Virgin Atlantic World Elite Mastercard^® Review [2024]: Is Having Great Travel Partners Enough?

If you’re an experienced award traveler, you know that sometimes the value of a credit card lies in its partnerships with other rewards programs. That may be the case with the Virgin Atlantic World Elite Mastercard^®. Although miles can be redeemed for travel on Virgin Atlantic, you can get even more value by transferring them to other airline partners instead of booking through Virgin Atlantic.

But is having decent travel partners enough reason to apply for this airline credit card?

Who should get the Virgin Atlantic World Elite Mastercard?

Regular travelers on Virgin Atlantic may benefit from having this Mastercard in their wallet. However, if you’re more inclined to fly on one of Virgin Atlantic’s partner airlines, such as Delta or Air New Zealand, there’s even more reason to pick this as one of the best airline credit cards to have in your wallet. As you earn miles, you can transfer them to partner airlines for award flights without the high fees and taxes you may see if you book with Virgin Atlantic.

There’s a nice companion pass offer tied to this card, but it's only good when booking award flights with Virgin Atlantic, not flights with partner airlines. If you don’t travel with Virgin Atlantic often, this perk won’t be useful to you.

If you aren’t a fan of Virgin Atlantic or aren’t loyal to a particular airline, you may get more value out of a more versatile travel credit card. Although rewards rates for everyday spending with the Virgin Atlantic World Elite card are great, most of your earning potential is tied to booking Virgin Atlantic Flights.

Card basics

Virgin Atlantic World Elite Mastercard benefits and perks

• Companion pass: Cardholders can earn a companion pass after spending $25,000 annually. This companion pass is good for the same cabin class when you redeem miles for Virgin Atlantic reward flights.
• Membership tier points: Virgin Atlantic has three membership tiers: Red, Silver, and Gold. Each membership tier has its own set of benefits. When you spend $2,500 on your Virgin Atlantic card, you earn 25 tier points. You can earn a maximum of 50 tier points per month.
• Free credit score: You can opt-in for free access to your FICO credit score through your account online or through the mobile app.
  
• No foreign transaction fees: The Virgin Atlantic World Elite Mastercard is a good option when traveling abroad. It's one of the best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees for international purchases. You can also use it wherever Mastercard is accepted.

Drawbacks to the Virgin Atlantic World Elite Mastercard

• Travel perks: If you’re looking for a credit card with lounge access, priority boarding, or other travel perks, the Virgin World Elite Mastercard isn’t your best option. This card does not offer specific travel perks for cardholders, beyond its rewards-earning capabilities.

Earning and redeeming Flying Club bonus miles

Potential earnings in years one and two

Here's a look at how your miles can add up with the Virgin Atlantic World Elite Mastercard. To calculate these values, we used a bonus point valuation of 1 cent.

Remember, this is an estimation. The actual value will be determined by how much you spend and in which categories you spend.

Year one earnings: $787.50

Year two earnings: $487.50

These values are based on the FinanceBuzz Credit Card Rewards Valuation Model which takes a look at potential points earned.

Best ways to earn

It pays to travel Virgin Atlantic, especially if you use your Virgin Atlantic World Elite Mastercard. All direct Virgin Atlantic purchases will earn 3X miles per dollar spent. If you are a frequent flyer on Virgin Atlantic, your miles will add up quickly.

You’ll earn 1.5X miles per dollar on all other purchases. This card offers a great earning rate for airline co-branded rewards credit cards, which typically only earn 1X miles per dollar. There’s no limit on how many miles you can earn with your Virgin Atlantic card.

Keep in mind that Virgin also offers free membership for its Virgin Red rewards program. Virgin Red provides a variety of opportunities for earning Virgin Points, including through online shopping and partner offers. You're able to link your Virgin Red and Virgin Atlantic accounts and redeem points through either membership.

Maximizing your redemptions

You can redeem Flying Club miles for free flights on Virgin Atlantic. Be prepared to pay considerable fees and taxes on award flights with the airline, though. Most points and miles enthusiasts are used to trading in miles for award flights and only paying a nominal amount for taxes and fees. However, Virgin Atlantic award flights are different; typically, fees and taxes are much higher. You can also use its Miles and Money option to reduce the cost of Virgin Atlantic flights.

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club transfer partners

Transferring miles over to one of Virgin Atlantic’s eight airline partners is a great way to get the most value from your Flying Club miles. You’ll also pay much less in additional charges. Here’s a list of Virgin Atlantic partners:

• Delta Air Lines
• Singapore Airlines
• Air New Zealand
• Virgin Australia Airlines
• South African Airways
• All Nippon Airways
• Air China
• Hawaiian Airlines

As you can see, you can transfer your miles to other airlines that travel almost anywhere in the world.

There are other redemption options for your Flying Club miles. Hilton and IHG hotels are also Virgin Atlantic travel partners. Miles can also be redeemed for various other travel, dining, and shopping experiences. If you would prefer to share your miles, you can gift or transfer them too.

Virgin Atlantic World Elite Mastercard FAQs

Other cards to consider

Always a top choice when it comes to the best travel credit cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card is one of the most popular options around. With this card, you can earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening (that's worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel). Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year. Cardmembers can also earn 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases. Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal. You can also transfer points to numerous travel partners, including Virgin Atlantic. The Chase Sapphire Preferred has a $95 annual fee.  

Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card review.

Another rewards card that transfers points to Virgin Atlantic is the American Express^® Gold Card. You can earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. (Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.). With this card, you can earn 4X Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per year, after that 1X), 4X at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, after that 1X), 3X on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com, 2X on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com, and 1X on all other eligible purchases. Cardmembers get other perks too, such as up to a $120 dining credit, baggage and car rental damage insurance, and other travel benefits. The Amex Gold Card has a $325 annual fee. Select card benefits require enrollment.

Learn more in our American Express^® Gold Card review.