Virgin gives flyers a more rewarding experience

Sir Richard Branson has announced that the award-winning Virgin airlines – Virgin Atlantic Airways, Virgin America and V Australia / Virgin Blue – known around the world for their stylish, innovative and value-based flying experience, are teaming up to offer each airline’s loyalty program members the opportunity to earn miles or points when taking flights on their sister-branded airlines.

As of now, guests 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 programs. 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*.

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members and V Australia/Virgin Blue Velocity members can also 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 as of the second quarter of 2011.

To celebrate this Virgin milestone, each Virgin airline is offering members who fly with at least two of the four Virgin branded airlines between now and December 31, 2011, the chance to win a week holiday in the British Virgin Islands on Sir Richard Branson’s private island Necker**. For more information, visit: virginatlantic.com, virginamerica.com, or vaustralia.com. For the Official Rules for the Sweepstakes, including complete details, please visit: virginatlantic.com, virginamerica.com, or vaustralia.com**.

"Virgin is known around the world for its legendary in-flight service but now it is even more rewarding to fly with our global airlines. In celebration of the closer ties between the airlines, as well as to reward our most loyal guests, three globetrotting Virgin loyalty program members will win a holiday on Necker," said Sir Richard Branson, Founder and President of the Virgin Group.

"We always strive to offer Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club members easier ways to earn miles and better rewards. I am sure that earning and redeeming on all Virgin airlines worldwide will be highly valued by our members. This new frequent flyer program further allows us to reward travelers who prefer to fly with, and remain loyal to, the Virgin branded airlines and we hope this offers an added incentive to do so," said Steve Ridgway, Chief Executive of Virgin Atlantic.

"Virgin-branded airlines are famous for reinventing the category and offering travelers a better flying experience with unrivalled value, brilliant service and innovative amenities. Travelers around the world seek out Virgin airlines for this reason, and we’re pleased to partner with our award-winning sister airlines to allow our loyal guests to earn Virgin frequent flyer credits wherever they are flying – in the U.S., Europe, Asia Pacific or Australia," said Virgin America President and Chief Executive Officer David Cush.

"We hope that the new agreements will encourage more travelers from around the globe to enjoy a customer experience that is second to none. Our goal is to deliver a better class of service and this latest partnership will help us deliver more rewards to the savvy travelers who rightly expect more from an airline," said Virgin Blue Chief Executive Officer John Borghetti.

This new opportunity gives added value to the already existing program 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.

In addition, Virgin America and Virgin Atlantic have negotiated and signed an international one-way interline agreement offering seamless travel on the networks of each carrier. 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 travelling 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.

*Please note that miles or points earned on a partner carrier (i.e. Elevate points earned on Virgin Atlantic flights) will be posted to the guest’s account within 4-6 weeks of travel.

**NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Ends 1/31/11.