Last Updated: April 2, 2025 | Fact Checked by: James W.
Which Points Convert to Virgin Atlantic? (2025 Master List)
Virgin Atlantic is the "Universal Donor" of the travel world.
It is one of the few airlines that partners with every major transferable points currency. Whether you have an Amex Gold, a Chase Sapphire, or a Capital One Venture card, you already have Virgin Points—you just need to transfer them.
Why would you want to? Because Virgin Atlantic points are the secret key to booking ANA First Class and Delta One for pennies on the dollar.
This guide covers the full partner list, the transfer speeds, and the "Sweet Spots" you need to know.
The Master List: Who Transfers to Virgin?
Below is the confirmed 2025 list of transfer partners.
The "Big 5" (Instant & 1:1 Ratio) These are your best options. Transfers are almost always immediate, meaning you can find a flight seat, transfer the points, and book it within 5 minutes.
| Bank Program | Transfer Ratio | Minimum Transfer | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Express (Membership Rewards) | 1:1 | 1,000 | Instant |
| Chase (Ultimate Rewards) | 1:1 | 1,000 | Instant |
| Capital One (Miles) | 1:1 | 1,000 | Instant |
| Citi (ThankYou Points) | 1:1 | 1,000 | Instant |
| Bilt Rewards | 1:1 | 1,000 | Instant |
The Hotel Partners (Use with Caution) Hotel points generally have poor transfer rates. Only use these if you are topping off a small amount of points.
| Hotel Program | Transfer Ratio | Speed | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marriott Bonvoy | 3:1 | ~48 Hours | Okay. (Get a 5k bonus when transferring 60k). |
| Hilton Honors | 10:1.5 | Instant | Avoid. Terrible value. |
| IHG One Rewards | 5:1 | Varies | Avoid. Terrible value. |
Pro Tip: Banks frequently offer 30% Transfer Bonuses to Virgin Atlantic. Before you transfer, check your credit card portal to see if you can get 1,300 Virgin points for every 1,000 credit card points!
Why Transfer to Virgin? (The Sweet Spots)
Most people don't transfer points to fly Virgin Atlantic itself. Why? Because flying Virgin to London often incurs $200-$500 in taxes and fees.
Instead, savvy travelers use Virgin points to book partner airlines.
1. ANA First Class (The Holy Grail)
Virgin Atlantic has a unique partnership with All Nippon Airways (ANA). You can book a First Class seat from the US to Japan for significantly fewer points than other programs.
- Cost: ~72,500 - 85,000 Virgin Points (One-Way)
- Cash Price: $12,000+
- How: You must find availability on United.com first, then call Virgin Atlantic to book. You cannot book this online.
2. Delta One to Europe
Delta often charges 300,000+ of its own miles for a business class flight to Europe. Virgin Atlantic can often book that exact same seat for a fraction of the price.
- Cost: 50,000 Virgin Points (One-Way)
- Route: US East Coast (JFK/BOS) to Non-UK Europe (Paris/Amsterdam/Zurich).
- Note: Avoid booking Delta flights to London (LHR) to skip the high luxury taxes.
3. SkyTeam Short-Haul
Virgin joined the SkyTeam Alliance recently. This means you can use points for short hops on:
- Air France / KLM (Europe)
- Korean Air (Asia)
- LATAM (South America)
Step-by-Step: How to Transfer
- Create a Account: Sign up for a free Virgin Atlantic Flying Club account if you haven't already.
- Find the Flight: Do not transfer points until you see the seat availability. Search on VirginAtlantic.com (or call for ANA flights).
- Link Your Card: Log in to your credit card portal (e.g., Amex or Chase), go to "Transfer Points," and link your Virgin Flying Club ID.
- Initiate Transfer: Move the exact number of points you need.
- Book Immediately: Once the points appear (usually instantly), refresh the Virgin page and complete the booking.
Warning: Transfers are irreversible. You cannot move points back to your credit card once they are sent.
Summary Checklist
To maximize your Virgin Points strategy:
- Wait for a Bonus: If you aren't traveling immediately, wait for a 30% transfer bonus from Amex or Chase.
- Check the Fees: Before booking, check the "Taxes & Fees" line. If it's over $300, consider using a different airline program.
- Call for ANA: Remember that the best redemption (Japan) requires a phone call to Virgin Atlantic support.
- Ignore Hotels: Never transfer Hilton or IHG points unless it's a dire emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which credit card points transfer to Virgin Atlantic?
Almost all of them! You can transfer points from American Express, Chase, Citi, Capital One, and Bilt Rewards at a 1:1 ratio.
How long does it take to transfer points to Virgin Atlantic?
Transfers from the major banks (Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One, Bilt) are typically instant. You may need to log out and log back in to see the balance update.
What is the best use of Virgin points?
The highest value redemptions are generally ANA First/Business Class to Japan and Delta One Business Class to mainland Europe. Avoid using points for Economy flights to London due to high UK taxes.
Disclaimer: Program terms and transfer ratios can change. Always verify the latest rules directly on your credit card rewards portal.