Best Airline Credit Cards vs Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Card

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For frequent flyers, the right airline credit card can feel like an extra seat in the cabin: quieter, better fed, and saving serious money over a year of trips. The Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Credit Card has become a favorite in the UK for earning Virgin Points and unlocking upgrades and companion seats, but how does it stack up against the best airline and travel cards on the market today? This guide compares the Reward+ head to head with leading airline and flexible rewards cards, using concrete scenarios that real travelers face week in, week out.

What the Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Credit Card Really Offers

The Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Credit Card is a UK card issued by Virgin Money, aimed squarely at travelers who fly Virgin Atlantic or book Virgin Holidays regularly. It carries a £160 annual fee and a representative APR of about 69.7 percent variable, reflecting the high ongoing interest plus the annual fee if you carry a balance. In practical terms, it is a card for people who always pay in full each month and value miles and perks more than low-cost borrowing.

On the earning side, Reward+ gives 1.5 Virgin Points per £1 on everyday spending and 3 Virgin Points per £1 spent directly with Virgin Atlantic or Virgin Holidays. New cardholders can typically earn up to about 18,000 bonus Virgin Points after their first purchase within 90 days of opening the account, enough to cover a good chunk of an off-peak economy return to the United States when combined with ongoing spend. For example, a family who spends £1,500 a month on the card could earn roughly 27,000 points a year before any special offers.

Where Reward+ stands out is the reward voucher. Spend £10,000 in a 12 month period and you earn a voucher that can be used for an upgrade or a companion seat booked with points. The value depends on your Virgin Flying Club tier: Red members can use it for up to 75,000 points’ worth of value, while Silver and Gold members can go up to 150,000 points. In practice, that could mean using points for a return economy ticket to New York and then using the voucher to bring a partner along just paying taxes and fees.

There are also smaller but meaningful touches. Points never expire as long as you hold a Flying Club account, and the card charges no foreign exchange fees in euros, Swedish krona or Romanian lei when used in the European Economic Area. A long weekend in Barcelona, for example, can be charged in euros without the typical 3 percent foreign transaction fee that many UK cards impose, saving around £30 on a £1,000 trip while you also earn 1.5 Virgin Points per £1.

Reward+ vs British Airways American Express Premium Plus

For many UK travelers, the obvious comparison is not another Virgin card, but the British Airways American Express Premium Plus. Like Reward+, this is a premium co branded airline card with an annual fee and a powerful companion voucher. The BA Amex Premium Plus currently charges a fee of a little under £300 a year and is designed for those who fly British Airways and its oneworld partners frequently.

On everyday UK spending, BA Amex Premium Plus earns 1.5 Avios per £1, which is similar to Reward+ in raw earning rate, and boosted earnings on British Airways flights. Where it really competes is the companion voucher: spend £10,000 in a membership year and you get a voucher that can be used for a second reward seat on British Airways flights. Many London based couples use this benefit to book Club World or First to destinations such as New York or Dubai, paying Avios for one seat and cash surcharges for both. The economics can be compelling. A pair of off peak Club World returns to New York might cost around 160,000 Avios plus roughly £1,000 in taxes and fees, versus ticket prices that can top £3,000.

Compared directly with Virgin Atlantic Reward+, the BA card can be stronger if most of your long haul travel is on British Airways or its partners and if you can find Avios reward availability on the routes and dates you want. Virgin Reward+ edges ahead if your travel is more aligned with Virgin’s network to places such as Orlando, the Caribbean or selected US cities, or if you prefer Virgin’s onboard product and London Heathrow Terminal 3 experience. In short, you pick the ecosystem that matches your flying patterns, because the headline earning rates alone do not tell the full story.

The other point of contrast is acceptance and backup. American Express is still not accepted everywhere in the UK, particularly with smaller independent merchants. Many travelers pair a BA Amex with a Visa or Mastercard like Virgin Atlantic Reward+ or Barclaycard Avios Plus to ensure broad acceptance while concentrating most of their spending on the card that yields the most valuable points for their preferred airline.

Reward+ vs Barclaycard Avios Plus and Other UK Airline Cards

The Barclaycard Avios Plus is another heavyweight in the UK airline card space. Its fee is typically £20 per month, or about £240 per year, though it is charged monthly rather than annually, which softens the psychological blow. In exchange, you earn 1.5 Avios per £1 on general spending and 3 Avios per £1 with British Airways. Much like BA Amex Premium Plus and Virgin Reward+, hitting a yearly spend target can earn you a valuable upgrade voucher on British Airways.

Consider a London based consultant spending £2,000 a month on work expenses reimbursed by their employer and another £1,000 on personal spending. On Barclaycard Avios Plus, that £3,000 a month yields 54,000 Avios per year. On Virgin Reward+, the same spend would generate 54,000 Virgin Points. The raw miles tally is almost identical. The differentiator becomes how those points translate into flights. Avios can be used not only on British Airways but also Iberia, Aer Lingus and oneworld partner airlines, opening up options such as short haul European flights and complex itineraries in Asia. Virgin Points, while usable on partners like Delta, Air France and KLM, are more concentrated around Virgin Atlantic’s own routes and specific partnerships.

Other UK airline cards, such as entry level Virgin Atlantic Reward (with no annual fee but lower earning rates and a £20,000 spend requirement for the voucher) or lower tier Avios cards from Barclays and American Express, may make sense for travelers who fly less often but still want some free flights over time. However, if you are spending enough to justify a premium card fee and care about long haul redemptions in premium cabins, the true competitors to Virgin Reward+ are BA Amex Premium Plus and Barclaycard Avios Plus. For a household that splits its long haul trips between BA and Virgin, some enthusiasts even choose to hold more than one card to generate both Avios and Virgin Points.

If you mainly holiday in Europe, you might find that the no foreign fee benefit in certain European currencies on Virgin Reward+ adds a modest edge. A summer driving trip through Spain and France paid in euros on Reward+ avoids foreign transaction fees, whereas some Avios earning cards charge around 3 percent on those purchases. Over a £3,000 holiday, that is close to £90 in saved fees, offsetting over half the Virgin card’s annual cost.

How Reward+ Compares to Top US Airline Cards

While the Virgin Atlantic Reward+ card is UK based, many readers split their time between the UK and United States or maintain spending in both currencies. In the US market, the benchmark airline cards are different, but the comparison principles are similar. Leading co branded airline cards today include the United Explorer Card from Chase, the Delta SkyMiles Gold from American Express and similar mid tier American Airlines cards.

The United Explorer Card, for example, often offers a welcome bonus of around 50,000 miles after a qualifying spend and charges an annual fee just over 90 US dollars, often waived in the first year. Cardholders earn 2 miles per dollar on United purchases, dining and hotel stays and 1 mile per dollar on other purchases. Tangible day of travel perks are a major part of the value: a free first checked bag for the primary cardholder and companion on United flights, priority boarding and two United Club passes each year. For a couple who flies United twice a year with checked baggage, the bag savings alone can offset the fee.

Delta SkyMiles Gold from American Express targets similar travelers but in the Delta ecosystem. It typically offers a sign up bonus around 40,000 miles for a moderate initial spend, earns 2 miles per dollar at US supermarkets and restaurants and on Delta purchases, and provides a free checked bag on Delta flights. The annual fee is often waived year one, then around 150 US dollars thereafter. Crucially, these US airline cards are less about glamorous upgrade vouchers and more about everyday value like bag fee waivers, priority boarding and targeted discounts that cut the friction out of domestic travel.

Compared with Virgin Reward+, the US airline cards usually have lower headline fees and more strong day of travel perks, but they also earn airline specific miles that can be harder to combine with other programs. A UK based traveler who occasionally visits the US might be better served by a flexible US issued card rather than a co branded airline card, particularly if they fly different carriers within the States.

Flexible Travel Cards: Chase Sapphire Preferred and Amex Platinum

Some of the most powerful airline cards are not technically airline cards at all. In the US, cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred and American Express Platinum earn bank points that can then be transferred to multiple airline partners, including Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and other major carriers. These cards are often ranked as the best overall travel rewards options because they offer both strong earning potential and valuable travel protections.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred, for example, typically charges an annual fee of around 95 US dollars. It earns bonus points on travel and dining and allows transfers at a 1:1 rate to roughly 14 airline and hotel partners. For a traveler, that means you can build up a single pool of points and decide later whether to move them to Virgin Atlantic for an Upper Class redemption, to British Airways for a short haul European flight or to another partner entirely. Bonus transfer promotions sometimes add further value; a 30 percent transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic, for instance, turns 50,000 Chase points into 65,000 Virgin Points.

Amex Platinum plays in a higher annual fee bracket, often around 695 US dollars in the US market, but layers in airport lounge access, statement credits and travel insurance benefits that appeal to heavy travelers. Airline fee credits can offset checked bag fees or seat selection charges, while lounge access at hubs like London Heathrow, New York JFK and Los Angeles can transform long layovers. The card earns Membership Rewards points that can be transferred to Virgin Atlantic, Delta, Air France KLM and many more, again giving flexibility to chase the best redemption deals.

For a UK traveler with exposure to US spending or for a European based digital nomad who spends months each year in North America, pairing a Virgin Atlantic Reward+ card in the UK with a flexible points card like Sapphire Preferred or Amex Platinum in the US can offer tremendous optionality. Everyday spending in each currency builds balances that can be directed to the airline that offers the best seat, schedule and reward availability for each trip.

Real World Redemption Examples: Where Reward+ Shines and Where It Struggles

Virgin Atlantic Reward+ can be extraordinarily rewarding when used strategically, but less so when flights are booked at peak times or when reward seats are scarce. A classic sweet spot for many cardholders is booking Upper Class seats from the US to the UK using Virgin Points transferred from bank programs or earned via the card. In recent deals, travelers have reported one way Upper Class redemptions for the equivalent of just over 20,000 transferable bank points after a generous transfer bonus, plus roughly 600 to 700 US dollars in taxes and fees from US airports to London. In cash terms, that seat can retail for over 2,000 US dollars one way.

However, taxes, fees and reward availability can be a pain point. Passengers booking from London to the United States using Virgin Points routinely face carrier imposed surcharges that can be several hundred pounds per person in Upper Class, especially on routes like London to New York or Los Angeles. For a family of four, those fees can reduce the feeling of a free flight. Some frequent flyers therefore prefer to use Virgin Points for one way flights originating in the US, or for off peak economy or Premium cabin flights where surcharges feel more manageable.

On the other hand, Reward+ can be great for aspirational leisure trips that align well with Virgin’s network. A couple planning an Orlando or Caribbean holiday might use their annual voucher to secure a companion ticket in Premium. They earn the points with a year of everyday spending, then book an off peak itinerary 11 months out, paying points for one person and taxes and fees for both. Compared with buying two cash tickets in Premium, the savings can run into many hundreds of pounds, particularly when traveling in school holidays when fares are highest.

The weakness of any single airline card, including Reward+, is that you are exposed to changes in that airline’s reward chart and availability. Online forums are full of UK based travelers who find that reward seats on their preferred dates, especially during summer and half term breaks, have become harder to find. If your only significant point balance is with Virgin Atlantic and seats dry up, you may feel locked in. This is why many seasoned travelers mix a co branded airline card with a flexible point card, so that they can pivot to whichever airline has seats when they actually want to travel.

Which Travelers Should Choose Virgin Reward+ Over Rivals?

The Virgin Atlantic Reward+ card tends to work best for a few clear traveler profiles. First are loyal Virgin Atlantic flyers based in or near London, Manchester or other cities on the Virgin network, who take at least one long haul leisure trip a year on Virgin metal. If you already prefer Virgin’s cabins, crew and airport experience, it makes sense to concentrate your earnings in Virgin Points and exploit the upgrade or companion voucher each year.

Second are UK households with heavy everyday spending who are comfortable planning ahead. Someone putting £2,000 a month through the card can reach the £10,000 voucher trigger in just five months, leaving the rest of the year to accumulate additional points. With that level of spend, the £160 annual fee becomes easier to justify, particularly if the voucher is used for an Upper Class or Premium redemption with a partner or family member.

Third are travelers who like to combine Virgin Points from multiple sources. Many bank programs periodically offer transfer bonuses to Virgin Atlantic, and some UK supermarkets and retailers provide options to convert loyalty balances into Virgin Points. A traveler who earns points through a flexible bank card, tops up via supermarket conversions and uses Reward+ for daily spending can build a large Virgin balance faster than any single card would allow.

By contrast, travelers who mainly fly short haul in Europe on low cost carriers, or who split their long haul flying across many different airlines, may find more consistent value in flexible cards or cheaper airline cards without annual fees. A casual traveler taking one budget airline trip a year is unlikely to receive enough benefit from Reward+ to offset its fee, whereas a high spending family that flies Virgin twice a year may find it indispensable.

The Takeaway

Set against the best airline credit cards in both the UK and US, the Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Credit Card holds its own as a focused tool for a particular kind of traveler: someone who flies Virgin Atlantic regularly, spends enough to hit the voucher threshold and is willing to plan reward trips around availability. Its strengths are a strong points earning rate on everyday and Virgin spending, a valuable upgrade or companion voucher after £10,000 in annual spend and useful extras like limited no fee spending in the euro area.

However, it is not the universal best choice. British Airways American Express Premium Plus and Barclaycard Avios Plus can be better for travelers whose patterns line up more closely with British Airways and oneworld, while US based flyers often find more consistent value in co branded cards such as United Explorer or Delta SkyMiles Gold, or in flexible travel cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred. These products may have lower or higher fees, different perks and, critically, access to a wider range of airline partners.

The most resilient strategy is often a blend. Many frequent travelers pair one or two co branded airline cards for specific perks like free checked bags or companion vouchers with a flexible points card that can feed multiple airline programs, including Virgin Atlantic. That way you can follow the best redemption opportunities as they arise rather than staying locked into a single carrier. For UK based flyers who love Virgin Atlantic and know they can work the voucher each year, Reward+ remains a compelling cornerstone of that strategy.

FAQ

Q1. Is the Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Credit Card worth the annual fee?
The card can be worth the £160 annual fee if you pay your balance in full, spend at least £10,000 a year to trigger the upgrade or companion voucher and regularly fly Virgin Atlantic or its partners. If you rarely fly Virgin or do not spend enough to earn the voucher, a free or lower fee card is usually more suitable.

Q2. How many points can I realistically earn with Virgin Reward+ in a year?
A household spending £1,500 a month on the card, mostly on everyday purchases, could earn around 27,000 Virgin Points a year from base earning alone, plus any welcome bonus or promotional offers. Heavier spenders or those who charge large travel or home renovation bills can earn substantially more.

Q3. How does the Virgin upgrade or companion voucher work in practice?
After you spend £10,000 in a 12 month period, Virgin issues a voucher that can be used for either an upgrade or a companion seat on a reward booking. The voucher covers up to a certain points value depending on your Flying Club tier. You still pay taxes and fees, and you need reward seat availability on your desired dates.

Q4. Is the British Airways Amex Premium Plus better than Virgin Reward+?
Neither card is universally better. The BA Amex Premium Plus is usually stronger if you mainly fly British Airways or oneworld partners from the UK, while Virgin Reward+ works better if your long haul trips align with Virgin Atlantic’s network and you prefer Virgin’s cabins and service. Your airline loyalty and home airport usually decide the winner.

Q5. What are the main alternatives to Virgin Reward+ in the UK?
The main rivals include the British Airways American Express Premium Plus, Barclaycard Avios Plus and, for lighter travelers, no fee versions of Virgin Atlantic and Avios cards. Some travelers also combine these with general rewards cards to earn flexible points that can later be transferred to different airlines.

Q6. How do US airline cards like United Explorer compare to Reward+?
US airline cards such as United Explorer or Delta SkyMiles Gold often have lower annual fees and focus more on day of travel perks like free checked bags, priority boarding and lounge passes. Virgin Reward+ instead emphasizes fast earning of Virgin Points and the annual upgrade or companion voucher on long haul routes.

Q7. Are Virgin Points flexible like Chase or Amex points?
Virgin Points are airline loyalty points, not bank points, so they are less flexible than Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards. You can redeem them with Virgin Atlantic and selected partners, but you cannot freely move them to a broad list of unrelated airlines the way you can with flexible bank programs.

Q8. Do I pay foreign transaction fees with Virgin Reward+?
The Virgin Atlantic Reward+ card does not charge foreign transaction fees on purchases in euros, Swedish krona or Romanian lei within the European Economic Area. For other currencies and regions, typical foreign transaction charges apply, so it is not a universal no fee travel card for all destinations.

Q9. What happens if I cancel the Virgin Reward+ card after earning a voucher?
Voucher rules can change, but generally the voucher is issued to your Virgin Flying Club account, not your credit card account. However, you should check current terms before cancelling, as some benefits may require an open card or have restrictions on use after closure.

Q10. Should I have more than one airline credit card?
Many frequent travelers do hold more than one airline or travel card. A common strategy is to keep one or two co branded airline cards for specific perks, such as companion vouchers or free checked bags, plus a flexible points card for general spending. This helps you avoid being locked into a single airline if reward availability dries up.