If you’re as passionate about points and miles as we are, you’re likely constantly seeking innovative methods to enhance the value of your rewards. One program that doesn’t always get the love it deserves is the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. While it’s widely known in the UK, it’s also a fantastic option for those of us in the U.S.
Why? This is primarily due to its compatibility with numerous well-known rewards programs.
If you’ve got a card linked to American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One Rewards, or Citi ThankYou Rewards, then earning Virgin points is going to be a breeze.
But what makes Flying Club even more exciting is its flexibility. Thanks to Virgin Atlantic’s membership in the SkyTeam alliance, you can use your points to book flights with a wide range of partner airlines.
Let’s talk about the benefits of Companion Seats. We don’t see enough people talking about this perk, which is a shame because it can save you a ton of points and cash.
If you have elite status with Flying Club or carry a Virgin Atlantic co-branded credit card, you can book a free companion ticket on the same flight you’re already flying. You’ll only need to cover the taxes and fees (those can add up, but it’s still a steal compared to paying for another ticket outright).
You can also use Companion Seat vouchers to snag flight upgrades for your companion. However, we believe that redeeming them for award flights is a more cost-effective option than using them for upgrades.
Now, Virgin Atlantic used to offer “Standard Companion Seats” to all Flying Club members, but they’ve scaled this back. These days, only elite members or those with the co-branded credit card can take advantage of the perk.
What’s the Deal With Virgin Atlantic Companion Seat Vouchers?
Let’s break down Virgin Atlantic Companion Seat vouchers, which, in simple terms, are rewards that let you bring a travel buddy along on the same flight. There are two types of these vouchers, and how you earn them depends on your status or spending habits:
Voucher #1. Gold Renewal Companion Reward
This voucher is yours each year that you renew your Gold elite status in the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. You don’t need to use any Virgin points to book the companion’s seat. Of course, you’ll still need to pay the taxes, fees, and surcharges, but that’s standard.
Voucher #2. Credit Card Companion Reward
If you have the Virgin Atlantic Rewards Credit Card or the Rewards+ Credit Card, this voucher is your reward for hitting specific spending milestones in a cardmember year. Spend £20,000 (around $25,336) on the Virgin Atlantic Rewards Credit Card, or £10,000 (around $12,668) on the Rewards+ Credit Card, and you’ll unlock a companion voucher. Like the Gold Renewal voucher, you won’t need to burn any Virgin points, but you will have to cover taxes, fees, and surcharges.
Both vouchers work the same way once you have them, whether they come from your elite status or your credit card spending.
Here’s our tip:
“To make the most of these rewards, always aim to use them on flights where the ticket’s cash price is sky-high. That way, you’re squeezing every last drop of value out of your hard-earned perks.“
How to Earn a Gold Renewal Companion Reward
If you’re aiming to renew your Gold status with Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club—and unlock a coveted Companion Seat voucher while you’re at it—we’ve got some good news: it’s totally doable with a little planning.
To get there, you’ll need to earn 1,000 Tier Points during what Virgin Atlantic calls an Upgrade Cycle. Don’t let the jargon scare you—it’s just a fancy way of saying the 12 months leading up to today’s date.
So how do you rack up those 1,000 Tier Points? It all comes down to the flights you take and the cabin class you choose.
For those of you who stick to Economy, expect to earn between 25 and 50 Tier Points per booking. If you opt for Premium cabins, your haul will be bigger—anywhere from 50 to 100 Tier Points. And for the big spenders flying in Upper Class, you’re looking at 100 to 200 Tier Points per trip, depending on your destination.
Once you’ve hit the 1,000 Tier Point mark, your Gold elite status will be renewed for another year, and as a sweet bonus, you’ll get that Companion Seat voucher. This implies that you will have more chances to travel with a companion without incurring significant additional points (just taxes and fees).
How to Acquire a Credit Card Companion Rewards
Another fantastic way to get your hands on Virgin Atlantic’s Companion Seat vouchers: using your credit card. If you’re someone who loves maximizing rewards through everyday spending, this route could be perfect for you. Depending on whether you’re in the UK or the U.S., the details vary a bit, so let’s break it down for you.
For Our UK Friends
If you’re based in the UK, there are two Virgin Atlantic credit cards to consider:
- Virgin Atlantic Reward Credit Card: This no-annual-fee option might be your pick if you prefer to keep costs down. To earn a Companion Seat voucher, you’ll need to spend £20,000 (about $25,336) during your cardmember year. It’s a higher threshold, but, no annual fee softens the blow, right?
- Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Credit Card: If you’re okay with paying an annual fee of £160 (roughly $208), this one has a much lower spending requirement. You’ll unlock a Companion Seat voucher after spending just £10,000 (around $12,668) within the same timeframe.
For Those of Us in the U.S.
Now, if you’re stateside, the game is a little different. The Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard® is your go-to option. While it does have a $99 annual fee, the perks are pretty enticing:
- Spend $15,000 in a cardmember year, and you can choose one Personal Perk. What’s a Personal Perk? It could be a Flying Club Companion Seat voucher, a cabin upgrade, a free night at Virgin Hotels, a $300 Virgin Voyages bar tab, or a Blue Extras package with priority perks.
- Spend $30,000 in the same cardmember year, and you get to choose two Personal Perks. This means, if you’re laser-focused on flying with a travel buddy, you could secure two Companion Seat vouchers in one year!
If you’re already using your Virgin Atlantic credit card for your regular purchases, these spending thresholds might not feel like a big leap. It’s a smart way to turn your everyday expenses into valuable travel rewards.
How You Can Book a Virgin Atlantic Companion Seat
Now, how can you put your Virgin Atlantic Companion Seat voucher to beneficial use? It’s not an overly complicated process, but there are a few important steps to follow—and a couple of tips we’ve learned to make things easier for you.
Step 1: Get your ticket booked first
Before you can even think about adding a Companion Seat, you’ll need to have your own ticket sorted. And no, not just any ticket—it has to be on a Virgin Atlantic-operated flight. Pay for your seat with cash or Virgin points, but your flight must be confirmed before proceeding.
Step 2: Look for Award Availability
Booking a Companion Seat isn’t as simple as attaching it to just any flight—you’ll only be able to grab one if there’s award availability left on your chosen route. These spots can disappear quickly, so the sooner you act, the better your chances of locking one in.
To make life easier, we’ve found two great tools to check for award seats:
- If your flight involves the UK, you’ll want to try the Virgin Atlantic Reward Checker tool. This handy feature lets you scan through routes and see exactly how much award space is open in each cabin class.
- If your flight starts or ends somewhere outside the UK, the Virgin Atlantic website’s Advanced Search option will be your best bet. Enable the “Show Price In Points” feature, and you’ll quickly spot flights with award availability.
Step 3: Make the Call
Regrettably, you cannot book a Companion Seat online due to its outdated nature. You’ll need to pick up the phone and call Virgin Atlantic’s customer service line at 0344 209 2722. When you’re on the call, make sure you’re super clear with the agent that you’re booking a Companion Seat. Virgin Atlantic offers a few different types of companion fares, so the last thing you want is any confusion.
Step 4: Double-Check the Essentials
Before finalizing your booking, you’ll need to make sure everything’s in place:
- Your flight is already booked.
- There’s still award availability on the flight.
- You have enough Virgin points in your account to cover the Companion Seat.
Once all of that checks out, the agent will confirm your booking, and you’ll officially have a travel buddy joining you on your Virgin Atlantic flight.
Here’s what we’d recommend:
Don’t wait around after booking your own ticket. Award space can fill up in no time, and once it’s gone, it’s gone. Be proactive, get your Companion Seat booked quickly, and make the most of your voucher while availability lasts.
What’s the Value of Your Virgin Atlantic Companion Seat Voucher?
So, you’ve got yourself a Companion Seat voucher—nice! But how much is it actually worth? Well, that depends on where you stand in Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club membership tiers. The higher your status, the more value you’ll get out of your voucher.
If you’re rocking Red tier status (the starting level), your voucher can cover up to 75,000 Virgin points for a flight or upgrade. Not bad, right? But, If you’ve climbed to Silver or Gold status, the value of your voucher doubles to 150,000 Virgin points.
Can You Still Use the Voucher If the Flight Costs More?
Yes! Your voucher isn’t limited to those caps—it just means you’ll need to cover the difference with points from your account. For example, let’s say you’re a Red tier member and you’ve got your eyes on a flight priced at 100,000 Virgin points. Your voucher will handle the first 75,000 points, and you’d just need to chip in the remaining 25,000 points from your balance.
This flexibility means you can use your voucher for flights that might seem out of reach. Whether you’re booking a high-value business class ticket or upgrading your economy flight to a more comfortable cabin, your voucher works like a points discount rather than a hard limit.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Virgin Atlantic Companion Seat Voucher
Getting the maximum value out of your Virgin Atlantic Companion Seat voucher. Whether you’re a Flying Club newbie (Red member) or part of the elite squad (Silver or Gold status), using your voucher strategically can lead to some serious savings—and maybe even an upgraded travel experience.
The value of your Companion Seat voucher depends on your Flying Club tier:
- Red members: Your voucher is worth up to 75,000 Virgin points.
- Silver and Gold members: Your voucher is worth up to 150,000 Virgin points.
The closer your redemption comes to those caps, the better deal you’re getting. For example, if you’re a Red member, you should aim for flights priced at 75,000 points or less, and if you’re Silver or Gold, flights that cost 150,000 points or less are your sweet spot.
But if the flight you want costs more than your voucher’s cap, you can simply pay the difference with points from your account.
As of October 30, 2024, Virgin Atlantic shifted to a dynamic pricing system for many of its award seats, which means prices can fluctuate based on demand and cash fares. However, Saver-level award seats still follow a fixed pricing chart—and these are where you’ll find the best value for your voucher.
Here’s the Saver award chart for round-trip Virgin Atlantic flights to/from the U.K., broken down by route, cabin class, and season:
| Route (to/from the U.K.) | Economy Standard | Economy Peak | Premium Standard | Premium Peak | Upper Class Standard | Upper Class Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Israel | 18,000 | 22,000 | 32,000 | 40,000 | 56,000 | 66,000 |
| India, Dubai & Saudi Arabia | 20,000 | 40,000 | 35,000 | 55,000 | 75,000 | 95,000 |
| USA – Northeast | 20,000 | 40,000 | 35,000 | 55,000 | 95,000 | 115,000 |
| Caribbean | 20,000 | 40,000 | 35,000 | 55,000 | 115,000 | 135,000 |
| USA – Midwest & South | 25,000 | 45,000 | 45,000 | 65,000 | 95,000 | 115,000 |
| Nigeria & Ghana | 25,000 | 45,000 | 45,000 | 65,000 | 115,000 | 135,000 |
| South Africa & Indian Ocean | 25,000 | 45,000 | 50,000 | 85,000 | 115,000 | 135,000 |
| USA – West | 30,000 | 50,000 | 55,000 | 75,000 | 135,000 | 155,000 |
Picking the Best Redemptions
If you’re a Red member, here are two examples of great ways to maximize your voucher:
- A Premium Saver flight between the U.K. and the U.S. West during peak season (75,000 points).
- An Upper Class Saver flight between the U.K. and India, Dubai, or Saudi Arabia in standard season (75,000 points).
If you’re Silver or Gold, your options open up even more. You can aim for higher-value Saver awards, like:
- An Upper Class Saver flight between the U.K. and the U.S. West during standard season (135,000 points).
- Or, go all out with an Upper Class Saver flight during peak season, topping up the difference if it exceeds your 150,000-point cap. For instance, an Upper Class Saver round trip to the U.S. West during peak season costs 155,000 points—just 5,000 points over your voucher’s limit.
The switch to dynamic pricing has complicated things. Saver award seats aren’t guaranteed on every flight anymore, and on high-demand routes, dynamic pricing can push point requirements well above Saver levels.
That said, Saver awards still exist, and if you plan ahead and stay flexible with your travel dates, you can find fantastic opportunities. Just don’t wait too long—those Saver seats go fast, especially on popular routes.
Is It Still Worth It? Absolutely.
Yes, dynamic pricing has made things a bit trickier, but Companion Seat vouchers are still an excellent way to get value out of your Virgin points.
Can You Upgrade Virgin Atlantic Companion Seats?
If you’re wondering whether you can upgrade a Virgin Atlantic Companion Seat, the answer is YES, but there are a few rules you’ll need to know before making the move. Let’s break it down so you can plan your trip wisely.
First, since your Companion Seat is tied to your own booking, you and your travel buddy need to stick to the same flight. But you can absolutely upgrade your seat, and they can upgrade theirs, too—just not in the same way.
If you’re the primary member (aka the one holding the Flying Club status or credit card perks), you have the freedom to upgrade your own seat to the next cabin using either cash or Virgin points. On the flip side, your companion can also upgrade their seat, but there are two conditions: they’ll need to pay in cash only, and there must be an available seat in the next cabin class.
Now, if you’re upgrading your companion’s seat with cash, Virgin Atlantic gives you a discounted rate for the upgrade.
That said, if you’re only upgrading yourself and using points to do so, your companion will have to stay put in the original cabin you booked together. For example, if you’re moving from Premium to Upper Class, your buddy will still enjoy their seat in Premium unless you pay cash for their upgrade.
What You Need to Know About Virgin Atlantic Companion Seat Rules
Before you jump into booking a Companion Seat, there are a few important rules and restrictions you’ll need to be aware of. Don’t worry—we’ve laid everything out clearly so you can plan without any hiccups.
Your Voucher’s Expiration Date
If you earned your Companion Seat voucher on or after October 30, 2024, it comes with a 24-month validity period. You’ll need to book your flight within that timeframe, and the outbound flight must take place before the voucher expires. The good news is that the return flight can happen after the voucher’s expiry date, giving you some flexibility for round trips.
Economy Light Tickets Aren’t Eligible
Are you considering saving money by opting for an Economy Light fare and attaching a Companion Seat? Unfortunately, that won’t work. Virgin Atlantic only allows Companion Seat awards for Economy Classic tickets and above, so be sure to book an eligible fare if you want to bring someone along.
Cabin Class Rules for Companions
Your companion can only fly in your cabin or a lower one. For instance, if you’re in Premium, your travel buddy can be in Premium or Economy, but they won’t be able to move up to Upper Class. Similarly, if you’re flying Economy, they can’t upgrade to Premium—it’s just not allowed.
Using your voucher is about aligning your travel experience with your partner, so be aware of these cabin restrictions when planning.
While these terms may sound a bit restrictive, they’re pretty simple once you know the rules. The key is to book early, choose eligible tickets, and stay mindful of the expiration window.
Our Final Take on Virgin Atlantic Companion Seats
Who doesn’t love the idea of bringing a travel buddy along for free? If you’re a Flying Club Gold elite member or hold a Virgin Atlantic credit card, you’re sitting on one of the best perks the program has to offer: Companion Seats.
With this benefit, you can book a flight for a friend or family member on the same itinerary as you without shelling out extra points or cash (well, aside from taxes and fees). All you need is a confirmed ticket for yourself, paid with cash or Virgin points, and your travel companion gets to tag along for free.
Now, for the removal of Standard Companion Seats. As part of Virgin Atlantic’s program changes in late 2024, this perk—once available to all Flying Club members on cash bookings—has been retired. Honestly, we were just as disappointed as you probably are. Losing this benefit was a blow for those without elite status or the Virgin Atlantic credit card.
However, there is still hope! For those of us who possess Gold status or a credit card, the Companion Seat feature remains viable. And if you use it strategically, it can unlock some incredible value. Think about it: doubling the worth of your Virgin points, flying alongside someone you love, and making premium travel that much more accessible.
So, if you’re eligible for Companion Seats, we’d say it’s one of the most compelling reasons to stick with the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Some parts of the program have changed, but loyal travelers and cardholders still get benefits. If you haven’t used your Companion Seat voucher yet, now’s the perfect time to start planning and make the most of this valuable benefit.
