Plus, the Middle East on Emirates in Business Class for 80,000 miles, Asia in First Class on Singapore for 105,000 or Business Class for 80,000 miles—no telling how long these will last.
Last month, Starwood added a new airline transfer partner, Virgin America, which increases the value of this great credit card. FCF has not paid much attention to Virgin America’s Elevate mileage program because it only offers revenue-based redemptions on its own flights—meaning mileage costs are based on the ticket cost. For domestic First Class travel this is often not a good value. Also, the exchange rate with transfer partners Amex Rewards and Citi ThankYou is terrible, 2:1, meaning for 200 Amex or Citi points, you only get 100 Elevate miles.
New Starwood Partnership Changes All That
With Starwood, the transfer rate is at 1:1, plus you get the standard 25% bonus for every 20,000 points transferred. It adds up to unbelievably low prices for Premium Class travel, and is one of the best deals for using miles to Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Point Transfer Time
Our research shows that the average transfer time from Starwood to Virgin America is one to two days. The caveat: Alaska just bought Virgin America, so we expect partner mileage requirements to change and some partners to be cut from the program. Book soon at the current mileage rate.
Four Reasons to Love this Partnership
Europe starting at 30,000 points (plus taxes starting at $910) for Business Class on Virgin Atlantic round-trip: By far, Virgin America’s best current deal to Europe in Business Class is with Virgin Atlantic. As you can see in the sample savings chart below, Virgin America charges only 30,000 Starpoints to London from Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Miami, New York, Orlando, and Washington DC, and 40,000 Starpoints from Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. That’s up to 30,000 fewer miles than United charges for economy. In other words, if you have a Starwood card and book via Virgin America, as opposed to making a direct booking using a United credit card, you’re getting two Business Class tickets for the price of economy. Downside: Virgin Atlantic, like other European airlines, has high award taxes on tickets to Europe, $910 to $1,150, while U.S. airlines, like United, have low award taxes, $100 to $200.
What makes this an even sweeter deal is that award availability using Virgin America miles is the same as using Virgin Atlantic miles, which means if Virgin Atlantic has an award seat, so will Virgin America because they book the same inventory.
Check availability here (also see FCF’s mileage award chart availability below). If it looks good, just call Starwood to transfer the points over the phone, or do the transfer yourself through your Starwood online account. Once points are in the account call Virgin America at 877-359-8474 to book.
Asia starting at 80,000 points for Business and 105,000 for First Class on Singapore: Virgin America only charges 95,000 miles in Business Class Los Angeles to/from Tokyo, but it only costs 80,000 Starpoints—50,000 fewer miles than United charges for Business Class (aka: a free upgrade; United charges nearly as much for coach, 70,000 miles). Our research, however, shows that award space is hard to find on Singapore using Virgin America miles. You have to be flexible.
First check for mileage award space on Singapore’s website—you must have a mileage account with Singapore to do this—then call Virgin America at 877-359-8474 to check if that space is available through Virgin.
The South Pacific starting at 65,000 points for Business Class on Virgin Australia: Virgin America only charges 80,000 miles for Business Class Los Angeles to/from Sydney, and only 65,000 Starpoints—15,000 fewer miles than United charges for economy (aka: better than a free upgrade). Our research shows, however, that award space is hard to find when using Virgin America miles. Your best bet is to travel last-minute, usually a week out—great for retired people and other flexible leisure travelers.
To check award space on Virgin Australia, use the Delta website, as Virgin Australia mileage accounts are not available to loyalty-program members in the U.S., or call Virgin America (877-359-8474).
The Middle East starting at 80,000 points for Business Class on Emirates: Virgin America only charges 100,000 miles in Business Class New York to/from Dubai, one of the lowest Business Class awards to the Middle East. It costs even less if you have a Starwood account: only 80,000 Starpoints—45,000 fewer miles than Emirates charges for Business Class.
Look for mileage award space first on Emirates’ website—but you must have an Emirates mileage account. Our research shows that award space is sometimes the same when using Virgin America miles for Emirates flights. For example, the first week of February 2017 Emirates had free Business class award space every day, while Virgin America had space on four days that week (Feb. 1, 5, 6, and 7).
Sample Starwood / Virgin America Opportunities
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Conclusion
Yes, Starwood has been bought by Marriott: yes, Virgin America has been bought by Alaska; and yes, the point transfer time takes up to two days, but despite all that, you have to love London starting at 30,000 Starpoints for Business Class round-trip on Virgin Atlantic (now on nine routes from the U.S.), a deal that will not last long.
Sweet Redeem Survey: Virgin Atlantic Business Class to/from London
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