Best Ways to Book ANA Business Class Flights to Japan (& Economy) with Points and Miles

Here's how to fly to Japan in ANA's aspiration business class product with credit card points and miles. No matter what travel credit card you have you can use one of the methods discussed in this video. We cover just about every transfer partner, how to book The Room - ANA's premier business class product, and even go over how to use Seats.Aero to make finding these flights a breeze. I even share with you which programs are best to fly to Japan for cheap in economy.
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Call Virgin Atlantic to Book ANA Business Class: 800-365-9500
Call Etihad to Book ANA Business Class: 877-690-0767
How to Book Japan Airlines Business Class:
• Best Business Class Fl...
ANA's Pricing Chart: www.ana.co.jp/en/us/amc/inter...
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CHAPTERS:
0:00 How to find Which Airports flight ANA & What's a Positioning Flight
2:00 How to Find Award Space
3:43 How and Why Singapore
5:01 What's the Problem with Air Canada
7:14 The ins and outs of the best (?) transfer option Virgin Atlantic
9:30 A potential sweet spot Avianca
11:15 You may not have heard of this one
12:05 Booking with Turkish Airlines
13:15 Ins and Outs of the Other Best Transfer Partner ANA
19:16 Economy Options & Pro Tips
21:39 Using Seats.Aero to Cheat
24:40 How to Book "The Room"
Disclaimer:
The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available. I am not a financial advisor. This video is for entertainment and educational purposes only, it is not financial advice.
This page contains affiliate links, meaning that I may earn a commission if you click through these links and sign up or buy the product or service mentioned.

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

If you're having trouble finding award availability, you'll want to learn how to set up an award alert: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpnFZ3asm6-XkLM Check out this playlist if you like seeing these redemption type videos: kzbin.info/aero/PLit73482mR3h4xgd0MuZOhrbfaN4cTTq5&si=t1n-1Or_vSePoHKS

[@saultrejo6563]

This man is doing work! Thoroughness appreciated 👍

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

Thanks for the kind words, it’s very much appreciated! Keep an eye out for a New Zealand video coming

[@aboiye9500]

Another gem! Thank you.

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

My pleasure!

[@kimgrod]

Thanks for helping us plan our trip to Japan!

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

Any time! I’m happy to help. If you have any other questions, let me know!

[@SmilingTruly888]

I Love the detailed information especially using Airline Travel Partners for maximizing points & miles

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

Glad you enjoyed it! I’m always looking for more video idea recommendations if you have any destinations you’d like me to make a video about.

[@sjalal2k]

Thanks , great video !!

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

You’re welcome! Glad you liked it

[@cha_wanya]

One of the best channels for a beginner (and an international traveller) like me! ❤

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

Thank you for the kind words it means a lot!

[@drshaysalehrabi8072]

Great video, thank you

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

You’re welcome! Happy to help

[@mohammadalam7459]

This video was great. This channel is incredibly underrated. I'll use many of these tips and trips, much appreciated

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

Thank you for the kind words, and you’re welcome! Glad it was helpful

[@aboiye9500]

I agree with you 1000%. So glad I found his page. It’s in-depth and very complete.

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

@@aboiye9500 thank you! Always trying to keep that balance of in depth and rambling lol

[@jasonhwu21]

Bro, thank you! You are amazing!

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

My pleasure! Happy hunting

[@purplerose9041]

Excellent tutorial 👍. Subscribed.

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

Thank you for subscribing!

[@theneals9371]

Wow, thank you 🥹

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

You’re welcome! And I’ve got a lot more of these to come!

[@linkzinvest]

Thank You!

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

You’re welcome!

[@MikeMaye]

These were GREAT tips on booking reward flights. AC Aeroplan you can usually find good deals if your dates are flexible. ANA is super hard to find Business class flights to Tokyo as they are ALWAYS "waitlisted". I love these kinds of vid. This was fun... Aye Mikey 💥

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

Thanks Mike! It’s a bummer seeing that “Waitlist.” I had a good time making this video! I'm currently filming a New Zealand redemption video so stay tuned 👀👀

[@jfuji1053]

Great video! Can you do one for Japan Airlines as well?

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

I walk-through how to book Japan Airlines with American Airlines in the video below, which is my preferred way due to lower taxes, less point requirement and “ease” of finding availability. But I’ll definitely add it to the list to make a video to show the other ways to book kzbin.info/www/bejne/qafRm36kba-niJo

[@carolynnreed2927]

Thank you for your clear and easy to follow instructions! Would be interested in how best to fly to Europe, business class, to experience Christmas markets. In Nebraska so likely relying on positioning flight. How do you determine best routes and airlines? I’ve thought about flying into Amsterdam and depart Munich or Frankfurt? Or arrive into Brussels and depart from Munich or Frankfurt? This is where I stumble - narrowing down destination airport and airline options.

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

Thank you for the kind words Carolynn! I don't have a whole lot of Christmas market knowledge as far as where the best ones are etc. But I know they're kind of spread out in different cities and even countries, and so with something like that, I first explore different itineraries, googling something like "European Christmas Market Itineraries" to see what's easily groupable within an area for one trip, and what not. Jot those down and figure out where you could fly into. I'd probably then google some points and miles material like "European Christmas Markets on Points and Miles" and you'll find some articles of other people's previous itineraries with points and some stuff with various routes you can look into. When looking for award availability, I might try a 'throw spaghetti at a wall' method first just to get started. Points Yeah has a new feature "daydream explorer" I would search for the month of December maybe start with searching US to Europe and narrow it down by country from there and it'll show you some real routes that are available to book, and maybe some ones you weren't expecting. (Planning to make a video about this in near future). That'll give you some idea and you can go with one of those or look more into the transfer partners mentioned on the previous points and miles articles. I will say I do like how relatively easy it can be to search for Flying Blue award space and how connected they are to most of Europe. If you could find an award flight from the US to somewhere like Frankfurt with a layover in Amsterdam, you could call when booking it and make that layover a stopover so you can go to both places within a single award booking. Hope this was helpful, let me know if you have any other questions!

[@randyleebear]

Great video

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

Thank you!

[@theinternationalist1357]

Yeahhhhhh🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 You did it and it's the longest video. If I have give you 100 thumbs 👍 I would but unfortunately I can't so you get this my little Michael ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ have the channel 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

lol thank you for the praise, I appreciate it! Hope it’s helpful!

[@triddoan]

Thank you for your incredible hard work and passion! I've been looking for a channel like this for years and I'm so glad that you're doing this. Award booking is such a time consuming process and can be very frustrating! I've been trying to book 2 J with ANA for 2 months (travelling for Jan - Mar 2025 from the US to Vietnam) and haven't had any luck. Please lmk if you have any suggestions! I was able to book the same trip with 2 J in 2022 with ease but that was probably during the pandemic. I guess people are back at travelling again so it's much harder to book it now.

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

Thank you for the kind words, it really does re-motivate me to keep going! lol But Yes! ANA and essentially all award flights to/through Japan has definitely been a hot commodity nowadays. I haven't done in-depth research with award flights to Vietnam yet, but I will be very soon because you're the second person to ask for this! Some other partners I would look at would be Singapore Airlines and Air Canada. I would think several of the partners that I cover in my Bali video would be applicable here as well. In that video I talk about Air Canada's stopover program, I'll link it below. Points Yeah has been picking up on Air Canada's availability now (previously it was having trouble with it). The DayDream Explorer on their site is a good tool to check out to see what you can find with Air Canada very easily. Singapore typically is more expensive but has quite a bit more availability (this isn't picked up by Points Yeah, so have to check on their website). Here's a link to my Bali video and about the Daydream Explorer tool if you wanted to check those out. Bali - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZ-qeKltoLWqopo Points Yeah - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bH2UmGmlh99kadE

[@triddoan]

@@NurseMichaelTravels Hi Michael, thank you so much for your response! I really appreciate it! You're literally the nicest guy on here! I just watched the Bali video, it's very helpful for sure! I'll use those routes for sure. In the meantime, let say I see the flights that I want on ANA but want to book with Virgin Atlantic, do I just call VA and say to book award flights on ANA and ask them to look for those exact flights on ANA? Even though you cannot see those flight on VA?

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

That’s exactly right EXCEPT the flights you tell them aren’t the flights you see on ANA’s website. They have to be flights found on United’s website labeled with an “(I)” for business class flights which is meaning it’s saver award space. I would call first before transferring to double check they see it. Lately I feel like I’ve been seeing/hearing about some saver award space on United that’s not showing up for partner airlines, but this has been more with partners like Turkish Airlines.

[@triddoan]

@@NurseMichaelTravels Oh ok, got ya! Thank you! The flights that I want are mixed cabin (longer legs are in Business and shorter ones are in Economy, which is not a bad deal for now because I can upgrade them later to business when they're available. And yes they are showing on United. I only found 2 round trip tickets all in J on EVA but they're not available on Air Canada or United. I only have MR and UR points and don't have Capital One points so what should I do?

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

I don’t know if I have all of the information I can to answer your question very well. Sounds like you may be stuck with the United option if it doesn’t show up on any partners. EVA business class isn’t super common on partner airlines unfortunately. If the points price is too high on United, and the award availability isn’t there, I would consider looking at different award partners, different dates, or from a different airport. I’m assuming this is for the Vietnam redemption? I’ll be able to point you in a better direction once I get into that research phase.

[@nobodynothing00000]

I went with JAL, got their credit card and booked a trip on their airlines

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

Can’t go wrong with Jal either!

[@nobodynothing00000]

I cant wait, from what I hear the food will be terrific and they have plenty of beer@@NurseMichaelTravels

[@Picklerickyi]

Hi Michael 👋🏻 one more question. If i book on economy, can I later upgrade to business for the mile differential between the 65k miles and the 90k miles? Thanks

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

So you aren't able to "upgrade" per se, but... If you do see availability, you would have to cancel and refund your entire original itinerary which costs 3000 miles per person, and then rebook immediately. You have to do all of this over the phone and wait times are notoriously long, like 1-2 hours to reach someone. So if you do decide to go for it and call make sure you have all the points you need in your account to cover the difference of the business class ticket including the 3000 mile fee. And make sure the flight departure isn't within 96 hours because they don't let you make award bookings within 96 hours of the departure time.

[@Picklerickyi]

Are the prices for one way or round trip? I know you said on the ANA its round trip but it wasnt too clear for me if for others as well 😁

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

All of those should be one-way prices except the ANA like you said! I've also got a nice little flowchart/pocket guide where you can have the pricing listed out in a table that you can download here: nursemichaeltravels.gumroad.com/l/anabiz I just edited the Turkish Airlines price since their devaluation. Also note that ANA's price will be increasing come April 18th this year due to a recent devaluation announcement!

[@user-io1qq9nd7u]

😊

[@ourtube2693]

How does ANA award travel with waitlist work?

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

From all of my research on it, I think it's best to act as if the option doesn't exist. Quotes on the chances and likelihood of the waitlist to clear include: "extremely unlikely," "needle in a haystack," and "like winning the lottery" lol. From what I understand you can't secure another flight in the same time frame while also being on the waitlist, so if the waitlist doesn't clear your points are stuck with ANA with a 3-year hard expiration date to use them or lose them.

[@arsilverio]

Hello. Does other airline let you book ANA business class for orher family members. Like through Virgin, or even Turkish airline websites? Thanks.

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

Hello! Yes, from what I know and have read, you shouldn’t have an issue booking an ANA award flight for other people using other award partners. I think at worst you may need to call to make the booking. For example if you’ve never made an award flight reservation with Turkish Airlines before, you can book a flight online for yourself, but if you’re including a flight for you and someone else and it’s your first time you’d have to call. It wasn’t too bad, I share that experience a little bit in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gouteah9fLKrm6c

[@arsilverio]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@Chris-ut5ih]

Is there any way to transfer Chase points to Avianca?

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

Sadly no, essentially everyone except Chase transfer to Avianca

[@milkteaboba3348]

Hello, lets say we're using the Virgin Atlantic transfer which is 90K points, What if I'm booking for 2 people and I need 180K points but I only have 160K, can I pay the difference in cash or do I have to have all the points ready?

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

Hi! I didn’t ask about this when I spoke to the representative, but I’m 90% sure you are not able to do points + cash when booking award bookings with ANA. I haven’t seen anything about that in my research. I will say as a a person who hates talking on the phone, the Virgin Atlantic representatives seem to be quite friendly and non-intimidating if you wanted to call and triple check. I pasted the customer service number below for you just in case! [phone]

[@KC-mo2xp]

How to book premium economy? Like how do u know it’s part of the reward availability?

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

Let me triple check and get back to you for a full answer. Some airlines will let you book premium economy on partner airlines, and some don’t. Was there a particular partner you were trying to book with? Or do you mean just finding availability in general?

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

Hey KC, so premium economy can only be booked as an award ticket via ANA's website. You aren't able to do so via partner airlines like United and Air Canada.

[@jacquelinedy8899]

Hi, I planned to fly to Philippines on business class sometime early next year. Which one you can recommend? ANA or Aeroplan. My points is mostly from AMEX

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

Hi Jacqueline! I think both can be solid options, my short answer is whoever has the availability on the days you want to go is the winner! But also depends how much you're willing to pay in points and in taxes: If you're flexible enough to handle the 3 day transfer time from AMEX to ANA, you can currently get a round trip ticket for very few points ~85,000-95,000 points but high in fees, ~$600ish round trip from the US. BUT very soon on 4/17, ANA is increasing their business class prices significantly and this same itinerary will cost around 20k points more (112-115k round trip). The higher price is still an okay deal in my book, just not as good. Air Canada will get you much lower fees, $70 one way, but one way ticket will cost you around 75k points. Hope this helps!

[@jacquelinedy8899]

@@NurseMichaelTravels Thank you so much.I will plan accordingly

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

@@jacquelinedy8899 you’re welcome!

[@tamjaymie5914]

United has not been releasing most business award flight for ANA😢I called virgin and they said if we cannot see the award flight on United and they basically cannot book it for us

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

Yeaaa I think the peak season is in full swing right now so competition is high unfortunately

[@jasonbreaux7586]

The problem with ANA is there’s never any award availability

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

I hear you, it can be frustrating. I’ll definitely say that it tends to comes in waves, and we seem to be in a little bit of a drought recently. Setting up award alerts can be helpful with tools like seats.aero or something like that

[@Picklerickyi]

Hey Jason, I found some space from Chicago for next week. Sadly couldn't confirm if it was on "the room"

[@arvin6409]

I transferred 100,000 points from AMEX to ANA. During booking, there's an option to book via ANA benefits and star alliance benefits. Are there any requirements with using either ANA or star alliance?

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

Hi Arvin, I haven’t yet booked a flight with ANA, and so I’m not 100% sure what this option is talking about. If I were to guess, I think essentially it’s meaning if you have any status with a Star Alliance Airline (like United), then you can use those status benefits. But if you don’t have status with a stat alliance airline (most occasional leisure travelers don’t), then I dont think it matters which you select.

[@triddoan]

I've booked with ANA before and I usually go with ANA as it costs less points than with star alliance ones. Not sure if this is what you're referring to. They usually shows you both tabs, 1 with ANA for like 105k and 1 with Star Alliance (EVA, Singapore Airlines, or United) for like 136k

[@arvin6409]

@@triddoan Yup I ended up going with Star Alliance but the fee still came out high. At around 500$ per ticket. I bought two with 105k points. Oh well. Still better than paying full price

[@triddoan]

@@arvin6409 For sure. That’s still a pretty good redemption 👍

[@jaychu3850]

Awards flights only work if you are super flexible with traveling so if you’re unemployed of have no kids then have at it 😂

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

I get that sentiment if you’re just looking for business class, but it’s definitely doable if you’re fine with economy flights. It can definitely test your patience though!

[@marksantos5748]

Thank you!!!!!!

[@NurseMichaelTravels]

You're welcome!!

[@user-io1qq9nd7u]

😊