Final Thursday, Virgin Atlantic joined SkyTeam. Now, with out discover, the airline has up to date the award chart for considered one of its non-alliance candy spots — utilizing Virgin Atlantic factors on ANA, as Thrifty Traveler first reported.
Lengthy regarded as the very best use of Flying Membership 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 nonetheless hurts — particularly with no warning or direct communication to members.
Fortunately, economic system and business-class award charges stay the identical, as do these on shorter ANA flights to pick locations in Asia.
Here is a have a look at the adjustments. Observe the costs that observe are for round-trip flights:
| Vacation spot | Economic system | Enterprise | 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 Japanese U.S. | 65,000 (no change). | 95,000 (no change). | 170,000 (+42%). |
Keep in mind that ANA award house in premium cabins is notoriously scarce, however for these longer first-class flights, it will now be pricier to e book when you will discover stock.
Associated: The last word information to ANA firstclass
Our take
Any enhance in award charges is dangerous information, and for a lot of Individuals, firstclass will now value 42% greater than earlier than the airline joined SkyTeam.
As well as, Virgin Atlantic is at the moment working a 30% switch bonus from Capital One and Citi ThankYou Rewards. If you will discover award house, you are successfully locking in award house for 66,000 transferable factors every method.
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In the meantime, at 45,000 factors one-way (or 35,000 factors if you happen to use the switch bonus), first-class award charges from Hawaii to Japan are nonetheless bargains as nicely.
Lastly, as a reminder, these tickets cannot be booked on-line. You need to e book all ANA awards with Virgin Atlantic over the cellphone.
Associated: Seems like firstclass: Flying ANA The Room enterprise class from LA-Tokyo
Backside line
Every 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 instances. Whereas we have not seen any adjustments to business-class award charges, we might suggest reserving these premium-cabin awards quickly, simply in case changes are within the works.
The airline is at the moment working switch bonuses from Captial One and Citi, however earlier than making the nonrefundable switch, make sure to discover award house and verify that the Virgin Atlantic agent has entry to it.
