ANA Mileage Club Guide (2026): Best Transfer & Award Options
ANA Mileage Club offers some of the best-value international premium cabin awards available, especially for round-trip Japan business class.
ANA Mileage Club Guide
Your complete guide to maximizing credit card transfers and finding exceptional flight redemptions with one of the most valuable airline loyalty programs.
Our Expert Verdict
ANA Mileage Club rewards loyalty and patience. The round-trip Japan business class award at 88,000 miles is one of the best-value premium redemptions in points travel — The Room product regularly ranks among the world's top business class cabins. The program has no fuel surcharges, strong partner availability on Star Alliance, and transfers from Amex. Weaknesses: round-trip requirement limits one-way flexibility, transfer partners are limited versus Chase/Capital One programs, and miles expire after 36 months of inactivity.
ANA Mileage Club: Pros & Cons
Strengths
- 88,000 miles round-trip to Japan in business class is exceptional value
- No fuel surcharges on most ANA and partner awards
- ANA's The Room business class ranks among the world's best
- Strong Star Alliance partner redemption availability
Weaknesses
- Round-trip requirement — no one-way awards on most redemptions
- Limited US credit card transfer partners (mainly Amex)
- Miles expire after 36 months of inactivity
- Availability can be limited on popular dates
Introduction to ANA Mileage Club
ANA Mileage Club offers some of the best-value international premium cabin awards available, especially for round-trip Japan business class. The program charges no fuel surcharges on most awards and has generous partner availability. Transfer from Amex, Chase (via United), or directly from credit cards.
In This Guide:
Credit Card Transfer Partners
ANA Mileage Club has a more limited set of transfer partners than some other programs, but the exceptional value of its award chart more than makes up for this limitation.
| Transfer Partner | Transfer Ratio | Transfer Time | Transfer Bonuses |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Membership Rewards | 1:1 | 2-3 days | Occasional bonuses |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 1:1 | 1-2 days | Occasional bonuses |
Pro Tip: Always check for transfer bonuses before transferring points. A 20% bonus effectively makes your points worth 20% more, significantly increasing your redemption value.
How to Earn Points
Credit Card Transfers
- Transfer from Amex at 1:1 to ANA directly
- Transfer to Virgin Atlantic then onward (complex but sometimes advantageous)
- ANA credit cards in Japan earn miles
Flying ANA
- Earn on ANA and 45+ Star Alliance partners
- ANA's The Room business class is world-class
- Strong partner availability on routes to Japan
For most U.S.-based travelers, credit card transfers represent the fastest and most efficient way to accumulate a substantial balance of points, especially when taking advantage of welcome bonuses and transfer promotions.
Key Program Features
Round-the-World Chart
While point-to-point awards were devalued, the RTW chart remains distance-based. You can still fly around the globe in business class for ~170k miles.
Star Alliance Access
Excellent access to partners, but fuel surcharges are passed on (high on Lufthansa, low on United/Air Canada).
Important Note: ANA Mileage Club miles expire after 36 months regardless of account activity, so be sure to use your miles before they expire.
Sweet Spot Redemptions
ANA Mileage Club offers several exceptional sweet spot redemptions that provide outsized value for your points, particularly for premium cabin travel.
| Route | Economy | Business | First | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US to Japan Round-Trip Business Class | 55,000 miles (round-trip) | 88,000 miles (round-trip) | 150,000 miles (round-trip) | Round-trip requirement; this is still one of best-value Japan premium awards available |
Spotlight: The RTW Survivor
With US-Japan awards now costing ~165k, you might as well book a Round-the-World ticket for roughly the same price.
Example
- Route: LAX -> Tokyo -> Bangkok -> Istanbul -> Frankfurt -> New York
- Carriers: ANA, Thai, Turkish, Lufthansa, United
- Total Distance: ~22,000 miles
- Cost: ~145,000 - 170,000 miles in Business Class (Zone 6/7)
- Comparison: Just LAX-Tokyo RT is now ~165k. RTW is clearly the better deal.
Best ANA Mileage Club Award Opportunities Right Now
Award flights available through ANA Mileage Club with excellent value. These opportunities are updated in real-time.
Loading latest award opportunities...
Advanced Tips & Tricks
Pro Insider Tips
- The 'Waitlist' is a trap—99% of waitlisted awards never clear. Only book confirmed space.
- RTW tickets must be booked over the phone if the itinerary is complex.
- Fuel surcharges on ANA metal can be high ($400+), but lower on United/Air Canada.
- Miles expire strictly after 36 months; transferring too early is risky.
Start Your ANA Mileage Club Journey
With some of the most competitive redemption rates in the industry, particularly for round-trip premium cabin awards, ANA Mileage Club offers exceptional value for travelers planning trips to Japan, across Asia, and even around the world.Whether you're planning a simple trip or a complex multi-destination journey, ANA Mileage Club offers exceptional redemption opportunities.