Bits: BA Gatwick update, Etihad Guest status with one flight, Virgin America via Flying Club

News in brief:

British Airways Gatwick terminal move update

British Airways released more information on Friday about the switch of terminals at Gatwick.

The changeover date is now (re)confirmed for Wednesday 25th January.

A few test flights will be going from Gatwick South for anyone who wants to try it out in advance, although the new BA lounge will not be open then.  These are:

• BA2776 to Jersey on 23rd November
• BA2273 to New York JFK on 11th January
• BA2612 to Naples on 19th January

Get Etihad Guest status with one flight

Etihad has been running a promotion with The Times this week to give Etihad Guest status to anyone who signs up and takes one flight.

The offer is only open to new members of Etihad Guest who sign up via the link on this page.  If you already have an Etihad Guest account which is empty, you may want to create a new one with different address and email details.  This isn’t ideal, of course, but Etihad should have made the rules more flexible …..

You will receive Etihad Silver status if you take an Economy flight with Etihad before 10th May 2017.

You will receive Etihad Gold status if you take a Business or First Class flight with Etihad before 10th May 2017.

The rules are vague unfortunately:

it talks about a closing date of 24th November but it does not say if that is the last day to open the Etihad Guest account or the last day to book

it doesn’t say if the flight must be a return flight

it doesn’t say if the flight must depart from the UK

It is worth noting that a similar deal for Silver status (but not Gold) is freely available to everyone, all year round, if they take out the Etihad Guest credit cards.  Full details are in my Etihad Guest credit card review.

Virgin America will no longer be a Flying Club partner

Finally, it has emerged that Virgin America will no longer be an earning or redeeming partner of Virgin Atlantic Flying Club from today.

Virgin America is in the process of being acquired by Alaska Airlines and all parties seem to have decided that the imminent relaunch of Flying Club was a good time to make the break.

My one experience of Virgin America domestic First Class was excellent as I reviewed here – see the seat photo above.  That said, I paid cash for that flight because Flying Club did not allow one-way redemptions.  For that reason, this change is not as big a loss as it could have been.

More details on this decision are on the Virgin Atlantic website here.

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How to earn Virgin Points from UK credit cards (April 2025)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Virgin Points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

You can choose from two official Virgin Atlantic credit cards (apply here, the Reward+ card has a bonus of 18,000 Virgin Points and the free card has a bonus of 3,000 Virgin Points):

Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard

18,000 bonus points and 1.5 points for every £1 you spend Read our full review

Virgin Atlantic Reward Mastercard

3,000 bonus points, no fee and 1 point for every £1 you spend Read our full review

You can also earn Virgin Points from various American Express cards – and these have sign-up bonuses too.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is FREE for a year and comes with 20,000 Membership Rewards points, which convert into 20,000 Virgin Points.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express comes with 50,000 Membership Rewards points, which convert into 50,000 Virgin Points.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

Small business owners should consider the two American Express Business cards. Points convert at 1:1 into Virgin Points.

American Express Business Platinum

50,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

American Express Business Gold

20,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year Read our full review

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Virgin Points.