Proper Virgin Flying Club cards - how long ?

I was reading the FAQ bit of the site and it gives the impression that you originally start of with a red paper FC card and after you first mile earning flight you get a proper plastic one.

Does this mean that if you book a flight say 11 months in the future, you won't receieve the proper card until AFTER you have physically flown (I suppose in case you cancel the flight), so nearly a year before you get it?

[preiffer]

Correct.

The card is only issued after your first qualifying flight. To be honest, with the amount of people that probably register but never take a flight from then onwards, I agree with the logic.

You can still earn/spend miles using your number - you just won't have a physical card.

Not just with Vigin, *A group and others use the same principle. Cuts down on the costs I expect.

Iain

Makes reasonable sense to me too. Whereas something like a Worldpoints card, which you would need straightaway if you plan on going shopping in the departure lounge, it arrives straight away through the post..

Ths is why I have a piece of paper until February next year.

My bit of paper has seen better days.........just stuck it in my hand luggage on my last flights and it's a bit creased and dog-eared now.
Hopefully I didn't throw it away as it looks like I'll be needing it for a few more months.....

[mcmbenjamin]

And to be honest, you do not need a card unless you are Silver or Gold; only the number.

Benjamin

I'll have silver in Sept/Oct after my Australia trip hopefully......

Originally posted by mcmbenjamin
And to be honest, you do not need a card unless you are Silver or Gold; only the number.
Benjamin

Why do we even that?.. if we put the number in when booking...

Things like Virgin partner hotels seem to want you to show your card at check-in (well, that's generally what the websites say).
Looks better holding a plastic card rather than some dodgy bit of paper in my opinion.
Possibly going to be staying at the Radisson or Hilton for a couple of nights next month and doesn't make a great impression

Originally posted by xenole

Looks better holding a plastic card rather than some dodgy bit of paper in my opinion.
Possibly going to be staying at the Radisson or Hilton for a couple of nights next month and doesn't make a great impression

I reckon, and if its such a big deal (which is fair enough), that you write a quick email to virgin. Tell them to look up your booking and explain you want a plastic red card in advance. They'll see they're going to have to send you one anyway,with the booking, and add the reason you want a shiney plastic card is so you can use it on check-in at the hotels and it doesn't get all busted, rusted and crusted during your travels. Bet you 50p they'll say yay.

Originally posted by SBA

Originally posted by xenole

Looks better holding a plastic card rather than some dodgy bit of paper in my opinion.
Possibly going to be staying at the Radisson or Hilton for a couple of nights next month and doesn't make a great impression

I reckon, and if its such a big deal (which is fair enough), that you write a quick email to virgin. Tell them to look up your booking and explain you want a plastic red card in advance. They'll see they're going to have to send you one anyway,with the booking, and add the reason you want a shiney plastic card is so you can use it on check-in at the hotels and it doesn't get all busted, rusted and crusted during your travels. Bet you 50p they'll say yay.

Think I'll try and my luck and say something like "Rather than getting the red card, as red isn't quite my colour, and the fact that I'm bound to fly a few more flights over the next year or so, just give me the gold card now and we'll leave things at that"
They're bound to go with that one!

[Nottingham Nick]

Originally posted by McCoy

Originally posted by mcmbenjamin
And to be honest, you do not need a card unless you are Silver or Gold; only the number.
Benjamin

Why do we even that?.. if we put the number in when booking...

You will need a silver card to show to the Security person when you are travelling in Y but using the PE check in. (or a gold one if using the UC check in.)

Nick

Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
You will need a silver card to show to the Security person when you are travelling in Y but using the PE check in. (or a gold one if using the UC check in.)

Ah. That's fair enough. Thanks..