vs
British Airways Avios vs Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Updated June 2026
At a Glance
| Feature | BA Avios | Virgin Points |
|---|---|---|
| Currency | Avios | Virgin Points |
| Airline | British Airways | Virgin Atlantic |
| Alliance | Oneworld | SkyTeam (partner) |
| Hub | London Heathrow (LHR) | London Heathrow (LHR) |
| Award Type | Distance-based with peak/off-peak | Fixed award chart |
| Earning Rate | 1 Avios per $1 spent on flights | 1 point per $1 spent |
| Transfer Partners | Amex MR, Chase UR, Capital One, Bilt | Amex MR, Chase UR, Capital One, Bilt, Citi TYP |
BA Avios
Strengths
- Short-haul Europe from 4,000 Avios
- Peak/off-peak pricing gives flexibility
- Household accounts for family pooling
Weaknesses
- High fuel surcharges on BA metal
- Peak pricing doubles the cost
- Limited partner award availability
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
Sample Award Pricing
BA Avios Rates (from London Heathrow (LHR))
| Destination | Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | 10,000 | 16,500 | -- |
| Copenhagen | 10,000 | 16,500 | -- |
| Milan | 10,000 | 16,500 | -- |
| Berlin | 10,000 | 16,500 | -- |
| Paris | 10,000 | 16,500 | -- |
| Prague | 10,000 | 16,500 | -- |
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 | -- |
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 | BA Avios | Virgin Points |
|---|---|---|
| Amex MR | ||
| Bilt | ||
| Capital One | ||
| Chase UR | ||
| Citi TYP |
Which Program Should You Choose?
Choose BA Avios if...
- You fly primarily with British Airways or Oneworld partners
- You have points with Amex MR or Chase UR
- You value: Short-haul Europe from 4,000 Avios
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
Related Comparisons
Search Both Programs at Once
Compare real-time award availability across BA Avios and Virgin Points.