Amex transfer partner
How to Transfer Amex Points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (2026 Guide)
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is the quiet powerhouse of the Amex transfer chart: a 1:1, instant transfer that opens the door to ANA's First Class suites and Delta One business class.
By the Point Finder team · Updated 2026-07-17 · Ratios and transfer times verified against issuer transfer pages
- Ratio
- 1:1
- Transfer speed
- Instant
- Alliance
- SkyTeam
- Type
- Airline
The short version
Amex Membership Rewards points transfer to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club at 1:1, instant. Delta One is unlocked via Virgin's SkyTeam partnership; ANA First is unlocked via a separate bilateral Virgin-ANA agreement outside of SkyTeam.
Why Virgin Atlantic Is a Transfer Partner Worth Tracking
Virgin Atlantic joined SkyTeam on March 2, 2023, giving access to SkyTeam carriers like Delta and Air France-KLM. ANA (Star Alliance) is reachable through a separate, independent bilateral partnership with Virgin.
The transfer moves Membership Rewards points to Flying Club at 1:1, instantly. Eligible cards include Platinum, Gold, Green, Business Platinum, Business Gold, Business Green, and Blue Business Plus — any card earning transferable Membership Rewards points.
The Virgin Atlantic Website Problem — and the Workaround
Virginatlantic.com is notoriously unreliable at surfacing partner award space. Search directly on the operating carrier's site — ANA's own site or Delta.com — to confirm availability, then call Virgin Atlantic Flying Club to have an agent price and ticket it.
Fuel Surcharges: Where Virgin Points Get Expensive Fast
Virgin's own metal (Upper Class) can carry several hundred dollars in surcharges. Virgin prices Delta One using three separate charts — US-UK, US-Europe excluding UK, and everything else — and as of mid-2026, surcharges run punishingly high across all three; the US-UK chart isn't meaningfully cheaper than the other two.
ANA First awards via Virgin points now carry roughly $450 in taxes/fees/fuel surcharges one-way — modest compared to Delta One, but not negligible. It's the point cost, not the surcharge, that makes ANA First a standout use of Virgin points.
Sweet spots worth booking
| Route | Cabin | Points |
|---|---|---|
| US-Japan (ANA) | First | 72,500 points one-way from the West Coast/Canada, 85,000 from Central/Eastern USThe headline redemption for Virgin points. |
| Hawaii-Japan (ANA) | First | Around 57,500 points one-wayA shorter, often easier-to-find alternative. |
| US-Japan (ANA) | Business | 52,500 points one-way from the West Coast/Canada, 60,000 from Central/Eastern USA solid backup when First saver space isn't open. |
| US-UK (Delta One) | Business | Priced on Virgin's dedicated US-UK Delta One chartAs of mid-2026, surcharges are punishingly high across all three of Virgin's regional Delta One charts (US-UK, US-Europe excluding UK, and everything else) — not meaningfully lower on the US-UK chart specifically. |
How to transfer Amex points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- 1Confirm your Amex card is eligible: Platinum, Gold, Green, Business Platinum, Business Gold, Business Green, or Blue Business Plus — any card earning transferable Membership Rewards points.
- 2Create a free Virgin Atlantic Flying Club account.
- 3Search ANA's site or Delta.com for real award availability — don't rely on virginatlantic.com.
- 4Transfer points at 1:1 once you've found availability — instant.
- 5Call Virgin Atlantic Flying Club with the exact flights, dates, and cabin.
- 6Confirm taxes and fees before finalizing, especially for Delta One or Upper Class.
Tips before you transfer
- •Search ANA's own site for real-time First Class saver availability, then call Virgin to book.
- •Don't transfer points speculatively.
- •Check which of Virgin's three Delta One award charts applies before valuing the redemption.
- •Build flexibility into travel dates for ANA First Class.
- •Membership Rewards points don't expire as long as the account stays open, so no rush to transfer.
Frequently asked questions
What's the transfer ratio and how long does it take?
1:1, instant.
Which Amex cards can transfer to Virgin Atlantic?
Platinum, Gold, Green, Business Platinum, Business Gold, Business Green, and Blue Business Plus — any card earning transferable Membership Rewards points.
Why use Virgin Atlantic points instead of Delta or ANA directly?
Virgin's charts can price out lower than booking through Delta or ANA directly, especially for ANA First Class.
Can I book ANA or Delta One awards on Virgin's website?
No — for both ANA and Delta One awards, virginatlantic.com is unreliable at surfacing partner award space. Search the operating carrier's own site (ANA's or Delta.com) to confirm availability, then call Virgin Atlantic Flying Club to have an agent price and ticket it.
Are there fuel surcharges on Virgin Atlantic partner awards?
Yes — ANA First now carries roughly $450 in taxes/fees/surcharges one-way (modest but not negligible); Delta One on some of Virgin's charts can carry surcharges exceeding $1,000 one-way.
Related transfer guides
Transfer to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club from another card:
Want deals that already use these transfer partners?
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