All Nippon Airways (ANA), a major Japanese airline and Star Alliance member, operates the ANA Mileage Club loyalty program. Unlike many programs that base expiration on account inactivity, ANA uses a 'hard expiry' system.

ANA Mileage Club Miles Expiration Policy

ANA Mileage Club miles have a fixed expiration date. Miles earned are valid until the end of the 36th month following the month they were earned.

For example:

  • Miles earned on May 15, 2025, will expire on May 31, 2028.
  • Miles earned on December 1, 2025, will expire on December 31, 2028.

Crucially, account activity does NOT extend the validity of ANA miles. Earning more miles or redeeming miles does not reset the clock on miles you've already earned. Each batch of miles has its own 36-month lifespan from the date it was credited to your account.

This 'hard expiry' policy requires members to be diligent about tracking when their miles were earned and planning redemptions accordingly.

Keeping Track and Using Miles

Since activity doesn't prevent expiration, the only way to avoid losing ANA miles is to redeem them before their specific expiration date.

  • Check your ANA Mileage Club account regularly to see the expiration dates of your miles. The account summary usually details how many miles are expiring and when.
  • Plan your redemptions, such as booking award flights on ANA or Star Alliance partners, well in advance of the miles' expiration.

Official Policy

For the official details and any potential nuances (e.g., temporary extensions, which are rare but possible), always consult the ANA Mileage Club resources:

How to Earn and Redeem ANA Mileage Club Miles

All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline and a member of the Star Alliance, runs the Mileage Club loyalty program. Members have multiple ways to earn miles and can redeem them for ANA flights, Star Alliance partners, upgrades, and more.

Earning ANA Mileage Club Miles

ANA makes it relatively easy to build up miles thanks to its own flights, alliance partners, and a broad set of travel and lifestyle partners.

1. Flying with ANA

When you book and fly with ANA, the number of miles you earn depends on your route, fare type, and travel class. Elite members earn additional mileage bonuses. ANA even provides an online mileage calculator to help estimate your earnings.

2. Flying with Partner Airlines

Because ANA is a Star Alliance member, you can earn Mileage Club miles on flights with its global partners, including United Airlines, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and more. The number of miles earned varies by partner and fare class, so always check ANA’s published partner earning charts before booking.

3. Credit Cards

ANA is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, meaning points earned on cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express can be converted into Mileage Club miles.

In addition, ANA issues the ANA CARD U.S.A. Visa®, which directly earns Mileage Club miles from everyday purchases. While the card is not considered especially competitive compared to broader travel rewards cards, it remains an option for loyal ANA travelers.

4. Hotel and Car Rental Partners

You can earn ANA miles by booking through the ANA travel portal or by staying with major hotel brands such as Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt. Car rentals with partners like Avis and National also accrue miles when you credit your booking to Mileage Club.

5. Transferring Hotel Points

ANA partners with more than a dozen hotel loyalty programs, allowing you to transfer points into Mileage Club. While transfer rates are typically poor, this option can help top off your account if you’re just shy of an award redemption.

6. Other Partners

Mileage Club has a variety of smaller retail and service partners, particularly in Japan. While niche, these can provide additional ways to earn miles for dedicated members.

Redeeming ANA Mileage Club Miles

ANA’s redemption platform can feel less intuitive than some other airlines, but it offers excellent value for international flights.

Booking Award Flights

To book award travel, log in to your Mileage Club account and navigate to “Flight Awards” → “Award Reservation.”

  • Roundtrip requirement: ANA requires award bookings to be roundtrip or open-jaw itineraries. One-way awards are not allowed unless they are booked on certain partners.
  • ANA vs. Star Alliance pricing: If your entire trip can be flown on ANA metal, award pricing is generally lower than if you mix in Star Alliance carriers.

For example:

  • A roundtrip flight from Chicago (ORD) to Tokyo (HND) entirely on ANA costs about 50,000 miles in economy.
  • The same route booked as a Star Alliance Award (e.g., mixing ANA with United Airlines) costs 55,000 miles.

This differential makes ANA-operated flights the best value when redeeming Mileage Club miles.

Other Redemption Options

  • Seat upgrades: Use miles to upgrade eligible paid tickets to premium cabins.
  • Hotels and car rentals: Redeem through ANA’s travel portal, though value is typically weaker than flights.
  • Shopping: ANA allows miles to be redeemed for online merchandise. However, this generally offers poor value compared to flight redemptions.

Summary

ANA Mileage Club miles follow a strict 36-month hard expiration policy, meaning each mile must be used within three years of being earned. Account activity will not reset or extend their validity, so members must plan redemptions carefully.

The program offers many ways to earn miles — through ANA flights, Star Alliance partners, hotel and car rental partners, and credit card transfers — though transfer rates from hotels are often less favorable. On the redemption side, ANA shines for award flights, especially roundtrips on ANA-operated routes, which are priced lower than comparable Star Alliance awards.

To avoid losing miles, track expiration dates regularly and aim to redeem them for flights, which generally deliver the best value compared to hotels, cars, or shopping options.

Disclaimer: Program terms and conditions can change. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Verify details directly with ANA.