Enjoy Almost 40 Daily Flights Between the US and the UK Plus Reciprocal Elite Benefits!
January 2016
Delta's minority ownership stake and joint partnership with Virgin Atlantic has meant more convenience for SkyMiles members flying over the pond and decent award flight opportunities using SkyMiles on Virgin Atlantic flights.
Delta and Virgin Atlantic have almost 40 daily flights between the US and the United Kingdom. And those flights include reciprocal frequent flier benefits with opportunities to earn and redeem across both airlines and to enjoy elite benefits!
SkyMiles Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members enjoy:
- Complimentary access to select Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse locations
- Baggage fee waivers
- Priority Boarding
- Priority Check-In
- Accelerated security
- Expedited baggage service
- And if you’re a Delta One or premium class passenger, you also enjoy Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class Wing at London-Heathrow (LHR) Terminal 3, which includes drive-through check-in, a baggage concierge and dedicated security clearance
The partnership has also created award travel sweet spots. You can easily find economy class award flights from the US to the UK on Virgin Atlantic for 60,000 SkyMiles plus about $200 in taxes and fees and Upper Class roundtrip award tickets for 125,000 miles plus about $300 in taxes and fees. And another big advantage to using SkyMiles to fly Virgin Atlantic is you avoid the high fuel surcharges into the UK, which is a significant benefit!
Remember to book a Delta-marketed Virgin Atlantic flight through Delta (vs. through Virgin Atlantic) in order to receive Medallion Qualifying Miles!
The Wrap-Up:
Delta and Virgin Atlantic have almost 40 daily flights between the US and the United Kingdom and reciprocal frequent flier benefits with opportunities to earn and redeem across both airlines and to enjoy elite benefits.
And while it is getting much harder to find award travel sweet spots with Delta, several advantages exist when using SkyMiles to book award tickets to the UK on Virgin Atlantic, including big fuel surcharge savings and reasonable and seemingly plentiful award travel opportunities!
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