We were at the O2 to see comedian Peter Kay, having bought VIP tickets through Virgin Red using my stash of Virgin Points.

For 40,000 points, we got 2 tickets to see the sold out show with full frontal view of the stage and access to the Virgin Red hospitality suite including 2 free drinks per person. 

The suite had only just been rebranded and decorated for Virgin and was very comfortable for the 25 or so guests. The suite has a red velvet banquette around the edge of the room with a couple of low tables and chairs in the middle. When the show starts, step out in to the arena to your allocated fold down seat. There’s also allocated seating at the bar overlooking the arena (the bar serving drinks is at the back of the room).

Considering that tickets for the show had long ago sold out, this was a great way to get hold of tickets and see the show in comfort. 40,000 points is quite a lot and I usually prefer to spend my points on flights, but I had nearly 500k Virgin points and this was a birthday treat that money can’t really buy, so I was happy to make an exception. 

The free drink choices were mostly wines and beers and you could order additional drinks, and pre-order drinks for the intermission. As drinks off the main menu are brought from the main bars, service can be a touch slow. You can also have food delivered to the suite, but as we’d been for dinner at Gaucho stake house before the show, we didn’t sample the food.

Speaking of Gaucho, being Amex Platinum card holders, we get a £150 dining credit to spend at fancy restaurants and it made sense to use the credit at Gaucho as its literally opposite the entrance to the O2 arena. The £195 meal only ended up costing us £45. 

Amex also sponsors a bar area within the O2 arena and paying with your Amex card gets you 10% off your bill – which is a good job when cocktails are £20 each!!

Being at to the O2, I would also recommend the climb over the top of the iconic London landmark – Up at The O2.

As high as 12 double decker buses, it’s a steady climb up to the viewing platform at the top. The 1mm fabric roofing is springy and it was a little windy but you’re strapped in so feel very safe. 

Our guide highlighted some the famous landmarks visible from the summit and we enjoyed a glass of Prosecco (£8!) before taking some snaps and heading back down. The whole experience took about an hour and a half. You can even go up during sunset and at night for an ever changing view! 

Like everything in London, it’s not especially cheap, with peak pricing at weekends, but if you’re on the O2 phone network, you can get 20% off through O2 priority.