Key Takeaways
- ANA’s first class (“The Suite”) is consistently rated among the world’s best — and you can fly it for 72,500-85,000 Virgin Atlantic miles one-way
- Virgin Atlantic is the best partner for booking because they allow one-way awards and price competitively
- Availability is extremely limited — ANA releases just 1 first class seat per flight, typically 355 days out
- Transfer partners include Chase, Amex, Capital One, and Citi — all transfer 1:1 to Virgin Atlantic
- Use seats.aero to find availability, then call Virgin Atlantic to book
- Don’t wait to transfer points — Virgin Atlantic can hold awards for 48 hours while you transfer
If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to fly in the best first class cabin in the sky, ANA (All Nippon Airways) is the answer. Their flagship “The Suite” first class and “The Room” business class products represent Japanese hospitality at its finest — impeccable service, phenomenal food, and cabin designs that make other airlines look dated.
The problem? Cash prices for these cabins regularly exceed $15,000-$25,000. The solution? Points and miles.
This guide covers everything you need to know about booking ANA’s premium cabins using transferable points — including the sweet spots, the gotchas, and the exact step-by-step process to secure one of the most coveted seats in aviation.
Why ANA Is Worth the Effort
Before diving into the booking mechanics, let’s establish why ANA deserves a spot on your travel bucket list.
The Suite (First Class)
ANA’s first class suite is a masterpiece of Japanese design. On their 777-300ER aircraft, you’ll find:
- Fully enclosed suites with sliding doors for complete privacy
- Large flat-bed that converts into a genuine bed (not just a lie-flat seat)
- Japanese-style kaiseki cuisine prepared by world-renowned chefs
- Sake sommelier service with premium selections
- Pajamas, amenity kits, and slippers that rival five-star hotels
- Exceptional crew-to-passenger ratios for personalized service
Cash prices for first class between the US and Japan typically run $18,000-$25,000 round-trip. But with points? We can do much better.
The Room (Business Class)
ANA’s “The Room” business class isn’t just competitive with other airlines’ business class — it rivals some first class products:
- Enclosed suites with doors (a rarity in business class)
- 1-2-1 configuration with direct aisle access for every passenger
- 23-inch personal monitor — one of the largest in the industry
- Award-winning Japanese cuisine with extensive wine lists
- Fully lie-flat beds with quality bedding
Even business class runs $8,000-$12,000 cash round-trip. Again, points make this accessible.
ANA’s Award Chart (Booking Direct)
If you have ANA Mileage Club miles directly, here’s what you’ll pay for flights between North America and Japan:
| Class | Low Season RT | Regular Season RT | High Season RT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | 35,000-40,000 | 40,000-47,000 | 43,000-55,000 |
| Premium Economy | 51,000-58,000 | 58,000-68,000 | 63,000-80,000 |
| Business | 75,000-85,000 | 85,000-90,000 | 90,000-100,000 |
| First Class | 105,000-120,000 | 120,000-130,000 | 130,000-150,000 |
ANA Seasons:
- Low: January-February, April (early), Late November
- Regular: Most of March, May, September-mid November
- High: Late March (cherry blossoms), June-August, December holidays
The catch with ANA direct: You must book round-trip awards. One-way bookings aren’t available through ANA Mileage Club, which limits flexibility.
For most travelers, partner programs offer better value — especially for one-way flights.
The Virgin Atlantic Sweet Spot (Best Value)
Here’s where things get exciting. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club has a partnership with ANA that offers:
- One-way bookings (book exactly what you need)
- Competitive pricing compared to other programs
- 1:1 transfers from Chase, Amex, Capital One, and Citi
Virgin Atlantic Award Chart for ANA
| Route | Economy OW | Business OW | First OW |
|---|---|---|---|
| US West Coast → Japan | 17,500 | 52,500 | 72,500 |
| US East Coast → Japan | 22,500 | 60,000 | 85,000 |
| Hawaii → Japan | 12,500 | 37,500 | 57,500 |
| Europe → Japan | 22,500 | 60,000 | 85,000 |
The math is incredible:
- ANA First Class LAX→Tokyo: 72,500 miles one-way (vs. $10,000+ cash)
- ANA Business Class JFK→Tokyo: 60,000 miles one-way (vs. $5,000+ cash)
- Hawaii→Japan Business: 37,500 miles one-way — arguably the best deal
Even with Virgin Atlantic’s fuel surcharges (~$250-400), you’re getting 2-3+ cents per point in value.
Why Virgin Atlantic Beats Other Programs
| Program | ANA Business OW | ANA First OW | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virgin Atlantic | 52,500-60,000 | 72,500-85,000 | ✅ One-ways, ✅ Points hold |
| United MileagePlus | 70,000+ | 110,000+ | ❌ Dynamic pricing disaster |
| Aeroplan | 75,000 | 90,000 | Decent, no one-ways |
| ANA Direct | 37,500-50,000 RT | 52,500-75,000 RT | ❌ Round-trip only |
Virgin Atlantic is typically 15-40% cheaper than United for the same flight, with more predictable pricing.
How to Earn Virgin Atlantic Miles
The best part? You probably already have the points. Virgin Atlantic is a transfer partner of all major programs:
Transfer Partners (All 1:1)
- Chase Ultimate Rewards — Transfer from Sapphire cards or Ink business cards
- Amex Membership Rewards — Transfer from Gold, Platinum, or Business cards
- Capital One Miles — Transfer from Venture X or Venture cards
- Citi ThankYou Points — Transfer from Premier or Prestige cards
Transfers are typically instant from all programs, making it easy to transfer points only after confirming availability.
Watch for Transfer Bonuses
We regularly see 25-40% transfer bonuses to Virgin Atlantic from these programs. Check our current transfer bonuses page — even a 20% bonus can save you 10,000+ miles on a first class booking.
Finding ANA Award Availability
Here’s the hard truth: ANA availability is extremely limited, especially in first class. The airline typically releases:
- 1 first class seat per flight (sometimes 0)
- 2-4 business class seats per flight
- Releases 355 days in advance
Step 1: Use Seats.aero
The best free tool for finding ANA availability is seats.aero. Their ANA First Class Finder shows:
- All dates with first/business availability across routes
- Historical patterns of releases
- Real-time updates (mostly)
Pro tip: Set alerts for your preferred routes to get notified when seats appear.
Step 2: Verify on United.com or AirCanada.com
Before calling Virgin Atlantic, verify the space exists on a Star Alliance site:
- Go to united.com and search as a MileagePlus member
- Or use aircanada.com (often shows more availability)
- Search ANA-operated flights only (flight numbers starting with NH)
- Confirm the cabin class shows “Saver” level availability
Important: Seeing space on United doesn’t guarantee Virgin Atlantic can book it, but it’s a strong indicator.
Step 3: Check ANA’s Own Site
ANA has an “International Award Calendar” that shows their availability across 6 months. This is the most accurate source, though it requires an ANA Mileage Club account to access.
When to Search
For best availability:
- 355 days out — ANA releases award space almost a year in advance
- Day 1 of release — First class sells out within hours of becoming available
- 14-30 days out — Occasional releases of unsold inventory
- Midweek departures — Tuesday/Wednesday flights have better availability than weekends
Avoid:
- Cherry blossom season (late March-early April) — virtually impossible
- Christmas/New Year — extremely limited
- Japanese Golden Week (late April-early May)
Booking ANA Awards Through Virgin Atlantic
Once you’ve found availability, here’s the step-by-step booking process:
Step 1: Call Virgin Atlantic
You cannot book ANA awards online through Virgin Atlantic — phone only.
US Number: 1-800-365-9500
Virgin Atlantic’s phone agents are genuinely excellent — widely considered the best in the industry. Expect friendly, knowledgeable service.
Step 2: Request an Award Hold
Virgin Atlantic can hold ANA awards for 48 hours without transferring points. This is crucial because:
- You can verify the flights before committing points
- Transfer bonuses might apply if you time it right
- You have time to transfer from multiple sources if needed
Tell the agent: “I’d like to hold an ANA award while I transfer points to my account.”
Step 3: Transfer Points
Once you have a hold, transfer points from your preferred program:
| Program | Transfer Time |
|---|---|
| Chase Ultimate Rewards | Instant |
| Amex Membership Rewards | Instant |
| Capital One | Instant to 2 days |
| Citi ThankYou | Instant |
Don’t transfer points BEFORE confirming availability. Virgin Atlantic miles aren’t useful for much else, so only transfer what you need.
Step 4: Call Back to Ticket
Once points appear in your Virgin Atlantic account (usually within minutes), call back to complete the booking:
“I have a hold under confirmation number [XXXXXX] and would like to ticket with my Flying Club miles.”
Step 5: Pay Taxes and Fees
Expect to pay $250-$400 in taxes and fuel surcharges per segment. This is charged to your credit card at booking.
Pro tip: Use a card with travel protections like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Amex Platinum for trip delay coverage.
Alternative Booking Options
While Virgin Atlantic is typically best, here are other ways to book ANA:
United MileagePlus
United has access to ANA award space, but their dynamic pricing makes it expensive:
- Business class: 70,000-180,000+ miles one-way
- First class: 110,000-250,000+ miles one-way
Only worth considering if United prices match Virgin Atlantic (rare) or you have United miles to burn.
Air Canada Aeroplan
Aeroplan offers decent ANA pricing but requires round-trips for most award types. Useful if you:
- Have Aeroplan miles specifically
- Can commit to round-trip travel
- Want mixed-cabin itineraries
ANA Mileage Club Direct
If you’ve accumulated ANA miles directly (from flying, credit cards, or transfer partners), booking direct has advantages:
- Lower fuel surcharges
- Change/cancel policies may be better
- Waitlist access
The downside is round-trip requirements and the limited ways to earn ANA miles for US-based travelers.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Transferring Points Before Finding Availability
Never transfer points speculatively. Virgin Atlantic miles are only valuable for a few niche redemptions. Always:
- Find availability
- Place a 48-hour hold
- Then transfer points
2. Missing the 355-Day Window
First class availability disappears within hours of release. If you want a specific date:
- Mark your calendar for 355 days before departure
- Search first thing in the morning (Japan time releases)
- Have points ready to transfer instantly
3. Searching Wrong Airlines
Make sure you’re searching ANA-operated flights only (NH flight numbers). Codeshares with United won’t have the same cabin product.
4. Ignoring the 14-Day Virgin Atlantic Blackout
Important caveat: Virgin Atlantic reportedly cannot book ANA awards within 14 days of departure for certain routes. This is supposedly temporary, but for last-minute trips, consider United or Aeroplan instead.
5. Not Considering Fuel Surcharges
Budget $250-$400 per segment for taxes and surcharges through Virgin Atlantic. This isn’t a dealbreaker (you’re still saving thousands), but factor it into your total cost.
ANA Routes Worth Booking
Best Routes from the US
| Route | Aircraft | First Class? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAX-NRT | 777-300ER | ✅ The Suite | Flagship route, tough availability |
| SFO-NRT | 777-300ER | ✅ The Suite | Good availability |
| JFK-HND | 777-300ER | ✅ The Suite | Great for East Coast |
| ORD-NRT | 787-9 | ❌ Business only | The Room product, easier to find |
| IAH-NRT | 777-300ER | ✅ The Suite | Underrated option |
| SEA-NRT | 787-9 | ❌ Business only | Growing route |
| HNL-NRT | 787/777 | Varies | Best value sweet spot |
Connecting Beyond Japan
ANA awards through Virgin Atlantic only cover flights to/from Japan. If you want to continue to other Asian destinations, you’ll need to book separately.
However, ANA has excellent connections at Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND) to:
- Other Japanese cities (Osaka, Kyoto region, Sapporo)
- Southeast Asia (Bangkok, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City)
- Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong
- Australia (Sydney, Perth)
For connections, consider booking:
- A separate cheap positioning flight
- Using United miles for partner connections
- ANA domestic segments if booking through ANA direct
Maximizing Your ANA Experience
Pre-Flight: Arrivals Lounge Access
ANA’s first class tickets include access to arrival lounges in Tokyo — perfect for a shower and breakfast after your flight.
In-Flight: What to Order
First Class:
- Request the multi-course kaiseki meal (Japanese)
- Ask the sake sommelier for pairing recommendations
- The wagyu beef course is legendary
- Japanese breakfast on return flights is exceptional
Business Class:
- The Western options are good, but Japanese cuisine shines
- Don’t skip the ramen — yes, airplane ramen
- The matcha ice cream is a fan favorite
Ground Experience
ANA first class passengers receive:
- Chauffeur service in some markets
- Priority immigration in Tokyo
- Dedicated check-in counters
- Lounge access before departure
Sample Redemption: LA to Tokyo in First Class
Let’s walk through a real example:
Route: Los Angeles (LAX) → Tokyo Narita (NRT) Class: First Class (The Suite) Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Virgin Atlantic Pricing:
- Miles required: 72,500 one-way
- Taxes/fees: ~$315
Cash Price: $12,000-$15,000 one-way
Value: You’re getting 16-20 cents per mile — exceptional value from transferable points.
How to earn the miles:
- 72,500 Chase Ultimate Rewards points from Sapphire Preferred or Reserve
- Or 72,500 Amex Membership Rewards from Amex Gold or Platinum
- Watch for 20%+ transfer bonuses to reduce this to ~60,000 points
FAQ: Your ANA Booking Questions Answered
How far in advance should I book?
355 days for first class (day of release), 330-355 days for business class. Last-minute availability (7-30 days out) appears occasionally but is unreliable.
Can I book ANA for a family?
Technically yes, but finding multiple first class seats is nearly impossible. Business class has slightly better multi-seat availability. Consider booking on different dates or mixing cabins.
What if I need to cancel?
Virgin Atlantic charges change/cancelation fees ($50-150 typically), and you’ll lose some taxes. It’s not ideal, but manageable. ANA’s own program has more flexible policies.
Is ANA business class worth it if first isn’t available?
Absolutely. “The Room” business class rivals many first class products. At 52,500-60,000 miles one-way, it’s arguably better value than first class in terms of miles-to-experience ratio.
Can I use miles for ANA domestic flights in Japan?
Not through Virgin Atlantic. For domestic Japan flights, use ANA Mileage Club or book separately with cash (domestic flights are quite affordable).
Bottom Line
ANA represents one of the best uses of transferable points in 2026. Their first class and business class products are genuinely world-class, and the Virgin Atlantic sweet spot makes them accessible for strategic points collectors.
The formula is simple:
- Earn Chase, Amex, Capital One, or Citi points
- Monitor seats.aero for availability
- Call Virgin Atlantic and place a hold
- Transfer points and ticket
Yes, availability is tough. Yes, you’ll need to plan 355 days out for first class. But when you’re reclining in The Suite with a glass of champagne and kaiseki dinner ahead of you, those minor hassles disappear completely.
Japan awaits. Time to start planning.
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