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…
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.
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.
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?
No. The ratio from IHG to Avios is 5:1, and you can only transfer a minimum of 10,000 Virgin Points in the first transaction, and then at least 5,000 for each subsequent transaction. And the ratio from Hilton Honors to Avios is even worse.
