limited to Virgin. Example - I'm off to Seattle in October - Booked using Virgin points, but flying on Delta. Others are: Airlines
Points
A quick check shows an Economy return flight to LAX from LHR in November is 30,000 Points + £282 in air taxes. Earning on the reward+ card are 1.5 Points per £1 spent Card Comparison Site with a 15,000 points signing on bonus. The reward/companion tickets are issued when you spend £10000 on the card per year.
This would mean to get enough points to cover the ticket + the Companion/Upgrade you would need to be spending £20,000 per year.
I fly 1-2 times year (in normal times) based upon points - but as I said I put everything through the card for that very purpose.
A good place to find other Virgin information ifs the V-Flyer Forum
Plenty of information / trip reports /ways to maximise points etc / best routes. They're a friendly bunch/site is not sponsored by Virgin either.
Also consider the barclaycard avios plus. This will get you 25k avios if you spend £3k in 1st 3 months. It costs £20 a month in fees, can cancel or downgrade to the free card anytime which earns 1 avios per £ instead of 1.5.
It has a cabin upgrade voucher when you get to £10k annual spend although this isn't as as good as the amex 2 for 1 on the BA premium plus card which can now be used by solo travellers for 50% off.
It has a cabin upgrade voucher when you get to £10k annual spend although this isn't as as good as the amex 2 for 1 on the BA premium plus card which can now be used by solo travellers for 50% off.
Is Amex still the most flexible for this sort of thing (in terms of how/where you can allocate rewards)?
Not doing as much business travel these days so more flexibility around who I fly with so don’t really want to lock the points away too early against a specific airline unless unavailable.
Amex don’t seem to publish as list of what you can turn point into/the rates etc which makes it hard to see if it stacks up.
Not doing as much business travel these days so more flexibility around who I fly with so don’t really want to lock the points away too early against a specific airline unless unavailable.
Amex don’t seem to publish as list of what you can turn point into/the rates etc which makes it hard to see if it stacks up.
LooneyTunes said:
Amex don’t seem to publish as list of what you can turn point into/the rates etc which makes it hard to see if it stacks up.
Here it is - https://www.americanexpress.com/en-gb/rewards/memb...
Carbon Sasquatch said:
Amex since 99, had enough points to do 2 seats twice a year with points, 11 months in advance each time. Virgin always but now BA are playing ball, maybe ! Did SF upper for 2 seats in June and this Xmas 2 for La but only enough for PE. Who am i kidding, virgin !!
My point, go for a non airline CC , Amex and choose which airlines.
Edited by David Beer on Monday 25th July 08:15
I am on VA Reward + card.
It can work well if you fly to the US a lot. TBH I find that points flights have been few and far between to any of their other destinations. But if you want to do LHR>USA then you can usually get a points ticket.
Companion is also useful, bear in mind you have to spend 10k a year to get it though (IIRC)
It can work well if you fly to the US a lot. TBH I find that points flights have been few and far between to any of their other destinations. But if you want to do LHR>USA then you can usually get a points ticket.
Companion is also useful, bear in mind you have to spend 10k a year to get it though (IIRC)
gotoPzero said:
I am on VA Reward + card.
It can work well if you fly to the US a lot. TBH I find that points flights have been few and far between to any of their other destinations. But if you want to do LHR>USA then you can usually get a points ticket.
Companion is also useful, bear in mind you have to spend 10k a year to get it though (IIRC)
And - small print - only a full companion on economy & PE. If you want an Upper ticket it's only 50% free (unless you have Flying Club status)It can work well if you fly to the US a lot. TBH I find that points flights have been few and far between to any of their other destinations. But if you want to do LHR>USA then you can usually get a points ticket.
Companion is also useful, bear in mind you have to spend 10k a year to get it though (IIRC)
Jasmine1 said:
It looks like there are two major airline credit cards, AVIOS and Virgin. Who is using what and why?
I'm not a frequent flyer anymore, just the usual trip to America once or twice a year. I have no loyalty to any particular airline, but I do typically gravitate to Virgin Atlantic.
As of 2020 their flying points no longer expire, and I think I can amass enough points every 12-16 months for a free return premium economy ticket to the western US, with a free upgrade to upper class based on a £10k a year spend which I'll easily achieve each year.
I've already checked availability for a few flights this year and they've got plenty of reward seat availability. On the flip side, their reward+ card is a bit pricey at £160 a year and they don't fly to as many places as AVIOS. But then I think AVIOS points are more difficult to come by, and short-haul flights are so cheap it's not worth bothering collecting points.
So I'm leaning towards Virgin but I'd be interested in the collective experience of PH.
So what info did you take on board. I see you haven’t commented !!I'm not a frequent flyer anymore, just the usual trip to America once or twice a year. I have no loyalty to any particular airline, but I do typically gravitate to Virgin Atlantic.
As of 2020 their flying points no longer expire, and I think I can amass enough points every 12-16 months for a free return premium economy ticket to the western US, with a free upgrade to upper class based on a £10k a year spend which I'll easily achieve each year.
I've already checked availability for a few flights this year and they've got plenty of reward seat availability. On the flip side, their reward+ card is a bit pricey at £160 a year and they don't fly to as many places as AVIOS. But then I think AVIOS points are more difficult to come by, and short-haul flights are so cheap it's not worth bothering collecting points.
So I'm leaning towards Virgin but I'd be interested in the collective experience of PH.
Ok obviously a “ robot “ post !
Edited by David Beer on Wednesday 27th July 18:55
Gassing Station | Finance | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff