Partnership Between Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic - What It Means For You

On 11th December 2012, Delta announced they would acquire a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic from Singapore Airlines.

Virgin and Delta have now announced a new strategic alliance. Delta Airlines flights will be available to book with Virgin Atlantic from 29 June 2013, for travel from 3 July 2013.

The new alliance means  fliers will enjoy reciprocal frequent flier programmes, meaning both airlines will be able to acquire and redeem miles on both carriers. They will also have access to Delta Sky Clubs and Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse lounges and convenient connections between the carriers.

So, what does this all mean?

It means you will earn Flying Club miles and tier points on any Delta flight and can redeem Virgin Atlantic flights with Delta SkyMiles.

Earn Miles

• First Class – 150% of miles flown


• Business Class – 200% of miles flown


• Discounted Business Class – 150% of miles flown


• Economy Class – 100% of miles flown

Tier Bonus

• Flying Club Silver members will receive 50% bonus of the base flown miles


• Flying Club Gold members will receive 100% bonus of the base flown miles

Eligible Booking Classes

• First Class: F


• Discounted First Class: P, A, G


• Business Class: J, C


• Discounted Business Class: D, I, Z


• Economy: Y, B, M, S, H, Q, K, L, U, T, X, V, E

Miles will also be earned when travelling on Virgin Codeshare flights operated by Delta Air Lines.

Earn Tier Points

• Economy Class Under 3,000 Miles = 1


• Economy Class Over 3,000 Miles = 2


• Business Class Under 3,000 Miles = 3


• Business Class Over 3,000 Miles = 5

 

Redeem Miles

• From UK – USA = 40,000 in Economy and 90,000 in Business/First
  


• Within Continental USA, Alaska & Canada = 25,000 in Economy and 45,000 in Business


• From USA to Hawaii = 40,000 in Economy and 75,000 in Business/First


• From USA to Caribbean, Mexico & Central America = 35,000 in Economy and 60,000 in Business/First


• From USA to South America = 45,000 in Economy and 90,000 in Business/First


• From USA to Africa, Middle East & Asia= 80,000 in Economy and 120,000 in Business/First


• From USA to South West Pacific = 100,000 in Economy and 150,000 in Business/First

All mileage is for a return ticket excluding passenger taxes, duties, fee, charges and surcharges, rewards cannot be booked on a Delta marketed flights operated by another carrier, and no one way rewards permitted.

In comparison, an Avios redemption booked via American Airlines offers significantly greater value for short distance within continental USA since a one-way New York to Boston would cost as little as 4,500 Avios compared to 25,000 miles under this Virgin/Delta programme.

Delta fliers can use the existing Delta redemption charts found here.

Remember, you can only earn miles in one scheme for any particular flight. So, you will have to chose between Delta SkyMiles and Virgin’s Flying Club. If you are UK-based then presumably this will be an easy choice since you will be more likely to fly Virgin and earning Virgin miles is much easier through their credit cards or transferring Tesco Clubcard points or American Express membership reward points.

 

Will Virgin Join SkyTeam Alliance?

From Virgin’s press statement, “Virgin Atlantic is evaluating potential entry to the SkyTeam alliance, of which Delta is a member.  However, SkyTeam entry is not essential in order to realise the immediate and substantial benefits of the joint venture.”

So, it appears the answer to that question is a wait-and-see.

Partnership Between Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic - What It Means For You