Virgin Atlantic and EL AL are launching a codeshare partnership. From a points perspective, the most exciting development here is the opportunity to redeem another rewards currency on EL AL.
In this post:
Flying Club adding EL AL awards on June 19, 2024
Virgin Atlantic and EL AL are launching a codeshare partnership, whereby the airlines will place their “code” on flights operated by the other carrier between London (LHR) and Tel Aviv (TLV). EL AL has been operating this route continuously in recent months, while Virgin Atlantic is planning on resuming it as of September 2024, a little under a year after cutting it.
Not only will this open up reciprocal points earning opportunities, but it’ll also open up reciprocal points redemption opportunities. As flagged by Head for Points, as of June 19, 2024, it’ll be possible to redeem Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points for travel on EL AL.
It’s expected that it will be possible to redeem Flying Club points throughout EL AL’s network. We’ll just have to stay tuned to see what redemption rates are like.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points are easy to come by, as the program is transfer partners with Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou. On top of that, we often see transfer bonuses, so there’s value in making a speculative transfer.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club really has become an increasingly useful frequent flyer program in recent years. Not only does it allow redemptions on all SkyTeam airlines, but the program also partners with some other unique airlines, like Star Alliance’s All Nippon Airways.
Could this be a good value EL AL redemption?
EL AL doesn’t belong to any of the major global airline alliances, and unfortunately redemption opportunities on the airline are fairly limited.
Currently the best program for booking EL AL awards is Alaska Mileage Plan, as the program has attractive pricing.
While Delta and EL AL have a close partnership, as you’d expect, Delta SkyMiles doesn’t actually offer good value for EL AL redemptions. The same business class award that costs 70,000 Alaska Mileage Plan miles will set you back 320,000 Delta SkyMiles — nice!
While Qantas Frequent Flyer also allows redemptions on EL AL, I find the program doesn’t have access to all award space, especially to and from the United States.
Perhaps the biggest issue with redeeming on EL AL is just how little award space there is, especially in premium cabins. The problem isn’t necessarily the pricing or lack of partners, but rather the lack of award availability. 
Bottom line
Virgin Atlantic and EL AL are launching a partnership as of June 19, 2024. In addition to codesharing between London and Tel Aviv, it’ll also be possible to redeem Flying Club points on EL AL. More redemption opportunities are always a good thing, so I look forward to seeing what the pricing is like.
What do you make of the new Virgin Atlantic and EL AL partnership?
This could actually end up being useful with the plethora of transfer bonuses Virgin runs. Obviously not interested in visiting there right now, but as soon as Israel manages to wipe the terrorist zealots off the map, I will start looking at it. Israel seems like an interesting visit.
I’m not a fan of this partnership as Israel and Zionists are committing genocide. I am the first person to say we don’t want non Whites and non Christians in Europe and the U.S. because open borders don’t help us. However, Palestinians do belong in Palestine in a land that has been theirs for 1500 years since the followers of Jesus fled to the Mediterranean. That land has been stolen from them by the Jews...
I’m not a fan of this partnership as Israel and Zionists are committing genocide. I am the first person to say we don’t want non Whites and non Christians in Europe and the U.S. because open borders don’t help us. However, Palestinians do belong in Palestine in a land that has been theirs for 1500 years since the followers of Jesus fled to the Mediterranean. That land has been stolen from them by the Jews since 1948. All actions of Palestinians to defend themselves and their land are 100% justified. Normal White Christians don’t get anywhere good by supporting Zionists who support open borders but not for Israel or who believe in speech control except for Zionists. Israel or Jew first is not in the interest of White Conservative Christians. 20% of Palestinians are actually White Christians so they are more our brothers and sisters than Jews.
Well, start off by reading up on the Hebron massacre of 1929. I believe this was way before 1948 but yes, Jews were raped and massacred.
Get the facts before you spew your lies.
No Israeli was planning on any of the current situation prior to the massacre on October 7.
Not entirely true about redeeming Skymiles on El Al. Fairly niche, but you can redeem 70k for El Al biz to Japan or Thailand
❤️
EL AL is completely loyal to Boeing. About to buy some 737-Max's.
They certainly don't bite the hand that feeds them.
I don't understand why jews, muslims and christians don't just get along. You all have the same God and are all descendants of Abraham and Moses. Grow up!
Jews, Muslims and Christians do get along. The issue is Zionism which is fringe extremism at its worst by a group of people pretending to be Jews.
Zionism=patriotism but because it involves Jews your anti-semitic hatred is getting the best of you.
Although I'm sure you are not in favor of American patriotism too
There are plenty of people who are not Jews who are zionists. There are plenty (like myself) who are Jewish and do nit subscribe to extremist Zionist ideology.
Anti Zionism is not anti semitism.
Anti Zionistm and Antisemitism are two separate thongs, but go together like a horse and carriage.
You supposedly have nothing against Jews, but think they have no right to live in their historical homeland (or deny the historical fact). It's like suggesting to deport all French people from France while claiming you don't hate them.
Zionism is not "fringe extremism". It's the majority opinion of Jews worldwide. And I'd wager heavily that the vast majority of anti-Zionist Jews are under the age of 40 - young enough so that the Holocaust is a historical event rather than something their parents lived through.
Simply put, Zionism is the position that Jews deserve a country in their ancestral homeland. Disagreeing with the latter part isn't necessarily anti-Semitic, but disagreeing with the former...
Zionism is not "fringe extremism". It's the majority opinion of Jews worldwide. And I'd wager heavily that the vast majority of anti-Zionist Jews are under the age of 40 - young enough so that the Holocaust is a historical event rather than something their parents lived through.
Simply put, Zionism is the position that Jews deserve a country in their ancestral homeland. Disagreeing with the latter part isn't necessarily anti-Semitic, but disagreeing with the former part certainly is.
It’s because we come from different genetic ethnicities and races. Religion is the least of it. We look different, are different, and don’t naturally belong together.
As for religion the modern day “Jews” likely are not the same people from 2000 years ago but another group who adopted the name and language in 500AD.
Actually, your facts have been disproven many times.
Regurgitating the same lies over and over ultimately did not work for the Germans either.
TLV is really a niche market that only appeals to certain demographics, same goes for VS other codeshare announcement with Saudia.
I don't intend in any way for this to be based on race or creed or whatever, but I once flew El Al and most of the passengers smelled like they hadn't washed in weeks. I don't know if it's a cultural thing or not, but when you don't brush your teeth there is this weird sort of cavity decay you can smell even if you're not actively sniffing a person's breath. As I settled...
I don't intend in any way for this to be based on race or creed or whatever, but I once flew El Al and most of the passengers smelled like they hadn't washed in weeks. I don't know if it's a cultural thing or not, but when you don't brush your teeth there is this weird sort of cavity decay you can smell even if you're not actively sniffing a person's breath. As I settled into my seat on the flight to Tel Aviv, I immediately noticed something off. A faint, unpleasant odor lingered in the air, gradually growing stronger with each passing minute. Wrinkling my nose, I scanned the cabin, trying to pinpoint the source of the offensive smell. It didn't take long to realize that it was the unmistakable scent of unwashed people. Discreetly covering my nose with my hand, I observed my fellow passengers. Some seemed unfazed, immersed in their books or movies, while others surreptitiously attempted to mask the smell with scarves or magazines. I exchanged incredulous glances with a few nearby travelers, silently acknowledging the uncomfortable truth we all shared. Throughout the flight, the odor persisted, stubbornly refusing to dissipate despite the crew's efforts to improve ventilation. I couldn't understand how so many people could neglect basic hygiene, especially on a long-haul flight like this. As the hours dragged on, I found it increasingly difficult to ignore the unpleasant scent that hung in the air. I tried to distract myself with a book, but it was futile. The smell seemed to permeate every corner of the aircraft, making it impossible to escape. When the pilot finally announced our descent into Tel Aviv, I breathed my own sigh of relief. Stepping off the plane, I eagerly relished the fresh air of the jet bridge, grateful to be free from the suffocating odor that had plagued our journey. As I made my way through the bustling streets of Tel Aviv, I couldn't help but reflect on the ordeal I had just endured. Despite the discomfort, I realized that even the most memorable journeys could be marred by unpleasant experiences. However, I also found solace in the knowledge that adversity often provided valuable lessons.
With a newfound appreciation for the simple pleasures of cleanliness and fresh air, I vowed never to take them for granted again. Exploring the vibrant city of Tel Aviv, I carried that gratitude with me, cherishing every breath of clean, untainted air. Even my flight on Air India the previous year smelled better, which was honestly a really big surprise to me.
Antisemitic ChatGPT.
It was definitely not written by a human and if it was definitely the worst and lowest form of a human being imaginable
Nice - after a ripping Anti-semitic tirade you even managed to sneak in a semi disguised racist trope against Indians. Bravo!
Maybe it was your own underwear you were smelling.
Considering that I just read the same description of a flight to Barbados, consider that you or your clothing might be the issue.
I am sure the comments here will not be off topic, and will be leveled and measured in all respects.
Yuck. Shameful for Virgin to be partnering with an airline complicit in genocide (transporting war crime soldiers in the IDF to and from Occupied Palestine)
Shame on you for such a false and disgusting comment.
I bet you are one of those brain dead “useful idiots” protesting on campuses
Lol grow up.
Funny how you don't have any issue with demonic dictatorship states like Qatar, Saudi, and Oman, right?
Have issue with all demonic dictatorship states. This includes Netanyahu and Ben Gvir’s Israel.
Israel has never been and will never be a dictatorship. In fact it’s the only democracy in the Middle East. Educate yourself before posting nonsense. Your ignorance is showing
Keep drinking the Hasbara koolaid clown
@Nick
@Nick
If you're wondering then why I don't like Palestinians getting killed since they also elected Hamas on their own, they didn't hold a single election after Hamas and Fatah got the controls. The approval rate has been going down before that, so they don't represent Palestinians well.
Your just a shameless sack of skin covering 100% diseased tissue.
Hamas's approval rate was going down because they don't kill enough Israelis. Islamic Jihad was firing rockets, and Hamas was too scared of Israel to join in. The people of Gaza didn't like this.
We know now that this was part of the deception leading to October 7th. They lulled Israel into thinking they're too scared to attack. This worked very well, but the price was decreased popular support.
Thinking this decrease meant Gazan want peace is 100% wrong .
Mason are you seriously suggesting that Israelis killed by Hamas deserve it?
If so you should seek help.
@Watson
No thanks, and I believe that you're the one who needs a help. Denying the truths and keep pursuing a delusional ideology neither seems like it's a core value of the Jews, nor sounds more problematic than my situation.
Your just a shameless sack of skin covering 100% diseased tissue.