If you have Amex or Chase points and want to fly to Japan in a lie-flat seat, this is the first booking to learn. It's one of the best-known award sweet spots out of the US, and it's simple once you know the order of operations.
The price
Per Virgin Atlantic's ANA partner page (checked October 2026), one-way on ANA between Japan and:
| From | Business | First |
|---|---|---|
| Central and eastern US, including New York | 60,000 | 85,000 |
| Western US (LAX, SFO, SEA) and Canada | 52,500 | 72,500 |
Plus taxes, fees, and carrier charges. One-way bookings are allowed, so you can fly ANA out and come home on something else.
Where the points come from
Both Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club at 1:1. If you and a travel partner each hold a different card family, you can both send points to Virgin and book from one account (check Virgin's rules on combining points first).
The order of operations (this matters)
- Find ANA saver space first. Virgin's website won't show ANA award seats. Search on United.com or Air Canada's Aeroplan site, both of which display ANA partner space, or use an award search tool like seats.aero.
- Write down the exact flight numbers and dates.
- Call Virgin Atlantic. ANA awards are booked by phone. Ask the agent to confirm the space and the total price.
- Only then transfer points. Transfers can't be reversed, so never move points on speculation.
- Finish the booking on the same call or right after the points land.
Rules that trip people up
- Timing: Virgin's calendar opens about 331 days (roughly 11 months) before departure.
- Close-in limit: Virgin can't book ANA flights departing the US within 14 days of travel.
- Haneda beats Narita: Haneda is about 20 to 40 minutes by taxi to central Tokyo; Narita is about 60 to 90. If two options are similar, pick Haneda.
- Peak dates go first: cherry blossom week and late November leaves are the hardest. See our 2027 cherry blossom timing guide.
Backup options if there's no space
- Air Canada Aeroplan books ANA and other Star Alliance flights on a distance-based chart. Amex and Chase both transfer 1:1.
- United MileagePlus shows ANA space well but prices partner awards differently, so compare. Chase transfers 1:1.
- ANA Mileage Club can be strong for round trips but often adds fuel surcharges. Amex transfers 1:1, and transfers can take a few days.
- Japan Airlines is bookable through oneworld partners such as British Airways Avios.
Want someone to do the searching?
The hard part isn't the booking, it's watching for space. A Lie Flat Club Award Search ($75 per trip, up to 2 travelers) finds 2 to 3 bookable options with exact steps you follow in your own account. We never hold your logins or points. Or start free with the Sakura 2027 Cheat Sheet.
Travel information only, accurate as of November 2026. Award prices and transfer partners change; confirm on the airline and card issuer's site before transferring. Not financial advice, and we don't recommend any credit card.
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