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.
Introduction to ANA Mileage Club
ANA Mileage Club offers some of the most competitive redemption rates in the industry, particularly for round-trip premium cabin awards to Japan and Asia, making it a favorite for travelers seeking maximum value from their points.
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 transfer bonuses of 15-30% |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 3:1 | 4-7 days | Occasional transfer 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.
Key Program Features
Round-Trip Only Awards
ANA generally requires round-trip bookings, but offers exceptional value for these itineraries.
Round-the-World Awards
Visit up to 8 cities across 3 continents for a fixed price based on total distance.
No Fuel Surcharges on Many Partners
Avoids fuel surcharges on carriers like United, Air Canada, and Avianca, though charges them on others.
Seasonal Award Pricing
Varies award costs based on low, regular, and high seasons for Japan travel.
Star Alliance Awards
Access to all Star Alliance carriers, often at rates significantly lower than other programs.
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 | 50,000-55,000 miles (round-trip) | 75,000-90,000 miles (round-trip) | 150,000-165,000 miles (round-trip) | Exceptional value for premium cabins to Japan |
| US to Europe | 55,000 miles (round-trip) | 88,000 miles (round-trip) | 165,000 miles (round-trip) | Outstanding value on Star Alliance partners |
| US to Asia | 60,000-65,000 miles (round-trip) | 95,000-105,000 miles (round-trip) | 195,000-210,000 miles (round-trip) | Great for destinations like Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam |
| Round-the-World Award | 100,000 miles | 170,000 miles | 300,000 miles | Visit up to 8 cities across different continents |
| Intra-Japan | 5,000-15,000 miles (round-trip) | 10,000-25,000 miles (round-trip) | Not widely available | Excellent for domestic travel within Japan |
Spotlight: ANA Round-the-World Award
ANA's Round-the-World award is one of the best values in points and miles, allowing you to visit up to 8 cities across multiple continents for a fixed price based on total distance flown. At just 170,000 miles in business class, this represents an exceptional value.
Example
- Chicago to Frankfurt (United) → Istanbul (Turkish) → Bangkok (Thai) → Tokyo (ANA) → Chicago (ANA)
- Visit Germany, Turkey, Thailand, and Japan on a single ticket
- Total cost: 170,000 ANA miles + approximately $300-500 in taxes and fees
- Value: Typically $8,000-12,000 if purchased with cash
Best Credit Cards for ANA Mileage Club
These credit cards offer the best opportunities to earn points that can be transferred to ANA Mileage Club.
American Express® Gold Card
American Express
$250
60,000 Membership Rewards points
4X at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000/year), 3X on flights, 1X on other purchases
- Points transfer 1:1 to ANA Mileage Club
- $120 annual dining credit
- $120 annual Uber credit
- No foreign transaction fees
American Express® Platinum Card
American Express
$695
80,000 Membership Rewards points
5X on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel, 5X on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, 1X on other purchases
- Points transfer 1:1 to ANA Mileage Club
- $200 annual airline fee credit
- $200 annual hotel credit
- Comprehensive airport lounge access
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Chase
$95
3 Free Night Awards (up to 50,000 points each)
6X at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3X on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining, 2X on everything else
- Points transfer to ANA at 3:1 ratio
- Free Night Award (up to 35,000 points) every year
- 15 Elite Night Credits annually
- Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status
Advanced Tips & Tricks
Pro Insider Tips
- Book round-trip awards for best value (one-way awards not available on partners)
- Avoid partners with high fuel surcharges like Lufthansa and Austrian
- Use the ANA website's calendar view to find available award space
- Book during low season for best rates to Japan (typically Jan-Feb and Apr-May)
- Look for awards on United, Air Canada, and Avianca to avoid fuel surcharges
- Consider the Round-the-World award for maximum value on extensive trips
- Remember miles expire after 36 months regardless of activity
- ANA miles typically worth 1.5-2.5 cents each, among the highest valuations of any program
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.