American Express Membership Rewards - AMEX Points convertable to Virgin Atlantic but NOT Virgin American...why?

It seems AMEX points can be converted for use on Virgin Atlantic, but not Virgin American. It amazes me that these two still aren't linked together. Why would Branson treat his U.S. airline as a redheaded stepchild?

Anyone have any information on when this obvious gap isn't going to be addressed?

Bearing in mind that when I call Virgin Atlantic, they can't even book a conencting flight with VX I wouldn't say anytime soon.

Why would Branson treat his U.S. airline as a redheaded stepchild?

Branson has very much an arm's length relationship with VX. See the history at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin_America. The Virgin Group has always been more about the brand than operational control or even ownership, but the DOT's oversight makes especially strong firewalls necessary between VX and other group companies.

It's the governmenent helping you out......again......

It seems AMEX points can be converted for use on Virgin Atlantic, but not Virgin American. It amazes me that these two still aren't linked together. Why would Branson treat his U.S. airline as a redheaded stepchild?

Anyone have any information on when this obvious gap isn't going to be addressed?

It isn't Branson's airline, so that is part of the problem.

Beyond that, Virgin America has a very different program than Virgin Atlantic does - namely one of very little value. And they don't really have any partners that allow transferring points in to the VX program. A credit card is coming, but I'm pretty sure it is not out yet either.

It isn't Branson's airline, so that is part of the problem.

Beyond that, Virgin America has a very different program than Virgin Atlantic does - namely one of very little value. And they don't really have any partners that allow transferring points in to the VX program. A credit card is coming, but I'm pretty sure it is not out yet either.

The Virgin America Visa Card has been out for a few months now. It's a wonderful card, and considering there's no annual fee, it's a nice little perk to earn VX points for just about everything (for short-haul flights, like LAX-SFO, or SFO-LAS, it has a great redemption value, and based on your spending, you could be looking at a free one-way or roundtrip ticket just about every month). Further, the card comes with a free one-way ticket and a bonus 2,500 points I believe. I recommend it anyway, but I'm not here to sell you.

Bear in mind that VX is still a new airline. From what I gather, they are still very much developing the frequent flyer program, and it might only be a matter of time before AMEX allows transferring of points to VX. But as others have pointed out, Virgin America and Virgin Atlantic pretty much share no similarity other than the name.

Good to know that the card is out now. And I don't think that redeeming for intra-California flights is a good value of any points, especially when they can be used for better things, like long-haul premium cabin flights.

For the typical traveler I agree with you, but I personally hardly ever fly transcontinental. I do, however, fly short-haul flights within California and its neighboring states (LAX-SFO, SFO-LAS, LAX-LAS, LAX-PHX, etc.), and when you do those on a fairly frequent basis, it adds up. For me, the free flights within California is of huge benefit, but again, that's just for me, most people probably don't do those trips that often.

But yes, the VX Visa Card is a good value if you fly VX a ton.

If memory serves correct you have %foreign ownership rules that come into play and still apply so they have to be very careful on relationships including reward programs. Do not think for a second you have several other airlines that would like to see VX go away.