25% off Virgin Atlantic award sale (7,500 points OW to the UK)

Virgin Atlantic is running a 25% off sale on all award flights booked by Sept. 17, 2024. The sale applies to all Virgin Atlantic routes and cabins. The sale extends to all destinations served by Virgin Atlantic, including destinations in Europe, Asia and Africa.

However, the fares to London are particularly low. Virgin Atlantic already offers some of the cheap flights to the UK, starting at 10,000 points each way for economy class out of the East Coast and 15,000 from the West Coast. During the sale, these rates drop to 7,500-11,000 points each way.

This is a big deal, considering most other carriers charge 45,000-60,000 miles round-trip to flights to the U.S.

If you’ve had a trip to London on your to-do list, this is a great opportunity to take advantage of this sale.

Here’s a summary of the sale, along with details on how to book it, which routes it applies to and how to avoid high taxes:

• Travel dates: Through Dec. 31, 2024
• Eligible cabins: Economy, Premium Economy and Upper Class
• Eligible routes: All routes operated by Virgin Atlantic
• Sale ends: Sept. 17, 2024

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Sample itineraries

With 25% off, Virgin Atlantic award flights are as cheap as 7,500 points each way out of New York City. Even the taxes are reasonable at $152 one way (though the return flight taxes are around $400). For less than the cost of a transcontinental flight, you can fly all way to London on most dates through December 31, 2024.

Flights departing from the West Coast price out higher but are still an incredible bargain. Virgin Atlantic flights between San Francisco (SFO) to London (LHR) price out at just 11,000 points each way. This is cheaper than even most flights to the East Coast, so flying all the way to the UK is an incredible deal.

Virgin Atlantic operates direct flights to the UK from nine U.S. cities, providing ample opportunity for folks around the country to take advantage of this fare sale.

• Atlanta Hartsfield–Jackson International Airport (ATL)
• Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Miami International Airport (MIA)
• New York JFK–International Airport (JFK)
• Orlando International Airport (MCO)
• Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
• Tampa International Airport (TPA)
• Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Keep in mind that award flights departing from the UK incur much higher taxes and fees. So consider using a different program to book your return flight to save on taxes and fees. Alternatively, you can take a train to Paris and fly out of CDG for lower taxes and fees.

Other cheap fare examples include the following:

• San Francisco (SFO) to Mumbai (BOM) from 37,400 points + $642 round-trip in economy class
• New York (JFK) to Johannesburg (JNB) from 33,600 points + 646 round-trip in economy class
• Boston (BOS) to Mumbai (BOM) from 43,100 + $830 round-trip in business class

How to earn Virgin Atlantic points fast

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club/Virgin Red is a 1:1 transfer partner of every major transferable rewards currency, making them incredibly easy to earn. Here’s a list of programs you can transfer points to Virgin Atlantic. Most transfers are instant, making it easy to secure the rewards needed for a quick booking:

• American Express Membership Rewards
• Bilt Rewards
• Capital One Miles
• Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Citi ThankYou Rewards

Which credit card to pay taxes and fees with

When booking an award ticket, it’s important to se a credit card that earns bonus points on airfare and offers travel protections in case anything goes wrong. Cards that fit the bill include The Platinum Card® from American Express (5X points), Chase Sapphire Reserve (3X points), or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2X), Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (2X). Terms apply.

You might also want to consider using a credit card that offers an airfare fee credit. For example, with the Sapphire Reserve $300 travel credit you can apply to these fares. The Capital One Venture Card allows you to redeem miles towards the cost of your award flight at one cent each.

Bottom line

Virgin Atlantic’s 25% off award sale is an incredible opportunity to book some award flights for less. While the sale applies to all Virgin Atlantic routes, the U.S.-UK route offers some of the best savings. Being able to book an economy class seat from the East Coast for only 7,500 Virgin Atlantic points is a terrific value.

If you have plans to travel to the UK this year, I highly recommend taking advantage of this sale – especially considering how easy it is to earn the points.

Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. 

Featured image courtesy of Virgin Atlantic