Bits: Use Avios to Lapland, new White Company bedding, 2000 Virgin miles with PointsHound

News in brief:

Finnair’s UK services to Lapland launching soon

If you’ve ever had a secret wish to visit Lapland, Finnair can help this winter.  Even better, you can use Avios to make it happen.  This is an opportunity to try winter activities such as ice fishing, seeing the Northern Lights, skiing, husky safaris and reindeer sleigh rides.

The airline will be running two Lapland routes this year, one between London Gatwick and Kittilä and one between London Gatwick and Ivalo.

Flights will operate weekly between 12th December and 20th March.  If there are reward seats left (these services were originally announced and featured on HfP a few months ago), an economy return to Kittilä will cost 20,000 Avios plus £96 tax.  This feels a little pricey so do compare cash prices.  Business class is not available.

New Finnair long-haul route launches include Goa, India on 1st November, to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on 5th November, to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic on 30th November and to Havana, Cuba on 1st December.  These are all bookable with Avios.

The White Company bedding and amenity kits now launched

Following a delay after the original failed safety tests due to its colour, The White Company bedding has finally been introduced into Club World on the New York JFK route.

This comprises a duvet, mattress cover, blanket, day cushion and pillow.  I am cautiously hopeful, given the reputation of The White Company, that this will be good quality stuff.

There is also a new amenity kit featuring lots of White Company items you will end up palming off on your aunt for Christmas:

• Spa Relax Pulse Point Oil
• Treatment oil
• Spa Restore Gentle Moisturiser
• Skin-conditioning cream with Vitamin E and jojoba oil
• Spa lip balm

The bedding will be slowly rolled out across the network with the aim of having it everywhere by Summer 2018.  It isn’t clear if it will be linked to the roll out of the new Club World dining service or not.

Earn 2,000 Virgin Atlantic miles with PointsHound

This offer slipped through the net when it launched but you still have a few days to take advantage.

Hotel booking site PointsHound is offering up to 2,000 bonus Virgin Flying Club miles if you book a hotel with them before 31st October.  The stay date can be further out.

You need to spend over £250 to get the 2,000 miles bonus, which is on top of the base miles you will get from PointsHound.  Transactions between £150 and £249 will earn 1,000 bonus Virgin miles.

Note that bookings via PointsHound will NOT earn points in any hotel loyalty programme.  Apart from Marriott, you probably won’t receive status benefits either.

You can only earn the bonus once but it IS available to existing PointsHound customers.

Full details can be found 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.