is virgin atlantic materially better then british airways? should i forgo frequent flyer miles to fly virgin?

Question

i am wondering whether to "give up" my aa points i would earn flying on british airways to fly virgin. the cost is about the same, is virgin a lot better then BA? i will be flying with my family (wife, 4 and 1 year olds) in economy.

i know virgin has a program, its just that with our travel plans, american airline points will be "worth" more to us

thanks for your help!

Answer 1

i fly UK to USA about every two months, and i have to say with out a doubt virgin is better. thats just my opinion. the food, service and entertainment is all better and from my experience virgin is often cheaper.

you can always collect virgin points and transfer them to continental, american west or delta if that helps your travel plans in US. otherwise you will not get any airmiles with BA unless you buy their full price no restrictions ticket which usually works out about twice as much as their normal fare. check into the ticket first, don't assume BA will give you miles on what seems like a standard priced ticket, they never do. virgin has got quite a generous rewards programme.

i know its kinda biased but i don't much like BA compared to virgin. hope that helps

Answer 2

First of all yes give up your AA points. The American airlines are at a place where your points will probably mean nothing at some point if you earn them based on your AA base account. Vigin versus BA? Well they are basically the same but Virgin is on an upswing (they are starting the space flights) and they will be around a lot longer. Plus if you are traveling Virgin gives free drinks and has way better food!

Answer 3

If you are flying between the USA and the UK, you will not qualify for AA miles on a BA flight (its a rule the US and UK and governments implemented to maintain competition on the transatlantic route in the wake of the AA/BA codeshare agreement.)

Answer 4

British airways

Answer 5

I've flown both quite a bit...Virgin hipper image and inside..BA more traditional...not materially a big difference! I'd go with whatever is easier ...