Why ANA Is Worth Learning
Planning a trip to Japan and hoping to fly in business class without spending thousands in cash? The right miles program can make that possible, though some options come with more restrictions than others. Low award prices paired with a premium onboard product make one program stand out, even if it requires learning a few extra steps. This ANA Mileage Club guide walks through where the value lies and what to expect along the way.
How to Earn ANA Miles
Amex Platinum and Amex Gold cardholders can move Membership Rewards points directly into the program.
The transfer ratio sits at 1:1 with no additional fees from the bank side. Star Alliance partner awards are also bookable once the miles land in your account.
The Round-Trip Rule
Award space must be booked as a round-trip ticket. One-way redemptions are not supported by the program, which removes some flexibility but keeps the pricing straightforward when both directions are available.
This structure rewards travelers who can commit to a full itinerary rather than mixing and matching carriers for each leg.
The Japan Sweet Spot
Business-class round-trip awards to Japan start at 100,000 miles on ANA metal in low season, rising to 105,000 in regular season and 110,000 in high season. Economy starts at 40,000 round-trip and first class at 150,000.
That price genuinely undercuts the alternatives, and the round-trip framing is what makes it easy to miss: American charges 120,000 miles round-trip for the same cabin on a partner award, and United's Japan business rates sit higher still. ANA also puts you on its own metal rather than forcing you onto a partner with heavier surcharges.
Booking Quirks and Expiry
Awards on ANA's own metal are bookable online through My AMC once your miles have landed — no phone call required. Some Star Alliance partner itineraries still need the phone, and availability shifts quickly, so have specific dates ready either way.
The expiry rule is the one that catches people out, and it is the opposite of what most programs do. ANA miles expire 36 months after the month you earned them — a hard clock on each batch. Earning or redeeming does not reset it. Miles earned in January 2026 expire at the end of January 2029 no matter how much you fly in between, so plan the redemption around the oldest batch rather than assuming activity will keep the balance alive. The only exceptions are ANA Diamond and Million Miler members, whose miles do not expire while they hold that status.
One more timing trap: Amex transfers take two to four business days to arrive, and you can only make one transfer per day. Award space you can see today may be gone by the time the miles land, so confirm availability before you transfer, not after.
Bottom-Line Fit
Amex Membership Rewards holders eyeing Japan or Europe round-trips will find the pricing competitive once they accept the round-trip-only rule. The combination of low mile requirements and strong onboard experience makes the program worth the extra planning steps.
Compare current award space against other programs in the dedicated Japan guide before transferring points.
Booked the award flight? Bundle the hotel or a cash positioning flight — Expedia is one of our booking partners — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
The Bottom Line
Ready to see what ANA space looks like for your dates? Pull up the search tool, filter for ANA metal to Tokyo or Osaka, and check both directions together. The round-trip structure rewards locking in the full itinerary when the numbers work.