Virgin unveils exclusive travel offer to combat Brits’ holiday headaches

New research from the rewards programme Virgin Red, reveals the top frustrations for holiday makers when booking a getaway. Topping the list of travel bugbears are hidden fees (62%), poor customer service (39%) and a complicated booking process (32%).

On top of this, confusing booking sites (62%) and sticking to a budget (49%) were among the top reasons why Brits find booking a holiday difficult.

Virgin is solving these pain points with its latest travel offer, bringing together Virgin Red, Virgin Atlantic Holidays, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Hotels and Virgin Voyages to offer customers the ultimate travel experience with exclusive perks – and the opportunity to earn bonus Virgin Points at the same time.

Members can choose from three extraordinary holiday packages across New York, Miami and Las Vegas, each enriched with exclusive perks and bringing together the best of Virgin travel. Highlights include:

• Bonus Virgin Points: with research revealing 42% of Brits are more likely to book a holiday if they can earn loyalty points by doing so, Virgin Red and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club are rewarding holiday makers with a bonus 10,000 Virgin Points for every booking. On top of this, you’ll earn Virgin Points on flights with Virgin Atlantic and holiday packages at the usual rate of four points per £1 spent with Virgin Atlantic Holidays.
• Dedicated Holiday Hotline: travellers can book their holiday with a dedicated concierge service. 84% of Brits have never used a concierge service, with 39% saying the reason is because it’s too expensive – but now holiday makers can book with ease.
• Waived Resort Fees: there’s no need to worry about hidden fees – the top holiday booking bugbear – as the daily resort fees at Virgin Hotels are waived with Virgin Red.

Additional perks include free room upgrades (subject to availability), daily food and beverage credit to spend at Virgin Hotels, free seat assignment on Virgin Atlantic flights seven days before travel and up to $500 bonus sailor loot* on board Virgin Voyages.

One way to spend the bonus Virgin Points is with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club to get to your next flight faster. From holiday treats to Upper Class suites, members can use their points for flights, upgrades and more with Flying Club.

On top of this, Virgin Points can be spent on hundreds of rewards with Virgin Red – Virgin’s Group-wide rewards club – including hotel stays, unique experiences, cinema tickets, charity donations, wine and money off your next train ticket with Virgin Trains Ticketing. Virgin Points can even go towards your next holiday, as you can book the holiday packages with points plus cash.

Virgin’s exclusive travel perks are available for holidays booked between 26 February – 7 April 2024 for travel on any date.

With more than half of Brits (52%) saying they feel like a better version of themselves on holiday due to having more freedom (59%), the weather improving their mood (59%) and having no responsibilities (52%), Virgin Red is helping Brits unleash their holiday self with this exclusive travel offer. In fact, relaxed (72%), content (49%) and care-free (41%) are the top adjectives holiday makers used to describe themselves when on holiday.

Andrea Burchett, Chief Loyalty Officer and Managing Director for Virgin Red, says: “Virgin Red is the place where travel companies come together, so we’re delighted to partner with companies across the Virgin Group to offer our members the very best of Virgin travel. Whether you want to jet off to New York or Las Vegas, or relax onboard a Voyage in true Virgin style, book with Virgin Red for exclusive perks and earn Virgin Points at the same time – which can get you one step closer to your next holiday!”

Holiday package details:

5-night Virgin Hotels New York 

Book: Virgin Holidays to earn Virgin Points and bag all the latest exclusive offers

Fly: Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow or Manchester to JFK. Virgin Points for the lead booker and free seat assignment seven days before departure.

Stay: Virgin Hotels New York City, NoMad. Free room upgrade to Chamber King (subject to availability), waived daily resort fee ($35 value per night), daily food and beverage credit ($25 per night). Total value for 5-night trip $300.

Plus: Pay with points plus money. Dedicated concierge line.

5-night Virgin Hotels Las Vegas

Book: Virgin Holidays to earn Virgin Points and bag all the latest exclusive offers

Fly: Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow or Manchester to LAS. Virgin Points for the lead booker and free seat assignment seven days before departure.

Stay: Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. Free room upgrade to Chamber King (subject to availability), waived daily resort fee ($45 value per night).

Plus: Pay with points plus money. Dedicated concierge line.

2-night hotel and 5-night Virgin Voyage Riviera Maya

Miami • Cozumel – Playa del Carmen • Beach Club at Bimini • Miami

Book: Virgin Holidays to earn Virgin Points and bag all the latest exclusive offers

Fly: Virgin Atlantic London Heathrow to Miami, Virgin Points for the lead booker and free seat assignment 7 days before departure.

Stay: W South Beach (2 nights) – Fabulous Studio.

Sail: Virgin Voyages Mayan (5 nights) – Brilliant Suite Pretty Big Terrace, up to $500 bonus sailor loot* on top of existing offers.

Travel window: All Carribean sailings until November 2025.

Plus: Pay with points plus money. Dedicated concierge line.