Last-minute ANA business-class award availability to Japan for just 35,000 Amex points
Looking to book a last-minute trip to Japan? Well, if so, you're in luck. There is decent award availability in business class, but you'll need to act fast.
Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways consistently releases award seats in premium cabins to partner airlines, and the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club option is one of the best sweet spots in the industry.
As first reported by Upgraded Points, you can use the award search tool Seats.aero to find business-class availability. To search, click "Explore," then click "United MileagePlus," as this program shows ANA availability online. There are various dates between now and June 7 showing at least two seats available in business class to Tokyo's Haneda Airport (HND) and Narita International Airport (NRT) from the following U.S. airports:
- O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Related: 7 of the best airline award chart sweet spots
If you were to book these flights through United MileagePlus, you could do this online for 110,000 miles each way per person.
However, you can also book this award ticket through Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club program, and you would need just 45,000 Virgin points one-way from the West Coast or 47,500 from central and eastern U.S. destinations.
Virgin Atlantic partners with all major transferable points programs, and if you have American Express Membership Rewards points, this becomes an even more attractive redemption. Amex is offering a 30% bonus when you transfer Membership Rewards points to Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club program through May 31. Transferring Membership Rewards points would bring the cost down to just 35,000 Amex points from the West Coast or 37,000 from other U.S. destinations. Transfers from Amex to Virgin are usually instant, and can be done online.
Unfortunately, you must call Virgin Atlantic Flying Club to book ANA award flights. While this can be a point of contention for most, it is fairly easy to book these awards via phone. To book, call 800-365-9500 and give the phone agent the exact dates and flight numbers you want to book.
Related: Best American Express credit cards
Aside from Amex, Capital One is also offering a 30% transfer bonus to Virgin Red (where the points will appear in your Flying Club account). However, this transfer bonus ends Tuesday.
For flights retailing for more than $4,000 each, these award rates represent exceptional value.
When booking your flight, note that ANA operates different types of business-class seats between the United States and Japan. The best product, known as "The Room," is on new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and can be found on flights from New York and select flights from Chicago and San Francisco.
Related: Feels like first class: Flying ANA The Room business class from LA-Tokyo
Other destinations and dates will see ANA's older business-class seat. You can check Google Flights for that if you find availability on a particular date. The newest product will be listed as an "Individual suite," while the older seat will be listed as a "Lie flat seat."
The food, service and amenities will be the same regardless of whether you fly the newer or older seat, but if you can book the new seat, it is an excellent product and one of the most comfortable ways to fly to Japan.
Bottom line
While a last-minute trip to Japan might not suit everyone's schedule, traveling in luxury for just 35,000 American Express Membership Rewards points is a terrific offer. While there are a few hoops to jump through, it's worth your time for a deal this good. To summarize how to book this deal:
- Use either Seats.aero or a United MileagePlus account to check the availability of traveling with ANA.
- Optional: Check Google Flights to see if your flight will be operated with a newer or older product.
- Transfer Amex points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (points should transfer instantly).
- Call Virgin Atlantic at 800-365-9500 to book over the phone.
Then, pack your bags for a terrific time in Japan!
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees