Virgin Atlantic’s Household Account program is now open to all Flying Club members. While I’m sure many people might think this program is like British Airways’ or JetBlue’s family pooling… well, think again. Virgin has a quirky set of rules that make this program anything but straightforward. Here’s the lowdown on what makes it so unusual:
This is a True Household Account
All members need to share the same address. The family member who starts the Household Account has to be 18 or over. Anyone in the household can join the Household Account if they’re a Virgin Atlantic Flying Club member. However, only one member can be the primary account holder, and they control how points are redeemed.
Members Can’t Combine Their Existing Balances
In most family pooling programs, you throw all your points into a collective pot. Not here. With Virgin Atlantic, members earn and contribute points to the Household Account after it’s set up. Your current balance stays in your account and cannot be retroactively shared by this program.
It’s Not Really ‘Pooling’… It’s Just Collecting
The points you earn go into a central Household Account, but there’s a catch: only the primary account holder can spend the points. If you’re contributing, you’re essentially handing over your points without direct access to redeem them yourself.
You’ll Be Part of the Household for at Least 12 Months
This isn’t a short-term commitment. If your circumstances change within 12 months, you’ll have to contact the customer center for assistance. It looks like any points you earn while in the Household Account will stay with the primary member.
Virgin Red Points Aren’t Automatically Added
Virgin Red and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points are interchangeable, but they’re handled separately when it comes to the Household Account. Points earned with Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard® transactions won’t automatically go into the Household Account.
However, you can manually transfer Virgin Red points, but only the ones you’ve earned after joining the Household Account. Plus, you’re limited to just one transfer per month.
Limited to 9 Members, and They Must Be Invited
Up to 9 people can join your Household Account, but each member must be invited and accept the invite unless they’re under 18, in which case they’re automatically linked to the account. So, no sneaky pooling with distant cousins unless they’re officially onboarded.
Bottom Line?
Virgin Atlantic’s Household Account has some baffling restrictions that set it apart from more user-friendly programs like British Airways or JetBlue. It can be helpful for families to earn points together, but it’s far from flexible.
Have you tried setting up a Virgin Atlantic Household Account yet? I’d love to hear your thoughts on whether it’s worth the hassle.
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