ANA First Class via AMEX MR: Bucket-List Sweet Spot 2026
ANA Mileage Club First Class from Frankfurt to Tokyo — complete 2026 booking guide. Round-trip from 165,000 ANA miles in Low Season + ~€220 in taxes. AMEX MR US transfers 1:1 to ANA. ANA First Class Suite status verified May 2026.
Quick answer: ANA Mileage Club offers Lufthansa-style premium bookings to Japan for 165,000-200,000 ANA miles round-trip First Class (Low/Regular/High Season — as of May 2026, ana.co.jp). One-way awards are not possible on ANA’s own flights — RT is mandatory. Taxes: ~€220 (no high YQ surcharge like with LH M&M directly). AMEX MR US transfers 1:1 to ANA Mileage Club — the welcome bonus of the AMEX Platinum US (per AMEX “as high as 175,000 MR, offer varies”) is enough, with a good offer, for a First Class RT in Low Season plus a remaining balance. ANA First Class on the 777-300ER has 3 First Class suites per flight with doors, $1,500 caviar service, its own onboard bar — as a points booking, perhaps the best cent-per-point value in the world.
ANA First Class on the 777-300ER is one of the last true First Class experiences in the world — a separate suite area with doors, caviar à la carte, pajamas, private spa amenities. Booking it as cash: $15,000-20,000 RT. With ANA miles: 165,000 + ~€220.
This article is the step-by-step guide to perhaps the most spectacular points booking of 2026.
Disclaimer: ANA charts change quarterly. As of May 2026, source: ana.co.jp/en/jp/amc. Verify before every booking.
ANA First Class — the facts
Award chart May 2026
| Season | Round-Trip Business | Round-Trip First |
|---|---|---|
| Low Season (Jan, Feb, Apr-May, Sep-Nov) | 80,000 | 165,000 |
| Regular Season (Mar, Jun, Jul, Dec excluding holidays) | 85,000 | 170,000 |
| High Season (summer peak, Golden Week, Christmas) | 90,000 | 200,000 |
Important: ANA requires round-trip on its own ANA flights. One-way awards are only possible on Star Alliance partners (LH, Singapore, Cathay).
Routes from Europe
| Departure airport | ANA destination | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|
| Frankfurt (FRA) | Tokyo Haneda (HND) | 777-300ER |
| Munich (MUC) | Tokyo Narita (NRT) | 777-300ER |
| Vienna (VIE)? | not direct — connect via FRA | - |
| London Heathrow (LHR) | Tokyo Haneda (HND) | 777-300ER |
| Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) | Tokyo Haneda (HND) | 777-300ER |
Taxes round-trip
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| German Aviation Tax (Long-Haul) | €56 |
| Japan Airport Tax | ~€40 |
| Security/airport fees | ~€80 |
| Total RT | ~€220-280 |
Important: ANA charges low YQ surcharges on awards — unlike Lufthansa M&M directly (€600+ YQ). That’s why the out-of-pocket cost is so low.
How to get ANA miles
Path 1: AMEX MR US → ANA (1:1)
The fastest method. AMEX MR US transfers 1:1 to ANA Mileage Club (as of May 2026, AMEX US standard rate).
| Card | Welcome bonus | Enough for |
|---|---|---|
| AMEX Gold US | as high as 100,000 MR (offer varies) | One Business RT (80k Low Season) plus a remaining balance |
| AMEX Platinum US | as high as 175,000 MR (offer varies) | With a good offer, a First Class RT (165k Low Season) plus a remaining balance |
Note: AMEX states its US welcome bonuses only as “as high as” — the actual offer varies. Check your personal offer before applying at americanexpress.com.
Path 2: AMEX MR DE → Singapore KrisFlyer → ANA?
DE AMEX has no direct ANA path. Workaround:
- DE MR → Singapore KrisFlyer (3:2) → ANA (no direct transfer from KrisFlyer to ANA)
→ DE MR is a dead end. You need US MR.
Path 3: Earn ANA itself (credit card)
ANA has its own co-brand Visa (in the US), but it’s not practical for German collectors. AMEX MR US is the standard path.
Step-by-step booking
Step 1: Check availability
ANA First Class has a maximum of 3 seats per flight. Availability is limited and highly competitive.
Tools:
- ana.co.jp member login → Award Search (shows only ANA + ANA partners)
- aircanada.com (Aeroplan search shows ANA availability for Star Alliance awards)
- seats.aero Pro (the best tool for ANA awards)
Timing: ANA typically opens award inventory 355 days before departure. Saver inventory is gone fast — plan 6-12 months ahead.
Step 2: Transfer AMEX MR US → ANA
- Log in at americanexpress.com US → “Membership Rewards” → “Transfer Points”
- Select ANA Mileage Club
- 1:1 rate, typical transfer time: 1-3 days (slower than Avianca)
Important: The transfer is not reversible. Check availability first, then transfer.
Step 3: Book on ana.co.jp
- Log in to the member area
- Award Search → Star Alliance → set the “ANA Operated” filter
- Choose a First Class award (165k+ RT)
- Book
Booking fee: $0 online. Phone booking costs $25.
Step 4: Pay the taxes
Paid directly via credit card during the booking process. ~€220-280 RT.
Sweet spots: when you should book
Low Season (January, February, April, May, September, October, November)
165,000 ANA miles RT First Class — the best rate. April and May are especially attractive (cherry blossom season in early April, avoid Golden Week).
Last-minute (5-7 days before departure)
If ANA First seats aren’t full, there are last-minute releases. Rare, but possible. If you’re flexible, you benefit.
Alternative sweet spots — when ANA isn’t available
| Sweet Spot | Points | Cash comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Lufthansa First Class via Avianca | 87k LifeMiles one-way | $11k-14k |
| Cathay First HKG-JFK | 110k Cathay Asia Miles one-way | $14k-18k |
| Singapore Suites Class FRA-SIN | 130k+ KrisFlyer | $15k+ |
More on this: Lufthansa First Class via Avianca
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are 165,000 ANA miles for First Class really Low Season?
Yes — as of May 2026, ANA award chart. ANA has slightly increased First Class awards since 2023 (previously 150k Low Season). 165k remains the sweet spot.
Can I book a one-way First Class?
On ANA flights, no. ANA requires RT on its own flights. On Star Alliance partners (Lufthansa, Singapore), ANA awards are possible one-way with ~75-90k points one-way.
How long does the AMEX-to-ANA transfer take?
Typically 1-3 days (as opposed to Avianca: 5-30 min). For time-critical bookings, build in enough buffer.
What about the ANA First Class Lounge in Tokyo?
ANA has its own First Class suite lounges in Tokyo Haneda (HND) and Narita (NRT). Caviar service, champagne, private salons. Access is included with a First Class ticket.
Do ANA miles expire?
After 36 months of inactivity. A small activity (e.g. a 1,000-mile earn via AMEX transfer) is enough to reset.
Are ANA awards available on ANA flights in the US?
Yes. ANA flies US-Tokyo (e.g. JFK-NRT, LAX-NRT) — these routes are ANA’s own flights and bookable with ANA miles RT.
Who is in the 5/24 counter?
ANA Mileage Club is not a credit card application, so it’s not in 5/24. But the AMEX cards you transfer from all count.
Can I book family members in ANA First?
Yes, up to 8 people per award booking — all must be registered family members on the ANA account.
Conclusion: The best premium experience for 165k points
ANA First Class is the crown of the points world in 2026 — exclusive, hard to find, but when bookable: an experience that costs cash buyers $15,000+.
Path: AMEX Platinum US welcome bonus (per AMEX “as high as 175,000 MR, offer varies”) → 1:1 to ANA → 165k First RT in Low Season + €220 in taxes.
The step before that: how you, as a German, even get a US AMEX Platinum — see the MEILENKÖNIG US card handbooks.
Further reading:
- Lufthansa First Class via Avianca
- 175k MR Welcome Bonus: 5 Dream Trips
- AMEX MR US vs DE Transfer Partners
You don’t just want to know that ANA First Class is possible for 165k points — but actually have the cards for it as a German? The MEILENKÖNIG US card handbooks explain the Stack path to AMEX Platinum US.
Your path to US credit cards — step by step
Welcome bonuses up to 175,000 MR, 1:1 transfer ratios, Chase & Capital One: the US handbooks show you the complete roadmap — from the US address to your first card. Without US residency, as a German.
To the US card handbooks
MEILENKÖNIG
Expert for miles, points, and credit card strategies. Helps travelers fly business & first class for a fraction of the price.