Virgin Media deals for existing customers: Renewals and upgrades

Dan Howdle • December 11th, 2024

If you're an existing customer and you don't already take out the maximum quantity and scale of services available, there are going to be a number of upgrade paths available to you. But what can be upgraded instantly? What requires additional installation? And how will it affect your existing contract? We have all the details.

If your Virgin Media contract is ending or has already ended

You can't switch broadband provider when you're mid way through your contract without incurring hefty cancellation fees, and this applies to Virgin Media too. Where you are in your contract applies as much to those wanting to add certain upgrades as it does those considering switching.

That's because adding a TV subscription, for example, will mean signing a new contract. If your plan is to switch to another provider in the near-ish future, adding TV or upgrading your broadband speed means signing a brand new contract into which you're tied for another 18 months. However, signing a new contract is also an opportunity to get better terms. You have leverage.

Here's what you can do to improve your deal as a Virgin Media customer:

1. Haggle with Virgin Media to get a better deal

When upgrading Virgin Media – the example we will use here is adding a TV subscription – you have the leverage to improve your terms. You're signing up for a brand new 18 months tied in with Virgin, and that means you can try haggling to get the best terms. As an existing customer you cannot take advantage of new-customer offers like cashback or bill credit, so it's worth asking Virgin Media what it's worth to them to keep you for another contract term. You should consider:

Timing

Where you are in your contract can have a bearing on how much leverage you have when haggling. There's very little motivation for Virgin Media to improve your current deal – even if you are adding additional services or upgrading your existing ones – if you've still got 12 months to go on your existing contract. The closer you are to the end of your contract, the more leverage you will generally have.

Compare the latest deals

Before you pick up the phone to Virgin Media it's a good idea to compare the latest broadband deals. It means that when they ask you what alternatives you are considering switching to, you have tangible packages and pricing to point out. And they will ask you. We've been through this process with Virgin Media multiple times and they always ask, so have some ammo.

Be polite

Believe it or not, how much they like you can have a bearing on the outcome. Be polite, don't be outraged if they make an insulting offer. Instead work with them. The agent you're going to be speaking to may not be the person making the ultimate decision on your offer, so thank them politely and ask if there's any way they can do better. Draw attention to better deals from other providers here too.

Prepare to walk away

Sometimes you have to walk away. If the terms offered are absurd – and sometimes they can be – you've got to be prepared to say thank you, to tell them you will be switching to another provider, and to end the phone call. Don't worry about actually leaving – this is just a tactic. If you do walk away, immediately go and sign up with another provider. Virgin Media will more often than not be back on the phone to you within minutes or hours of taking that action to offer a better deal. It's not 100%, as circumstances vary, but this does work most of the time in our experience.

2. If you bundle you'll pay less overall

Yes, you can get Sky TV if you are on a Virgin Media broadband deal. Yes, you can get a SIM deal from a provider other than O2 separately. But you will absolutely benefit from the point of monthly cost by getting all three from Virgin Media. Its Volt bundles offer unbeatable value.

3. Check Virgin Media's upgrade deals

Logging into your Virgin Media account on Virgin Media's website, you will find:

Personalised offers

Virgin Media will regularly update tempting offers designed to tempt you to take out more Virgin Media services or upgrade your existing ones. Every upgrade route is available to you, provided you're not already on the maximum speed, TV deal, or bundled SIM.

Virgin Media WiFi Max

If your Wi-Fi is patchy in some rooms of your home you can upgrade to the Virgin Media WiFi Max, which offers additional mini-routers which boost the signal around your home. It's free for Gig1, Gig2 and Volt customers, but you'll still need to ask for it to get it. It's £8 per month to everyone else.

Virgin TV Flex

Flex is a small set-top box that provides access to Virgin Media's complete line-up of TV channels but does not require you to connect a Virgin Media cable. It'll work entirely via Wi-Fi or a LAN cable. This is Virgin Media's stab at competing with Sky Stream.

4. Compare offers from other providers

If you intend to haggle (see point 1), we've already mentioned that it's a good idea to know what you're haggling for by comparing what's on offer from Virgin Media with what's on offer from all the other providers. To do that, you only need…

Use our comparison

Our comprehensive broadband comparison will let you know what deals are on right now and, importantly, which are available to you at your address. Just enter your postcode for the latest information, and you can choose from broadband, TV, or both in the filters.

Need help choosing a Virgin Media deal?

Talk to the team and unlock special deals and offers. We're open Monday to Sunday 8am-8pm. Call us now on:

0800 211 8144

5. Stay proactive: The key to better deals

The key thing here is not to wait for better deals to come to you. Instead, you need to be a little bit proactive and set the conditions yourself so that you don't miss out. That involves…

Setting a contract-end reminder

Visit Virgin Media's Website. There you will find the date your current contract ends. You then either set a reminder in your calendar or you can ask us to remind you at the time. If you ask us, we will send you all the best deals you could switch to when your contract is up.

Set reminder

Keep an eye on the latest deals

If you're considering an upgrade, it's worth browsing our broadband comparison to see what Virgin Media and other providers are offering. Sometimes, switching providers can yield better perks or pricing.

6. Things to think about before upgrading your Virgin Media package

Upgrading your Virgin Media package can be a great way to get more out of your services, but there are a few things you should bear in mind before taking the plunge:

• Engineer visits – Some upgrades, like moving to Gig1 or Gig2 (which have their own unique routers), or getting additional TV boxes, may require an engineer visit. Be prepared for potential waiting times, especially during busy periods
• Equipment returns – Virgin Media requires you to return any old equipment you're no longer using. They’ll send you a pre-paid returns pack, so be sure to package everything up and send it back to avoid potential charges. If an engineer is visiting to install something new, you can hand your old equipment to them
• Changes to your monthly bill – Upgrading your package will almost always increase your monthly cost. Virgin Media will outline the new charges during the process, but double-check your first updated bill to make sure everything matches up
• Impact on existing discounts – If you’re currently enjoying a discounted rate or promotional perks, upgrading may mean these are altered or removed. Always ask how your current benefits might change
• Contract renewal – Upgrading typically ties you into a new contract term. Consider whether you're happy to commit for another 18 months before going ahead
• Choosing the right upgrade – Think about your household’s future needs. If your family is growing or your streaming and gaming habits are increasing, it might be worth opting for a higher-tier package now to save hassle later

What our expert says...

"While upgrading with Virgin Media can get you what you want with a minimum of fuss, your provider will renew your contract for another 18 months and you will miss out on lower prices and greater benefits offered by other providers when you join as a new customer."

Dan Howdle, Broadband and mobile expert

In-contract Virgin Media upgrades

Some changes to your services with Virgin Media can mean a new contract. Adding TV for example, or upgrading your broadband speed. Others might not, depending on the service. Adding additional channel bolt-ons or bundles may or may not involve renewing your contract depending on what you pick. Let's go through the options.

Virgin Media Broadband upgrades

If you’re finding your current broadband speed just about sufficient but struggling at peak times, upgrading your Virgin Media broadband package might be a smart move. If you’re not getting anywhere near the speeds you’re paying for, it might be worth contacting Virgin Media to check for potential issues however, as this is uncommon. Here’s what you can expect from upgrading:

• More seamless streaming – Say goodbye to buffering, even with 4K content
• Smoother online gaming – Lower latency, quicker downloads, and a better overall experience
• Better multi-device handline – Performance with multiple users and devices connected simultaneously can be improved if your speed upgrade means a new router (such as with Gig1)

We recommend aiming for at least 30Mbps per household member for general usage. For online gamers or heavy streamers, it’s a good idea to double that allowance. This ensures enough headroom to avoid slowdowns during busy periods – no one likes buffering in the middle of their favourite show or a laggy gaming session, or indeed waiting hours for a videogame to download.

Virgin Media’s broadband options offer a range of speeds, from the base-level M50 package at around 54Mbps to the lightning-fast Gig1 Fibre, delivering up to 1130Mbps. If you need faster speeds, an upgrade to a higher-tier package is well worth considering to keep your household connected and happy.

Virgin Media broadband speed options and connection types

Virgin TV upgrades

You can add Virgin TV provided you're already a Virgin Media broadband customer. Unlike Sky, Virgin TV is not available as a solo service. Which is a pity really, but we suspect this is not Virgin Media's choice. Virgin TV offers a host of Sky channels, so we suspect it's Sky that stipulates they cannot offer it on its own.

As well as adding TV, if you're already a Virgin TV customer there are a host of ways to add to and beef up your existing package, and we'll cover those next.

Premium channel packs – Sky Sports, Sky Cinema, TNT Sports

One of the most common ways folk choose to upgrade their Virgin TV service is by adding Sky Cinema, Sky Sports and/or TNT Sports. Suffice it to say things get quite expensive at this point, and there are few ways to dramatically upgrade the choice available to you without adding such premium channel packs.

Adding Sky Sports to Virgin TV

It’s a premium option, but for sports fans, adding Sky Sports to your Virgin TV package is a no-brainer. With 11 dedicated channels, including Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, and Sky Sports F1, you’ll never miss a moment of your favourite events. Enjoy exclusive Premier League matches, live Formula 1 Grand Prix coverage, The Ashes, PGA Tour golf, and more – all from the comfort of your living room.

Adding Sky Cinema to Virgin TV

Sky Cinema brings over 1,000 films on demand. You’ll have access to the latest blockbusters, all-time classics, as well as Sky Original movies. From Sky Cinema Premiere to Sky Cinema Family and Sky Cinema Sci-Fi & Horror, there’s a channel for every mood and preference. But once again, it doesn't come cheap – it's cheaper if you're with Sky.

Adding TNT Sports to Virgin TV

TNT Sports delivers access to some of the biggest sports competitions around the world. With live coverage of UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Premiership Rugby, and more, it’s perfect for fans who can’t get enough of the action. It's a small but annoying detail that if you want access to all of the football, you will need both TNT and Sky Sports, and your bank account will suffer.

Virgin Media call plan upgrades

If your household frequently uses a landline, upgrading or adding a call plan (Virgin Media deals no longer come with a call plan as standard) can help keep down your bill. Virgin Media offers several call plans options:

• Talk Weekends – Unlimited calls to UK landlines and Virgin Mobile numbers on weekends with no extra monthly fee
• Talk More Weekends – Includes unlimited calls to UK landlines and Virgin Mobiles during the weekend, with reduced rates for other times
• Talk More Anytime – Unlimited calls to UK landlines and mobiles at any time of the day
• Talk More International – Unlimited calls to UK landlines and mobiles, plus unlimited calls to 50 popular international destinations

All call plans are subject to Virgin Media’s usual contract terms, and prices may change during your contract period. If you're noticing unexpected call charges on your bill, upgrading your call plan to better suit your usage can help minimise those costs.

Volt Bundles that come with an O2 SIM

Virgin Media is the only provider currently that allows you to properly bundle a SIM in with your broadband, TV and home phone. Some other provider, like Sky and Sky Mobile team up to deliver bonus data or other small, often meaningless perks. However, Virgin Media merged with O2 and since then has offered bundles that properly roll the SIM into the deal. These can be easily spotted since they contain the word 'Volt' in the package name.

You can upgrade your existing bundle to a 'Volt' bundle, but bear in mind this will change other aspects of your service. For example, Volt bundles double your broadband speed up to and including Gig1. New speed means a new contract. So bear that in mind.