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Virgin Atlantic and WestJet have just announced that frequent flyers will be able to earn and redeem miles across each other's networks. If you aren't immediately familiar, WestJet's primary hub is in Calgary (YYC), while Virgin Atlantic's is in London (LHR) — and there's not too much overlap between the two. This increased partnership gives travelers even more ways to utilize their favorite loyalty programs.
Here's everything you need to know about the expanded partnership between Virgin Atlantic and WestJet.
Virgin Atlantic and WestJet Launch Reciprocal Partnership
Virgin Atlantic and WestJet members have even more ways to earn and redeem their miles. While earning miles is straightforward, redeeming them is a little more complicated. However, the expanded partnership between the two airlines is great news for travelers working toward elite status or seeking additional redemption options.
Earning miles on partner flights
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members can now earn both tier points and Virgin points on WestJet-operated flights. Considering that you need 400 tier points to reach Silver elite status and 1,000 to reach Gold, you will have a hard time reaching elite status primarily off WestJet flights.
However, every bit helps on your path to status. Here's how many Virgin tier points you'll earn on WestJet flights:
Flights under 2,000 miles:
- Economy: 10 tier points
- Premium: 20 tier points
- Business: 30 tier points
Flights over 2,000 miles:
- Economy: 25 tier points
- Premium: 50 tier points
- Business: 75 tier points
The number of Virgin points you'll earn on WestJet flights will depend on which carrier markets your flight, your tier status, and your fare class. For instance, you'll earn anywhere from 50% of the distance flown as a Virgin Red member booking an economy ticket to 240% as a Gold member booking a business ticket.
The number of WestJet points you'll earn on a Virgin Atlantic flight is a little more straightforward. You'll earn a flat rate based on distance flown and your fare class:
- Flights up to 750 miles: 300 WestJet points in economy and premium, 500 in Upper Class
- 751 to 1,500 miles: 500 points in economy and premium, 700 in Upper Class
- 1,501 to 3,000 miles: 700 points in economy and premium, 900 in Upper Class
- 3,000+ miles: 1,000 points in economy and premium, 1,500 in Upper Class
Plus, WestJet Silver elite members earn 50% more WestJet points, Gold members earn 75% more, and Platinum members earn 100% more.
Redeeming miles on partner flights
Unfortunately, WestJet Rewards members can only redeem WestJet points on codeshare flights operated by Virgin Atlantic and marketed by WestJet, including the following routes:
- London (LHR) to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (DXB)
- London (LHR) to Malé, Maldives (MLE)
- London (LHR) to Cape Town, South Africa (CPT)
- London (LHR) to Johannesburg, South Africa (JNB)
However, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members have access to redemptions across the entire WestJet network. Here's how many Virgin points you'll need to spend for a WestJet flight:
In other words, short-haul WestJet flights under 500 miles start at just 6,000 points in economy. This includes routes from Calgary (YYC) to Seattle (SEA) and Vancouver (YVR). On the other end of the spectrum, one of the longest routes in WestJet's network, Calgary (YYC) to São Paulo (GRU), would fall into the second-highest band and cost 40,000 points in economy or 105,000 points in business.
That said, as originally reported by One Mile at a Time, you have to call Virgin Atlantic to book WestJet redemptions. And at least for now, it appears that premium cabins on long-haul routes are blocked off.
If you're short on Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points, you can transfer rewards from several transferable point currencies, including American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou® Points, Bilt Rewards, and Wells Fargo Rewards. Capital One Miles can be transferred to Virgin Red, which can then be used to book flights through Flying Club.
(Terms apply)
- 4X Membership Rewards® Points at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. (on up to $50,000 per year in purchases, then 1X)
- 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X)
- 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
- 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels and other eligible travel booked on amextravel.com
- 1X on other eligible purchases
- 5X points on Lyft rides through September 2027
- 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3X points on dining at restaurants worldwide
- 3X points on eligible streaming services
- 3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
- 2X points on all other travel
- 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
- 10X miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
- 5X miles per $1 on purchases through Capital One Entertainment
- 5X miles per $1 on flights when booking via Capital One Travel
- 5X miles per $1 on vacation rentals booked via Capital One Travel
- 2X miles per $1 on all other eligible purchases
Bottom Line
Virgin Atlantic is WestJet's first new reciprocal flyer partnership in close to a decade, so this announcement is fantastic news for members of either loyalty program. However, it's yet to be seen how fruitful the partnership will be.
WestJet Rewards members can only redeem miles on a limited number of Virgin Atlantic flights, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members must call to book a WestJet flight, with limited premium cabin availability. Even so, more ways to earn and redeem miles are always a good thing.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: American Express® Gold Card (Rates & Fees), and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Rates & Fees)
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