ANA: A Complete Guide to the Airline’s Routes and Services

ANA Partnerships and Alliances: How to Maximize Mileage Benefits

All Nippon Airways (ANA) is part of a global network of partnerships and alliances that can significantly boost how you earn and redeem miles. This guide explains ANA’s key partners, earning strategies, redemption tips, and practical steps to maximize your mileage benefits.

1. Understand ANA’s core alliance and partner types

• Star Alliance membership: ANA is a full member of Star Alliance, giving you access to flights and benefits across 26+ member airlines.
• Non-alliance airline partners: ANA also has bilateral partnerships with carriers outside Star Alliance for codeshares and reciprocal benefits.
• Hotel, rental car, and lifestyle partners: ANA Mileage Club partners include hotels, car rental companies, credit cards, retail programs, and travel services that let you earn miles without flying.

2. Prioritize earning where you get the most value

• Credit card spend: Use an ANA-affiliated co‑brand card or transfer-capable cards (e.g., major flexible points programs where transfers to ANA are allowed) for everyday spend. These usually offer the fastest way to accumulate miles.
• Partner airlines: Credit flights on partner carriers to ANA Mileage Club when ANA awards more miles for the same flight than the partner’s own program would. Always compare earning charts.
• Hotels and car rentals: Book with hotel and car partners that offer bonus miles or promotions. Opt to earn ANA miles instead of hotel points when redemption value for flights exceeds hotel redemption value.
• Promotions and shopping portals: Register for ANA promotional offers and use ANA’s online shopping portal or partner retailers for bonus miles.

3. Smart redemption strategies

• Use partner award space for premium cabins: Star Alliance partners often release premium cabin award seats that ANA’s own flights don’t. Search broadly across alliance carriers to find high-value redemptions.
• Book round-trip or specific award classes when advantageous: ANA’s award chart has distinct pricing for zones and classes—round-trip or certain stopover options can offer better cent-per-mile value.
• Leverage stopovers and routing rules: ANA allows stopovers on some award tickets; use them to add value (e.g., see two cities for nearly the same mileage cost).
• Avoid high fuel surcharges: When redeeming, prioritize partner flights with low carrier-imposed surcharges. Some Star Alliance partners impose high surcharges on long-haul premium cabins; compare options.
• Use miles for upgrades: Applying miles to upgrade paid tickets can yield strong value, especially when purchased bargain economy fares are upgradable to premium economy or business.

4. Tactics for maximizing elite status value

• Credit partner flights for elite-qualifying miles: If you’re pursuing or maintaining ANA Diamond/Platinum/Gold status, ensure partner flights earn the necessary Premium Points or qualifying miles. Some partners earn at different rates—choose partners that accelerate qualification.
• Leverage alliance benefits: Use Star Alliance Gold status for lounge access, priority boarding, and extra baggage on partner flights—this increases comfort and reduces ancillary spend.
• Choose status-matching or fast-track promotions: Keep an eye out for promotions, status matches, or targeted offers from ANA and partner programs.

5. Practical search and booking workflow

1. Search widely: Start with ANA’s award search, then cross-check Star Alliance partner award availability (e.g., United, Lufthansa, Air Canada, EVA).
2. Compare total cost: Check miles required, carrier surcharges, taxes, and fees for each option.
3. Confirm partner crediting rules: Verify how many miles you’ll earn by crediting a partner flight to ANA versus another program. Use the fare class earning charts.
4. Book strategically: Reserve award seats or paid fares that maximize miles earned or redeemed, and use miles for upgrades when that yields better value.
5. Track promotions: Subscribe to ANA Mileage Club promotions and partner offers for bonus-earning opportunities.

6. Examples of high-value uses

• Round-trip business class between North America and Asia on ANA: Often a top-tier redemption for comfort and value.
• Short-haul business class on Star Alliance partners: Low mileage cost for premium experience on regional routes.
• Upgrades on long-haul paid fares: Purchase a discounted economy fare and use miles to upgrade to business class when upgrade pricing is favorable.

7. Common pitfalls to avoid

• Assuming partner award space is identical: Availability and fare classes differ by