Yesterday, I had the opportunity to talk with Virgin Voyages CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu in regards to their loyalty scheme, and their recent status matching promotion. But he also had time to answer some questions regarding their recent pullback from Portsmouth, and how they look to attract future travellers. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed our conversation together. CEO of Virgin Voyages Nirmal Saverimuttu You've spoken recently about brands having “gotten it

Christmas shopping for pets can be just as fun, and just as tricky, as shopping for people. Our animals are basically people too, with just as much personality and just as many opinions!! In this gift guide for pets, we've covered off some tasty treats and cosy blankets to fun toys and practical gear, the options are endless. But here’s the best part: this year, your gift-buying can do more than just make tails wag or cats purr, it can actually earn you rewards for your futur

Virgin Voyages is offering what might be the broadest status match programme ever launched by a cruise line, accepting elite status from over 35 airline, hotel and cruise loyalty programmes. Until 16th January 2026, you can apply for a status match that'll give you Blue Extras perks on your next Virgin Voyages sailing. Who Are Virgin Voyages? Virgin Voyages is Richard Branson's adults-only cruise line, launched in 2021 out of our home port, Portsmouth. The fleet currently con

It's here. British Airways have now introduced their new Avios prices across the board for reward seats. Our initial assessment of price rises of around 10%, both in Avios and taxes/fees, has proved to be broadly correct (if you discount the 100% rise in taxes/fees for short haul redemptions, from only 50p, to a whole £1!). So if you wondered how much do British Airways Avios seats cost, then down below you'll find the up to date pricing chart for reward seats on British Air

Can you believe it’s only two weeks until Christmas? The festive season is in full swing, and if you’re anything like me, your Christmas list might still be looking a little empty! Whether you’re shopping for someone who loves to create a cosy, inviting home, enjoys entertaining with style, or simply appreciates little luxuries that make everyday life feel special, this guide has you covered. From soothing wellbeing pods and elegant letterbox flowers to fun kitchen gadgets, i

Virgin Red is giving you the chance to win 300,000 Virgin Points, and entering takes about 30 seconds. All you need to do is link your Virgin Atlantic Flying Club account to your Virgin Red account by 31st December 2025, and you're automatically in the draw. That's it. No purchase necessary, no jumping through hoops, just link two accounts you probably already have and you're entered for a prize that could book you multiple flights in the cabins of your choosing. What's the P

Thinking about your next trip? Whether it's somewhere tropical like the Maldives or a city you've been meaning to tick off, having a healthy stash of Virgin Points can make it happen a lot sooner. Virgin Atlantic (courtesy of Virgin Red) are once again offering up to 70% bonus points when you buy or gift Virgin Points. The deal runs until 31st December 2025, giving you the whole month decide whether to top up your account. Read to the bottom, where you'll find my bit of insig

If you’re loyal to American Express and love earning points on every purchase, there’s nothing more deflating than hearing the dreaded line: “We don’t take Amex.” It happens far more often than any of us would like, whether you’re at a restaurant, a shop, or even certain online retailers. For anyone who’s serious about maximising rewards, this limitation can feel like a genuine roadblock. But why is Amex acceptance still inconsistent? And more importantly, what can you do ab

We are back with another Bargain Bin, and if you’ve been patiently hoarding Virgin Points, your moment has absolutely arrived. From Christmas week steals to winter-sun escapes in January and February, there are some outrageously good-value redemptions hiding in plain sight right now. As always, we’ve been glued to vseats.io , the must-use tool for Virgin collectors that surfaces the “surely that’s a glitch?” level deals across cabins and routes. So, where should you be lookin

It’s that magical time of year! The fairy lights are up, Mariah Carey is back on repeat, and the excitement of festive shopping is in full swing. Finding gifts for kids can feel like a mission, but it doesn’t have to be stressful, especially when you can earn Avios or Virgin Points while ticking off your list. Whether it’s for your little builder, the budding adventurer, or the future Hogwarts student, starting your shop through the Avios Store or Virgin Shops Away/Virgin Red