Some airline frequent flyer programs offer household accounts, whereby you can pool the points that several people earn, in order to unlock award redemptions more quickly. This sounds exciting, but there are always at least some restrictions.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club has just introduced household accounts for all members, and that’s potentially nice flexibility to have. However, it’s not necessarily the best option for everyone, so let me explain why.
In this post:
Basics of Virgin Atlantic Flying Club household accounts
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club has introduced household accounts for all members (in the past, it was limited to elite members). With this, up to 10 people with accounts registered at the same address can pool their points:
- The person who creates the account is the head of household, and is the only person who can redeem
- All household account members must have accounts registered at the same address, with no age restrictions
- Once you join a household account, you must remain a member of the household for at least 12 months
- If you have a balance of points before joining the household account, those points remain with you, and only points earned after joining the household account are pooled
- The head of household gets full control of points, and the head of household is the only person who can redeem the points
- The head of household can redeem points for anyone, and not just for members of the household account
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points don’t expire, so that’s not a consideration here
The alternative to a Virgin Atlantic household account
If you understand what you’re getting yourself into, a Virgin Atlantic Flying Club household account could be worth it. It is a little restrictive in terms of only one person being able to redeem the points, and existing points balances not joining the household account.
But it’s also worth remembering one of the best alternatives to forming a household account. Virgin Atlantic allows Flying Club members to transfer their balance of points to another member for just $15/£10. That’s a very low cost to be able to consolidate points in a single account, and to eventually make an aspirational redemption.
Now, a household account will still be better for some. If you’re a couple and have two or three kids, it is nice to be able to pool all those points in one account, because you’ll be able to get a reward flight much faster. But if you’re simply a couple looking to consolidate points as a one-off, paying $15/£10 might just be the more practical solution. Besides, you’re going to be on the hook for paying that anyway if you want to consolidate any points earned prior to joining the household account.
Bottom line
Virgin Atlantic has introduced household accounts for all members. This allows Flying Club members registered at the same address to pool their points. However, the logistics are a bit quirky, including existing points balances not automatically joining the household account. So it works differently than a British Airways household account, for example.
This is worth being aware of, but in general I think just transferring points for $15/£10 might be a simpler solution.
What do you make of Virgin Atlantic Flying Club’s new household account feature?
Keep in mind also that, at least with AX MR, if there is an additional registered cardholder AX will manually credit miles to the non-primary cardholders Virgin Atlantic account with no fee. Just did this to take advantage of the AX 40% transfer bonus with MR points from my wife. Not sure if that is the case with non-primary cardholders of other cards.
Ben, that kid strategy is amazing. I'll be completely honest -- I assumed you had to be maybe age 12 or so to qualify for miles programs. Shows what I know.
Thanks in advance!
Isn't this (existing points balances not automatically joining the household account) exactly the same how the Emirates program works?
suggested idea for a future post, what FFPs allow pooling and/or low cost consolidation of points?
Does the transfer of points for $15 feature actually work though? I've tried it multiple times over many months to consolidate my parents' otherwise orphaned Flying Club miles and they always claim there is a system error and to try again later.