In this guide

  • Our verdict
  • Details
    • Product overview
    • Fees and charges
    • Application requirements
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Your reviews
🏆 Finder award

Virgin Money Virgin Atlantic Reward Plus Credit Card review

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Virgin Money Virgin Atlantic Reward Plus Credit Card
4.0
★★★★★
Finder score
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).
Intro bonus
Up to 15,000 points
0% interest on money transfers
6 months
0% interest on balance transfers
6 months

Our verdict

Earn Flying Club miles aplenty with the most premium Virgin Atlantic card.
Gold Finder Awards Badge
Finder Awards 2024 winner
Customer Satisfaction Award

One of two similar Virgin Money cards designed to earn you Flying Club miles, this card offers a superior earn rate in return for an annual fee.

Following your first purchase you'll also be gifted introductory bonus miles, and if you spend enough within your first year (see table below) you'll unlock additional exclusive benefits. Miles get added to your Flying Club account on a monthly basis.

You can spend your miles in a number of different ways, from reward flights to cabin upgrades to shopping. The value of the points depends on what you use them for and how - for example, in the case of a reward flight it will depend on where you want to go, when and in which class. You can read more about how the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club works on this guide.

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

Whether or not the rewards can justify the hefty annual fee will come down to how you anticipate using the card – with big-spenders who clear their balance in full each month being the most likely to come out on top.

Pros

  • Earn points on day-to-day spending
  • Up to 15,000 points introductory bonus
  • Stay connected in the air with Boingo Wi-Fi
  • Customers report excellent customer service when dealing with Virgin Money

Cons

  • £160 annual account fee
  • Minimum annual income requirement of £7,000
  • Applicants with low credit scores are unlikely to be eligible

Pros

  • Earn points on day-to-day spending
  • Up to 15,000 points introductory bonus
  • Stay connected in the air with Boingo Wi-Fi
  • Customers report excellent customer service when dealing with Virgin Money

In this guide

  • Our verdict
  • Details
    • Product overview
    • Fees and charges
    • Application requirements
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Your reviews

Details

Product overview

Issuer Clydesdale Bank
Network Mastercard
Representative APR 69.7% APR (variable)
Annual/monthly fees £160 per annum
Loyalty scheme Air Miles
Incentive 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)
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 4.5 ★★★★★
Doing its job 4.5 ★★★★★
Extras 4.5 ★★★★★
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, annual card fee plus 1% of the outstanding balance.
Annual/monthly fees £160 per annum
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

The Virgin Money Virgin Atlantic Reward Plus Credit Card is issued on the Mastercard network so it's accepted at more than 50 million merchant locations across more than 210 countries and territories.

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 Plus Credit Card

If you've compared cards and settled on the Virgin Money Virgin Atlantic Reward Plus Credit Card, completing the secure online application form takes about 15 minutes. Before you apply, check that you meet the eligibility requirements and have the information and documents you'll need to make the process as straightforward as possible.

Can I withdraw cash using the Virgin Money Virgin Atlantic Reward Plus 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 Plus Credit Card is 5%.

The interest rate on this part of your balance will be 28.9% (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 Plus Credit Card abroad?

Non-sterling transactions are subject to a 2.99% charge (which is very standard). For example, if you spend 200 euros (£170.93), it'll cost you around £5.11 in fees.

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.

Frequently asked questions

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