You’ve spent £10,000. Your bank account weeps, but the points gods reward your pain. And now, you’re holding a travel voucher that is shiny, mysterious, and full of potential. But is it a passport to paradise or just a glorified coupon with blackout dates?
Enter our two contenders:
Virgin Atlantic Reward Voucher (from the Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard)
Barclaycard Avios Upgrade Voucher (from the Barclaycard Avios Plus Credit Card)
Both promise upgrades. Both whisper of lie-flat beds and Champagne at 36,000ft. But which actually delivers?
Let’s compare them mile for mile.
In This Post
The Tale of the Tape
| Feature | Virgin Atlantic Reward Voucher | Barclaycard Avios Upgrade Voucher |
|---|---|---|
| Issued After Spending | £10,000 in a card year (£20,000 on the free Virgin card) | £10,000 in a card year |
| Card Cost | £160/year (Virgin Reward+ Mastercard) | £240/year (£20/month for Avios Plus) |
| Voucher Type | Upgrade or Companion Ticket | One-way Upgrade (1 return for 1 person, or 1 one-way for 2 people) |
| Airline | Virgin Atlantic | British Airways |
| Points Currency | Virgin Points | Avios |
| Cabins Covered | Economy to Premium or Premium to Upper (if Gold) | Economy to Premium or Premium to Club World (no First) |
| Solo Flyer? | Yes (upgrade), No (companion) | Yes |
| With a +1? | Yes (companion ticket) | Yes (can cover 2 one-way) |
| Voucher Expiry | 24 months | 24 months (outbound must start in that period) |
| Fuel Surcharge Reality | Still brutal | Also brutal |
| Status Perks? | Companion can fly Upper Class if you’re Gold | No status impact |
| Alternative Option? | None | 7,000 Avios instead of voucher |
The Upper-Class Cocktail vs. The Heathrow Spreadsheet
Let’s be real. Virgin Atlantic is the fun one. It’s the cocktail with mood lighting, the Clubhouse with brunch, the cheeky wink at 30,000ft. Are you flying with a partner and want to turn it into a bit of a moment? The Reward Voucher is your red velvet rope.
But the Barclaycard Upgrade Voucher is the sensible one. It’s no fuss, no faff, just a simple upgrade. And it works for solo warriors or pairs. Think spreadsheets, not spritzes. It’s not sexy, but it gets the job done.
Which Traveller Wins What?
For couples:
Virgin is the move. Book with points, add your partner with the voucher and enjoy life in Premium or even Upper Gold if you’re Gold.
For solo flyers:
Barclaycard’s your guy. You can upgrade your own one-way Club World flight on BA, or even book a return upgrade for yourself, without needing Gold status.
For route nerds:
BA wins by miles, literally. More destinations, more frequency, more chances to find reward availability. Especially handy if you’re not London-based.
For the glam factor:
Virgin, always. Clubhouse > Galleries Lounge. Upper Class > Club World. No contest.
But Let’s Talk Reality…
Availability? BA’s Club World upgrades need reward seats in both the cabin you book into and the one you want to upgrade into. Virgin has more flexibility in upgrade availability, but fewer Upper seats are released, especially out of London.
Fees? You’ll still pay taxes and surcharges on both, often over £300 per person one-way. So, the “free flight” narrative? Let’s not.
Final Verdict
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best for Couples | Virgin Atlantic |
| Best for Solo Upgrades | Barclaycard |
| Biggest Route Network | Barclaycard (via BA) |
| Most Flexible Reward | Virgin Atlantic |
| Coolest Airline Vibe | Virgin (obviously) |
| Least Likely to Annoy You | Honestly… neither. But maybe Barclaycard by a hair. |
Should You Get Both?
Absolutely. One gives you flexibility (Virgin), and the other gives you consistency (Barclaycard). Collect both vouchers and play the field like a frequent flyer, Casanova.
Still Taxiing? Read On.
1 comment
I think the problem for ba is that one has to book with points and upgrade. In either case one cannot avoid the silly UK departure tax.