What All Nippon Airways Membership Covers

All Nippon Airways (ANA) runs two membership programs: ANA Mileage Club for frequent flyers and ANA Card membership for cardholders. The Mileage Club lets you earn miles on flights and partner purchases, then redeem them for tickets, seat upgrades, and other rewards. If you hold an ANA-branded credit card, you get Mileage Club membership automatically, plus card-specific perks like annual miles bonuses and lounge access.

The card itself is the faster entry point if you fly ANA regularly or want the spending rewards. You earn miles on every purchase, not just flights. The card also waives the Mileage Club annual fee (which normally costs money if you join without a card) and gives you a welcome bonus of miles after you meet a spending threshold in the first few months.

Both programs work together: your card membership feeds miles into your Mileage Club account, where they accumulate until you redeem them. The card is not required to join Mileage Club, but it is the most common way people access the full benefit set.

Key Takeaways

  • ANA Card membership includes automatic enrollment in ANA Mileage Club, which means you earn miles on card purchases and flights without paying a separate club fee.
  • You earn miles at different rates depending on the card tier and the merchant category, with bonus categories for dining, travel, and everyday purchases.
  • Miles can be redeemed for ANA flights, partner airline tickets, seat upgrades, and hotel stays through ANA's redemption portal.
  • Card benefits include an annual miles bonus (usually 1,000 to 2,000 miles), priority boarding, and access to ANA lounges on may be able to access flights.
  • You can transfer miles to hotel and airline partners, though redemption rates vary and some transfers lock in lower value than direct flight bookings.

How to Enroll in ANA Card Membership

You enroll by opening an ANA-branded credit card. ANA offers several versions: the ANA Card, ANA Card Prime, and ANA Card Premium, each with different annual fees and earning rates. You explore through the card issuer's website (usually a Japanese bank if you are explore in Japan, or through a partner bank in other countries) or through ANA's official website, which links to the process.

The process asks for your name, address, income, and employment details. You will also need to provide or create an ANA Mileage Club account number during the process, or the card issuer will create one for you. Approval typically takes one to two weeks. Once approved, your card arrives by mail, and your Mileage Club membership activates when ready.

If you already have a Mileage Club account from previous ANA flights, link it to your new card during the process. This consolidates all your existing miles into one account and ensures future card purchases feed into the same balance.

Earning Miles on Purchases and Flights

Every purchase on your ANA Card earns miles. The base earning rate is usually 1 mile per 100 yen spent, though premium card tiers earn at higher rates (for example, 1 mile per 75 yen or 1 mile per 50 yen). Some merchant categories earn bonus miles: dining, travel bookings, and department stores often offer 2x or 3x the base rate.

When you fly ANA or partner airlines, you earn miles based on the distance flown and your ticket class. Economy flights earn fewer miles than business class. If you book through ANA's website or phone line and pay with your ANA Card, you earn both the flight miles and the purchase miles on top of each other.

Partner purchases also earn miles. ANA has partnerships with hotels, car rental companies, and retail merchants. When you book through ANA's portal or use a partner code at checkout, your purchase counts toward miles. The earning rate varies by partner, so check the rate before you book.

Redeeming Miles for Flights and Upgrades

You redeem miles through the ANA Mileage Club website or mobile app. Log in with your Mileage Club number and password, then search for available flights. The system shows you how many miles each flight costs. Domestic ANA flights typically start at 5,000 miles one-way; international flights range from 35,000 to 110,000 miles depending on distance and demand.

Availability is limited. ANA blocks off a certain number of award seats per flight, and popular routes or dates may have no availability even if you have enough miles. Booking further in advance (usually 60 to 90 days) increases your chances. If your preferred flight is full, you can book a waitlist and ANA will notify you if a seat opens.

You can also use miles to upgrade an existing ticket from economy to business class, though upgrade availability is separate from award seat availability and often more limited. Upgrades typically cost 5,000 to 20,000 miles depending on the route and cabin.

Lounge Access and Priority Boarding

ANA Card members receive access to ANA lounges at major airports when flying ANA. The lounge includes complimentary food, drinks, showers, and quiet seating. Premium card tiers (like ANA Card Premium) grant lounge access on every ANA flight; standard card members may have access only on international flights or business class tickets, depending on the card tier.

You also receive priority boarding, which means you board before general passengers. This is useful on full flights when overhead bin space is tight. Priority boarding is automatic when you check in; no separate step is required.

Some cards include a companion ticket benefit: once per year, you can bring a companion on an ANA flight at a reduced rate or free, depending on your card tier. This is separate from miles and is a one-time annual use.

Annual Fees and Card Costs

ANA Card annual fees range from zero to around 10,000 yen (or the equivalent in your currency), depending on the card tier. The standard ANA Card has a low or waived first-year fee, then charges a modest annual fee in subsequent years. Premium tiers charge higher fees but offer more miles bonuses and lounge benefits.

You pay the annual fee once per year, usually on your card anniversary. Some cards waive the fee if you spend a certain amount in the previous year, or if you hold the card for a specific tenure. Check your card's terms when you receive it to understand when the fee posts and whether you can avoid it.

The card also functions as a regular credit card, so you pay interest on any balance you carry month to month. Pay your full statement balance by the due date to avoid interest charges. Miles are earned on the purchase amount, not on interest or fees.

Transferring Miles to Partners and Other Options

ANA allows you to transfer miles to partner airlines and hotel chains at a fixed conversion rate. For example, you might transfer 10,000 ANA miles to a partner airline at a 1:1 ratio, giving you 10,000 partner miles. Transfer rates vary by partner, and some partners offer bonus miles during promotional periods.

Partner transfers can be valuable if you need miles in a specific program or if a partner airline has better award availability on your desired route. However, direct ANA flight redemptions often provide better value per mile, so compare the cost before transferring.

You can also use miles for hotel stays, car rentals, and merchandise through ANA's redemption catalog. These options typically offer lower value than flight redemptions, so flights are usually the best use of your miles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to fly ANA to use the card and earn miles?

No. You earn miles on every card purchase regardless of whether you fly. Miles from purchases accumulate in your Mileage Club account and can be redeemed for ANA flights or transferred to partners. Flying ANA earns additional miles, but it is not required to earn or redeem.

What happens to my miles if I close the card?

Your miles stay in your Mileage Club account. Closing the card does not delete your miles. However, if you do not hold an ANA Card, you will need to pay an annual Mileage Club membership fee to keep the account active (usually a few thousand yen per year). Without the card or paid membership, your account may be suspended after a period of inactivity.

Can I use miles on partner airlines?

Yes, through transfers. You can transfer your ANA miles to partner airlines like United, Lufthansa, or others at set conversion rates. You then book flights using the partner airline's award system. Transfer rates and partner availability vary, so check ANA's partner list before transferring.

How long do miles stay in my account?

Miles do not expire as long as you have account activity at least once every three years. Activity includes earning miles, redeeming miles, or transferring miles. If your account goes inactive for three years, ANA may suspend it and miles may be forfeited. Holding an active ANA Card counts as account activity.

Can I combine miles from multiple ANA accounts?

No, ANA does not allow you to merge separate Mileage Club accounts. If you have miles in more than one account, you will need to redeem from each account separately. When you open your ANA Card, make sure to link it to the account where you want your miles to go.