Transfer Virgin Atlantic miles to Hilton HHonor Points at 1:2 ratio

Personal Finance >>

After our urgent family visit during last July which I redeemed four nights of hotel stays stays with 100,000 Hilton HHonor points, my "vacation currency" has been short of Hilton Hotel points for future vacations.  Hilton hotels are not everywhere, such as Yosemite Park, yet are available in many nice places such as California Napa Valley.  For example, 100,000 Hilton HHonor points can redeem for two nights stay about $700 including tax and fee during Napa peak seasons.

Napa Hilton Garden Inn, top #4 in hotel list in Napa, per TripAdvisor

My options are:

• United miles.  As United miles are valuable to redeem international flight tickets, I have been accumulating miles for two future international business-class flight tickets for both Isa and me, so I would not use United miles to redeem any Hilton hotel stays.
• Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) points. SPG points are handy to be used to top off miles for frequent flyer programs such as Singapore Airline and American Airline to redeem international flights. And I already transferred all my SPG points to Isa's account (free transfer between spouses), as she likes Sheraton hotel stays.
• Transfer Virgin Atlantic miles 2x to Hilton. Considering I will not be flying Virgin Atlantic flight in the next 12 months, and is not convinced to pay the high surcharge fee, this option makes sense.

How to transfer Virgin Atlantic miles to Hilton HHonor points?

• Called 800-821-5438 with my Virgin Atlantic Flying Club membership number.
• Verify with the VA representative that transfer to Hilton HHonor points is still 1:2 ratio
• Minimum transfer is 10,000 Virgin-Atlantic miles with increments of 5000
• After about 1 week, my Hilton account received 100,000 Hilton HHonor points

Requested transfer at July 25, 2013

Received Hilton points at Aug 2, 2013

How to earn 50,000 Virgin Atlantic miles?

Easiest way is to apply Virgin Atlantic credit card promotion link with $90 annual fee (non-waive-able), and $2,500 spending in 3 months or $833 per month.  Virgin Atlantic miles expires after 36 months of inactivity.