If you’re sitting on a stash of American Express points, you can take advantage of this transfer bonus and fly in business class for as low as 21,000 points. Thanks to a limited time 40% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic, you can book a business class flight to the UK for as few as 21,000 AMEX points from the East Coast. Let’s break down this incredible deal and how you can take advantage of it.
Why This Deal is a Game-Changer
Virgin Atlantic recently introduced dynamic award pricing, which means the cost of award flights can vary. Because of this, there are now many new sweet spots—like business class flights from the U.S. East Coast to the UK for just 29,000 Virgin Atlantic points.
With the current 40% transfer bonus from AMEX, your points stretch even further. Here’s how it works:
- 21,000 American Express points = 29,000 Virgin Atlantic points after the 40% bonus.
- For economy, you could snag flights for as little as 5,000 AMEX points.
- This transfer bonus is good through the end of the month.
This is easily one of the best value redemptions for American Express points, especially for premium travel.
Step-by-Step Guide to Booking
1. Search for Award Availability
Before transferring your points, it’s essential to check for available seats. My go-to tool for this is Seats.aero.
Here’s how to use it:
- Visit Seats.aero and click the “Explore” tab.
- Select the Virgin Atlantic program.
- Enter North America to Europe in the search fields.
- Filter the results for business class seats.
You’ll see a list of available seats priced at 29,000 Virgin Atlantic points.
2. Transfer Your AMEX Points
Once you’ve confirmed availability, log in to your American Express Membership Rewards account and transfer the points to your Virgin Atlantic Flying Club account. Remember, don’t transfer until you’re ready to book.
3. Book Your Flight
Head to the Virgin Atlantic website and book your flight using the transferred points. Enjoy one of the best current redemptions across the Atlantic for just 21,000 AMEX points!
Pro Tips for Maximizing Value
- Transfer Only When You’re Ready to Book
Transferring points before confirming availability can be risky, as award seats might disappear quickly. Always secure your seat first! - Search Flexible Dates
If you’re not seeing the 29,000-point price, check surrounding dates. Award pricing can fluctuate based on demand. - Consider Economy for Extreme Savings
While business class is the standout deal, economy flights are available for just 5,000 AMEX points with the transfer bonus.
Why Virgin Atlantic Is a Top Choice
Virgin Atlantic is now known for offering incredible value on transatlantic flights. Plus, their business class product—Upper Class—features lie-flat seats, fine dining, and access to premium lounges like the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse if flying out of JFK.
When you combine this with a generous transfer bonus from AMEX, you’re unlocking one of the best deals in travel.
Pat’s Take
This opportunity to fly business class to the UK for as little as 21,000 AMEX points is unbeatable. Even the economy redemptions from as low as 5,000 AMEX points with this bonus is truly insane. The taxes and fees have also been reduced significantly ever since Virgin Atlantic switched to dynamic award pricing. You can still find excellent value from the West Coast as well, however the point cost will be a bit higher than shown.
Either way if you can somehow manage to snag a seat that aligns with your schedule, you’re in for one of the best ways to use your AMEX points.
