In this guide

  • Our verdict
  • Details
    • Product overview
    • Fees and charges
    • Application requirements
🏆 Finder award

Virgin Atlantic Reward Credit Card review 2024

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Virgin Money Virgin Atlantic Reward Credit Card
4.0
★★★★★
Finder score
Representative example:
When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 26.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 26.9% APR (variable).
0% interest on money transfers
6 months
Account fee
£0
0% interest on balance transfers
6 months

Our verdict

Earn Flying Club miles on your day-to-day spending and benefit from a host of other travel perks.
Gold Finder Awards Badge
Finder Awards 2024 winner
Customer Satisfaction Award

One of two similar cards from Virgin Money designed to earn you Flying Club miles on your day-to-day spending, this card has no annual fee, but a lower earn rate. The other – the "Plus" version – boasts a better miles earn-rate at the cost of an annual fee.

You’ll also be gifted introductory bonus miles following your first purchase, and if you spend enough within your first year (see table below) you could unlock additional exclusive benefits, such as upgrades or companion flights. Flights and holidays booked with Virgin stand to earn you twice the miles. Miles get added to your Flying Club account on a monthly basis.

As standard, your card entitles you to free entry to Virgin Money lounges (don't forget to register for a Virgin Money Lounge card before you travel).

If you're a big-spending Virgin Atlantic regular and always clear your card balance in full each month, this card could be worth a closer look. If you're a really big-spending Virgin Atlantic regular, then you should check out the Plus card. If you don't tend to clear your balance in full each month, chances are what you'll pay in interest will outweigh what you'll earn in miles.

Pros

  • Customers report excellent customer service when dealing with Virgin Money
  • Earn points on day-to-day spending
  • No annual fee

Cons

  • Minimum annual income requirement of £7,000
  • Applicants with low credit scores are unlikely to be eligible

In this guide

  • Our verdict
  • Details
    • Product overview
    • Fees and charges
    • Application requirements

Details

Product overview

Issuer Clydesdale Bank
Network Mastercard
Representative APR 26.9% APR (variable)
Annual/monthly fees £0
Loyalty scheme Air Miles
Incentive Earn 0.75 Flying Club miles for every £1 spend and 1.5.miles for every £1 spend with Virgin Atlantic or Virgin Holidays. Spend £20K a year on your card and choose an extra benefit - an upgrade to Premium, or a Companion ticket. Points value varies dependent on reward (min 3000pts)
Additional Rewards Info Earn up to 15% cashback with Virgin Money Cashback at selected major retailers through the app (offers allocated automatically).
Purchases 26.9%
Purchases interest-free period (days) 50
Balance transfers 0% for 6 months reverting to 26.9%
Potential costs 4.0 ★★★★★
Doing its job 4.0 ★★★★★
Extras 4.0 ★★★★★
Overall Finder score 4.0 ★★★★★

Fees and charges

Minimum monthly payment 1% or £25 (whichever is greater) or the total of any interest, default fees and charges plus 1% of the outstanding balance.
Annual/monthly fees £0
Balance transfer fee 3% for 2 months reverting to 5%
Money transfer fee 3% for 6 months reverting to 5%
Foreign usage charge (EU) 2.99%
Foreign usage charge (rest of world) 2.99%
Cash advance fee 5% (min. £0)
Late payment fee £12
Replacement card fee £0
Exceeding limit fee £12
Additional card fee £0
Dormancy fee £0

Application requirements

Minimum Age 18
Minimum income £7,000
Availability Available to new customers

How does this card compare with other frequent flyer cards?

Table: sorted by representative APR, promoted deals first
1 - 8 of 8
Name Product Rating Finder score Max. intro bonus Earn-rate with brand Default earn-rate Annual/monthly fees Representative APR Link Incentive Representative example
British Airways American Express® Premium Plus Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
25,000 points
3 points per £1 spent
1.5 points per £1 spent
£250 per annum
113.1% APR (variable)
Check eligibility
Earn 25,000 bonus Avios when you spend £3,000 in your first 3 months of Cardmembership. Terms apply. 18+, subject to status. New Cardmembers Only

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31.0% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £250 per annum, your representative rate is 113.1% APR (variable).
British Airways American Express® Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
5,000 points
1 point per £1 spent
1 point per £1 spent
£0
31% APR (variable)
Check eligibility
Earn 5,000 points when you spend £1,000 within 3 months of account opening. Terms apply. UK 18+, subject to status. Earn 1 Avios for virtually every £1 spent.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 31% APR (variable).
Virgin Money Virgin Atlantic Reward Plus Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
15,000 points
3 points per £1 spent
1.5 points per £1 spent
£160 per annum
69.7% APR (variable)
Earn 15,000 bonus points with your first card purchase made within 90 days of account opening. Earn 1.5 Flying Club miles for every £1 spend and 3 miles for every £1 spend with Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Holidays. Spend £10K a year on your card and choose an extra benefit - an upgrade to Premium, or a Companion ticket. Points value varies dependent on reward (min 3000pts)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 26.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £160 per annum, your representative rate is 69.7% APR (variable).
Virgin Money Virgin Atlantic Reward Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
N/A
1.5 points per £1 spent
1 point per £1.33 spent
£0
26.9% APR (variable)
Earn 0.75 Flying Club miles for every £1 spend and 1.5.miles for every £1 spend with Virgin Atlantic or Virgin Holidays. Spend £20K a year on your card and choose an extra benefit - an upgrade to Premium, or a Companion ticket. Points value varies dependent on reward (min 3000pts)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 26.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 26.9% APR (variable).
Barclaycard Avios Plus Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
25,000 points
1.5 points per £1 spent
1.5 points per £1 spent
£20 per month
80.1% APR (variable)
Earn 25,000 Avios when £3,000 spent on card over the first 3 months of opening. Earn 1.5 Avios for every £1 you spend. Spend £10,000 or more during the year and receive a British Airways cabin upgrade voucher to use on an Avios Reward Flight booking, or 7000 bonus Avios. Avios value varies dependent on reward (min 1000pts for flights)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £20 per month, your representative rate is 80.1% APR (variable).
Lloyds Bank World Elite Mastercard
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
N/A
1% cashback
1% cashback
£15 per month
55% APR (variable)
0.5% on £1 to £15000 of yearly spend. 1% after £15001 of yearly spend. Cashback paid Anniversary into Card Account. Maximum spend for cashback purposes is limited to credit limit.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 22.94% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £15 per month, your representative rate is 55% APR (variable).
Halifax World Elite Mastercard
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
N/A
1% cashback
1% cashback
£15 per month
55% APR (variable)
0.5% on £1 to £15000 of yearly spend. 1% after £15001 of yearly spend. Cashback paid Anniversary into Card Account. Maximum spend for cashback purposes is limited to credit limit.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 22.94% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £15 per month, your representative rate is 55% APR (variable).
Barclaycard Avios Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
5,000 points
1 point per £1 spent
1 point per £1 spent
£0
29.9% APR (variable)
Earn 5,000 Avios when £1,000 spent on card over the first 3 months of opening. Earn 1 Avios for every £1 you spend. Spend £20,000 or more during the year and receive a British Airways cabin upgrade voucher to use on an Avios Reward Flight booking, or 7000 bonus Avios. Avios value varies dependent on reward (min 1000pts for flights)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 29.9% APR (variable).
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Approval for any credit card depends on your status. The representative APRs shown represent the interest rate offered to most successful applicants. Depending on your personal circumstances, the APR you're offered may be higher, or you may not be offered credit at all. Fees and rates are subject to change without notice. It's always wise to check the terms of any deal before you borrow.

Repayment options

You can make manual repayments through Virgin Money's app by logging in to your online banking or over the phone (0800 389 2875). Alternatively, you may wish to set up a direct debit.

A direct debit protects you from forgetting to make a repayment and either damaging your credit score, getting hit with a penalty fee (£12) or losing any promotional rates as a result.

You can arrange a direct debit for repayments when you apply for the credit card. The table below shows the options available.

Choose from the following direct debit options for your monthly repayments:

Minimum amount Fixed amount Fixed percentage Full amount

How to apply for the Virgin Atlantic Reward Credit Card

If you have compared cards and want to apply, completing the secure online application form takes about 15 minutes. Existing customers can simply log in to eBanking to access the form.

Frequently asked questions

Can I withdraw cash using the Virgin Money Virgin Atlantic Reward Credit Card?

Although it's possible, withdrawing cash from a credit card account is generally not a good idea, as "cash-like transactions" (such as withdrawing cash at an ATM, getting cashback at the till, spending at a casino or buying currency) often incur steep fees and/or higher rates of interest.

The cash advance fee on the Virgin Money Virgin Atlantic Reward Credit Card is 5%.

The interest rate on this part of your balance will be 28.9%, which is 7% more than the standard purchase rate (chargeable from the day of the transaction – the card's usual "up to 50 days interest-free" grace period won't apply).

How much does it cost to use the Virgin Money Virgin Atlantic Reward Credit Card abroad?

Non-sterling transactions are subject to a 2.99% charge (which is very standard). For example, if you spend 200 euros (£170.90), it'll cost you around £5.11 in fees.

What is the minimum payment on the Virgin Money Virgin Atlantic Reward Credit Card?

Each month, you must pay at least 1% of your balance at that point or £25.00 – whichever of the 2 figures is greater. So if you had, say, £2,450.00 outstanding, you'd pay £25.00, and if you had £10,000.00 outstanding, you'd pay £100.00.

Paying only the minimum required amount each month is generally not advisable as it tends to be a very expensive way to borrow money, which can lead to persistent debt.

What is the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club?

The “Flying Club” is Virgin Atlantic’s rewards programme. It allows you to earn air miles which you can then use to buy flights or flight upgrades. While you aren’t obliged to join Flying Club when you apply for a Virgin Atlantic credit card, it’s definitely a good thing to consider due to the variety of benefits up for grabs. To learn about credit cards targeted at regular travellers, here’s our guide to frequent flyer credit cards.

How are Flying Club miles earned?

You’ll earn Flying Club miles on every flight with Virgin Atlantic, but many people choose to boost their miles earnings by taking out a frequent flyer credit card. With these cards, you’ll earn miles/points every time you spend using the card. You can also typically earn points/miles at a higher rate when you’re spending with the brand that issues the card – in this case Virgin. Bear in mind that a few transactions are exempt from earning points/miles – like cash advances (that’s when you withdraw cash using your credit card).

What’s a good alternative?

Virgin Atlantic frequently go head-to-head in the air miles comparison tables with American Express’s British Airways cards.

What will my credit limit be?

Your credit limit will be confirmed by Virgin Money once you’ve completed your application and it’s been approved. As the exact figure will vary depending on your personal circumstances, Virgin can’t give you an exact figure before your application has been received.

Finder credit card scores

★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor

Our experts score credit cards to determine their value against similar products on the market. We look at a number of important factors, like its suitability for its intended purpose, any perks/extras it brings to the table, plus the potential costs involved with running the card both in the short and longer term.

You can read more about our scoring criteria on our credit card methodology page.

We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you.
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