I Just Transferred 80,000 Amex Points Into 216,000 Hilton Points- Maldives Here I Come?

I just decided to take advantage of the Membership Rewards 35% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic (which expired tonight!) by transferring 80,000 Amex points into 108,000 Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles, which posted instantly.

Virgin Atlantic allows you to transfer miles into Hilton points at a generous 1:2 ratio, but you have to call them to get it done.

Number: 1-800-365-9500
Hours : 08.30am - 11:00pm seven days a week (assuming Eastern time)

Hit option 4 and then 1. I had to wait about 15 minutes so it may be better to call during regular business hours when there are more phone reps staffed.

From what I've read transfers can take a couple weeks, so I would not recommend waiting until the last minute to transfer. You can book Hilton standard rooms and then switch them to points stays once the points hit your account. Hilton phone reps may say that it isn't guaranteed, but I've done that in the past with no issues.

Please comment below if you've had any Virgin Atlantic to Hilton transfers and how long it has taken to hit your account. As mentioned the 35% Amex transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic ends tonight, but sometimes Amex keeps the transfer bonus active longer, which may happen since tomorrow is a Sunday, but I wouldn't bank on it!

I just got Hilton Diamond status from my Citi Hilton Reserve card (plus two free weekend nights), so I look forward to using my Hilton points and newly achieved status in 2013! I'm thinking a Conrad Maldives (from 37,500 points a night and free breakfast, wine, fruit and happy hour for Diamond members) trip may be in my future!

While Amex points aren't generally great for hotel stays, I think 13,888 Amex points for a $625 room in the Maldives is a pretty great deal- even if it isn't an over-water bungalow. Has anyone had any recent experiences at this property?
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