How to Convert Virgin to Avios Points

How can I convert Virgin to Avios points?

Explore the possibilities and considerations when converting Virgin Points to Avios.

Did you know you can transfer Virgin Points to Avios? But just because you can, that doesn’t mean that you should…

Can I directly convert Virgin points to Avios?

No, you can’t. It’s hardly surprising – Virgin and British Airways are rival airlines, so they’re not going to let passengers use points from one for rewards on the other. They would effectively be rewarding customers for taking their business elsewhere.

That’s not to say that it isn’t possible…

Where else can I use Virgin Points?

Before converting Virgin Points, it’s worth knowing that they can be used across a wide range of Virgin Flying Club partners. This includes reward flights with Virgin Atlantic and partner airlines, as well as hotel stays, car hire and experiences through selected partners.

In many cases, using Virgin Points directly within the Virgin Flying Club programme can offer better value than converting them into another loyalty currency.

Are there indirect methods?

There are. First, you have to convert your Virgin Points to IHG One Rewards points – but you’ll need at least 10,000 Virgin Points to be able to convert them.

IHG is the hotel and resort company that owns such brands as Holiday Inn, InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and Hotel Indigo. If you’ve signed up to IHG One Rewards, you can convert your Virgin Points into IHG One Rewards points, which can then be transferred into Avios.

IHG One Rewards has benefits beyond point conversion. Members can use points for free hotel nights, room upgrades and discounts on stays across IHG’s global portfolio. Elite status within the scheme can also unlock perks such as late checkout, bonus points and better room availability.

To convert Virgin Points into IHG One Reward points, you’ll need to contact your Virgin Flying Club Helpline – in the UK, the number is 0344 412 2414. Have your IHG One Rewards account number to hand.

Virgin Points convert into IHG One Rewards points at a ratio of 1:1. But once you come to convert from IHG to Avios, the ratio is much worse – 10,000 IHG points (the minimum allowed) convert to 2,000 Avios.

There’s usually no cash fee to convert Virgin Points into hotel loyalty points, but the real “cost” comes from the conversion ratios. Each transfer reduces the number of points you hold, meaning you often get far less value than if you used the points directly for flights or upgrades.

Compared with earning Avios directly through flights, shopping partners or an Avios-earning credit card, converting Virgin Points via hotel schemes is generally one of the least efficient ways to build an Avios balance.

To transfer from IHG to Avios, you’ll have to call the IHG One Rewards Customer Care department. In the UK, you call +44 (0) 2033 499 033. For contact numbers in other countries, head to the IHG website.

There is another indirect method of transferring Virgin Points to Avios, but it yields even worse results. It involves transferring your Virgin Points to Hilton Honors points at a ratio of 1:1.5, and then transferring from Hilton Honors to Avios at a ratio of 10:1.

Is this a good use of my points?

In most cases, no. The conversion ratios involved mean you lose a significant amount of value when moving Virgin Points to Avios via hotel loyalty schemes.

To get better value from your Virgin Points, you may want to consider using them for:

• Reward flights or upgrades with Virgin Atlantic

• Flights with Virgin Flying Club partner airlines

• Hotel stays, car hire or experiences offered through Virgin’s partners

If your goal is to build an Avios balance, you may find it more rewarding to earn Avios directly rather than converting Virgin Points indirectly.