Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, explained
A British airline’s program that holds one of the best routes to Japan: ANA first and business class at fixed prices. How Virgin Points work in 2026, the partner charts worth knowing, and the surcharges that spoil some of them.
Virgin Atlantic’s own flights are priced dynamically and carry heavy surcharges, so Flying Club is rarely the best way to fly Virgin. Its value lies in its partners, above all All Nippon Airways. Virgin still sells ANA first and business class to Japan on a fixed chart, one-way, at prices few programs come close to, and four U.S. banks transfer to Virgin Points at 1:1.
Virgin Atlantic · SkyTeam
At a glance
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
ANA first and business class between the U.S. and Japan at fixed prices, and short Air France and KLM flights.
- Typical value per point
- 1.5¢
- Points for ANA first class from the West Coast
- 72,500
- Points for ANA business from the West Coast
- 52,500
- Amex, Chase, Citi, Bilt (plus Capital One via Virgin Red)
- 4 banks
ANAOther partners worth knowingHow to earn Virgin PointsThe credit cardStatus, briefly
ANA: the reason to know this program
Virgin publishes a fixed chart for ANA flights, priced one-way between Japan and each region. These are Virgin’s own figures, from its ANA page (updated July 31, 2026):
| Japan to or from | Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western USA and Canada | 30,000 | 52,500 | 72,500 |
| Central and Eastern USA, Europe, Mexico | 32,500 | 60,000 | 85,000 |
| Hawaii | 22,500 | 37,500 | 57,500 |
Virgin names the regions but not the airports, so confirm which region a departure city falls in before transferring points.
Other partners worth knowing
Short flights
Air France and KLM within Europe
from 4,000points one-way in economy, up to 600 miles off-peak · 8,000 business
London–Paris territory; Amsterdam–Rome is 7,500 in economy and 25,000 in business off-peak. Bookable online up to 300 days ahead, according to Virgin.
Useful add-ons
Delta One, UK to the U.S.
Delta from the UK
from 47,500points one-way off-peak to the East or Central U.S.
Low on points but carries $1,027.80 in charges on Virgin’s own table, which removes most of the value.
Check the cash cost
Delta domestic
Delta short flights
from 7,500points one-way in economy, up to 500 miles
Delta’s own award prices are dynamic; Virgin’s are fixed by distance.
Compare with delta.com
Virgin’s own flights
Virgin Upper Class
DynamicSaver seats from 6,000 points in economy
Any seat on sale can be bought with points, according to Virgin, but Upper Class rewards carry heavy taxes and carrier charges, shown before booking.
Rarely the best use
How to earn Virgin Points
Transfer from a bank
American Express at 1:1, according to Virgin Atlantic; Chase, Citi’s premium cards and Bilt at 1:1.
Capital One, via Virgin Red
Capital One transfers 1:1 to Virgin Red, according to Capital One, and Virgin Points are shared between Virgin Red and Flying Club.
Hotels
Marriott (9,000 to 3,000), Hyatt (5,000 to 3,000), Hilton and IHG also convert, according to Virgin. These are poor rates.
The Virgin Red card
See below.
Transfer bonuses
Banks sometimes run bonuses on transfers to Virgin. With a fixed ANA price, a bonus cuts the real cost of a seat directly, so it is worth waiting for one if the trip allows.
The credit card
Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard
Issued by Synchrony: 3x on Virgin, 2x on groceries, dining and streaming, and a companion seat or upgrade voucher after $15,000 of spending in a year.
Current offer at the issuer →Status, briefly
Silver at 400 Tier Points and Gold at 1,000, counted over a rolling 12 months, according to Virgin. Gold adds Clubhouse access with a guest and free reward-seat changes.
Where it shines
- ANA first and business to Japan at fixed, one-way prices
- Four banks transfer in at 1:1, Capital One via Virgin Red
- Cheap short Air France and KLM flights
Where it falls short
- Virgin’s own flights carry heavy surcharges
- ANA awards go through the Flying Club team and depend on availability
- Delta One from the UK carries over $1,000 in charges
- Cash surcharges on ANA awards
The Atelier Take
For Japan in ANA first or business, Virgin Points are the currency to hold; for almost everything else, other programs do the job better.
Airline, hotel and card names and logos are trademarks of their owners, used only to identify their programs. Points Atelier is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.
