Virgin airline brands combine loyalty rewards
Sir Richard Branson has announced that Virgin Atlantic Airways, Virgin America and V Australia/Virgin Blue are teaming up to offer each airline's loyalty programme members the opportunity to earn miles or points when taking flights on their sibling-branded airlines.
With immediate effect, passengers flying on Virgin Atlantic, Virgin America, and V Australia/Virgin Blue are all eligible to earn miles or points for their flights that can later be redeemed under any of the carrier's frequent flyer programmes.
The reciprocal agreements enable Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club members to earn Flying Club miles/status points; Virgin America's Elevate members to earn Elevate points; and V Australia/Virgin Blue Velocity members to earn Velocity points - wherever they are flying on a Virgin-branded carrier around the world.
At the same time, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members and V Australia/Virgin Blue Velocity members can redeem their miles on either of the airlines. V Australia/Virgin Blue Velocity members and Virgin America Elevate members will be eligible to spend their miles or points to fly on either airline as of the fourth quarter of 2010.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members and Virgin America Elevate members will be eligible to spend their miles or points on either airline starting in Q2 2011.
This new opportunity lends extra value to the already existing programme that was launched in June of 2009 allowing V Australia guests to earn Elevate points for the Virgin America leg of their journey and offering Virgin Atlantic and V Australia passengers to earn on each other. This followed Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Blue's similar arrangement that began in 2008.
To celebrate the new partnerships, each Virgin airline is offering members who fly with at least two of the four Virgin branded airlines between now and 31st January 2011 the chance to win a week holiday in the British Virgin Islands on Sir Richard Branson's private island, Necker.
In addition, Virgin America and Virgin Atlantic have announced that they are to offer seamless travel on the networks of each carrier, via an international one-way interline agreement for bookings and travel beginning in September 2010. Guests will be able to book a single ticket and check their bags through to their final Virgin destination when traveling on both carriers if they book through Virgin Atlantic (via call centre) or travel agent. Virgin America launched a US-Australia interline arrangement with V Australia/Virgin Blue in June 2009. Virgin Atlantic and V Australia/Virgin Blue also have an interline agreement in place.
For additional information: · Visit Virgin Atlantic at http://www.virginatlantic.com · Visit Virgin America at http://www.virginamerica.com · Visit V Australia at http://www.vaustralia.com