ANA award change policy
Mar 20, 2024, 6:48 pm
#451
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 7
Yes. I have only ever transferred to ANA when I had a specific trip to book and there was availability. Having lots of points just sitting there is an awful strategy bc of that expiry. I’ve been using them at crap value for two years just to burn through them. Still have 90k in there and am going to use for a trip I will enjoy but don’t really have time for this year. Just bc the miles are expiring in March. Between RT, expiration, high fees, and difficult website then long hold times, I loathe using this points now.
Mar 20, 2024, 7:06 pm
#452
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, MLife Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Caesars Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,952
I cannot disagree more. If you really want to book ANA award tickets repeatedly, parking your miles in ANA is a must. I flewed ANA first class 4 times already (twice after COVID, twice before; each time, 2 seats), and while it's difficult to book, it's not impossible. But I can say for sure that, had I not parked my miles there, I wouldn't be able to fly even once. On the other hand, I actually like the fact that their miles expired in 3 years. It gave me an advantage because people who aren't willing to take the the risk to park their miles won't be able to compete with me.
Mar 20, 2024, 8:02 pm
#453
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,187
The problem is whether ANA will hold the seat for you while waiting for the transfer, and transfers from AMEX is not necessarily instant, often days.
Mar 20, 2024, 8:23 pm
#454
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 1,580
Wow what a bummer. Yet another reason to add to my list of why I use VS/AC/UA. Though TBH these days trying to book anything via AC is a joke.
Mar 20, 2024, 10:47 pm
#455
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, MLife Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Caesars Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,952
If I’m actively looking or strategizing for an award seat then to me that’s not “parking” miles. That’s planning. In that situation I would transfer points well ahead. But to just randomly move points over to ANA for some future maybe trip somewhere as-yet-unknown seems foolish given the expiry and partner award restrictions (like only OW).
Mar 21, 2024, 11:32 am
#456
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: LAX/SFO
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, Fortune Wings Club Gold
Posts: 358
I like the 3k cancellation fee. It reduces the number of speculative awards booked which increases total availability. Just mentally add on an extra 3k miles to every redemption - it'll remain cheaper than every other star alliance program. Similarly, the transfer time from amex decreases the number of miles people are willing to park in ANA and increases availability.
Mar 25, 2024, 7:42 am
#457
Join Date: Jan 2023
Programs: EVA, FLYING BLUE, UNITED
Posts: 43
Based on my experience, if your original reservation is made via US website, you are stuck in this time zone even if you use VPN to log into the Tokyo website, you are re-directed by to US website to make that change.
Mar 25, 2024, 8:47 am
#459
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 546
Why wouldn't people use other FF programs to book these same awards on NH metal? It seems to me ANA needs to relax its requirements (on RT redemption and/or mileage expiration) to get more people to use its program, especially after the recent devaluation affecting some popular routes.
Apr 12, 2024, 11:14 am
#461
Join Date: Dec 2022
Posts: 34
https://www.ana.co.jp/en/us/amc/part...-info-mileage/