Final month, Virgin Atlantic introduced it might quickly make some enormous adjustments to its Flying Membership loyalty program, together with (amongst different issues) a shift to a brand new dynamic pricing mannequin. If you happen to’ve been sitting on a stash of Virgin factors, now may be the time to redeem them.
The adjustments are set to roll out on Wednesday, Oct. 30, and whereas the airline is promising a slew of latest alternatives for Flying Membership members to earn and redeem their factors — together with making each seat on Virgin-operated flights bookable with factors — it is arduous to disregard the truth that they’re going to even be introducing dynamic pricing for award redemptions.
Whereas it is tough to say simply how a lot of a devaluation Flying Membership awards will see earlier than Wednesday, it is probably that there will be much more variation within the redemption alternatives which might be presently on supply — notably on Higher Class seat redemptions.
We’ll perform a extra detailed evaluation on Wednesday as soon as the adjustments roll out, however within the meantime, here is a breakdown of what we already know in regards to the adjustments that may quickly be in play.
A transfer to dynamic pricing
Whereas Virgin’s communications surrounding the adjustments had been unsurprisingly targeted on the advantages (extra on this beneath), it is also unattainable to not discover the refined reference to a brand new dynamic pricing construction.
“Flying Membership members will be capable of use Virgin Factors to pay for any seat on the aircraft on any date, providing absolute selection and suppleness for our loyal clients,” mentioned Virgin in a press launch. “The worth of seats will range in step with demand, in the same strategy to customary tickets.”
Associated: Dynamic airline award pricing is uncontrolled — listed here are some methods to beat it
It is a brief and succinct line, but it surely’s nonetheless clear that the airline will undertake dynamic pricing to set award fares primarily based on demand. Invariably, this does not usually finish nicely for award vacationers.
Virgin has completed its greatest to reassure its buyer base that greater than half of its flights with financial system reward seat availability will see costs which might be the identical or decrease than they’re proper now. The airline additionally says {that a} “massive” variety of reward seats obtainable within the Higher Class cabin can be bookable on the identical worth or decrease than they’re presently.
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It stays to be seen how this might have an effect on Flying Membership loyalists, for higher or worse. Nonetheless, it is price noting that Virgin has not revealed whether or not it’s going to cap the utmost or minimal award fares.
Extra award availability
OK, now that we have talked about the dynamic-shaped elephant within the room, let us take a look at the good things.
From Oct. 30, Virgin’s Assured Availability system for award bookings will, relying on the way you take a look at it, endure one thing of an enhancement.
From Wednesday onward, each seat on a Virgin Atlantic-operated flight can be bookable utilizing Virgin factors — together with upgrades. This can be a important shift from the present Assured Availability system, which, since 2022, has made 12 award seats obtainable on each Virgin-operated flight.
Taking a look at this positively, it means that you will have rather more alternatives to redeem your factors, with extra seats being obtainable. On the draw back, given the brand new dynamic pricing construction, it is probably that there might be a reasonably wild disparity between the award costs of those seats. And as soon as a budget spots are gone, you’ll be able to count on to splurge extra factors for the very same seats.
New possibilities to avoid wasting on award seats
In an effort to fight this, Virgin will lock costs on a choose variety of seats per flight in a brand new “Saver reward seat” product. This can lock a lot of award fares on the identical costs obtainable immediately and even decrease.
It is presently unclear as as to if these Saver reward seats can be obtainable throughout each cabin, or whether or not Virgin will designate a set variety of seats per flight. TPG has reached out to Virgin Atlantic for clarification.
The corporate says that Flying Membership members ought to see a few of their lowest-ever factors costs — together with reward flights from the U.Okay. to New York Metropolis for as little as 6,000 factors. These costs are nothing to smell at in the event you can benefit from these presents earlier than they’re snapped up.
Modifications to award vouchers
We’re additionally going to see some adjustments to the way in which the Flying Membership members can use Companion and Improve vouchers.
At present, the cabins for which you are capable of redeem these vouchers are decided by your Flying Membership standing. Going ahead, from Oct. 30, you can use your vouchers to e book in any cabin.
Nonetheless, there’s a catch: Your Flying Membership standing will decide the utmost worth of your voucher.
From Oct. 30, the voucher can be legitimate for as much as a most of 75,000 factors for Flying Membership Pink tier members or 150,000 factors for Flying Membership Silver or Gold tier members primarily based in your standing on the time of voucher redemption. Whereas you can e book seats that price extra factors than this, you may be required to prime up the distinction.
If you happen to had been planning on utilizing a voucher for a giant return journey for 2, this may be an actual loss in worth for some Flying Membership Pink members.
Elevated incomes alternatives on flights
The ultimate change introduced is the distinction within the quantities of factors vacationers will earn on money fares. As soon as the adjustments roll out, Flying Membership members will earn as much as 50% extra on Higher Class fares and as much as 75% extra on Premium tickets. A brand new earnings chart that totally explains the quantity can be obtainable from Oct. 30.
Backside line
Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership will transfer to a dynamic pricing mannequin starting on Oct. 30. They’re going to additionally introduce new saver award redemptions and modify how award vouchers may be redeemed in addition to how a lot total award availability can be open on every flight.
Keep tuned for our full evaluation as soon as the adjustments are totally rolled out.
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