Not sure what you've been reading (welcome to FT by the way!).

Compared to British Airways, when redeeming in Economy Virgin miles are MORE valuable. Tax on redemptions is £100 lower and for most routes you need fewer miles than BA.

Virgin also has CombiFare (explained fully here on my site http://www.headforpoints.com/2013/10...-is-available/ ) which - if you can't get both legs on miles - lets you pay cash for one leg at the discount economy rate rather than a full fare one way.

Virgin is also cheaper than BA in miles and taxes for flying EDI to London.