Last Thursday, Virgin Atlantic joined SkyTeam. Now, with out discover, the airline has up to date the award chart for one among its non-alliance candy spots — utilizing Virgin Atlantic factors on ANA, as Thrifty Traveler first reported.
Long regarded as the perfect use of Flying Club factors, Virgin Atlantic will now cost you extra factors to e-book ANA’s long-haul firstclass, a devaluation that we lengthy feared was coming however however hurts — particularly with no warning or direct communication to members.
Thankfully, financial system and business-class award charges stay the identical, as do these on shorter ANA flights to pick locations in Asia.
Here’s a have a look at the adjustments. Note the costs that observe are for round-trip flights:
| Destination | Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 15,000 (no change). | N/A. | N/A. |
| South Korea | 18,000 (no change). | 35,000 (no change). | 50,000 (no change). |
| China, Guam, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Taiwan | 23,000 (no change). | 45,000 (no change). | 60,000 (no change). |
| Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam | 40,000 (no change). | 65,000 (no change). | 105,000 (+23%). |
| Hawaii, India and Indonesia | 45,000 (no change). | 70,000 (no change). | 90,000 (+28%). |
| Australia, Canada and Western U.S. | 60,000 (no change). | 90,000 (no change). | 145,000 (+32%). |
| Europe, Mexico and Central and Eastern U.S. | 65,000 (no change). | 95,000 (no change). | 170,000 (+42%). |
Bear in thoughts that ANA award house in premium cabins is notoriously scarce, however for these longer first-class flights, it’s going to now be pricier to e-book when you’ll find stock.
Related: The final information to ANA firstclass
Our take
Any enhance in award charges is dangerous information, and for a lot of Americans, firstclass will now price 42% greater than earlier than the airline joined SkyTeam.
That mentioned, we’re relieved that business-class awards aren’t affected (but), and even with the rise, first-class continues to be a superb deal. On flights from the Central and Eastern U.S. to Japan, you may now should spend 85,000 factors every method. While that could be powerful to swallow, contemplate the next charges for these very same awards by means of different accomplice packages:
In addition, Virgin Atlantic is at present working a 30% switch bonus from Capital One and Citi ThankYou Rewards. If you’ll find award house, you are successfully locking in award house for 66,000 transferable factors every method.
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Meanwhile, at 45,000 factors one-way (or 35,000 factors when you use the switch bonus), first-class award charges from Hawaii to Japan are nonetheless bargains as properly.
Finally, as a reminder, these tickets cannot be booked on-line. You should e-book all ANA awards with Virgin Atlantic over the telephone.
Related: Feels like firstclass: Flying ANA The Room enterprise class from LA-Tokyo
Bottom line
Per week after becoming a member of SkyTeam, Virgin Atlantic has elevated long-haul ANA first-class redemptions with out discover to its members — by practically 42% in sure circumstances. While we have not seen any adjustments to business-class award charges, we would advocate reserving these premium-cabin awards quickly, simply in case changes are within the works.
The airline is at present working switch bonuses from Captial One and Citi, however earlier than making the nonrefundable switch, make sure you discover award house and affirm that the Virgin Atlantic agent has entry to it.