Using Virgin Atlantic miles to book Delta flights often represents an incredible value. While you can always phone Virgin Atlantic to book your ticket, most flights can be booked online. But Virgin Atlantic does not make it easy. Here’s how to book Delta flights online using Virgin Atlantic miles.
When you visit the Virgin Atlantic website, you will notice that you cannot type in a flight search between two U.S. cities. The system blocks you and you’ll receive a “No matches found” error.
To get around that, click on the little purple pinpoint and you’ll see the following drop-down menu:
Click on the center tab “US & Canada” and you’ll see a list of US and Canadian states. Scroll down to the state you want. When selected, all the cities with airports in that state will display. Choose your preferred city and the search box will be properly populated.
But that may not be your own only problem. Once you finally get the correct from/to entered, you may encounter “Pay with miles” grayed out.
This seems purely to be a system glitch, but there is a way around it.
Search for a route between the USA and Europe, say Los Angeles and London. Then choose “pay with miles” and click “Find my flights”.
Search results will come up. At the top of the page, change “London” to the U.S. airport of your choice (you’ll have to go through the same steps I outlined above).
You’ll note that “Pay with miles” will still be grayed out, but it will still be selected from the previous search. Click on “Refine Search” and the domestic award space will show.
Click on the flight you want, then click book.
Fill out the requested information, enter your credit card details, and click purchase–you’re all done!
Tips for Using Virgin Atlantic for Delta
- Delta flights to London or flights originating in Europe have heavy fuel surcharges
- Virgin Atlantic charges on a per-segment basis, so avoid multi-leg journeys
- Space can be placed on hold before you transfer points, but only over the phone
- Cancel at least 24 hours in advance to avoid forfeiting your miles
- Virgin Atlantic charges no close-in booking fees
CONCLUSION
Virgin Atlantic does not make it redeem for Delta flights online. Even so, by the following the steps above you should have no trouble finding and booking a Delta flight online using your Virgin Atlantic miles.
> Read More: 18K Miles for a Transcontinental Flat-Bed Flight: Still Wide Open
Welcome, MMS! ;-p
Thanks for that! I always had problems selecting certain cities and having miles greyed out. I had no idea about this workaround, thank you!