Earning Points Through Flights
Southwest Rapid Rewards
Flying Southwest directly adds points to your account. Here's how many points you'll earn per dollar spent:
- Wanna Get Away fares: 6 points
- Wanna Get Away Plus fares: 8 points
- Anytime fares: 10 points
- Business Select: 12 points
Elite members receive bonus points:
- A-List members: 25% bonus
- A-List Preferred elites: 100% bonus
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Earn Virgin points by flying Virgin Atlantic or partners like Delta, Air France, or Hawaiian Airlines. Virgin Atlantic's SkyTeam alliance membership means more partners and more point-earning opportunities.
Base Rates Comparison
| Airline | Fare Type | Points per $1 |
|---|---|---|
| Southwest | Wanna Get Away | 6 |
| Southwest | Wanna Get Away Plus | 8 |
| Southwest | Anytime | 10 |
| Southwest | Business Select | 12 |
| Virgin Atlantic | Varies | Check calculator |
Boosting Earnings
Southwest offers Points Booster for Virgin Atlantic-operated flights and occasional promotions to earn extra points on past flights within six months.
Virgin Atlantic Off-Peak Seasons
Maximize your points by booking during these off-peak periods:
- Jan. 4 to March 21
- April 16 to June 15
- Sept. 5 to Oct. 24
- Nov. 6 to Dec. 6
Partner Airlines
Virgin Atlantic partners with major airlines like Air France-KLM and Delta, plus SkyTeam partners. Example distances:
- Economy: 15,000 points (one-way from the US West Coast to Europe)
- Business: 48,500 points (one-way from the US East Coast to Europe)
Booking Flights with Points
Virgin Atlantic allows online award flight bookings. Southwest points can be used for domestic and Caribbean flights, spent like dollars.
Using Credit Card Rewards
Credit card rewards can supercharge your points-earning potential. Both Southwest and Virgin Atlantic offer appealing credit card options to boost your points accumulation.
Southwest's Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card offers:
- Welcome bonus
- 2 points per $1 on Southwest purchases, local transit, and commuting
- 1 point per $1 on everything else
Virgin Atlantic World Elite Mastercard® provides:
- 3 points per $1 spent directly with Virgin Atlantic
- 1.5 points per $1 on all other purchases
- Welcome bonus
- Extra points on card anniversary
These cards offer flexibility, allowing you to use points for flights, upgrades, hotel stays, and lounge access.
Pro tips:
- Watch for transfer bonuses from programs like American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Utilize card bonus categories for direct spending
- Refer friends and family (Southwest offers 20,000 Rapid Rewards points per successful referral)
- Consider buying points as a last-resort option
Whether you're a frequent business traveler or a leisure explorer, leveraging these credit card rewards can make a significant difference in your travel experiences.
Partner and Transfer Programs
Partner and transfer programs can boost your point balance without flying. Here's how to leverage these programs effectively:
Southwest Rapid Rewards:
- Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards® points at a 1:1 ratio
- Earn points through car rentals (Hertz, Avis)
- Participate in the Rapid Rewards Dining program
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club:
- Transfer points from American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards at a 1:1 ratio
- Watch for transfer bonuses (20-30% extra points)
- Partner with hotel chains like Marriott Bonvoy (3:1 transfer ratio, plus 5,000-point bonus for every 60,000 Bonvoy points transferred)
- Earn points through car rentals and shopping portals
Pro tip: Track your point balances across all programs and identify the best times to convert or transfer. With smart planning, every transaction can bring you closer to your next adventure.
Shopping and Dining Rewards
Turn your everyday spending into point-earning opportunities with shopping and dining rewards programs:
Shopping Portals:
- Southwest's Rapid Rewards® Shopping
- Virgin Atlantic's Shops Away
How it works: Start your online shopping from the portal, click through to your favorite retailer, make a purchase, and earn points.
Dining Programs:
- Southwest's Rapid Rewards Dining
- Virgin Atlantic's dining program through Shops Away
How it works: Link your debit or credit card to the program, dine at participating restaurants, and earn points automatically.
Pro tips:
- Keep an eye out for special promotions and bonus point offers
- Make using these portals a habit for all your online shopping
- Set reminders to use linked cards for dining
- Plan purchases around promotions to maximize earnings
By incorporating these shopping and dining strategies into your routine, you're not just spending money—you're investing in your next adventure. Every purchase brings you closer to that dream vacation, making your everyday life a bit more exciting.
Booking with Points on SkyTeam and Other Partners
Ready to make your Virgin points go the extra mile? Let's dive into the world of SkyTeam and partner bookings – your ticket to maximizing value and unlocking dream destinations.
Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club shines when you book with partner airlines, especially those in the SkyTeam alliance. Take All Nippon Airways (ANA), for instance. You can snag a round-trip business class ticket from the U.S. to Japan for just 95,000 points – a steal compared to cash prices!
But don't stop at ANA. Virgin's SkyTeam partnerships open up a world of possibilities:
- Explore Europe with Air France and KLM at great rates
- Jet off to Asia with Korean Air or Vietnam Airlines
- Mix and match one-way flights to reduce taxes and fees
- Compare partner redemption charts to find the best deals
Pro tip: Book ANA flights through Virgin Atlantic for unbeatable value. Check availability on United's website, then call Virgin to book. It takes a bit more effort, but the savings are worth it.
Don't forget about non-alliance partners like South African Airways and Virgin Australia. Short flights within Australia can be incredibly cheap on points.
To stretch your points even further:
- Travel during off-peak dates
- Be flexible with routes and departure times
- Consider multi-airline and multi-city itineraries
With some savvy planning, those Virgin points can turn into unforgettable adventures while keeping your wallet happy. So, what are you waiting for? Start exploring those partner charts and let the journey begin!
Additional Point Earning Strategies
Think you've exhausted all your point-earning options? Think again! There's a whole world of creative ways to boost your balance beyond flights and credit cards.
Southwest Rapid Rewards:
- Rent a car through partners like Hertz or Avis
- Take surveys with e-Rewards or Rewards for Opinions
- Book vacation packages through Southwest Vacations
Virgin Atlantic:
- Indulge in luxury hotel stays
- Sip wine from Laithwaites
- Book a stay at Virgin Hotels
- Sign up for emergency assistance programs like EA+
Don't miss out on seasonal promotions and sweepstakes. Both airlines frequently offer boosted points for specific activities or spending periods. Feeling lucky? Virgin even has a space flight raffle!
Game-changer alert: Transfer points from hotel programs. Marriott Bonvoy lets you move points to Virgin Atlantic at a 3:1 ratio, with a 5,000-point bonus when you transfer 60,000.
Keep an eye out for transfer bonuses from credit card programs like American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards. A 20-30% bonus can really add up!
Remember, your everyday actions could be paving the way for extraordinary travel experiences.
So next time you're renting a car, booking a hotel, or even just filling out a survey, think about how it could bring you closer to your next adventure. Happy earning!