ANA membership costs ¥10,000 per year in Japan, or roughly $65 to $75 USD depending on exchange rates

All Nippon Airways (ANA) membership is a frequent flyer program called ANA Mileage Club. The annual fee is fixed in Japanese yen, so the dollar equivalent shifts with currency. You pay once per year to keep the account active and earn miles on flights and partner purchases.

The membership itself is separate from any credit card. You can join the mileage club without a card, or you can hold an ANA-branded credit card that charges its own separate annual fee. The card fee and the mileage club fee are two different charges.

Key Takeaways

  • ANA Mileage Club membership costs ¥10,000 annually, payable once per year to keep your account open and miles active.
  • An ANA credit card adds its own annual fee on top of the mileage club fee — the card fee does not cover membership.
  • You can hold an ANA mileage account without any credit card, paying only the membership fee and earning miles through flights and partner transfers.
  • Miles expire three years from the month you earn them, so the membership fee only makes sense if you fly or transfer miles within that window.

How the mileage club fee works

The ¥10,000 annual fee renews on your membership anniversary each year. You pay it once to keep the account active for the next 12 months. If you do not pay, your account goes inactive and your miles freeze — you cannot use them until you pay the fee and reactivate.

Some ANA credit cards waive the mileage club fee for the primary cardholder. Check the specific card's terms, because not all ANA cards include this benefit. If your card does waive it, you still pay the card's own annual fee, but the ¥10,000 mileage club charge is covered.

ANA credit card annual fees

ANA offers several co-branded credit cards in Japan and internationally, and each has its own annual fee separate from the mileage club membership. The ANA Card (standard version) typically costs around ¥2,000 to ¥2,500 per year. Premium versions like the ANA Card Premium or ANA Card Gold charge higher fees — sometimes ¥15,000 or more — but include additional benefits like lounge access and higher earning rates.

If the card waives the mileage club fee, you are paying only the card fee, not both. If the card does not waive it, you pay both the card fee and the ¥10,000 mileage club fee. Read the card's benefits summary to confirm whether the mileage club membership is included.

When the membership fee makes financial sense

The ¥10,000 fee is worth paying only if you will use the miles within three years. ANA miles expire 36 months from the month you earn them, so if you do not fly or transfer miles during that window, the fee becomes a sunk cost with no return.

If you fly ANA or its Star Alliance partners at least once every two years, or if you regularly transfer miles from credit card spending, the membership fee typically pays for itself through the miles you accumulate. One round-trip domestic flight in Japan often costs 20,000 to 40,000 miles, so even modest flying can generate value that exceeds the annual cost.

How to pay the membership fee

If you hold an ANA credit card, the annual fee usually charges automatically to that card each year on your membership anniversary. You do not need to take any action — the charge appears on your statement.

If you hold a mileage account without a card, you can pay the fee through the ANA website or by contacting ANA directly. Payment methods vary by country. In Japan, you can pay by bank transfer or credit card through the ANA Mileage Club portal. Outside Japan, options depend on which ANA website you use and which payment methods that region supports.

Comparing ANA membership to other airline programs

Most US-based airline frequent flyer programs do not charge an annual membership fee — you can hold an account for free and earn miles on flights. ANA's ¥10,000 annual fee is typical for Japanese and Asian carriers, but it is higher than what you would pay to join programs like United MileagePlus or American AAdvantage at no cost.

However, ANA credit cards in the US (issued by American Express or other partners) may not charge the Japanese mileage club fee. The card itself has an annual fee, but that fee does not necessarily include the ¥10,000 mileage club charge. Confirm the card's terms before assuming the US version works the same way as the Japan version.

What happens if you stop paying the fee

If your membership lapses because you did not pay the annual fee, your miles do not disappear when ready. They freeze in your account. You can reactivate the membership by paying the ¥10,000 fee again, and your miles become usable once more. However, miles that were already expired before you reactivated will not come back.

If your account remains inactive for an extended period (typically two to three years depending on ANA's policy), the account itself may close and your remaining miles may be forfeited. Check ANA's current policy on inactive accounts if you plan to take a break from flying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay the membership fee if I have an ANA credit card?

Not necessarily. Some ANA credit cards waive the ¥10,000 mileage club fee for the primary cardholder, but you still pay the card's own annual fee. Other ANA cards do not waive the mileage club fee, so you would pay both. Check your specific card's benefits guide to confirm.

Can I use my miles if I do not pay the annual fee?

No. If you do not pay the ¥10,000 annual fee, your account becomes inactive and your miles freeze. You cannot book flights or transfer miles until you pay the fee and reactivate. Once reactivated, your miles are usable again.

How long do ANA miles last?

Miles expire three years from the month you earn them. If you earn miles in January, they expire in January three years later. Keeping your membership active does not extend the expiration date — you must use or transfer the miles before they expire.

Is there a way to join ANA Mileage Club without paying a fee?

In Japan and most markets, no — the ¥10,000 annual fee is required to maintain an active account. However, some ANA credit cards waive this fee for the primary cardholder, so holding the right card can eliminate the separate membership charge.

What is the difference between the ANA membership fee and the credit card fee?

The ¥10,000 membership fee keeps your mileage account active and your miles from expiring. The credit card fee is a separate annual charge for using the card itself. Some cards waive the membership fee, but the card fee always applies if you hold the card.