vs
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club vs Emirates Skywards
Verified June 2026
At a Glance
| Feature | Virgin Points | Skywards |
|---|---|---|
| Currency | Virgin Points | Skywards Miles |
| Airline | Virgin Atlantic | Emirates |
| Alliance | SkyTeam (partner) | None (independent) |
| Hub | London Heathrow (LHR) | Dubai (DXB) |
| Award Type | Fixed award chart | Dynamic pricing |
| Earning Rate | 1 point per $1 spent | 1 mile per $1 spent |
| Transfer Partners | Amex MR, Chase UR, Capital One, Bilt, Citi TYP | Amex MR, Capital One, Citi TYP, Bilt |
Virgin Points
Strengths
- No fuel surcharges
- Upper Class is outstanding product
- Points + cash flexibility
Weaknesses
- Limited route network vs legacy carriers
- No first class product
- Fewer partner booking options
Skywards
Strengths
- A380 first class with onboard shower
- Massive global network
- Tier bonuses and family pooling
Weaknesses
- Dynamic pricing means unpredictable costs
- Award availability can be scarce
- High miles cost for premium cabins
Sample Award Pricing
Virgin Points Rates (from London Heathrow (LHR))
| Destination | Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tel Aviv | 18,000 | 56,000 | -- |
| Mumbai | 20,000 | 75,000 | -- |
| Delhi | 20,000 | 75,000 | -- |
| Boston | 20,000 | 95,000 | -- |
| Newark | 20,000 | 95,000 | -- |
| Washington Dulles | 20,000 | 95,000 | -- |
Skywards Rates (from Dubai (DXB))
| Destination | Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | -- | -- | -- |
| London Gatwick | -- | -- | -- |
| London Stansted | -- | -- | -- |
| Paris | -- | -- | -- |
| Rome | -- | -- | -- |
| Barcelona | -- | -- | -- |
Points shown are approximate one-way off-peak/standard prices. Actual costs vary by date and availability.
Transfer Partner Access
Which credit card programs can transfer points to each loyalty program:
| Credit Card Program | Virgin Points | Skywards |
|---|---|---|
| Amex MR | ||
| Bilt | ||
| Capital One | ||
| Chase UR | ||
| Citi TYP |
Which Program Should You Choose?
Choose Virgin Points if...
- You fly primarily with Virgin Atlantic or SkyTeam (partner) partners
- You have points with Amex MR or Chase UR
- You value: No fuel surcharges
Choose Skywards if...
- You fly primarily with Emirates or None (independent) partners
- You have points with Amex MR or Capital One
- You value: A380 first class with onboard shower
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