Virgin Atlantic is to offer double points on its new agent loyalty programme in January after hailing a “phenomenal” response from the trade in the week since its launch.
The airline will also offer members the chance to win a place on the inaugural Sky High Club “experiential trip” in April.
More than 1,000 agents have signed up to the programme since it went live on November 23.
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Director of agency sales Nicki Goldsmith said: “The feedback has been phenomenal. Our agency partners have said there has been a gap in the market for airlines to reward the trade in an always-on scheme that allows agents to earn points and then gives them the choice of how they redeem them.
“Agents have told us how exciting this is and how supported they feel by Virgin Atlantic.”
She added: “If agents book a family of five to somewhere like Las Vegas, travelling out in Premium and back in Upper, they would get 10 Sky High points per ticket which in monetary value equates to £50.
“They only have to make a few bookings to start to be able to really reap the rewards.”
Goldsmith said the airline would run four major experiential trips a year for top bookers. The first one is scheduled for April in partnership with Virgin Voyages in the Caribbean.
Travel Counsellors’ Sam Maxey posted on Virgin’s Facebook page: “The Sky High Club is amazing. I love this. I do lots on Virgin so this is music to my ears.”
Lee Haslett, the airline’s vice-president of global sales, added: “At Virgin Atlantic we strive to be the most-loved travel company. That’s our vision and the Sky High Club is another example of our continued commitment to travel agents.
“With double points available in our January peaks campaign, it gives agents an added incentive to book Virgin Atlantic for their customers and build on our market‑leading position.”