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ANA Increases Fuel Surcharges Overnight

Aug. 02, 2018
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3 min read
ANA 777 Biz Review
ANA Increases Fuel Surcharges Overnight
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Changes to frequent flyer programs are typically never good. And they're even worse when they happen with no notice to members. Well, unfortunately, ANA did just that last night with its Mileage Club program.

As of August 1, award tickets on ANA metal incur higher carrier-imposed surcharges. The reason? Increasing fuel costs.

Up until July 31, awards from North American to Japan incurred $86 in fuel charges each way.

Now, they'll run you $129 each way. And awards between North America and Japan aren't the only ones seeing a jump in surcharges — they increased across ANA's network.

This definitely hurts, especially because ANA's carrier-imposed surcharges were already hefty before these changes. That said, ANA still charges fewer miles than its partners for awards to Japan. For instance, while a round-trip ANA ticket between the US and Japan in economy will set you back 70,000 United miles, it'll only cost you 50,000 ANA miles.

On the flip side, ANA charges about $340 in taxes and fees, while United only charges about $45 for the same award, so it's up to you to decide whether you'd rather spend fewer miles or pay less out of pocket.

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There is a way to lower the fuel surcharges when booking through ANA, though. One stopover, other than your destination, may be made on flights departing from overseas, and by doing so, you'll often pay less in surcharges. Although it varies based on the destination, when adding a stopover in Singapore (SIN), we were able to wipe out the fuel surcharges completely (the $132 is for taxes and other fees).

Although this change came without any notice, this isn't the first time ANA's adjusted its fuel surcharges based on fluctuating oil prices. For instance, the carrier reduced the charges in 2016 based on the declining price of oil. As of now, ANA's website says that the prices are in effect through September 30, 2018, but it's unclear what will happen after that date. After all, American Airlines CEO Doug Parker has hinted several times that consumers should prepare for higher airfare as airlines deal with increasing fuel costs.

As a reminder, ANA’s program is a 1:1 transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards. For a limited time, Amex cardholders can also score incredible ANA redemptions by maximizing the 30% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, though the higher fuel surcharges will still apply.

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at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.