Maximizing Value Navigating ANA’s Award Flight Change Policies and Fees

Post originally Published May 22, 2024 || Last Updated May 22, 2024

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Maximizing Value Navigating ANA's Award Flight Change Policies and Fees - Understanding ANA's Award Flight Change Policies


Maximizing Value Navigating ANA’s Award Flight Change Policies and Fees

The changes introduced include revised redemption rates for business-class flights between the US and Japan, with an increase of 22-33%.

Additionally, the airline has introduced new mileage requirements for other routes, such as flights between Japan and South Korea.

These policy updates may affect the competitiveness of ANA Mileage Club's redemption options, requiring travelers to carefully evaluate their award flight options to ensure they are getting the best value.

While the changes may be disappointing for some, they highlight the dynamic nature of the airline industry and the importance of staying informed about the evolving landscape of mileage and loyalty programs.

ANA's award chart has undergone a significant devaluation, with business class flights from the US to Japan now costing 22-33% more in miles, with roundtrip awards starting at 100,000 miles, up from the previous 75,000 miles.

The changes also affect first-class awards between the US and Japan, increasing from 150,000 miles to 150,000-170,000 miles, and partner business-class awards between the US and Europe, increasing from 88,000 miles to 100,000 miles.

ANA has introduced a new policy that allows changes to award flights through their website until 96 hours prior to the departure of the first flight of the itinerary, as long as the ticket has not been used.

Customers must change their flight award before the departure of their originally reserved flight and up to 24 hours prior to the departure of their preferred flight.

If changes or cancellations are not made by the departure time of the originally reserved flight, changes will not be permitted from thereon.

Reservations cannot be changed at the airport, and all changes must be made online or by logging into the ANA website and requesting a change.

The conditions for changes vary depending on whether they are made before or after the ticket has been issued, with more flexibility and lower fees for changes made prior to ticket issuance.

What else is in this post?

  1. Maximizing Value Navigating ANA's Award Flight Change Policies and Fees - Understanding ANA's Award Flight Change Policies
  2. Maximizing Value Navigating ANA's Award Flight Change Policies and Fees - Navigating the Recent Devaluation of ANA's Award Chart
  3. Maximizing Value Navigating ANA's Award Flight Change Policies and Fees - Strategies for Maximizing Value with ANA's Award Redemptions
  4. Maximizing Value Navigating ANA's Award Flight Change Policies and Fees - Procedures for Requesting Award Flight Changes
  5. Maximizing Value Navigating ANA's Award Flight Change Policies and Fees - Leveraging ANA's Flexible Change Policies
  6. Maximizing Value Navigating ANA's Award Flight Change Policies and Fees - Exploring ANA's Revised International Award Rates

Maximizing Value Navigating ANA's Award Flight Change Policies and Fees - Navigating the Recent Devaluation of ANA's Award Chart


ANA Mileage Club members are facing a significant devaluation of their award chart, particularly for business-class flights from the US to Japan.

Roundtrip awards have increased from 75,000 miles to 100,000 miles, a 33% jump.

This change also applies to partner-operated flights, affecting the competitiveness of ANA's redemption options.

While the devaluation is disappointing, ANA still offers relatively competitive award charts, especially for those willing to book flights in advance and utilize flexible travel dates.

Travelers are advised to act quickly to book awards under the current system before the new, higher rates take effect.

The recent devaluation of ANA's award chart has increased the roundtrip business-class redemption rates from the US to Japan by 22-33%, with the new rates starting at 100,000 miles, up from the previous 75,000 miles.

The devaluation also affects first-class awards between the US and Japan, increasing from 150,000 miles to 150,000-170,000 miles, and partner business-class awards between the US and Europe, increasing from 88,000 miles to 100,000 miles.

Despite the devaluation, ANA Mileage Club still offers competitive redemption rates, particularly when compared to other major airline loyalty programs, making it an attractive option for those willing to book flights in advance and utilize flexible travel dates.

The recent changes to ANA's award chart are part of the airline's efforts to align its redemption rates with current market values and maintain the economic sustainability of its loyalty program.

Prior to the devaluation, ANA Mileage Club was consistently ranked among the industry's lowest redemption rates, making it a go-to program for savvy travelers looking to maximize their miles.

The devaluation affects both ANA-operated and partner-operated flights, with changes to the award charts impacting both international and partner award pricing, requiring travelers to carefully evaluate their redemption options.

Despite the increased costs, ANA's award chart still remains one of the more competitive options in the industry, particularly for those who are willing to plan their travel well in advance and take advantage of the program's flexible booking policies.

Maximizing Value Navigating ANA's Award Flight Change Policies and Fees - Strategies for Maximizing Value with ANA's Award Redemptions


Maximizing Value Navigating ANA’s Award Flight Change Policies and Fees

To maximize value with ANA's award redemptions, consider redeeming miles for round-trip business class flights to Japan starting at 75,000 miles or flights from North America to Europe starting at 55,000 miles round-trip.

Another sweet spot is flying from the US to South America for 88,000 miles round-trip in business class, and adding a stopover in either region can help avoid fuel surcharges on partner airlines.

Despite a recent devaluation of ANA's award chart, including a 22-33% increase in the cost of business class flights from the US to Japan, the program still offers relatively competitive redemption rates compared to other major airlines.

Travelers should carefully review ANA's complex award charts and rules to identify the best value opportunities for their upcoming trips.

ANA offers roundtrip business class flights from North America to Europe for as little as 55,000 miles, making it a sweet spot in their award chart.

Flying business class from the US to South America can be redeemed for just 88,000 miles roundtrip, another great value proposition in ANA's program.

ANA's award charts are distance-based, with separate charts for domestic, international, and partner flights, allowing savvy travelers to find the best redemption rates.

Despite a recent 22-33% increase in business class award rates from the US to Japan, ANA's redemption rates remain competitive compared to other major airlines.

ANA uniquely allows award flight changes online up to 96 hours prior to the first flight, providing flexibility for travelers to adjust their plans.

One-way award redemptions are not permitted in ANA Mileage Club, requiring members to book roundtrip awards to maximize value.

ANA imposes no fuel surcharges on award flights, making it a cost-effective option for redeeming miles, especially on partner airline flights.

The addition of a stopover at a hub city like Tokyo can unlock additional value when redeeming ANA miles for flights to South America or Europe.

Maximizing Value Navigating ANA's Award Flight Change Policies and Fees - Procedures for Requesting Award Flight Changes


ANA allows changes to award flight tickets through their website, but only until 96 hours prior to the departure of the first flight in the itinerary.

Changes can be made by logging into your account and selecting "Reservation Confirmation and Changes for ANA International Flight Awards", but changes cannot be made at the airport.

The conditions for changes vary depending on whether the ticket has been issued or not, and ANA has recently introduced changes to its award change policies, including the requirement to revise the required mileage for ANA international and partner airline flights departing from and arriving at specific zones from April 18, 2024.

Additionally, ANA allows award return flight changes before departure, and award tickets are valid for 1 year from the award ticketing issue date or for 1 year from the first segment flown.

ANA allows changes to award flight tickets through their website, but only until 96 hours prior to the departure of the first flight in the itinerary.

Changes cannot be made at the airport, and all changes must be requested online or by logging into the ANA website.

The conditions for changes vary depending on whether the ticket has been issued or not, with more flexibility and lower fees for changes made prior to ticket issuance.

ANA has recently introduced changes to its award change policies, including the requirement to revise the required mileage for ANA international and partner airline flights departing from and arriving at specific zones from April 18,

ANA's award change policy allows changes to the departure date within the ticket's validity period after ticketing, but changes to the passenger's name and the person redeeming the mileage cannot be made.

ANA also allows award return flight changes before departure, but changes may not be possible for partner airline award tickets, and customers may need to contact ANA by phone.

Award tickets are valid for 1 year from the award ticketing issue date, or for 1 year from the first segment flown, providing flexibility for travelers.

ANA has increased redemption rates for certain routes, including business-class flights from the US to Japan, and has introduced changes to its award chart redemptions that will apply to flights booked after April 18,

For partner airline flight awards, customers can request changes by pressing "Check or Change a Partner Airline Flight Award Reservation" on the ANA website, but in certain cases, changes may not be possible.

Maximizing Value Navigating ANA's Award Flight Change Policies and Fees - Leveraging ANA's Flexible Change Policies


ANA, the Japanese airline, has introduced flexible change policies to provide travelers with greater peace of mind and the ability to adjust their plans with ease.

The airline has eliminated change fees for applicable fares, allowing unlimited changes to itineraries as long as they are made before 96 hours prior to the first flight.

This policy applies to various regions, including Argentina, Australia, and Europe.

Additionally, ANA has clarified that no change fee will apply for award flights booked using Mileage Club miles.

These flexible change policies from ANA demonstrate the airline's commitment to customer-centricity and adaptability in the evolving travel landscape.

ANA's flexible change policy applies to various regions including Argentina, Australia, and Europe, ensuring a consistent customer experience regardless of destination.

The airline's award flight change policy is even more generous, as ANA does not charge a fee for changing the date or routing of an award flight, as long as the origin and destination airports remain the same.

For changes to award flights, ANA only charges a 3,000 yen (about $27 USD) handling fee per ticket, making it one of the most cost-effective airlines for modifying award bookings.

ANA offers a "Flex Fare" option for domestic flights in Japan, which allows passengers to make changes to their itinerary without incurring any additional fees, a unique perk among major carriers.

Surprisingly, ANA does not charge a change fee for most fare classes if the changes are made within 24 hours of booking, providing a valuable safety net for last-minute adjustments.

While ANA recently increased the mileage required for business class flights from the US to Japan, the program still offers relatively competitive redemption rates compared to other major airlines.

One of ANA's hidden gems is the ability to redeem miles for roundtrip business class flights from North America to Europe for as little as 55,000 miles, a standout value proposition.

ANA's distance-based award charts allow savvy travelers to identify sweet spots, such as redeeming 88,000 miles for roundtrip business class flights from the US to South America.

The airline's policy of not imposing fuel surcharges on award flights makes it a cost-effective option for redeeming miles, especially when booking partner airline tickets.

Maximizing Value Navigating ANA's Award Flight Change Policies and Fees - Exploring ANA's Revised International Award Rates


ANA Mileage Club has significantly increased award rates for flights between the United States and Japan, with business class roundtrip flights now costing 22-33% more in miles.

The changes, which will apply to flights booked after April 18, 2024, also affect routes to other destinations like Asia, Hawaii, and South Korea, with the extent of the increases varying depending on the destination and cabin class.

While the devaluation is disappointing for ANA Mileage Club members, the program still offers relatively competitive redemption rates compared to other major airlines, especially for those willing to plan their travel in advance and take advantage of the program's flexible policies.

ANA has increased award rates for business class flights between the United States and Japan by a significant 22-33%, with roundtrip awards now starting at 100,000 miles, up from the previous 75,000 miles.

The changes also affect first-class awards between the US and Japan, increasing from 150,000 miles to 150,000-170,000 miles.

ANA's partner business-class awards between the US and Europe have also seen an increase, going from 88,000 miles to 100,000 miles.

Despite the devaluation, ANA's award chart still remains relatively competitive compared to other major airline loyalty programs.

Interestingly, ANA has introduced a new policy that allows changes to award flights through their website until 96 hours prior to the departure of the first flight in the itinerary.

Customers must change their flight award before the departure of their originally reserved flight and up to 24 hours prior to the departure of their preferred flight.

ANA's award chart features four separate charts, including a seasonal, distance-based chart for domestic flights within Japan and a seasonal, zone-based chart for international flights on ANA.

One of the sweet spots in ANA's award chart is the ability to redeem 55,000 miles for roundtrip business class flights from North America to Europe.

Another standout value proposition is the 88,000 miles roundtrip in business class from the US to South America, with the option to add a stopover in either region.

Surprisingly, ANA does not impose any fuel surcharges on award flights, making it a cost-effective option for redeeming miles, especially on partner airline flights.

ANA's award tickets are valid for 1 year from the award ticketing issue date or for 1 year from the first segment flown, providing flexibility for travelers.

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