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NEWS & OFFERS: Virgin new way to spend points, Free Gold Sixt status and new airport restaurant for Priority Pass

Virgin’s new way to spend points

Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Red points are already some of the most versatile points with the number of airlines they can be redeemed on and all the other options, such as Virgin Voyages and even sausage rolls.

Virgin already has the Red Room at the AO Arena in Manchester, which I have visited twice now, but today Virgin has unveiled the Virgin Red Room at The O2. Exclusive to Virgin Red, members can book the Red Room at the arena with their Virgin Points now for shows from 2 June 2024. 

Here is what you can currently book in the app:

  • 2 June – Peter Kay 35,000 Points
  • 5 June – J Balvin 35,000 Points
  • 3 June – Tool 30,000 Points
  • 4 June – Thirty Seconds to Mars 35,000 Points
  • 6 June, 7 June, 10 June, 11 June – Liam Gallagher 45,000 Points
  • 8 June – The Smashing Pumpkins and Weezer 45,000 Points
  • 14 June, 17 June – Doja Cat 60,000 Points
  • 15 June – James 35,000 Points
  • 16 June – IVE 40,000 Points
  • 18 June, 19 June – Karol G 40,000 Points
  • 22 June, 23 June, 20 July – USA Basketball Showcase 30,000 Points
  • 17 July – Megan Thee Stallion 50,000 Points

The box is positioned centrally for the view, although it is not clear exactly where it is. If it is central, that does mean it is probably at the back of the arena. 

It sounds like it will work in a similar way as the Red Room at Manchester which you can read my review of here.

You will get VIP entry lanes, two complimentary drinks per person, and a dedicated bar attendant. Food and drinks are available to purchase, with the menu including a range of light bites, from souvlaki to loaded fries.  The box seats 28 people and will also have a Virgin host or two to help things run smoothly on the night. The room will also be renovated in true Virgin style later this summer.

Andrea Burchett, Chief Loyalty Officer and Managing Director for Virgin Red, says: “We are thrilled to unveil the Virgin Red Room at The O2 so Virgin Red members can bag tickets to see their favourite artists with Virgin Points. At Virgin Red we’re all about creating extraordinary experiences and that’s exactly what we’re doing with an exclusive Virgin Red experience for our members. Watch this space for more to come to the Virgin Red Room this summer to give it some extra Virgin sparkle!”  

Tickets start from 30,000 Virgin Points for two guests which I think is good value. I paid 60,000 for Peter Kay at Manchester recently for two people. 

You can find more information here or download the Virgin Red app on your smartphone.

 

Free Gold Sixt status

If you are planning to hire a car with Sixt, it could be worth looking at the free offer with the Leaders Club, which is the loyalty scheme of Leading Hotels In The World.  

Leaders Club used to be a paid scheme, but it is now free to join and gives perks from the beginning. Initially, you get a lot for a free membership, so if you plan to stay at an LHW you should consider joining:

  • Upgrade priority on arrival
  • Daily continental breakfast for two
  • Early check-in and late check-out considerations
  • Complimentary WiFi
After your first stay, when you join, you get a free pre-arrival upgrade and then one every year. You also get the best available rates. Other than the free tier, you can earn Sterling status which gives more perks. To earn and maintain Sterling status, you must spend at least $5,000 or currency equivalent on room rate spend within a calendar year. This gives five pre-arrival upgrades annually as well as the other benefits of Leaders level. 
 
Leaders Club is offering a free status match with Hertz even from the free Leaders status. This gives you Sixt Gold, which has the following benefits:
  • Up to 10% discount on all rentals (a)
  • Free additional driver for all rentals in the US (b)
  • Collect bonus points with participating partner programs (d)
  • Get to your vehicle faster with the mobile check-in through the SIXT App.

With Sterling status you get a match to Sixt Platinum.

You can find the Sixt status match page here or join the Leaders Club here. 

 

New UK airport restaurant for Priority Pass

If you hold your Priority Pass through the Amex Platinum card, you can’t use the restaurant credit in most places. Until recently, you could use it at the Grain Store at Gatwick (and Movenpick Cafe, Berlin), but unfortunately, that had closed.

However, today, 20 May it has reopened as Pizza Express London Gatwick’s South Terminal. The Priority Pass app/website has been updated to show that Pizza Express is still included. 

It will be the first and only PizzaExpress in the UK serving a breakfast menu, available from 3:30am – 11:00am daily, with dishes including an Italian Bacon & Egg pizza featuring crispy pancetta, breakfast staples such as Smashed Avocado & Poached Eggs served on freshly baked dough, The Full Works featuring a classic English breakfast served with a PizzaExpress twist of Dough Sticks, Pancetta & Maple Syrup Pancakes, and Breakfast Dough Balls & Jam. From 11 am, it will serve its normal menu. 

You can claim £18 credit per person for yourself and any signed-in guests, as the rate recently rose from £15pp. 

It is open between 03.30 – 21:30 daily.

HT: Head for Points

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6 comments

  1. Michele, have you really personally wrote about free Gold Hertz status?
    1.Hertz Gold is the lowest status and always free. Gold is what you get when sign-up.
    2.Get to your vehicle faster with the mobile check-in through the SIXT App. Through SIXT app!?
    3.With Sterling status you get a match to Hertz Platinum. There is no Hertz Platinum status, above Gold is only Five Stars and President’s Circle. I have the latter.

    1. You are referring to the UK scheme. If you click on the link provided in the article it takes you to Hertz.com where it clearly shows that there is a Platinum status. Perhaps you’d like to tell Hertz their website is wrong? Or Leaders Club that they have made it up since that’s where the information came from? Perhaps try looking at the official websites before you come after me.

      1. There was absolutely no offense. Just pointed out to irregularities becuase I expect that you do have wide knowledge about the different loyalty programs and wondered if the semi-retirement already arrived 🙂

    2. Dont be that person JP. Im sure we are all ecstatic that you have ‘President’s Circle’. I look forward to receiving your daily, free email with travel advice in it. Whether the info is correct or not, there are ways of highlighting where discrepancies may be. There is never a need for arrogance. Thanks as always Michele.

      1. There would be no free emails with travel advise from my behalf, I would charge. My way of highlighting was purely neutral, at least how I interpreted that. But you are right, having President’s Circle status is irrelevant, it has been useless anyway.

  2. Dear Michele, I clicked on the link provided in your article and it took me directly to the Sixt website, not to the Hertz website.
    I managed, nevertheless, to upgrade my Sixt profile thanks to my Leaders’Club membership. Thanks for the hint!

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