Virgin Atlantic has added further enhancements to its British Airways frequent flier status match program. Potential BA elite renegades now have more flexibility when their status commences, and Gold members will have their tier matched when booking any cabin. The offer, available for both existing and new bookings, is set to expire on February 28th.
Enhanced flexibility and Gold for Gold in any cabin
A little over a month ago, Virgin Atlantic announced that it would be offering British Airways Executive Club members points for Virgin’s Flying Club on the airline’s flights. The program offers frequent flier benefits to BA’s Executive Club members who book, or have already booked, a flight with Virgin Atlantic.
Beyond the initial offer, travelers can now choose when they want their new status to commence. In what the airline says is a bid to increase flexibility, this could be either within 30 days of the submitted application or at the time of the first flight with Virgin Atlantic. Furthermore, Gold elite members will now see their status matched when booking a ticket in any cabin.
The addition to Virgin’s attempt at luring BA passengers over is available until February 28th. It applies to new bookings and existing bookings that have not yet traveled. To be eligible, customers must sign up via Virgin’s ‘status match’ page. There they need to provide proof of BA Executive Club Member status and a Virgin Atlantic booking reference.
What does the offer entail?
The enhanced offer includes:
- British Airways Executive Club Bronze members can earn Flying Club Silver status with any Premium or Upper Class booking.
- British Airways Executive Club Silver members can become Flying Club Silver status with a ticket booked in any cabin.
- British Airways Executive Club Gold members will receive Flying Club Gold status with a ticket booked in any cabin.
The latter is a step up from the airline’s previous status match program, which requires Gold Card members to book flights in either Premium or Upper Class. This means that a BA Gold Member could match to Virgin Atlantic Gold by booking a seat in any part of the cabin – including economy light. While Virgin Atlantic’s most recent sale for its long-haul tickets may have drawn to a close, that can still be considered a bargain.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Beyond the introductory Red level, Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club offers two levels of elite status. With Silver, passengers earn 30% more points on flights, premium check-in, and boarding no matter in which part of the cabin they are seated, as well as priority baggage. Furthermore, there is an anytime free standard seat assignment, including in Economy Light.
Virgin Atlantic Gold members earn 60% more points on flights, have Upper Class check-in and priority boarding regardless of the cabin, and access to the airline’s Revival lounge at Heathrow. They also enjoy free exit row seat options in Economy Classic and anytime seat assignment for themselves and their party in any part of the cabin. There is also an additional baggage allowance of one extra piece each of hand and hold luggage.
Would you be tempted? Why or why not? Tell us in the comments.