Rewards and Upgrades on Virgin White Amex

Hi all,

Quick query regarding the EC to PE upgrade and the Companion Reward Flight that you're entitled to once you've met the required threshold spends on the VS White Amex. I've done the maths and have definitely qualified for both, but haven't received notification of either. I'm aware they're both notoriously useless except for in very specific circumstances, but I'd still rather have the option to use them if I've earned them. Do I need to contact MBNA or Flying Club, or are they rewarded at a different time, e.g. a year after sign up?

Thanks so much!

I usually get the Companion Ticket as soon as I get to the right level. The EC to PE comes after completing a full year with MBNA.

If you speak to MBNA they will tell you when your year is complete and they can also tell you if you have reached the limit for one or two PE upgrades.

I have mine coming next month

Hi spacedog,

I've got the black Amex and the companion voucher was added to my account immediately I hit the spend threshold. The PE reward upgrade vouchers go on after a year, maximum of 2 (mine were awarded this week, and I got my annual statement showing my spend). Anything on the visa doesn't count toward the required spend. That's about as much as I can say, contact MBNA first as FC will bat you back to them anyway.

Thank you, pashmore and Bretty!

I've definitely met the required spend for the Companion Reward Flight on Amex only (I calculated only the Amex spend, not the Visa). I'll contact MBNA regarding this. And it looks like I'm a way away from receiving the PE upgrades, but it's very useful to know that they'll be added on my one year Amex anniversary.

Thank you again, both

Question regarding the black card, I want to cancel after my year is up as I don't want to pay the yearly fee again, anyone had any problems with the vouchers posting to flying club after cancelling the card?

Question regarding the black card, I want to cancel after my year is up as I don't want to pay the yearly fee again, anyone had any problems with the vouchers posting to flying club after cancelling the card?

I am considering the same after the first year is up, depending on how much I end up spending on it, as year 2 onwards may not be worthwhile without the 30k introductory bonus. Having said that I've accrued a companion voucher in a mere 2 months time, which is worryingly fast!! I will definitely get 2 PE vouchers after a whole year, so wouldn't want to lose out on them if cancelled at the year end.

Also, after I cancel the card, would it be possible for Mr W to sign up for one next year if and when they run another bonus offer? I presume that would be fine, as he currently is only a second card holder, and the main account is in my name. But if anyone has any experience in this, or knows of any issues that we may encounter doing so, please let me know. The alternative is the Amex gold, with 22k Amex points (FC miles) for free for the first year...

AFAIK you should be okay to cancel the card at the end of the first year, but you should let them know just before renewal date so that the annual fee isn't added to your account. There should be no issue with obtaining your vouchers if you're due them as you've fulfilled the obligations to qualify. I believe others have cancelled their cards.

I'm keeping mine on, okay there's a fee and this year no bonus, but I've just seen my annual statement and I've spent a lot, more than I thought, and even if I only spend half as much in the next year, the additional FC miles will be worth it, especially when spending with Virgin branded companies for 4 miles per £.

As for Mr W applying for the card, I don't think that should be a problem if he's not the primary account holder. You might be better of checking the T&Cs though for anything in the small print.

Thanks John, I will be sure to check the T&Cs. I am one of those strange people that quite like reading the small prints...

mrsw, you're probably already well aware of this, but just in case... if Mr W signs up prior to you doing away with your VS card, you can use the card referral form and I think you'll each earn 3,000 miles: http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/corporat ... do?id=2450

I like reading the small print, too! Sometimes feel I'm none the wiser at the end of it, sadly.

Oh that's great, thank you very much. I wasn't aware and shall definitely check that out before the year ends.

Glad to be of assistance

I heart the community, everyone is so helpful

Well, having complained about it, last night very late the Companion Voucher was credited to my account. Now to find out if I can ever make use of it!

Yes I'm wondering the same about mine. On the other hand I earned it so I might as well try and use it.

I think when we've confirmed a couple more of our work commitments for next year, I'll call FC and see what's available to figure out pricing etc. We're thinking of combining a work trip with a few extra days in California, and a PE flight would make it sweeter, for sure

Excuse my ignorance but what the score with these card rewards?
Do they show up on your flying club account or via card site?
Do I book (or try) through normal process, website / phoning?
Cheers for any info.

Once you qualify, they appear (or should) on your Flying Club account.

To use them you need to call Flying Club.

Hi Scott! Mine was posted in my Flying Club account, it showed up last night as:

12 Aug 2014 VAA Credit Card Companion Flight Qualification

When you book the Companion Reward your own class of travel needs to be in a qualifying fare, so I think you will need to phone in order to utilise it. There's a link with more details here:

http://uk.virginmoney.com/virgin/vaa-am ... panion.jsp

Hopefully someone who's used their Companion Flight will be able to chime in if I'm mistaken.

Yes, to use a Companion Reward the paid-for ticket must be in an upgradable (and therefore pricier) fare class. You will also have to pay taxes & fees on the reward ticket, and there must be reward seat availability in the relevant cabin.

All of which means you may find it cheaper to buy two cash fares in the cheapest bucket, particularly in Upper Class where a full price J fare is invariably more than double the price of a discounted Z fare.

They're really aimed at business travellers who normally buy pricier, more flexible tickets in case their travel plans change and who spend a lot on their credit cards. Clearly it's in VS & MBNA's interest to reward them.

I qualify for companion tickets every year (for the past 5years) but quite frankly they are useless. Every time I've tried to use them it's been cheaper to pay cash.
We've just got back from NYC and it would have costed me double in UC if I had used my companion ticket.

The whole Companion ticket and PE upgrade scheme is just marketing hype and just pointless.

Airline reward schemes are becoming more restrictive and less valuable as each year passes. On some routes you can still find some good usages but I remember last year asking flying club call centre to check for any reward seats (both legs of journey) for an entire year to a Caribbean Island with no luck.

[Neil]

I qualify for companion tickets every year (for the past 5years) but quite frankly they are useless. Every time I've tried to use them it's been cheaper to pay cash.
We've just got back from NYC and it would have costed me double in UC if I had used my companion ticket.

The whole Companion ticket and PE upgrade scheme is just marketing hype and just pointless.

Airline reward schemes are becoming more restrictive and less valuable as each year passes. On some routes you can still find some good usages but I remember last year asking flying club call centre to check for any reward seats (both legs of journey) for an entire year to a Caribbean Island with no luck.

I agree with the companion voucher, but totally disagree with the PE upgrade vouchers.

We use them every year, and it offers a huge saving. This year, we are flying to MCO in PE both ways thanks to the voucher and it has cost us £650 in total, not both and 75,000 miles. Excellent value IMO.

Neil

The whole Companion ticket and PE upgrade scheme is just marketing hype and just pointless.

That's a little unfair.

For business travellers (and anyone else) who need to travel on flexible tickets in case their plans change, the companion reward is pretty useful.

Agreed, it's not worth bothering with for people who buy the cheapest fares - but VS isn't really interested in rewarding them. This scheme's about rewarding high spenders and frequent flyers.