Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Credit Card: Turn Your Spending Into Travel Rewards

If you’re a frequent flyer or simply love the idea of turning everyday purchases into travel opportunities, the Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Credit Card could be a perfect fit. Backed by Virgin Money and in partnership with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, this card offers an attractive rewards scheme, valuable travel perks, and a generous welcome bonus.

Let’s dive into what makes the Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Credit Card stand out, what you need to know before applying, and how to maximize its benefits.

What Is the Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Credit Card?

The Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Credit Card is a premium travel rewards credit card designed for UK residents. It allows users to earn Virgin Points on daily spending, which can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and more within the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club program.

This card carries an annual fee but compensates for it with robust reward earning potential, elite tier benefits, and travel-related perks that frequent flyers will appreciate.

Key Features at a Glance

Here’s a summary of what the card offers:

• Annual Fee: £160
• Welcome Bonus: 15,000 Virgin Points after your first card purchase (within 90 days)
• Rewards Rate:
  • 1.5 Virgin Points for every £1 spent on everyday purchases
  • 3 Virgin Points per £1 spent with Virgin Atlantic or Virgin Holidays
• Representative APR: 69.7% variable (based on borrowing £1,200 over 12 months with the annual fee)
• No foreign transaction fees: Ideal for spending abroad
• Access to exclusive Flying Club rewards and upgrades

Detailed Benefits of the Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Credit Card

Generous Welcome Bonus

When you make your first purchase within 90 days of opening the card, you’ll receive a bonus of 15,000 Virgin Points. That’s enough to kick-start your travel plans — for example, you could use it toward a one-way flight or a cabin upgrade.

Earn Points Faster

You’ll earn:

• 1.5 Virgin Points for every £1 spent on general purchases.
• 3 Virgin Points per £1 spent with Virgin Atlantic or Virgin Holidays.

This makes it an excellent choice for everyday use — from groceries to online shopping — especially if you’re already a Virgin flyer.

Virgin Atlantic Companion Ticket or Upgrade

When you spend £10,000 or more in a year, you qualify for one of the following:

• A companion reward flight (only taxes and fees apply), or
• An upgrade from Economy to Premium, or Premium to Upper Class (on reward flights)

This is one of the card’s most valuable features and offers a real incentive for continued use.

No Foreign Transaction Fees

Unlike many UK credit cards, the Virgin Atlantic Reward+ doesn’t charge foreign exchange fees when spending abroad — whether in person or online. That makes it a strong travel companion and helps you save on trips.

Travel and Purchase Protection

You also receive additional protections including:

• Fraud protection
• Purchase protection on eligible items
• Global assistance in case your card is lost or stolen while abroad

Virgin Red and Other Extras

Virgin Points can also be redeemed across the broader Virgin Red platform, which includes:

• Experience days
• Shopping vouchers
• Hotel stays and more

This flexibility enhances the card’s everyday appeal, even for non-travelers.

Are There Any Downsides?

While this card has a lot to offer, it’s not for everyone. Key things to consider:

• Annual fee of £160: You need to use the card regularly to get full value
• High representative APR: If you carry a balance, the interest rate is steep — it’s best suited for people who can pay in full each month
• Requires a good credit score: Approval may be harder for those with limited or poor credit history

Eligibility Requirements

To apply for the Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Credit Card, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a UK resident
• Have a UK bank account
• Be employed or have a steady income
• Have a good credit history

It's important to review your credit score before applying, as Virgin Money performs a full credit check as part of the process.

How to Apply for the Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Credit Card

Step 1: Visit the Official Virgin Money Website

Go to the Virgin Atlantic Reward+ page on Virgin Money’s official site:
https://uk.virginmoney.com/virginatlantic/credit-card

You’ll find detailed information, terms, and conditions.

Step 2: Check Your Eligibility

Use the Eligibility Checker Tool to see if you’re likely to be accepted — without affecting your credit score. This is an essential step that helps avoid unnecessary rejections.

Step 3: Complete the Application

If you’re eligible, proceed to fill out the online application form. You’ll need to provide:

• Personal details (name, address, date of birth)
• Employment and income details
• Residential status
• Financial commitments (e.g., mortgages, loans)

The form typically takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

Step 4: Approval and Card Delivery

Once submitted, many applicants receive a decision within minutes. If approved, your card should arrive within 5–7 business days.

You can activate your card through the Virgin Money app or customer portal and begin spending immediately.

Maximizing Your Card Benefits

Here are a few tips to make the most of your Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Credit Card:

• Use it for all daily spending to build up Virgin Points quickly
• Plan a big trip through Virgin Holidays to earn 3x points
• Aim to spend £10,000 annually to unlock companion tickets or upgrades
• Pay your bill in full each month to avoid interest charges
• Keep an eye on limited-time promotions through Virgin Red and Flying Club

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

If you fly with Virgin Atlantic, book with Virgin Holidays, or love redeeming points for travel perks, the Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Credit Card offers incredible value. The annual fee is easily offset by the welcome bonus, the earning potential, and the travel extras like companion vouchers and no FX fees.

However, it’s best suited for users who pay in full each month and travel regularly enough to redeem the points for real value.

For savvy spenders and travel lovers — this is a card that can take you further, faster.