Since last reviewed (FCF March 2008), Virgin America has been busy improving its mileage program, eleVAte (their capitals, not ours); has launched two new routes (Seattle-San Francisco and Seattle-Los Angeles); and has announced new service from Las Vegas to New York. So I thought this would be a good time to scrutinize eleVAte and see if Virgin America is hewing to its goal of being the low price First Class domestic carrier.

Mileage Program Report Card

EleVAte claims there are no restrictions when using points, including no blackout dates, and that any unsold Virgin America seat can be bought with points. But upon speaking with the carrier we found that Virgin America is still working out the redemption options—you can earn miles now but you can’t redeem them. Which means that one year after the program was launched, there is still no way to compare eleVAte to other programs.

Another black mark

EleVAte does not offer elite status because “all of our Guests are important.” That means no free upgrades, preferred check-in or other elite perks whether you fly Virgin America once or 12 times a year. Either way you earn five points for every dollar spent on Virgin America. Per eleVAte, “free round-trip tickets will be available initially for as little as 4,900 points.” Plus, there is no code-sharing and no mileage partners. Sorry, Virgin America, but your mileage program receives an Incomplete. (Or at best a D-)

Fares: Few can compare

As you can see in the chart below, Virgin America’s fares are 21% to 49% below the competition’s when booked in advance, except Virgin’s new route from New York to Las Vegas. The savings are even higher when booked on short notice. Add to that a First Class seat which beats the ones on most domestic carriers and you can’t go wrong.

Airline expansion

In mid-March, the carrier launched flights from Seattle to San Francisco and in mid-April from Seattle to Los Angeles. Virgin’s newest route, New York to Las Vegas, launches on Sept. 4.

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