Virgin Red Rewards Card Launches

Virgin's Refreshed Card Comes With 40K Bonus And Useful Category Multipliers

Virgin's prior US card was tied specifically to Virgin Atlantic, and came with a headline bonus of 90k miles, but with an asterisk as getting that value required a couple of spending thresholds and adding an authorized user. This new flavor has a smaller, 40,000 point bonus, but it is much more easily attained: spend $3k in the first 90 days and you get the points. It's also more integrated into the wider Virgin ecosystem with elevated earnings on Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Hotels, and Virgin Voyages. (Sorry, space tourists!)

What Are The Points Earnings?

3X in Virgin flights, hotels and cruises.

2x on the useful recurring categories below:

  • Groceries and Restaurants
  • "Select" Streaming Services (Disney+, Netflix, Spotify, HBO Max, etc) and
  • EV Charging Fees
1x on everything else.

You also get 5,000 points each cardmember anniversary year.

Charge Your Way To Virgin Atlantic Status

In addition to the redeemable points, the Red card earns 25 Tier Qualifying Points for every $2,500 in spending; up to 50 Tier Points per month. This is currently the only way to rack up Tier Points without flying. 

Inserted Image

Other Benefits

There are a number of other benefits either tied to paying the annual fee, or hitting cumulative spend thresholds each year. Most have fine print you'll want to check, but taken together, a big-spending Virgin Red enthusiast should be able to get a lot of value from them.

Third Night Free Hotel Benefit:

  • Once per cardholder year, get a free third consecutive night after booking two nights at a participating Virgin Hotel.
  • Requires The Know membership.
  • Taxes, fees, and blackout dates apply. Valid for 12 months.

Available Spend Threshold Rewards:

  1. Flying Club Reward Voucher (Virgin Atlantic):

    • Requires Flying Club membership.
    • Voucher can be applied to a round-trip companion seat or cabin upgrade on Virgin Atlantic operated flights, with value based on your Flying Club tier.
    • Taxes, fees, and additional points (if needed) apply. Valid for 24 months.

  2. Virgin Hotels Free Night Stay:

    • Requires The Know membership.
    • One complimentary night in a standard King Room at participating Virgin Hotels.
    • Taxes, fees, and blackout dates apply. Valid for 12 months.

  3. Virgin Hotels Priority Room Upgrade:

    • Requires The Know membership.
    • Upgrade to the next room category for up to three nights, subject to availability and blackout dates.
    • Valid for 12 months.

  4. Virgin Voyages Bar Tab Credit:

    • $300 credit on cruises 7+ nights; $150 credit on shorter cruises.
    • Must apply to an existing booking at least 7 days prior to departure.
    • Valid for 24 months.

  5. Virgin Voyages Blue Extras Perk Package:

    • Access special perks such as dedicated support, a cocktail event, one laundry bag per voyage, and daily coffee credit.
    • Applicable once per cruise, valid for 24 months, and must be applied at least 7 days prior to departure.

Annual Fee

$99; not waived.

Tad's Take

This card will be a solid pick up for two types of people: those who are affluent and really loyal to Virgin's hospitality offerings, and churners who are in cooling off periods will all the big bank issuers (because this card is issued by Synchrony.) What it gives up in sign-up bonus points compared to the prior cards, it makes up for with a whole set of additional benefits and rewards. 

I'm neither of those types and will pass on this one for now, as should most of you, probably. But for the curious, you can learn more and apply via this (non-affiliate) link.