Virgin Atlantic Reward Plus credit card review 2024 – 15,000 bonus points, £160 annual fee, lounge access and companion ticket

Overview of the Virgin Atlantic Reward Plus Credit Card

The Virgin Atlantic Reward Plus Credit Card is aimed at UK flyers who want to turn everyday spending into Virgin Points and travel perks. With a headline 15,000 bonus Virgin Points on first spend within 90 days, this card is marketed to people who value flights, upgrades and lounge access.

Cardholders earn 1.5 Virgin Points per £1 on most purchases and double points on Virgin Atlantic flights and Virgin Holidays, making it a solid choice if you regularly fly Virgin. The card carries a £160 annual fee, so you need to weigh rewards against that cost.

Perks, lounge access and companion ticket potential

Key benefits include Virgin Money Lounges entry, Boingo Wi-Fi access and the possibility of an annual companion ticket or upgrade once you hit an annual spend target of £10,000. These extras are where the Reward Plus card shows real value for frequent travellers.

For many customers the companion ticket alone can offset the £160 annual fee, especially if you redeem Virgin Points for short-haul return flights or use the upgrade opportunity. Always check reward availability for your preferred routes before relying on the companion ticket as the main benefit.

Costs, APR and what to watch for

The representative APR is high, reflecting the rewards-based nature of the product, so this card is best used by people who pay balances in full each month. Carrying a balance will quickly erode the value of the Virgin Points earned.

Remember the points have rules and expiry windows; earned Virgin Points should be used within the timeframes published by Virgin. Also factor in the £160 annual fee and plan spending so you actually net value beyond that cost.

How to manage the card and final verdict

Managing the Virgin Atlantic Reward Plus Credit Card is straightforward with the Virgin Money Credit Card App, which lets you monitor spend, view Virgin Points and manage payments in one place. The app also helps you track eligibility for the 15,000 bonus and the annual reward.

In short: the Reward Plus card is a strong contender if you fly Virgin Atlantic regularly, spend enough to reach the £10,000 annual reward threshold and can clear the balance monthly. If you do, the Virgin Points, lounge access and companion ticket can make the £160 annual fee worthwhile.