Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: how it works and what it’s worth
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is the airline’s free-to-join loyalty programme. You earn Virgin Points on VA flights and through a range of partners, including hotels, credit cards and the Virgin Red app. Tier Points, earned only on flights, determine whether you hold Red (standard), Silver or Gold status.
The table below covers the core differences between the three tiers.
| RED | SILVER | GOLD | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier Points needed | Free | 400 TP per year | 1,000 TP per year |
| Priority boarding | No | Yes | Yes |
| Check-in desk | Economy | Premium Economy or above | Upper Class desk |
| Extra checked bag | No | 1 extra bag | 1 extra bag |
| Bonus Virgin Points | 0% | 30% bonus | 60% bonus |
| Clubhouse access | No | No | Yes, plus one guest |
| VP per £1 VA Holidays | 2 VP | 3 VP | 4 VP |
| Birthday bonus | None | None | 2,000 VP |
How to earn Virgin Points
You earn Virgin Points on every paid VA flight, with the amount based on fare type and distance flown. Economy Light earns the least; Upper Class earns the most. Beyond VA flights, you can earn on Delta, Air France and KLM when booked on a VS flight number, through VA Holidays, partner hotels and the MBNA Virgin Atlantic credit cards.
Tier Points work separately. They’re earned only on flights, based on the route, cabin and fare class, and they determine whether you hold Red, Silver or Gold status. Unlike Virgin Points, TP can’t be bought or transferred. See how baggage allowances vary by cabin in our Virgin Atlantic baggage allowance guide.
Reaching Silver tier
Silver requires 400 Tier Points in a 12-month membership year. That’s roughly two return longhaul trips in Economy, depending on fare type and route. A return Heathrow to New York in Economy Classic earns around 80 TP, so four such return trips would reach Silver.
Silver gives you an extra checked bag, a 30% bonus on Virgin Points earned on flights, and access to the Premium Economy or Upper Class check-in queue. For timings and what to expect at the airport, see our Virgin Atlantic check-in guide.
Gold tier and Clubhouse access
Gold requires 1,000 Tier Points per year, which for most travellers means regular longhaul flying on paid fares, typically four or more return trips depending on cabin and fare class. Most Gold members travel frequently for work. It’s not a threshold casual leisure travellers will reach without flying a great deal.
The headline benefit is Clubhouse access at Heathrow Terminal 3 and Manchester, plus one guest, regardless of which cabin you’re flying that day. Gold also brings Upper Class check-in, a 60% Virgin Points bonus and a 2,000-VP birthday credit. For a breakdown of seat options across cabin classes, see our Virgin Atlantic seat selection guide.
Spending Virgin Points: what they’re worth
Reward flights offer the clearest value, especially in Upper Class where cash fares are high. VA uses dynamic pricing, so the number of points required varies and there’s no fixed award chart to plan against. Virgin Points don’t expire as long as you earn or spend at least once every three years.
For most UK travellers, Flying Club is worth joining since membership is free and you’d otherwise leave points on the table. Chasing Silver or Gold makes sense only if you fly VA regularly. Popular reward destinations on VA routes include the Canaries and Caribbean. See our Cape Verde holidays guide for what to budget on one popular route, and check seat options in our Virgin Atlantic seat selection guide.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: frequently asked questions
How do I join Virgin Atlantic Flying Club?
Joining is free at virginatlantic.com. You’ll need a VA account, and once registered you get a Flying Club membership number to add when booking. Membership is open to anyone, and you don’t need to have flown with VA before joining.
How many Tier Points do I need for Silver and Gold?
Silver requires 400 Tier Points in your 12-month membership year. Gold requires 1,000. You earn TP only on eligible flights, not through credit card spending, hotel stays or other partner activity. The amount earned per flight depends on the fare class and route.
Do Virgin Points expire?
Not if you stay active. Points are valid as long as you earn or spend at least once every three years. Using the Virgin Red app for everyday spending counts as activity and resets the expiry window.
What is the VA Flying Club Clubhouse?
VA’s Clubhouses are airport lounges at Heathrow Terminal 3 and Manchester. They’re open to Upper Class passengers and Flying Club Gold members, who can bring one guest at no extra cost. Heathrow’s Clubhouse includes a restaurant, bar, showers and spa.
Can I earn Tier Points on partner flights?
Yes, on Delta, Air France and KLM flights ticketed on a Virgin Atlantic flight number. TP rates on partner-operated routes are lower than on VA-operated ones. Codeshare flights without a VS flight number generally don’t earn TP.
Is Flying Club worth it for occasional flyers?
It’s worth joining since membership is free and you earn points on every VA flight. For less frequent flyers, the value comes from accumulating points for an eventual reward flight rather than chasing status tiers. Check what the full travel experience involves in our guide to Virgin Atlantic hand luggage rules.
Can I transfer Virgin Points to other loyalty programmes?
You can transfer to selected partners including Hilton Honors, but conversion rates aren’t generous and you’ll typically get more value using them on VA reward flights. Status matches from programmes including BA Executive Club and Delta SkyMiles are sometimes offered as a 90-day trial.
Jane Robinson is Senior Editor at Flight Tribe. She has a Master’s in English and Journalism, and writes about flight deals, holiday offers and practical ways UK travellers can spend less without wasting time on weak promotions. Jane has spent time living and working across Asia and New Zealand, which gave her a lasting interest in how people travel, eat, move around and spend their free time in different places.
At Flight Tribe, her work focuses on verified prices, realistic travel dates, booking terms and whether a deal is actually worth attention.
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