ANA Membership is a frequent flyer program run by All Nippon Airways, the major Japanese airline, and it works like most airline loyalty programs — you earn points on flights and credit card spending, then redeem those points for free or discounted tickets.

If you hold an ANA-branded credit card, your membership is usually automatic. The card itself earns points faster than paying cash, and some cards waive the annual ANA membership fee. The real value depends on whether you fly ANA routes regularly and whether the card's annual fee and earning rate match your actual spending.

ANA membership is free to join on its own, but the credit card version costs money and comes with perks designed to make frequent flyers feel the cost is worth it. Understanding what you actually get — and what you pay for it — matters before you explore.

Key Takeaways

  • ANA membership is free to join, but an ANA credit card charges an annual fee and is only worth it if you fly ANA routes or have high spending that earns back the fee in points.
  • Points earned on an ANA credit card do not expire as long as you hold the card and earn at least one point per year, but they can be forfeited if your card is closed.
  • ANA credit cards typically offer perks like checked baggage waivers, priority boarding, and lounge access, but these benefits only matter if you use them on ANA flights.
  • You can transfer ANA points to partner airlines and hotels, which sometimes offers better value than redeeming them for ANA flights directly.

How ANA Points Work on a Credit Card

When you use an ANA-branded credit card, you earn points on every purchase — usually at a rate like 1 point per dollar spent, though some categories earn more. Those points sit in your ANA account and can be redeemed for ANA flights, seat upgrades, or transferred to hotel and airline partners.

The card issuer (usually a bank like Chase or a Japanese bank depending on your location) handles the card itself, while ANA runs the loyalty program. This means your points are tied to your ANA membership number, not to the card. If you close the card, your points stay in your ANA account — but if you let your ANA membership lapse, you lose the points.

Points do not expire as long as you earn at least one point per year and keep your membership active. If you go a full year without earning any points, ANA may close your account and forfeit your balance. This is why even a small annual purchase on the card can keep your account alive if you are not flying.

Annual Fees and Whether They Pay for Themselves

ANA credit cards charge an annual fee that varies by card and issuer — typically between $95 and $450 depending on the tier. Some cards waive the first year's fee, and a few offer a waiver if you spend a certain amount in the first year.

To know whether the fee is worth it, calculate how many points you earn in a year and what those points are worth to you. If you spend $10,000 per year on the card at 1 point per dollar, you earn 10,000 points. If those points are worth roughly $100 to $150 in free flights or upgrades, and the card also gives you a free checked bag or lounge access you actually use, the fee may break even. If you do not fly ANA routes or do not use the perks, the fee is pure cost.

Compare this to a no-annual-fee card that earns cash back or points on a different program. If you do not fly ANA regularly, a general rewards card often makes more financial sense.

Perks That Come With ANA Credit Cards

Most ANA credit cards include benefits beyond points earning. Common perks are a free checked bag on ANA flights, priority boarding, access to ANA lounges, travel insurance, and sometimes a companion ticket discount or anniversary bonus points.

The catch is that these perks only work on ANA flights or ANA-operated segments. If you fly ANA once or twice a year, a free checked bag saves you $30 to $50 per trip. If you never fly ANA, these perks have zero value. Read the card's benefits guide carefully and match it to your actual travel plans before explore.

Some cards also offer travel protections like trip cancellation insurance or emergency medical coverage abroad. These are useful for any international trip, not just ANA flights, so they may add value even if you do not fly ANA often.

Transferring Points to Partners

ANA points can be transferred to partner airlines and hotel chains, which sometimes offers better redemption value than booking ANA flights directly. Partners include United, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and hotel chains like Hilton and Marriott.

For example, if you have 50,000 ANA points and want to fly from New York to London, an ANA flight might cost 60,000 points. But transferring those points to a partner airline might book the same route for 40,000 points. Transfer rates are usually 1:1, and transfers happen when ready or within a few hours.

This flexibility is one reason ANA membership can be valuable even if you do not fly ANA itself. Before you redeem points, check what the same flight costs on partner programs to see if you get better value by transferring.

ANA Membership Tiers and Status Benefits

ANA has a tiered membership system where you earn status based on flights taken or points earned in a calendar year. The tiers are Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, with each tier offering better perks like priority boarding, lounge access, and bonus points on flights.

If you hold an ANA credit card, you may start at a higher tier automatically or earn tier status faster. The exact benefits depend on which card you hold and which tier you reach. Most casual travelers stay at the base tier unless they fly ANA frequently.

Status resets each calendar year, so you have to earn it again annually. If you fly ANA only occasionally, the credit card perks (like the free checked bag) matter more than chasing status.

When an ANA Card Makes Sense

An ANA credit card is worth considering if you fly ANA routes at least once or twice a year, spend enough on the card to earn back the annual fee in points or perks, or plan to transfer points to partner airlines regularly. If you live in or frequently travel to Japan, or if you connect through Tokyo's Narita or Haneda airports, ANA routes may be convenient for you.

It is not worth it if you rarely fly ANA, do not use the perks, and have no interest in transferring points to partners. In that case, a general rewards card with no annual fee and cash back or flexible points will serve you better.

Before explore, check whether the card is available in your country and whether the issuer is reputable. ANA cards are issued by different banks in different regions, and terms vary significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my ANA points if I close the credit card?

No. Your points are tied to your ANA membership account, not the card itself. Closing the card does not close your membership or forfeit your points. However, if your ANA membership lapses because you do not earn any points for a full year, ANA may close your account and delete your points.

Can I use ANA points on airlines other than ANA?

Yes, you can transfer ANA points to partner airlines like United, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines at a 1:1 rate. You can also book partner airline flights directly through the ANA website using your points, though transfer rates may vary by partner.

What happens to my points if I move to a different country?

Your ANA membership and points remain active as long as you keep your account open and earn at least one point per year. However, you may not be able to hold an ANA credit card issued in your old country, and you may need to open a new card through a bank in your new country if one is available.

Is the annual fee worth it if I only fly ANA once a year?

It depends on the fee amount and the perks you use. If the card costs $95 and you get a free checked bag worth $30 plus 10,000 bonus points worth $100 to $150, the fee roughly breaks even. If the card costs $450, you would need to use significantly more perks or earn more points to justify it.

Can I earn ANA points without a credit card?

Yes. You can join ANA membership for free and earn points by flying ANA flights. You earn points at a slower rate than with a credit card, but your membership and points are free to maintain as long as you fly at least once every few years or keep your account active through occasional point transfers.