From pocket-friendly domestic flights to dreamy Hawaiian and Caribbean getaways, using Virgin Atlantic points instead of SkyMiles for booking Delta flights has long been a money-saving hack for savvy travelers. However, brace yourselves for some bad news - Virgin Atlantic has silently updated its award chart for Delta flights, resulting in a staggering 60% increase in award rates for most Delta flights[^1^]. Travelers were left blindsided as these changes took effect overnight, leaving them with little time to book flights before the rates shot up[^2^].
Some Routes Escape Unscathed
Not all hope is lost, as a few routes have been spared from these sudden hikes. For now, Delta redemptions to the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe remain untouched[^3^]. This means that you can still snag a fantastic deal of booking Delta One business class for just 50,000 points each way[^3^]. Additionally, flights within a 500-mile range will still cost 7,500 points each way, and any redemptions for travel completed before the end of the year will stick to the current, lower rates[^3^].
Farewell to Affordable Delta Redemptions
Prepare to dig deeper into your points stash if you plan on booking any Delta flights in the near future. The devaluation is massive, and the worst part is that Virgin Atlantic never directly informed its Flying Club members about these impending changes[^3^]. From economy flights from New York City (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX) that have seen a nearly 47% price increase, to flights from Seattle (SEA) to Tokyo-Haneda (HND) that have skyrocketed by 60%, the news is disheartening for eager travelers[^4^][^6^].
Delta redemption rates through Virgin Atlantic have been significantly increased.
The changes are clearly outlined in Virgin Atlantic's new award chart, which determines the number of miles needed to book a flight[^7^]. First class and Delta One redemptions have also been affected, with significant rate hikes on various routes[^8^].
What Remains Unchanged?
Thankfully, some routes still offer favorable redemption rates. Delta redemptions to the United Kingdom, Europe, and London-Heathrow (LHR) have been spared from the changes for now[^9^]. So, if you're looking to fly to Amsterdam (AMS), Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG), or other European destinations, you can still book a one-way flight for 30,000 points each way[^9^]. Likewise, flights from the Midwest to Mexico and the Caribbean and the shortest domestic Delta hops of 500 miles or less have maintained their previous rates[^9^][^11^].
Virgin Atlantic's award chart for Delta redemptions to the United Kingdom and Europe remains unchanged.
Time to Reassess Your Options
With these sudden changes, it's clear that Virgin Atlantic is gradually eroding the value of its Flying Club mileage program[^14^]. While booking through Virgin Atlantic can still save you some Delta SkyMiles, it may not be as enticing as before[^15^]. However, transfer bonuses and partnerships with major travel credit card companies can soften the blow and still offer significant savings[^15^]. Keep in mind that rates can fluctuate, so it's worth considering your options and acting swiftly to secure lower rates before they disappear[^19^].
It's disappointing to see another devaluation in the Flying Club program, but it's essential to stay informed and adapt to changing circumstances in the world of airline rewards programs.
