Virgin Atlantic Credit Card Account questions

Am I eligible?

If you can answer YES to the following questions, you're eligible to apply:

Are you aged 18 or over?

Are you a UK resident?

Do you have a bank or building society account?

How do I apply?

You can apply on this website. It’s easy, only takes a few minutes, and is totally secure.

Or if you prefer you can apply over the phone by calling 0800 056 5576. Lines are open 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm on Saturday and 9am to 7pm on Sunday.

What information do I need before applying?

You will need:

• Your bank sort code and account number
• Your employment and salary details
• Your address history for the last 3 years
• Details of any current borrowings, loans, credit cards and overdrafts

Why does the Virgin Atlantic Credit Card Account have two cards?

When you open a Virgin Atlantic Credit Card Account you’ll be sent an American Express® card and a Visa card. This is to give you more opportunities to earn Flying Club miles. Each of the cards will allow you to earn Flying Club miles at different rates.

To earn your Flying Club miles faster and maximise your rewards, use your Virgin Atlantic American Express® Credit Card. In places that don’t take American Express®, you can still earn Flying Club miles by using your Virgin Atlantic Visa Credit Card.

Will I definitely get an account?

That’s certainly the aim. However, we take our responsibilities as a lender seriously so we do have to take into account your age, status, financial background and your ability to repay.

How long will it be before I hear?

If you apply online between 8am - 8pm Monday to Thursday, 8am - 5pm on Friday you could get an instant decision. Otherwise, and also if your application is referred for review, you can expect to hear from us within 7 to 10 days. If you have any questions in the meantime, just contact our customer helpline on 0800 056 7686.

How do you decide my credit limit?

You will be given one credit limit on your Virgin Atlantic Credit Card Account - the limit given is based on personal circumstances and applies to both cards.

Can I service my credit card account online and over the phone?

Of course. With Online Card Services you can:

• Pay your bill
• View your PIN
• View your account details, including balance, available credit, recent payments and transactions
• Transfer a balance and pay other bills
• Request a credit limit increase, request a new PIN, view your statement and more

Alternatively you can call MBNA on 0800 056 7686. The card service team work 24/7 all year round, so there’ll be someone available even if you lose your card and call them on Christmas Day.

Do I get a PIN for each card?

When you’re accepted for a Virgin Atlantic Credit Card Account, we’ll send you a PIN. Your PIN will be the same for both your Virgin Atlantic American Express® Credit Card and your Virgin Atlantic Visa Credit Card, however we will send you two separate PIN letters – one per card.

You can change your PIN at most cash machines. If you want to change your PIN from the one we’ve given you but still want your Virgin Atlantic American Express® Credit Card and your Virgin Atlantic Visa Credit Card to have the same PIN, you will need to change both PINs separately – changing one will not automatically change the other. You can also choose a different PIN for each card if you’d prefer.

Do I have to activate both cards?

To activate your White or Black Card account please call us on 0800 854 767 or visit www.virginatlantic.com/activatenow - you only need to do this once (not once per card).

Can I add an additional cardmember to my account?

You can add up to three additional cardmembers to your account at no extra charge. One of these can be added during your application process and up to two more can be added simply by selecting the appropriate tab within Online Card Services.

Any additional cardmember(s) must reside at the same primary address, and have a relationship of close family member (defined as: spouse, parent, sibling or domestic partner). The main cardmember is responsible for any transactions made by any additional cardmember(s).

Will I be able to see my Virgin Atlantic American Express® Card spend and my Virgin Atlantic Visa Card spend separately?

Yes. Your spend on each card as well as mileage earned, will be broken down on your monthly statement as well as in Online Card Services.

Is it easy to transfer a balance from another card?

Transferring a balance is easy and only takes a few minutes to set up online or by calling us on 0800 854 767.

Remember though, the introductory balance transfer rate lasts for six months from the date your account is opened (2% handling fee applies), not from the date you transfer your balance. So if you transfer in month five, that’s only one month at the special rate. It pays to transfer balances as soon as your account is up and running.

Also, as the Virgin Atlantic Credit Card Account is issued by MBNA, you can’t transfer a balance from another credit card issued by them (including any other Virgin Credit Cards).

Please note, you will not earn Flying Club miles for balance transfers.

What is a Money Transfer?

If you want to transfer money from your credit card to your bank account you can do this by requesting a 'Money Transfer'. You can request a Money Transfer when you apply for your Virgin Atlantic Credit Card Account or you can call us once you receive your card on 0800 056 5576.

Remember though, the introductory money transfer rate lasts for six months from the date your account is opened (2% handling fee applies), not from the date you request it. So if you transfer in month five, that’s only one month at the special rate. It pays to complete your money transfer as soon as your account is up and running.

Where can I use my Virgin Atlantic Credit Cards?

Your Virgin Atlantic American Express® Credit Card

You can use your Virgin Atlantic American Express® Credit Card wherever you see the American Express® logo.

You can withdraw cash from all LINK cash machines, including Halifax, Lloyds TSB, Barclays, HSBC and Bank of Scotland.

Please note, you can only withdraw money from cash machines, not over the counter.

Your Virgin Atlantic Visa Credit Card

You can use your Virgin Atlantic Visa Credit Card wherever Visa cards are accepted, in most countries around the world.

You can withdraw cash from any cash machine displaying the Visa sign.

For up to date information or advice on using your credit cards worldwide, please call us on 0800 0567 686 from the UK or +44 1244 672 520 from overseas. We're here 24 hours a day.

Are both my cards secure Chip and PIN cards?

Yes - every card comes with Chip and PIN built in, giving you the most up-to-date protection against card crime.

Having a PIN makes it harder for anyone else to use your card if it gets stolen or lost.

When you get your new cards, you'll be sent a PIN - you'll receive one PIN letter for each card but the PIN will be the same for both your Virgin Atlantic American Express® Credit Card and your Virgin Atlantic Visa Credit Card. You will then have the option of changing your PIN to one you find easier to remember. For more information see 'Do I get a PIN for each card?'

What is contactless?

Contactless payments let you pay for items of up to £20 without having to key in your PIN.

It's all about making purchases on your Virgin Atlantic Credit Cards as hassle-free as possible. So when you're buying everyday things like coffee or lunch, you don't have to search around for cash. Just hold either card in front of the reader for a few seconds, and off you go.

Here's why you're better off with contactless:

• It's fast - hold your card close to the reader, wait for the beep or the green light and you're done.
• It's secure - you're in control because your card never leaves your hand.
• It's handy - like having the exact cash you need, when you need it.

How does contactless work?

Contactless payments are quick and easy. Here's what you need to do:

Look out for the contactless symbol at American Express® or Visa accepting merchants and tell the retailer you'd like to pay with one of your contactless Virgin Atlantic Credit Cards for purchases of up to £20.

Hold the card against the terminal.

Wait a second or two until you see the green lights or hear a beep.

Off you go - if you need a receipt, just ask the retailer for one.

Are contactless payments secure?

Yes. Contactless payments put you in control because your card never leaves your hand. For added security you'll occasionally be asked to enter your PIN. And just like Chip and PIN transactions, you won't be liable for any fraudulent contactless transactions made with either card.*

* If your Virgin Atlantic American Express® Credit Card and/or your Virgin Atlantic Visa Credit Card are lost or stolen you'll incur no liability for fraudulent use provided you notify us as soon as you realise your card(s) are missing or you notice any unusual transactions on your account.

Where can I make contactless payments?

Contactless terminals are identified by the contactless symbol. Look out for more information coming soon on where you will be able to use the contactless feature on your cards at American Express® and Visa accepting merchants.

I already have a Virgin Atlantic Credit Card - can I make contactless payments now?

You'll see the contactless symbol on the front of your card if it's contactless. If you've not yet used your card, you'll need to make one Chip and PIN transaction before you can utilise its contactless facility.

If you do not have this symbol on your card you will not be able to make contactless payments. However, you'll be sent a new contactless-ready card the next time your card is due for renewal.

How does contactless affect the terms and conditions of my cards?

The terms and conditions which apply to your Virgin Atlantic Credit Card Account will apply when making contactless payments. We may change your terms and conditions or add new ones at any time but will always tell you when we do.

Are my cards protected from fraud?

Yes – Our Fraud Protection guarantee means you won’t be liable for a penny if either of your cards are lost or stolen, and used fraudulently – as long as you tell us as soon as your card(s) cannot be found or you notice any unusual transactions on your account.

What is Flying Club?

Flying Club is Virgin Atlantic's loyalty programme where you'll enjoy:

• Miles every time you take a revenue flight with us
• Miles on your Virgin Atlantic Credit Card Account spend
• A fantastic range of rewards to spend your miles on
• Partners from around the globe to earn and spend with
• The ability to move up through the membership tiers for greater benefits

How do I join Flying Club?

If you want to be a member of Flying Club, Virgin Atlantic’s loyalty programme, you can join here. You don’t need to be a member of Flying Club to apply for a Virgin Atlantic Credit Card Account. But by joining Flying Club you’ll be able to get all the benefits that the account offers. Once you’ve applied for your Virgin Atlantic Credit Card Account, call MBNA on 0800 056 5576 to let them know your membership number. Then you can start earning Flying Club miles.

How do I earn Flying Club miles with my cards?

Miles are earned for each whole £1 spent on each card purchase.

With a White Card Account you'll earn either 1 mile for every full £1 you spend on your American Express® card or 1 mile for every £2 spent on your Visa card. Or, if you have chosen the Black Card Account with a £140 annual fee, you'll earn 2 miles for every full £1 you spend on your American Express card and 1 mile for every £1 spent on your Visa card.

Every time you spend direct with Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Holidays you'll also earn double Flying Club miles.

Please note, you must have provided MBNA with a valid Flying Club number in the name of the main account holder at the time your monthly statement is generated to earn your Flying Club miles.

When will my Flying Club miles be added to my account?

Every month your credit card account statement will show you the number of miles you have earned in that month. These will then be automatically credited to your Flying Club account.

To spend them, call the Flying Club helpline on 08701 616 059 or log on to www.virginatlantic.com/flyingclub for more information.

Please note, you must have provided MBNA with a valid Flying Club number in the name of the main account holder at the time your monthly statement is generated to earn your Flying Club miles.

How do I spend my Flying Club miles?

You can spend them in the same way you spend Flying Club miles you earn elsewhere, by choosing from a huge variety of rewards on offer from Virgin Atlantic, including flights with Virgin Atlantic and partner airlines, spa days etc.

Visit www.virginatlantic.com/flyingclub for more information.

How do I qualify for my Premium Economy upgrades?

Spend over £10,000 on the Virgin Atlantic American Express® White Card* or £5,000 on the Virgin Atlantic American Express® Black Card* in a year, to receive a Premium Economy reward upgrade on an Economy redemption booking.

When you’ve spent your next £10,000 (£5,000 for Virgin Atlantic Black Account cardmember(s)), you can do it again. You can do this up to twice a year, every year. The Premium Economy reward upgrades are awarded at the end of the card anniversary year.

Click here for the full terms and conditions.

*Spend on the Virgin Atlantic Visa Credit Cards is not included.

How do I qualify for my complimentary companion reward flights?

If in a year you spend more than the minimum amount on your Virgin Atlantic American Express® Credit Card* (£15,000 if you’ve got the Virgin Atlantic White Card Account, £7,500 if you’ve got the Virgin Atlantic Black Card Account) you'll get a complimentary companion reward flight the next time you book a qualifying flight with Virgin Atlantic (just pay the taxes and charges).

A year means 12 months from the date your account is opened.

Please note, the minimum spend amount needs to be on card purchases (that doesn't include balance or money transfers, cheque payments or cash advances).

You can have one complimentary companion reward flight each year, if you’ve spent enough - but remember, if you haven't given us a valid Flying Club number for an account in your name you won't be able to claim your flight.

Click here to join Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club

Click here for companion flight terms and conditions

*Spend on the Virgin Atlantic Visa Credit Cards is not included.

Where can I find out about the charges and interest rates?

You’ll find detailed information about our charges and interest rates in the summary box of your Virgin Atlantic Credit Card Account before you apply.

The APR we mention stands for Annual Percentage Rate - basically the annual rate of interest you’ll be charged on card purchases over a year, based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200.

You’ll be charged a special balance transfer rate on any balance you transfer to us during your promotional period, until your promotional period expires. After that, you’ll be charged the standard balance transfer rate on any of the balance still outstanding.

How is my balance paid off?

If you do not pay your balance in full we will use your payments to reduce higher rate balances first before lower rate balances.

Can I change my mind later if I want the other version of the Virgin Atlantic Credit Card Account?

If you apply for the Virgin Atlantic White Credit Card Account and later on you think you'd prefer the Virgin Atlantic Black Credit Card Account (or vice versa), you’d have to apply for it, in the normal way, as a separate application. You can keep your other Virgin Atlantic Credit Card Account as well, or close it by paying off the balance in full.