Virgin Launches Travel Credit Card for U.S. Fliers — What to Know

Customers can earn extra points on Virgin flights, cruises, and hotels.

By Stella Shon Stella Shon

Stella Shon is an aviation news writer. Her work has been featured in publications including The Points Guy, USA Today, and others. Globetrotting more than 100,000 miles every year, she loves flying new airlines and scoping out remodeled airports. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on September 24, 2024

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Virgin Red, a popular British loyalty program that offers flights, cruises, and hotels, has launched its first-ever credit card for U.S. travelers.

Applications are now open for the new Virgin Red Rewards Card, the company announced last week. Cardmembers can earn 3x points across Sir Richard Branson’s travel brands, including Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Hotels, and the adults-only cruise line, Virgin Voyages. Additionally, the card rewards everyday spending, with 2x points on dining, groceries, select streaming services, and EV charging and 1x points on all other purchases.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Virgin’s brilliant travel companies to offer our U.S. members the chance to turn the dollars they spend every day into Virgin Points,” the company’s chief loyalty officer and managing director, Andrea Burchett, shared in a statement. “The Virgin Red Rewards Card will be the first of its kind in the industry to span flights, cruises, and hotels – it's your passport to more flights across the Atlantic, more voyaging around Caribbean hotspots and more Bellinis at The Pool Club.”

The card carries a $99 annual fee, which can be offset by benefits such as 5,000-anniversary points for cardholders, an annual third-night free stay at Virgin Hotels, and no foreign transaction fees for international travel. Additionally, travelers can choose a reward after spending $15,000 on the card and another after reaching $30,000 in annual spending, which includes:

• Companion pass when flying Virgin Atlantic
• Cabin upgrade when flying Virgin Atlantic
• One free night at Virgin Hotels
• One suite upgrade at Virgin Hotels
• Up to a $300 bar tab with Virgin Voyages
• Virgin Voyages benefits package for laundry service, daily coffee credits, and access to a cocktail party

Virgin Red points may be some of the most underrated rewards out there, with a full list of available rewards updated by the travel group. Travelers can redeem rewards for one-way flights to London starting at just 7,500 points, all-inclusive Virgin Voyages cruises for two from 95,000 points, or nights at Virgin Hotels properties from 25,000 points.