Travel guide · Decision Guides
Best Program for Japan: ANA vs Virgin Atlantic vs Star Alliance Partners
By The Beyond Points Team · Published 2026-07-29 · Last verified 2026-07-29
The short answer: The best product to Japan is ANA business class — spacious, low surcharges — but ANA is only reachable directly from Amex, and only round-trip. What most people miss is that Virgin Atlantic also books ANA, and Virgin is reachable from every major card — so non-Amex holders aren't shut out. If ANA space is thin, Star Alliance partners (United, Aeroplan, Singapore, and more) get you there with more flexibility. Match the program to the points you hold. Typical — confirm live availability before transferring.
The decision matrix
Three ways to reach Japan on points, compared on what decides the booking: product, which points reach it, and the catch. Figures are typical and dynamic — always confirm live availability before transferring.
| Program | Best for | Reach it with | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANA Mileage Club | Best business product; steep fuel surcharges on US–Japan | Amex only | One-ways allowed since Jun 2025; space can be thin |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | Booking ANA from any card | Amex, Chase, Citi, Bilt, Cap One (via Virgin Red) | Confirm ANA space; some surcharges |
| Star partners (United, Aeroplan, Singapore…) | Flexibility & one-ways | Chase, Cap One, Citi, Bilt (varies) | Higher points or surcharge on some |
The standalone detail lives in ANA Mileage Club and Virgin Atlantic. Planning the wider trip? See Japan on points.
Best for — the quick verdict
- Best product, and you hold Amex: ANA Mileage Club — book "The Room" business round-trip.
- You want ANA but don't hold Amex: Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, reachable from every card, books the same ANA seats.
- You need one-way or maximum flexibility: a Star Alliance partner (United, Aeroplan) — often easier space, sometimes higher cost.
- You're chasing a bonus: Virgin is a frequent transfer-bonus target, which can make the ANA route even cheaper.
When each option wins
- ANA wins on product for Amex holders — a top business cabin, though ANA's own US–Japan fuel surcharges are steep and belong in the comparison, when round-trip space lines up.
- Virgin wins as the workaround: it books ANA metal from any card, so Chase, Capital One, Citi, and Bilt holders can fly ANA too — often with a transfer bonus.
- Star partners win when ANA space is thin or you need a one-way: United reaches Tokyo directly, and Aeroplan or Singapore add flexibility across the alliance.
When each option loses
- ANA loses mainly if you don't hold Amex. Its old one-way restriction no longer applies — awards were round-trip only, and space can be limited.
- Virgin loses when ANA space isn't there (Virgin can only book what ANA releases) or when its surcharges climb on a given route.
- Star partners lose on outright value versus ANA business, and some carry higher surcharges — always compare the all-in cost.
Common mistakes
- Assuming ANA is out of reach without Amex. Virgin Atlantic books the same ANA seats from every card — the most overlooked path to Japan.
- Assuming ANA is still round-trip only. That rule was repealed in June 2025 — one-ways now price at exactly half. The old advice to plan a Star partner instead.
- Booking the first option you see. Compare ANA (via Amex or Virgin) against a Star partner for space, points, and surcharge.
- Transferring before confirming. ANA space is the constraint — confirm it before you move points. See LAX to Tokyo on points.
The real tradeoff
The honest picture: ANA has the best product but the narrowest access (Amex, round-trip); Virgin unlocks that same product from any card but depends on ANA releasing space; Star partners trade a bit of value for flexibility and one-ways. There's no single winner — the right choice is the one your points can reach for the dates ANA actually opens. Search the space first, then pick the program.
How Beyond Points helps
The Japan decision hinges on a moving target — ANA's released space — and on which of your currencies can book it. Beyond Points weighs ANA, Virgin, and the Star partners against live cash fares for your dates, and tells you the cheapest way to reach Japan — and whether ANA space is even open — before you transfer a single point.
Conclusion
Which program is best for Japan? ANA for the product if you hold Amex; Virgin Atlantic to fly that same ANA cabin from any other card; and a Star Alliance partner when you need flexibility or a one-way. Match the program to the points you hold, confirm ANA's space before you commit, and compare the all-in cost. Typical — confirm live availability before transferring.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best way to fly to Japan on points?
ANA business class is the best product — spacious and low on surcharges — but it's only reachable directly from Amex and only round-trip. If you don't hold Amex, Virgin Atlantic books the same ANA seats from every major card. When ANA space is thin, a Star Alliance partner like United or Aeroplan gets you there with more flexibility.
Can I fly ANA without American Express points?
Yes — Virgin Atlantic Flying Club also books ANA, and Virgin is reachable from every major card, not just Amex. It's the most overlooked path to ANA's business class. You can only book the space ANA releases, so confirm availability before transferring, and watch the surcharge on your route.
Is ANA or United better for Japan?
ANA has the superior business product and lower surcharges, but it's Amex-only and round-trip. United (reachable from Chase and Bilt) offers more flexibility, including one-ways and often easier space, at the cost of some value. Compare both for your dates before deciding.
Why is ANA award space so hard to find?
ANA releases a limited number of saver business seats, and demand is high, so space appears and disappears. Search with flexible dates, confirm the exact seats before transferring, and have a Star Alliance backup in mind. The space — not the points — is the real constraint to Japan.
Are ANA awards still round-trip only?
Yes, ANA Mileage Club awards must be booked round-trip. If you need a one-way to or from Japan, use a Star Alliance partner such as United or Aeroplan, or book ANA metal through Virgin Atlantic, which has different rules. Confirm the current terms before you plan around them.