11

Mar

Virgin America Elevate is offering an 80% bonus on purchased miles through March 20.

Here’s the Virgin America buy, gift, and transfer page. You have to be logged into your account to proceed. And then when you click on purchase miles you’ll see the offer:

Don’t wait to travel in style. When you buy Elevate points by March 20, 2013 you’ll get 80% more points than you bargained for.
Buy Elevate points in increments of 500 up to 20,000 points per calendar year.

This is a better offer than I’ve seen before for Virgin America mileage purchases, and certainly better than January’s 50% bonus.

With this offer you’re paying about 2.9 cents per mile, which sounds high but Virgin America’s currency is somewhat deflated compared to most mileage programs.

Virgin America’s points are worth 2.2 cents apiece towards Virgin America travel, so it’s not a good deal to buy points and redeem them on Virgin America. But it can be a good deal to top off an account towards a specific award.

For instance, 30,000 miles is enough for a one-way San Francisco – London award in Upper Class on Virgin Atlantic, but that purchase will need to be paired with $600 in taxes and fees.

Still, less than $1500 all-in for a one-way Virgin Atlantic business class flight isn’t bad as far as those things go.

Point purchases are processed by points.com, so to answer a common question about such transactions they do not post as travel or airfare to the credit card used for the purchase (and thus won’t earn applicable category bonuses).

(HT: sobore on Milepoint)

14 Comments

  1. Lack said,

    It’s also a nice way to stock up for the short hop SQ redemptions (SIN BKK at 4k points + taxes in Y).

  2. The Miles Professor said,

    These can also be used for trips on Singapore Airlines. Virgin America has a new partnership in which it will be possible to have Virgin America miles redeemed on Singapore Airlines. Roundtrip tickets from North America to Asia are 35,000 miles roundtrip in Economy and 90,000 in Business class. While these aren’t the best for purchasing miles, it may be a good idea for topping up an award. Virgin America will also not charge fuel surcharges on Singapore Airlines!

  3. william said,

    I see PDX-PPT as an award option for 40K EP +$60 in econ which seems like a pretty good deal since most of the tickets I’m seeing are $1500+. But I can’t seem to find any award space. Does anyone know where I could look or would it be best to call an agent?

  4. Seva K said,

    hi,
    i am trying to do this, but i cant see the promo at all for this? anyone?

  5. worldtraveler2018 said,

    I heard last week that this was a targeted offer. Do you know if Virgin America Elevate has access to all or only partial the award inventory of Virgin Atlantic? I don’t mind buying their miles, but don’t want to be in a situation like Delta Skymiles, which don’t have access to Air France’s award seats. Thanks

  6. rob said,

    is this same as the virgin atlantic flying club miles?

    i canceled my BOA birgin atlantic amex card but still have 4000 flying club miles. if i can buy 1k, i can make it 5k.

  7. Gary said,

    @rob – no tthe same as virgin atlantic

  8. Raj Panjabi said,

    Gary..I looked at the Virgin America purchase miles website and I did not see any mentioned of the 80% miles promotion. Before I spend the money to purchase miles, I want to make that VA will give the 80% more miles.

  9. Gary said,

    Log in and click buy points on the page linked above

  10. Raj Panjabi said,

    Gary..I just purchased 500 points as test to see how if I would get the 80% extra points. So far I have only gotten the 500 points. I hope the 80% extra will be added.

    Will await your reply.

    Raj

  11. Aaron said,

    Is this offer still valid for everyone?
    I don’t see 80% bonus part on webpage linked above.
    :(

  12. Raj Panjabi said,

    Gary,

    I just check the my account again and the I only have the 500 base points that I purchased..no 80% increase. Can you please re-look into the offer and get back with us.

    Thanks

  13. 11 Deals You May Have Missed This Month - New Girl in the Air said,

    [...] 80% Bonus When You Buy Virgin America Elevate Points: I’ve talked about buying miles before and think there are times when it makes sense.  If you’re in need of Virgin America points, this is last call to get 80% more miles for free when you buy miles by March 20.  Factoring in the bonus, this brings the price to 2.9 cents each, which might help you make out ahead compared to buying premium class tickets on partner airlines, especially if you’re just topping off an account.  HT: View from the Wing [...]

  14. Bits ‘n Pieces for April 18, 2013 - View from the Wing said,

    [...] the Interweb: Virgin American is offering up to a 40% bonus on purchased points through May 7. Last month’s 80% offer piqued my interest but I still wasn’t quite a buyer. 40% only makes sense to top off an [...]

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