Virgin Atlantic vs Flying Blue
Two SkyTeam programmes, both accessible from the UK, both bookable with Amex MR points, both delivering Elite Plus lounge access. But they work differently — different pricing models, different earning mechanics, different strengths. Choosing between them (or knowing when to use each) is the most important SkyTeam decision for UK travellers.
The short version: Virgin Points is simpler and better integrated for UK daily life. Flying Blue is more volatile but can deliver dramatically better value when its pricing drops. Most UK travellers should hold accounts in both and use whichever is cheaper for each specific trip.
Virgin Points prices its own flights dynamically but with a distance-based partner chart for Delta and SkyTeam. Flying Blue prices everything dynamically — including its own AF/KLM flights — with monthly Promo Rewards that can slash prices by 25%. Virgin is more predictable. Flying Blue has higher highs and lower lows. The traveller who checks both before every booking wins.
Head to Head
| Virgin Points | Flying Blue Miles | |
|---|---|---|
| Own-flight pricing | Dynamic (Reward Seat labels) | Dynamic (saver floor + demand pricing) |
| Partner pricing | Distance-based chart for Delta and SkyTeam | Dynamic for AF/KLM; varies for other partners |
| Transatlantic Business (typical) | 47,500 VP one-way on Delta | 60,000 saver / 45,000 with Promo Reward |
| Transatlantic Economy (typical) | ~20,000 VP on Delta | 25,000 saver / 18,750 with Promo Reward |
| US domestic short-haul | 7,500 VP (under 500 miles on Delta) | ~10,000+ (dynamic, often higher) |
| Monthly discounts | No structured programme | Promo Rewards — 25% off selected routes monthly |
| UK earning | Virgin Reward+ card (1.5 VP/£1), Amex MR 1:1 | Amex MR 1:1. No UK credit card |
| Expiry | Never expire | 24 months of inactivity |
| Status earning | Tier Points from flying + credit card spend | XP from flying only. Surplus carries over |
| Elite Plus via | Flying Club Gold | Flying Blue Gold (180 XP) or Platinum (300 XP) |
| Stopover | Not offered on awards | Free 24+ hour stopover in Paris or Amsterdam (book by phone) |
| Child discount | No | 25% off for ages 2-11 in all cabins |
Where Virgin Points Wins
Delta flights — almost always
Delta One LHR–JFK: 47,500 VP vs 115,000+ SkyMiles. US domestic from 7,500 VP vs 10,000–60,000 SkyMiles. Virgin’s distance-based Delta chart is consistently cheaper than both SkyMiles and Flying Blue’s dynamic pricing for Delta routes.
Everyday UK earning
The Virgin Reward+ credit card earns 1.5 VP per £1 on everyday spend — the best everyday earn rate of any airline currency in the UK. Flying Blue has no UK credit card. For non-flying accumulation, Virgin Points wins decisively.
Simplicity and no expiry
Virgin Points never expire. Flying Blue miles expire after 24 months of inactivity. For casual accumulators who do not fly frequently, Virgin Points is the safer home for a balance. No risk of losing miles.
Virgin Atlantic own flights
You can only book Virgin Atlantic flights using Virgin Points (or Delta SkyMiles). Flying Blue cannot book Virgin Atlantic metal. If you want Upper Class specifically, Virgin Points is the only points option.
Where Flying Blue Wins
Promo Rewards
25% off selected routes every month. Transatlantic Business from 45,000 miles. Economy from 18,750. Nothing in the Virgin Points world matches this for value when the right route appears. Check monthly.
AF/KLM availability
Flying Blue sees more AF/KLM award inventory than any other programme. If you want Business Class on Air France or KLM specifically, Flying Blue has the broadest availability and often the lowest pricing via its own website.
Free stopover in Paris or Amsterdam
Book by phone — a free 24+ hour stopover on award tickets. Fly to Bangkok with two nights in Paris, on a single ticket. Virgin Points does not offer this. A genuine differentiator for travellers who want a two-destination trip.
Child discount and family value
25% off the miles price for children aged 2-11 in all cabins, including Business. A family of four with two children saves significantly on a long-haul redemption. Virgin Points charges full price for all passengers.
Worked Examples: Same Trip, Two Programmes
The best way to understand the difference is to price the same trip through both programmes. These examples use typical saver-level pricing — actual prices vary by date and demand.
| Trip | Virgin Points | Flying Blue | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| LHR–JFK Delta One return | 95,000 VP | 120,000+ FB miles | Virgin |
| LHR–CDG–NYC AF Business return | Cannot book AF via VP | 120,000 saver / 90,000 Promo | Flying Blue |
| LHR–AMS–NRT KLM/AF Business return | Cannot book AF/KLM via VP | 144,000+ saver (dynamic) | Flying Blue (only option) |
| US domestic JFK–MIA Economy | 10,000 VP | 12,000–25,000+ FB miles | Virgin |
| Family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids) LHR–JFK Economy return | 160,000 VP (4 × 40,000) | 150,000 FB (2 × 50,000 + 2 × 25,000 with child discount) | Flying Blue |
| LHR–CDG–BKK AF Business with Paris stopover | Cannot book AF via VP | ~160,000 FB + free Paris stopover | Flying Blue (only option + stopover) |
The pattern: Virgin Points wins on Delta metal and US domestic. Flying Blue wins on AF/KLM metal, family bookings, and any itinerary that benefits from a Paris or Amsterdam stopover. On routes where both can book (e.g. transatlantic via Delta or AF/KLM), compare the total miles + taxes before deciding.
The Amex MR Transfer Decision
Most UK travellers hold Amex Membership Rewards as their flexible points reserve. Both Virgin Points and Flying Blue are transfer partners at 1:1. The question is which to transfer to — and when.
Transfer to Virgin Points when…
Booking Delta flights (almost always cheaper). Booking Virgin Upper Class (only option). You want points that never expire. You have confirmed saver availability on Delta. No Promo Reward exists for your route via Flying Blue.
Transfer to Flying Blue when…
A Promo Reward matches your route (25% off). Booking AF or KLM flights (cannot book via VP). You want the Paris or Amsterdam stopover. Travelling with children (25% discount). An Amex transfer bonus to Flying Blue is active (20-25% bonuses appear periodically — stack with Promo Rewards for exceptional value).
When Amex runs a 25% transfer bonus to Flying Blue at the same time as a Promo Reward on your target route, the maths becomes exceptional. 72,000 Amex MR → 90,000 Flying Blue miles (with 25% bonus) → Business Class return to the US (2 × 45,000 Promo Reward). That is transatlantic Business for 72,000 Amex points. Watch for these windows — they appear 2-3 times per year.
Status: Which Programme for SkyTeam Elite Plus?
| Virgin Atlantic | Flying Blue | |
|---|---|---|
| Elite Plus tier | Gold | Gold (180 XP) or Platinum (300 XP) |
| Earning method | Tier Points from flying + credit card spend | XP from flying only (no card contribution) |
| UK advantage | Credit card spend contributes to status | Surplus XP carries into next year |
| Status match available? | Yes — free from BA and 52+ airlines | Yes — paid from BA |
For most UK travellers, Virgin Atlantic is the easier route to SkyTeam Elite Plus — the credit card contributes Tier Points, the status match from BA is free, and the programme is inherently UK-focused. Flying Blue Gold is better suited to travellers whose flying naturally routes through Paris or Amsterdam, where XP accumulates from AF/KLM flights.
The “Both” Strategy
You do not have to choose. Hold accounts in both programmes. Earn Virgin Points via the Reward+ card for everyday spend. Hold Amex MR as a flexible reserve. When booking:
Check Virgin Points first for Delta flights and Virgin own flights — typically cheapest.
Check Flying Blue for AF/KLM flights, Promo Reward routes, and family bookings (child discount). Transfer Amex MR only when saver or Promo pricing is confirmed.
Compare both on overlapping routes. The same LHR–JFK flight can be priced differently through each programme. The same Korean Air flight to Seoul may show availability in one but not the other.
Virgin Points is the better everyday SkyTeam currency for UK travellers — easier to earn, never expires, consistently cheapest for Delta flights, and the only way to book Virgin Upper Class. Flying Blue is the specialist tool — use it when Promo Rewards align with your travel, when AF/KLM has better availability, when the child discount matters, or when a free Paris stopover makes the trip. Hold both. Compare before every booking. Transfer Amex MR to whichever wins. That is how the two programmes work together rather than against each other.
