Virgin Atlantic Devalues Award Rates For ANA Business Class

Perhaps my biggest pet peeve (on the industry side) in the points and miles world is no-notice devaluations.

Well, it looks like Virgin Atlantic Flying Club has done just that. Tim Ritsema flagged that Virgin devalued its award rates for long-haul business class flights on All Nippon Airways (ANA).

Starting May 23, 2024, these are the new award rates:

• Australia / Canada / Western USA: 105,000 points round-trip, 52,500 points one-way
• Europe / Central & Eastern USA / Mexico: 120,000 points round-trip, 60,000 points one-way

The previous business class award rates:

• Australia / Canada / Western USA: 90,000 points round-trip, 45,000 points one-way
• Europe / Central & Eastern USA / Mexico: 95,000 points round-trip, 47,500 points one-way

Direct link to Virgin's ANA award chart

Points Wire Note:

ANA has been stingy about releasing premium cabin award space, but this is still annoying. Naturally, Virgin Atlantic announced its new co-branded credit card partnership today.

Virgin Red Co-Branded Credit Card Coming Soon!

Virgin Red is launching a co-branded credit card in the U.S. with Synchrony Bank and Mastercard. The new credit card is expected to launch in the second half of 2024.

Bilt Rewards and Capital One Miles already transfer to Virgin Red directly. However, you can also transfer Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Points can be moved between Virgin Red and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.

In most cases, your best bet is to use these points for flights.

Direct link to press release

Etihad x JetBlue Form New Partnership (Award Rates Are Live)

One Mile At A Time: "As of May 8, 2024, JetBlue TrueBlue and Etihad Guest will introduce reciprocal opportunities to earn and redeem points. This means both JetBlue TrueBlue and Etihad Guest members will be able to earn and redeem points for travel on the other airline. Exact earning and redemption rates should be revealed shortly."

Update: Etihad Guest has published its award rates for JetBlue flights. Your best bet is probably JetBlue Mint on transcontinental routes for 50,000 to 60,000 Etihad miles one-way.

JetBlue TrueBlue doesn't publish an award chart, but a quick search shows you'd need 135,900 points for a one-way business class award ticket between New York (JFK) and Abu Dhabi (AUH). While Eithad business and first class  award space hasn't been available to partners beyond 30 days from departure, it seems JetBlue has access to business class space outside that window.

However, JetBlue does not appear to have access to first class award space.

Virgin Voyages Promo: Use Points On A Cruise

Head for Points flagged that Virgin Red is running a points promo for Virgin Voyages. When you consider that Chase and Amex are both running 30% transfer bonuses to Virgin, you can get a solid deal on a cruise. Just remember that these cruises are adults-only.

Five-night cruises in the Caribbean start at 115,000 Virgin points per cabin - that's only 89,000 Amex or Chase points.

Points Wire Note:

As always, you should check cash prices before you book as that could be a better option. If you do pay cash for a cruise, keep in mind that luxury travel advisors can often add some VIP perks. As a luxury travel advisor, I'm happy to add some benefits to your cruise - submit a request.

25% Off Southwest Award Flights (Book ASAP)

Southwest Airlines is running a 25% off award ticket promo. Of course, Southwest devalued by ~4% earlier this year. Still, this is a solid discount if you're looking to burn some Southwest Rapid Rewards points or transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest.

Important Details

• Promo code: SAVE25NOW
• Book by April 15, 2024
• Travel by September 30, 2024
• Blackout dates: May 23, 24, 27; July 7, 14, 21, 28
• Not available on all flights
• Only valid on flights within the continental US

Qantas Frequent Flyer Launches Dynamic Award Rates

Flight Hacks: "Qantas has today officially lifted the lid on its brand-new dynamic flight reward product."

"The new flight reward product is dynamically priced, so the number of points required will vary based on Qantas’ cash fare when you search for flights. Classic Plus is designed to sit between the existing Classic Reward and Points Plus Pay options, improving availability while offering attractive value. But remember, Classic Plus isn’t available on every single flight, that’s where Points Plus Pay comes into the equation for ultimate flexibility."

Card Spotlight: IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

The IHG Rewards Premier Business Credit Card has an increased welcome offer of up to 200,000 points.

Welcome Bonus

Thew new welcome bonus offer comes in two parts:

• Earn 140,000 IHG One Rewards points if you spend $4,000 in 3 months
• Earn 60,000 more points if you spend a total of $9,000 in 6 months
  

Bonus Categories

• 10x at IHG properties
• 5x on gas stations, office supply stores, search engine ads, social media, and travel
• 3x on everything else

Benefits

• Annual free night award (worth up to 40,000 points)
• IHG One Reward Platinum Elite status
• 4th night free on award stays
• 20% off when purchasing points
• Statement credit for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck (up to $100)
• 10,000 IHG points + a $100 statement credit if you spend $20,000 in a calendar year

Annual Fee

$99

Direct link to offer

Points Wire Note:

IHG points are some of the least valuable points. As you can buy them during some promos for 0.5 cents per point, that's about how much you can generally expect to get from them. There are some great exceptions to this and booking a 4th night free award really help you squeeze out more value. Personally, I wouldn't shift much spend to this card as there are other cards that earn more valuable points.

Air India Revamps Loyalty Program

One Mile At A Time: "As the latest step of its transformation, Air India has reimagined its Flying Returns frequent flyer program, which is the first major change we’ve seen to the program in over a decade."

"Air India Flying Returns isn’t just going revenue based when it comes to earning points, but also when it comes to redeeming points. The program now has fully dynamic award pricing. "

Alaska Mileage Plan: Global Getaways Award Promo

Alaska Airlines has launched another round of their quarterly Global Getaways promotion that offers up to 50% off award tickets on partner airlines to select global 

Important Terms

• Must book by July 31, 2024
• Eligible travel dates: October 1, 2024 through January 31, 2025
• Only economy and premium economy award tickets are eligible
• The destination determines eligibility, not your point of origin

Eligible Destinations

• Athens: From 25,000 miles (standard: 35,000 miles)
• Delhi: From 30,000 miles (standard: 42,500 miles)
• Guadalajara: From 12,500 miles (standard: 17,500 miles)
• Muscat: From 25,000 miles (standard: 42,500 miles)
• Rome: From 27,500 miles (standard: 35,000 miles)
• Taipei: From 25,000 miles (standard: 37,500 miles)

Capital One Transfer Bonus To Virgin Atlantic

Capital One is running a 30% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club until 11:49pm ET on April 30, 2024. 

Award flights on Virgin Atlantic have steep carrier-imposed surcharges which means brutal high taxes/fees. However, Virgin points can be quite useful for booking partners such as Air France, KLM, and ITA Airways to Europe standout.

Delta is another great option to Europe (not to/from the UK) and  All Nippon Airways (ANA) is always great if you want to visit Japan - though, award space can be tough. You can even use Virgin points to fly Air New Zealand.