
ANA Mileage Club miles unlock some of the best premium cabin redemptions available to U.S.-based travelers—but only if you know how to get those miles into your account efficiently. Understanding ANA Mileage Club Transfer Partners is essential for anyone looking to book Star Alliance Business and First Class awards without overpaying in points or falling into common transfer traps.
Unlike programs such as United MileagePlus or American AAdvantage, ANA Mileage Club doesn’t partner with all five major U.S. transferable points currencies. This limitation means strategic planning matters even more. The good news: the transfer partner ANA does accept straightforward ratios, reasonable processing times, and access to one of the most valuable award charts in the industry—especially for long-haul premium cabin flights.
This guide covers everything you need to know about transferring points to ANA Mileage Club: which credit card programs work, exact transfer ratios and timelines, the best redemption sweet spots that justify the transfer, and critical pitfalls that can cost you thousands of points if you’re not careful.
Key Takeaways
- American Express Membership Rewards transfers to ANA at 1:1 in 1,000-point increments, typically processing within 1-4 days—the primary transfer route for U.S. travelers.
- Marriott Bonvoy transfers at 3:1 with a 5,000-mile bonus when transferring 60,000 points (yielding 25,000 ANA miles total), though hotel points generally offer better value elsewhere.
- ANA miles are non-refundable once transferred and cannot be moved back to credit card programs—confirm award availability before initiating any transfer.
- Star Alliance partnership provides access to 25+ airlines, including United, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines, with competitive award pricing for premium cabins.
- No direct transfers from Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One, Citi ThankYou, or Bilt Rewards—alternative routing strategies exist but add complexity.
Overview of ANA Mileage Club

ANA Mileage Club (AMC) serves as the loyalty program for All Nippon Airways, Japan’s largest airline and a founding member of Star Alliance. The program stands out among frequent flyer programs for maintaining a distance-based award chart with fixed pricing—a rarity in 2026 as most competitors have shifted to dynamic pricing models.
For points-and-miles travelers, ANA Mileage Club offers several compelling advantages:
Fixed award pricing: Redemption rates don’t fluctuate based on demand or cash ticket prices, making it possible to plan transfers in advance with confidence.
Generous routing rules: Round-trip awards allow one stopover and two open jaws, enabling complex itineraries at no additional cost.
Competitive premium cabin rates: Business and First Class awards on partner airlines often price 20-40% lower than equivalent redemptions through U.S. programs.
Access to hard-to-book inventory: ANA can access partner award space that doesn’t always appear through the operating airline’s own program, particularly on Lufthansa first class and Singapore Airlines Suites.
The program does carry tradeoffs. ANA miles expire after three years of account inactivity (no earning or redeeming activity). Award changes and cancellations incur fees ranging from 3,000 to 6,000 miles, depending on timing. Most significantly for U.S. travelers, the limited transfer partner options mean you’ll need specific credit cards to access the program efficiently.
ANA Mileage Club Transfer Partners by Credit Card Program
Understanding which transferable points currencies the ANA Mileage Club accepts determines whether this program fits your points-earning strategy.
Complete Transfer Partner Table
| Credit Card Program | Transfer Ratio | Typical Transfer Time | Minimum / Increment | Direct Transfer Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Membership Rewards | 1:1 | 1-4 days | 1,000 points | ✅ Yes |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 3:1 (bonus: 5,000 miles per 60,000 points) | 1-3 days | 3,000 points | ✅ Yes |
| Chase Ultimate Rewards | N/A | N/A | N/A | ❌ No |
| Capital One Miles | N/A | N/A | N/A | ❌ No |
| Citi ThankYou Rewards | N/A | N/A | N/A | ❌ No |
| Bilt Rewards | N/A | N/A | N/A | ❌ No |
American Express Membership Rewards
American Express Membership Rewards represents the primary and most valuable path for U.S.-based travelers to access ANA Mileage Club.
Transfer ratio: 1:1 (1,000 Amex points = 1,000 ANA miles)
Minimum transfer: 1,000 points
Transfer increment: 1,000 points
Typical processing time: 1-4 days (most transfers complete within 24-48 hours)
Transfer fees: None
The 1:1 ratio preserves full value, and the relatively quick transfer time allows for speculative availability searches before committing points. Transfers are irreversible once initiated, so always confirm that award space exists before transferring.
Amex occasionally offers transfer bonuses to various airline partners, though ANA has not been included in recent promotions as of early 2026. Even without bonuses, the combination of 1:1 transfers and ANA’s competitive award pricing makes this partnership valuable for premium cabin redemptions.
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy points can be transferred to ANA Mileage Club, though the economics rarely favor this route compared to using hotel points for hotel stays or transferring to other airline partners.
Transfer ratio: 3:1 (3,000 Marriott points = 1,000 ANA miles)
Transfer bonus: 5,000 bonus miles when transferring 60,000 Marriott points in a single transaction (60,000 points yield 25,000 ANA miles total)
Minimum transfer: 3,000 Marriott points
Transfer increment: 3,000 points
Typical processing time: 1-3 days
Transfer fees: None
The 3:1 base ratio means you’re getting approximately 0.33 ANA miles per Marriott point. The bonus structure improves this slightly: transferring 60,000 Marriott points yields 25,000 ANA miles (effectively 2.4:1 for that transaction).
When this makes sense: If you have a large Marriott Bonvoy balance, no immediate hotel redemption plans, and a specific high-value ANA redemption target (such as ANA first class to Japan or Lufthansa first class to Europe), the transfer can work. Calculate the cents per point (CPP) value for your specific redemption before pulling the trigger.
When to avoid: For most travelers, Marriott points deliver better value when redeemed for hotel stays (aiming for 0.7-0.9 cents per point or higher) or transferred to airline partners with better transfer ratios. The 3:1 base ratio effectively devalues your Marriott points significantly.
Programs Without Direct Transfers
Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One Miles, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Bilt Rewards do not offer direct transfers to ANA Mileage Club.
Workaround options (not recommended for most situations):
- Transfer to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: Virgin Atlantic partners with ANA for award redemptions on ANA-operated flights. However, Virgin Atlantic’s award chart prices ANA flights higher than booking through ANA Mileage Club itself, and you lose access to Star Alliance partners. Chase, Capital One, Citi, and Bilt all transfer to Virgin Atlantic, but this route only makes sense for specific ANA-operated flights when you cannot access Amex points.
- Book through Star Alliance partners: Transfer Chase points to United MileagePlus or transfer Citi/Capital One/Bilt points to other Star Alliance programs to book the same partner flights ANA can access. Award pricing will differ (often higher), and you won’t benefit from ANA’s generous routing rules or lower premium cabin rates.
- Use portal redemptions: Some programs allow you to book ANA flights through their travel portals at fixed redemption rates. This typically delivers poor value (0.5-1.0 cents per point) compared to transferring to the right airline partner.
Bottom line: If ANA Mileage Club redemptions are a priority for your travel goals, focus your points earning on American Express Membership Rewards cards. The lack of direct transfer options from other major U.S. currencies represents a significant limitation of the program.
Best Uses and Sweet Spots for ANA Miles
ANA Mileage Club shines for specific redemption categories where the combination of fixed pricing, partner access, and routing flexibility creates outsized value. Understanding these sweet spots helps you determine whether transferring points to ANA makes sense for your travel plans.
Premium Cabin Flights to/from Japan
Round-trip business class (U.S. to Japan): 75,000-88,000 miles depending on origin region
Round-trip first class (U.S. to Japan): 120,000-150,000 miles depending on origin region
ANA operates its own flights between major U.S. gateways and Japanese cities with excellent Business Class (The Room) and First Class products. Award availability on ANA metal tends to be reasonable when booking 2-4 months in advance, particularly outside peak travel periods.
Value proposition: Business class tickets on this route typically cost $4,000-6,000, delivering 5-8 cents per point (CPP) value. First class tickets can exceed $10,000-15,000, though availability is limited.
Booking strategy: Search ANA’s own website for availability on ANA-operated flights. If booking with a partner airline like United, confirm the specific aircraft and product before transferring points.
Star Alliance Partner Business Class (Long-Haul)
Round-trip business class (U.S. to Europe): 88,000 miles
Round-trip business class (U.S. to Asia via partners): 90,000-110,000 miles
Round-trip business class (U.S. to South Pacific): 85,000-95,000 miles
ANA’s distance-based chart prices long-haul business class awards competitively compared to booking through the operating carrier’s program. You can mix and match Star Alliance partners on the same award ticket.
Example redemption: Los Angeles to Frankfurt on United, return on Lufthansa business class = 88,000 ANA miles total. The same redemption through United MileagePlus would cost 140,000+ miles (70,000 each way) due to United’s dynamic pricing.
Value calculation: Business Class tickets on these routes range from $3,000 to $ 6,000, delivering 3.4-6.8 CPP depending on the specific routing and cash price.
Lufthansa First Class (The Holy Grail)
Round-trip first class (U.S. to Europe): 110,000-132,000 miles depending on distance
Lufthansa first class represents one of the most sought-after premium cabin experiences, and ANA Mileage Club offers one of the best ways to book it. Lufthansa rarely releases First Class award space to its own Miles & More program members below Senator status, but consistently releases space to ANA.
Availability window: Lufthansa releases First Class award space to partners approximately 14-15 days before departure. This requires flexibility and quick action, but the value proposition is exceptional.
Value proposition: Lufthansa First Class tickets can cost $10,000-20,000, delivering 7.5-18 CPP for a 110,000-132,000-mile redemption.
Booking note: You must call ANA to book Lufthansa first class; it doesn’t appear on ANA’s website search. Have specific flights and dates ready before calling.
Singapore Airlines Business Class
Round-trip business class (U.S. West Coast to Asia via Singapore): 110,000-120,000 miles
Singapore Airlines operates one of the world’s best business class products, and ANA provides access to this inventory at competitive rates. Availability tends to be better on Singapore’s own flights compared to booking through Singapore KrisFlyer.
Value proposition: Singapore business class tickets often exceed $5,000-7,000, delivering 4.2-6.4 CPP value.
Round-the-World Itineraries
ANA’s routing rules allow one stopover and two open jaws on a round-trip award. This enables complex itineraries that visit multiple continents at the same mileage cost as a simple round-trip.
Example: Los Angeles to Tokyo (stopover) to Bangkok, return from Singapore to Seoul (stopover) to Los Angeles = 90,000 miles in business class (priced as LAX-Southeast Asia round-trip).
This type of routing would cost significantly more through most other programs or require booking separate one-way awards.
When ANA Miles Don’t Make Sense
Short-haul economy awards: ANA prices economy awards relatively high compared to alternatives. Use Chase Ultimate Rewards transferred to United or Southwest for domestic and short-haul economy flights.
Last-minute bookings without availability: If you can’t find award space, transferring speculatively, hoping space will open up is risky. ANA’s change fees (3,000-6,000 miles) add cost if you need to modify.
Routes with high surcharges: Some partner airlines (British Airways, Lufthansa) add significant fuel surcharges to award tickets on certain routes. Calculate total out-of-pocket costs before committing.
Fees, Surcharges, and Critical Pitfalls
Understanding the cost structure beyond the mileage requirement prevents expensive surprises and helps you calculate true redemption value.
Carrier-Imposed Surcharges
ANA passes through carrier-imposed surcharges (fuel surcharges and other fees) charged by partner airlines. The amount varies significantly by carrier:
Low/no surcharges: United Airlines, ANA, Air Canada, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines (from U.S. origins)
Moderate surcharges: Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian ($150-400 per round-trip)
High surcharges: British Airways, Brussels Airlines (can exceed $500-800 per round-trip)
Critical point: Always check the total cash portion required when searching for awards. An 88,000-mile Business Class redemption with $600 in surcharges delivers lower value than a 110,000-mile redemption with $100 in fees.
Award Change and Cancellation Fees
ANA charges fees for modifying or canceling award tickets:
Changes made 96+ hours before departure: 3,000 miles per ticket
Changes made within 96 hours of departure: 6,000 miles per ticket
Cancellations made 96+ hours before departure: 3,000 miles per ticket (miles redeposit to account)
Cancellations made within 96 hours: 6,000 miles per ticket
No-show: Miles are forfeited; no redeposit
These fees apply per ticket, not per passenger. If you’re booking for two passengers and need to cancel, you’ll pay 6,000 miles total (3,000 per ticket) if you cancel more than 96 hours before departure.
Booking strategy: Confirm your travel dates and passenger details before booking. The 3,000-6,000 mile fees add meaningful cost to speculative bookings.
Transfer Irreversibility
Once you transfer points from American Express or Marriott to ANA Mileage Club, the transfer is permanent and cannot be reversed. This differs from some programs where customer service may reverse recent transfers in limited circumstances.
Best practice: Always search for award availability and confirm the exact flights you want before initiating any transfer. Use ANA’s website to verify that space is available, noting the specific flight numbers and dates. Only then transfer the exact number of miles needed.
Account Inactivity Expiration
ANA miles expire after 36 months of account inactivity. Activity includes earning or redeeming miles through any method—flights, credit card spending on ANA co-brand cards, partner transactions, or award bookings.
For U.S.-based travelers: If you’re not flying ANA or Star Alliance partners regularly, your miles could expire. Transferring points from Amex resets the activity clock, but this requires maintaining an Amex account and having transferable points available.
Prevention strategy: Make a small redemption (such as a short-haul economy award) every 2-3 years to reset the expiration clock, or maintain regular earning activity through partner transactions.
Married Segment Logic
Some partner airlines (particularly Lufthansa) use married segment logic, which makes certain award space available only when booked as part of a longer itinerary. This can create situations where you see availability for a connecting flight but cannot book it as a standalone segment.
Example: Frankfurt to Munich might show availability in business class when searched as part of Los Angeles to Munich, but not when searched as a standalone Frankfurt-Munich segment.
Workaround: Book the full itinerary even if you only need the connecting segment, though this wastes miles. Alternatively, search for flights that don’t rely on married segments.
Close-In Booking Restrictions
Unlike some programs that charge close-in booking fees, ANA doesn’t charge fees for bookings made within 14 days of departure. However, award availability often decreases significantly in the final two weeks before departure as airlines hold seats for revenue passengers.
Planning timeline: Start searching 10-12 months out for peak travel periods (summer to Europe/Asia, holiday periods to Japan). Book 2-4 months out for shoulder season travel when availability is more consistent.
Family Account Pooling Restrictions
ANA offers a Family Account Service that allows you to pool miles among up to 8 family members (including yourself). This can be valuable for combining smaller balances to reach award thresholds.
Eligibility: Only available to immediate family members (spouse, children, parents, siblings, in-laws) living outside Japan
Cost: No fee to establish or maintain
Restrictions: All family members must be registered before pooling miles. You cannot add members to the account after it is established without contacting customer service.
Use case: If you and your spouse both earn Amex points, you can transfer to separate ANA accounts, then pool miles through the Family Account Service to book a single award requiring more miles than either account holds individually.
How to Transfer Points to ANA Mileage Club

The transfer process differs slightly depending on which credit card program you’re using. Follow these step-by-step instructions to move points efficiently and avoid common errors.
Transferring American Express Membership Rewards
Step 1: Confirm your ANA Mileage Club account number. Log into your ANA account and locate your 10-digit membership number (found in account settings or on your digital membership card).
Step 2: Log into your American Express account at americanexpress.com.
Step 3: Navigate to the Membership Rewards section (typically under “Account Services” or directly via the Membership Rewards tab).
Step 4: Select “Transfer Points” and choose “ANA Mileage Club” from the list of airline partners.
Step 5: Enter your ANA Mileage Club membership number exactly as it appears in your ANA account. Double-check for accuracy—incorrect numbers will cause transfer failures or delays.
Step 6: Enter the number of points to transfer in 1,000-point increments. The system will show the equivalent ANA miles (at a 1:1 ratio).
Step 7: Review the transfer details and confirm. Amex will display a confirmation screen showing that the transfer request has been submitted.
Step 8: Wait 1-4 days for the transfer to complete. Check your ANA Mileage Club account to confirm miles have posted before booking awards.
Common mistake: Transferring before confirming award availability. Always search ANA’s website first and verify that the exact flights you want are bookable before initiating the transfer.
Transferring Marriott Bonvoy Points
Step 1: Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account at marriott.com.
Step 2: Navigate to “Use Points” and select “Transfer to Airlines.”
Step 3: Choose “ANA Mileage Club” from the list of airline partners.
Step 4: Enter your ANA Mileage Club membership number.
Step 5: Select the number of points to transfer in increments of 3,000. The system will calculate the equivalent ANA miles (3:1 ratio) and automatically add the 5,000-mile bonus if transferring 60,000 points.
Step 6: Review and confirm the transfer.
Step 7: Wait 1-3 days for miles to post to your ANA account.
Strategy note: If you’re close to the 60,000-point threshold, consider waiting to accumulate enough points to receive the 5,000-mile bonus. The bonus effectively improves your transfer ratio from 3:1 to 2.4:1 for that transaction.
Verification and Troubleshooting
After initiating a transfer, monitor both your credit card account and ANA Mileage Club account:
Credit card side: Points should be deducted from your balance immediately or within 24 hours.
ANA side: Miles typically post within 1-4 days for Amex, 1-3 days for Marriott.
If miles don’t appear after 5 business days:
- Verify the ANA membership number you entered matches your account exactly
- Check that your ANA account is active (log in successfully)
- Contact the credit card program’s customer service (not ANA) to inquire about transfer status
- Have your transfer confirmation number ready when calling
Account name matching: Some programs require the name on your credit card account to match the name on your ANA Mileage Club account. This is generally not enforced for Amex-to-ANA transfers, but keep it in mind if experiencing issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to ANA Mileage Club?
No, Chase Ultimate Rewards does not offer direct transfers to ANA Mileage Club. You can transfer Chase points to United MileagePlus or other Star Alliance partners to book similar flights, though award pricing and routing rules will differ. For access to the ANA Mileage Club specifically, you need American Express Membership Rewards points.
How long do ANA miles take to transfer from Amex?
Transfers from American Express Membership Rewards to ANA Mileage Club typically complete within 1-4 days, with most transfers posting within 24-48 hours. Transfer times can occasionally be longer during high-volume periods or on weekends. Always allow at least 5 business days before contacting customer service about a delayed transfer.
Does Amex offer transfer bonuses to ANA?
American Express occasionally offers transfer bonuses to various airline partners, but the ANA Mileage Club has not been included in recent promotions as of early 2026. Even without bonuses, the 1:1 transfer ratio combined with ANA’s competitive award pricing provides strong value for premium cabin redemptions. Monitor the Award Travel Hub for updates on transfer bonus promotions.
Should I transfer Marriott points to ANA?
The 3:1 transfer ratio (with a 5,000-mile bonus at 60,000 points) means Marriott points generally deliver better value when redeemed for hotel stays or transferred to airline partners, where the ratios are better. Consider this transfer only if you have a specific high-value ANA redemption target (such as first class to Japan or Lufthansa first class to Europe) and calculate the CPP value for your specific booking to confirm it exceeds 0.7-0.9 cents per point.
Can I transfer ANA miles to another person?
No, ANA miles cannot be directly transferred between individuals. However, the Family Account Service allows immediate family members (spouse, children, parents, siblings, in-laws) living outside Japan to pool miles among up to 8 people total. This requires establishing the family account structure before pooling miles. You cannot add members retroactively without contacting customer service.
Do ANA miles expire?
Yes, ANA miles expire after 36 months of account inactivity. Activity includes any earning or redeeming transaction—flights on ANA or Star Alliance partners, credit card spending on ANA co-brand cards, partner transactions, or award bookings. Transferring points from American Express resets the activity clock. Make at least one earning or redemption transaction every 2-3 years to prevent the account from expiring.
Can I search ANA award availability without having miles in my account?
Yes, ANA’s website allows searching for award availability without logging in or having miles in your account. Navigate to the ANA website, select “Book with Miles,” and search for your desired route and dates. The search results will show available award space and the mileage required. Use this to confirm availability before transferring points from American Express or Marriott.
What are the best credit cards for earning points to transfer to ANA?
The American Express Platinum Card, American Express Gold Card, and American Express Business Platinum Card all earn Membership Rewards points that transfer 1:1 to ANA Mileage Club. The Platinum Card earns 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines and 5x on prepaid hotels through Amex Travel. The Gold Card earns 4x at restaurants and 4x at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year). Choose based on your spending patterns and which bonus categories align with your expenses.
How do I book Lufthansa First Class with ANA miles?
Lufthansa first class award space typically opens to ANA approximately 14-15 days before departure. You must call ANA’s U.S. customer service line to book, as Lufthansa first class doesn’t appear on ANA’s website. Have specific flight numbers and dates ready before calling. Expect to pay 110,000-132,000 miles round-trip plus taxes and carrier surcharges ($150-400 typically). This requires flexibility with dates and quick action when space opens.
Can I cancel an ANA award ticket and get my miles back?
Yes, you can cancel ANA award tickets and receive miles back to your account, minus a cancellation fee. Cancellations made 96+ hours before departure incur a 3,000-mile fee per ticket. Cancellations within 96 hours of departure incur a 6,000-mile fee per ticket. No-shows result in forfeited miles with no redeposit. Taxes and fees paid in cash are typically refundable minus a small processing fee.
Conclusion: Making ANA Mileage Club Transfers Work for Your Strategy
ANA Mileage Club Transfer Partners offer U.S.-based travelers a powerful path to premium cabin awards—but only when you understand the program’s strengths, limitations, and optimal use cases. The combination of American Express Membership Rewards’ 1:1 transfer ratio and ANA’s competitive fixed award pricing creates exceptional value for specific redemption categories, particularly long-haul business and First Class flights on Star Alliance partners.
The strategic framework: Focus ANA miles on redemptions where the program delivers clear advantages over alternatives—round-trip business class to Japan (75,000-88,000 miles), Lufthansa first class to Europe (110,000-132,000 miles), and complex Star Alliance routings that leverage ANA’s generous stopover rules. For domestic flights, short-haul economy, and routes with high carrier surcharges, other programs typically offer better value.
The planning sequence: Search award availability first using ANA’s website, confirm the specific flights and total costs (miles plus cash), calculate CPP value to verify the redemption meets your threshold (typically 1.5+ CPP minimum, 3+ CPP for premium cabins), then transfer the exact number of miles needed from American Express. Never transfer speculatively, hoping space will appear.
The risk management: Remember that transfers are irreversible, miles expire after 36 months of inactivity, and award changes cost 3,000-6,000 miles per ticket. These factors require more careful planning than programs with more flexible policies, but the value proposition justifies the extra diligence for the right redemptions.
Next steps:
- Verify your earning strategy: If you don’t currently earn American Express Membership Rewards points, evaluate whether adding an Amex card fits your credit card portfolio and spending patterns. The lack of transfers from Chase, Capital One, Citi, and Bilt limits ANA’s accessibility.
- Search for your target redemption: Visit ANA’s website and search for the specific flights you want to book. Confirm award space exists at the mileage level you expect before making any transfer decisions.
- Calculate your value: Compare the ANA redemption to alternatives—booking through United MileagePlus, using other Star Alliance partners, or even cash tickets. Ensure ANA delivers meaningfully better value (typically 20%+ better) to justify the transfer.
- Transfer and book: Once you’ve confirmed availability and value, transfer the exact miles needed and book immediately. Award space can disappear quickly, particularly on popular routes and premium cabin products.
For travelers who prioritize premium international flights in premium cabins and can access American Express Membership Rewards points, ANA Mileage Club is one of the most valuable transfer partners in 2026. The program’s fixed award chart, generous routing rules, and access to coveted partner space create redemption opportunities that few other programs can match—as long as you understand the rules and plan accordingly.


