ANA Mileage Club, which is a transfer partner of Amex Membership Rewards, is one of the most powerful mileage programs available for international awards, with good award prices, a variety of Star Alliance partners, and a generous stopover policy that lets you piece together exotic trips. This guide will help you take advantage of the opportunities a transfer to ANA miles can offer.
Finding Awards
What airlines can you book?
Where to search for award space
How much do awards cost?
Award change and booking fees
When are award seats made available?
Can you waitlist awards and upgrades?
What stopovers and routings are allowed?
What are the best award values?
Upgrades and how much they cost
Alternative miles to book ANA flights
Your Account
Credit cards that earn ANA miles
Hotel points that transfer to ANA miles
Can you book awards for others?
Can you transfer miles?
When do ANA miles expire?
Airlines you can book with ANA and where to find award space
You can use ANA Airways Mileage Club miles to book travel on ANA, Star Alliance members, such as United Airlines, Singapore or Lufthansa, and ANA non-alliance partner airlines, for example, Etihad or Virgin Atlantic. Booking on non-alliance member airlines can be only be done by phone.
Here’s how to book award flights with the ANA website.
Below is a list of airlines you can book with ANA Mileage Club miles and where you can check for award space. Those that aren’t available on one of the websites below can be booked by calling ANA: 800-235-9262.
Region
Airline
Where to check award space
Africa
Egyptair
United.com, Fly-ANA.com, Aeroplan.com
Africa
Ethiopian
United.com, Fly-ANA.com, Aeroplan.com
Africa
South African
United.com, Fly-ANA.com, Aeroplan.com
Africa
Etihad
Etihad.com
Asia
Air China
United.com, Fly-ANA.com, Aeroplan.com
Asia
Air India
United.com, Fly-ANA.com, Aeroplan.com
Asia
Air Macau
Call ANA
Asia
ANA Japan
United.com, Fly-ANA.com, Aeroplan.com
Asia
Asiana
United.com, Fly-ANA.com, Aeroplan.com
Asia
Garuda
FlyingBlue.com
Asia
Jet
Call ANA
Asia
Singapore
Fly-ANA.com, Aeroplan.com
Asia
Shenzhen
Fly-ANA.com, Aeroplan.com
Asia
Thai
United.com, Fly-ANA.com, Aeroplan.com
Asia
Philippine
Call ANA
Europe
Adria
United.com, Fly-ANA.com, Aeroplan.com
Europe
Aegean
United.com, Fly-ANA.com, Aeroplan.com
Europe
Air Dolomiti
Miles-and-more.com
Europe
Austrian
United.com, Fly-ANA.com, Aeroplan.com
Europe
Brussels
United.com, Fly-ANA.com, Aeroplan.com
Europe
Croatia
United.com, ANA.com, Air Canada.com
Europe
Eurowings/Germanwings
Miles-and-more.com
Europe
LOT
United.com, Fly-ANA.com, Aeroplan.com
Europe
Lufthansa
United.com, Fly-ANA.com, Aeroplan.com
Europe
SAS
United.com, Fly-ANA.com, Aeroplan.com
Europe
Swiss
United.com, Fly-ANA.com, Aeroplan.com
Europe
TAP Portugal
United.com, Fly-ANA.com, Aeroplan.com
Europe
Turkish
United.com, Fly-ANA.com, Aeroplan.com
Europe
Virgin Atlantic
Delta.com
Latin America
Avianca
United.com, Fly-ANA.com, Aeroplan.com
Latin America
Copa
United.com, Fly-ANA.com, Aeroplan.com
North America
Air Canada
United.com, Fly-ANA.com, Aeroplan.com
North America
United
United.com, Fly-ANA.com, Aeroplan.com
North America
Virgin America
Call ANA
Hawaii
Hawaiian
HawaiianAirlines.com
Pacific
Air New Zealand
United.com, Fly-ANA.com, Aeroplan.com
Pacific
Virgin Australia
Delta.com
Africa
Egyptair
United.com
How much do awards cost?
ANA has separate prices for awards that involve partner airlines, like United or Lufthansa, or awards that are entirely on ANA’s own flights.
For awards on its own flights, ANA uses seasonal price charts that vary based on the time of year you plan to travel.
One way awards are not available with ANA miles.
Star Alliance partner award chart from / to North America
These prices are for roundtrip awards that include an ANA partner airline like United.
Class
From / To
_
South Korea
(Zone 2)
Asia 1
(Zone 3)
Asia 2
(Zone 4)
Hawaii
(Zone 5)
North America
(Zone 6)
Europe
(Zone 7)
Africa, Middle East
(Zone 8)
South, Latin America
(Zone 9)
Oceania, Micronesia
(Zone 10)
Economy
60,000
60,000
80,000
40,000
30,000
55,000
65,000
55,000
75,000
Business
95,000
95,000
136,000
68,000
55,000
88,000
104,000
88,000
120,000
First
180,000
180,000
240,000
120,000
90,000
165,000
195,000
165,000
225,000
You can see partner prices for travel from other regions here.
ANA scrapped fuel surcharges on April 1 for its own flights, but it still adds them to most other carriers. Some of them are reasonably small, less than $100 per segment, like Asiana and LOT, while others are quite draconian and can reach $400-500, like Lufthansa. If you want to save money on fuel surcharges, use the airlines that don’t impose them.
There shouldn’t be1 any surcharges for ANA, United, Air Canada, Air China, and Air New Zealand.
Surcharges on LOT, Asiana, and, to some degree, Turkish are moderate.
You won’t pay more for fuel surcharges in first or business class, than in economy.
Intra-Europe and intra-Asia fuel surcharges can be reasonably low.
1While simple round-trip ANA itineraries are usually priced correctly without fuel surcharges, some more complex itineraries may still show some erroneous fuel surcharges. You will need to take it up with a representative and see if she can clear it up.
ANA award chart from / to North America
These prices are for roundtrip awards that are entirely on ANA flights.
Economy Class
Approx
Tax/Fees
Low
Regular
High
Japan
$90
40K
50K
55K
Asia 1/ Korea
China
$470
45K
55K
60K
Hong Kong
$150
45K
55K
60K
Korea
$450
45K
55K
60K
Phillippines
$400
45K
55K
60K
Taiwan
$200
45K
55K
60K
Asia 2
India
$550
55K
65K
70K
Indonesia
$150
55K
65K
70K
Malaysia
$250
55K
65K
70K
Myanmar
$440
55K
65K
70K
Singapore
$500
55K
65K
70K
Thailand
$500
55K
65K
70K
Vietnam
$150
55K
65K
70K
Oceania
Australia
$900
60K
70K
75K
Business Class
Approx
Tax/Fees
Low
Regular
High
Japan
$90
75K
85K
90K
Asia 1/ Korea
China
$470
80K
90K
95K
Hong Kong
$150
80K
90K
95K
Korea
$450
80K
90K
95K
Phillippines
$400
80K
90K
95K
Taiwan
$200
80K
90K
95K
Asia 2
India
$550
100K
110K
115K
Indonesia
$150
100K
110K
115K
Malaysia
$250
100K
110K
115K
Myanmar
$440
100K
110K
115K
Singapore
$500
100K
110K
115K
Thailand
$500
100K
110K
115K
Vietnam
$150
100K
110K
115K
Oceania
Australia
$900
105K
115K
120K
First Class
Approx
Tax/Fees
Low
Regular
High
Japan
$90
150K
150K
165K
Asia 1/ Korea
China
$470
165K
165K
180K
Hong Kong
$150
165K
165K
180K
Korea
$450
165K
165K
180K
Phillippines
$400
165K
165K
180K
Taiwan
$200
165K
165K
180K
Asia 2
India
$550
195K
195K
210K
Indonesia
$150
195K
195K
210K
Malaysia
$250
195K
195K
210K
Myanmar
$440
195K
195K
210K
Singapore
$500
195K
195K
210K
Thailand
$500
195K
195K
210K
Vietnam
$150
195K
195K
210K
Oceania
Australia
$900
210K
210K
225K
You can find award charts for ANA flights from other regions here.
What does Low / Regular / High mean?
ANA charges different award prices depending on the date you fly for its own flights. Most dates fall under the ‘Regular’ price list, while most of January, February, and April fall under the ‘Low’ price, while much of August, two weeks in late April / early May, and the Winter holidays fall under the ‘High’ price.
What are ANA award zones?
Japan
(Zone 1-A, 1-B)
Japan
South Korea
(Zone 2)
South Korea
Asia 1
(Zone 3)
China, Guam, Hong Kong, Macau, Philippine, Taiwan
Asia 2
(Zone 4)
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, British Indian Ocean Territory, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam
Hawaii
(Zone 5)
Hawaii
North America
(Zone 6)
Alaska, Canada, Mexico, The United States of America
Europe
(Zone 7)
Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal (including Azores and Madeira), Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain (including Canary Islands), Svalbard and Jan Mayen Island, Sweden, Switzerland, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vatican City
Africa, Middle East
(Zone 8)
Angola, Bahrain, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo (Brazzaville), Comoros, Congo(Kinshasa), Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya , Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Republic of Yemen, Reunion, Rwanda, Sao Tomeand Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Togo, Uganda, United Arab Emirates (composed of Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras El Khaimah, Sharjah, Umm Al Qaiwain), United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
South, Latin America
(Zone 9)
Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Bonaire/Saint Eustatius/Saba, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Maarten, Suriname, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Torinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uruguay, US Virgin Islands, Venezuela
Oceania, Micronesia
(Zone 10)
American Samoa, Australia, Canton (Phoenix Island), Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Gilbert Islands, Johnston Island, Kiribati, Mariana Island (except Guam), Marshall Island, Micronesia/Caroline Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, US Minor Outlying Islands, Vanuatu, Wake Island, Wallis and Futsuna Island
What are award change and booking fees?
Close-in booking fee: None
Change date: $1-2 in tax
Change airlines: Not allowed (you need to cancel and redeposit instead)
Change origin / destination cities: Not allowed (you need to cancel and redeposit instead)
Any changes in routing or class of service: Not allowed (you need to cancel and redeposit instead)
Cancel and redeposit miles: 3,000 miles
Phone booking fee: $25
Tip: While no changes other than dates/times are allowed, it’s only 3,000 miles to cancel an award flight. An agent might allow you to book the new itinerary before canceling the old one, provided you have enough miles in your account.
When are award seats made available?
ANA allows awards to be booked from 355 days to 96 hours before departure.
Waitlists
A waitlist on awards that use ANA flights is available, but clearance is far from guaranteed, especially during summer and popular holidays, such as Golden Week.
What stopovers and routing are allowed?
A single stopover and up to two open jaws are allowed on awards, and you’re allowed to include two regions in your journey, so for example you could stop over in Asia on the way to Australia. Up to 8 stopovers are permitted for around-the-world itineraries.
Routing is generally pretty generous, letting you book a trip that lets you touch two regions, but there are quirks advanced users should be aware of.
These are the basics of what you can’t do.
- You can’t fly from North America to South America via Europe or Japan (a very, very long route like New York to Rio via Paris)
- You can’t fly from the Americas to Asia via Europe, as well as Africa, or the Middle East. (this is a frustrating one, since United MileagePlus, for example, lets you fly from the Americas to Asia via Europe)
- You can’t fly from Europe to Asia via Hawaii.
On the flip side, what you can do allows you to fly some very creative routings from North America.
- You can fly to anywhere in Asia via Australia, Oceania, or New Zealand, making for an epic trip when you use a stopover.
- You can fly to Australia, Oceania, or New Zealand via Asia, a riff on the above for a stopover.
- You can fly to Asia via Hawaii, getting a free visit to Hawaii in the process.
- You can fly to Africa or the Middle East via Europe.
- You can fly to Europe via Africa or the Middle East.
Tip: An around-the-world award ticket is a fantastic deal featuring the old ANA chart. You must fly in the same direction, cross the Pacific and the Atlantic and you can’t retrace, but you’re free to visit from 2 to 8 places for very low mileage costs.
Can you hold an award seat?
No.
Unfortunately ANA won’t hold award space, which is a challenge because transfers from Amex Membership Rewards to ANA can take 2 – 4 business days.
What are the best award values?
ANA has some great sweet spots.
North America to Japan can be as cheap as 40,000 miles in economy and 75,000 miles in business per round trip. First Class is reasonable accessible as low as 150,000 miles roundtrip.
North America to Oceania (which includes Australia and New Zealand) in business class costs just 120,000 miles round trip, and you can route via Asia, which often has better award availability.
North America to Europe and southern South America for 88,000 miles roundtrip in business class – the closest U.S. contenders, AA and UA are 27,000 miles more. You can fly United Airlines and pay no fuel surcharges.
A flight in an Etihad First Apartment between North America and the Middle East/Africa can be had for 208,000 miles.
Can you upgrade with miles?
You can upgrade ANA flights and Star Alliance flights with miles, but not the flights on ANA non-alliance partners. The fare codes eligible for upgrades of ANA flights originated outside of Japan include: Y/E/B/M/U/H. ANA has the following upgrade charts:
ANA flights
The distance of 1 sector (one way)
(Basic segment mileage *1)
Economy Class →
Business Class
Business Class →
First Class
0-2,000
12,000
20,000
2,001-3,500
18,000
30,000
3,501-4,500
20,000
35,000
4,501-5,500
25,000
40,000
5,501-7,000
28,000
45,000
Star Alliance flights
Distance of 1 sector
(one-way)
(Basic mileage)
Economy Class →
Business Class
(1 segment)
Business Class →
First Class
(1 segment)
0-2,000
12,000
20,000
2,001-2,500
18,000
30,000
2,501-3,000
22,000
35,000
3,001-3,500
24,000
40,000
3,501-4,000
26,000
45,000
4,001-4,500
28,000
45,000
4,501-5,000
30,000
50,000
5,001-5,500
32,000
50,000
5,501-7,000
34,000
50,000
7,001-9,000
36,000
55,000
9,001-10,000
38,000
55,000
10,001 or more
40,000
60,000
What does an upgrade cost?
There are no fees or surcharges for an upgrade.
Alternative miles to book ANA flights
If you don’t have Mileage Club miles, there are plenty of ways to book ANA flights. You can use programs like Air Canada Aeroplan, United MileagePlus or even Etihad Guest among others. Unfortunately, none of these programs offer award prices as attractive as ANA’s, but unlike ANA they allow one-way awards.
What hotel points can you transfer from?
Starwood Preferred Guest permits point transfers to Mileage Club at a ratio of 1:1. There is a 5,000 mile bonus for every 20,000 points you transfer.
IHG Rewards transfers points at a rate of 10,000 points to 2,000 miles.
Hyatt’s Gold Passport rate is 2,5 points to 1 mile. If 50,000 points are converted in 20,000 miles, you’ll get a bonus of 5,000 additional miles.
Hilton’s HHonors program exchanges points to miles at a 10:1, with a minimum exchange of 10,000 points.
Shangri-La Golden Circle transfers points at a rate of 1:1 in 500 points increments with a 500-points bonus for every 2,500 transfer.
What credit cards earn ANA miles?
There is a US-based ANA credit card, but it doesn’t provide the cardholder with any sensible benefits.
Since ANA is an American Express transfer partner, you can transfer points from American Express Membership Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest. Transfers from Amex Membership Rewards typically take 2 – 4 business days.
Can you book awards for others?
Yes. While ANA rules state that you can book only for an immediate family member, they have a generous definition of family that includes in-laws. You don’t normally have to provide any proof of kinship, although ANA reserves the right to request it. You can add up to 10 family members and you can complete the registration on the ANA website or during the booking call.
Can you transfer miles?
You are not allowed to transfer, gift or buy Mileage Club miles.
You can, however, transfer points from Amex Membership Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest anytime. Transfers from Amex take 2 – 4 business days.
Do ANA miles expire?
Miles will expire after three years regardless of activity except for Diamond members.