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In the endless debate over which carrier is the world’s best airline, names like Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Qatar Airways are often thrown around. They offer incredible products, no doubt. But when you add a crucial qualifier—the ability to book the experience with a reasonable amount of points—one name consistently rises above the rest: All Nippon Airways, or ANA. For the savvy traveler, ANA First Class isn’t just a flight; it’s the pinnacle of what can be achieved with a smart points strategy.
This isn’t just about a comfortable seat. It’s about a confluence of factors: a meticulously designed private suite, a culinary program that rivals Michelin-starred restaurants, and a level of service that is both flawless and deeply ingrained in Japanese culture. But the real magic is the value proposition. Thanks to a few key sweet spots in partner award charts, this $15,000 experience can be booked for fewer points than many airlines charge for a mediocre business class seat. This guide will break down exactly why ANA First Class is the best airline experience you can book on points and provide the step-by-step strategy to make it a reality.
Full Comparison: ANA First Class vs. The Competition
To be considered the best airline redemption, ANA First Class has to beat out some incredible competition. Here’s how “The Suite” stacks up against other top-tier first-class products that are also bookable with points.
| Feature | ANA First Class (“The Suite”) | Singapore Airlines Suites | Emirates First Class (“Shower Spa”) |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Seat | A massive, forward-facing private suite with closing doors and a 43-inch 4K screen. | A huge, separate seat and bed in a private apartment-style suite. Some can be combined for couples. | A fully enclosed private suite with polished wood and gold trim. Famous for its flash. |
| Signature Amenity | Impeccable Japanese service and world-class dining (Krug & caviar). | The iconic “double bed in the sky” for couples traveling together. | The onboard Shower Spa on the A380. |
| Best Way to Book with Points | Virgin Atlantic (from 47.5k), ANA Mileage Club (from 75k). | Singapore KrisFlyer (generally the only option). | Emirates Skywards, Qantas Frequent Flyer. |
| Point Accessibility | Excellent. Points can be transferred from Amex, Chase, Capital One, and Citi. | Good. Points can be transferred from all major bank programs. | Good. Points can be transferred from all major bank programs. |
| The Verdict | The perfect balance of an incredible product and an attainable redemption cost, making it the best airline points value. | An amazing product, but saver award space is incredibly difficult to find and can only be booked through its own program. | An iconic product, but redemptions through Emirates Skywards often come with very high surcharges. |
What Makes ANA First Class the Best Airline Redemption?
The argument for ANA First Class is built on several key pillars that, when combined, create an unmatched value proposition for points travelers.
🏆 The Suite Itself is a Destination
Found on their newly configured Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, “The Suite” is a masterpiece. It feels less like an airline seat and more like a small, private hotel room. The sheer amount of personal space is staggering. The centerpiece is the massive 43-inch 4K television—the largest in the sky. With fully closing doors, a comfortable lie-flat bed, and ample storage, it’s a perfect environment for working, dining, or sleeping in complete privacy. The sophisticated Japanese design aesthetic makes it one of the most beautiful cabins flying today, a hallmark of a best airline.
🏆 The Unbeatable Redemption Sweet Spot
This is the ace up ANA’s sleeve and the core of its claim as the best airline points deal. While ANA’s own Mileage Club program offers good value, the truly legendary redemption is found by using one of their partners. By transferring your credit card points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, you can book a one-way ANA First Class ticket from the U.S. West Coast to Japan for as few as 47,500 points. From the Central U.S. and East Coast, it’s 60,000 points. This is an incredible bargain for a ticket that routinely sells for over $15,000. We break down more deals like this in our Award Sweet Spot Explorer.
🏆 A Masterclass in Dining and Service
The soft product is where ANA First Class truly separates itself. The experience often begins with Krug champagne, widely regarded as one of the best, and a full caviar service. The highlight for many is the option of a multi-course Japanese kaiseki meal, a traditional and exquisitely presented dining experience. The service, delivered by an expert and attentive crew, embodies the Japanese principle of *omotenashi*—an anticipatory hospitality that makes you feel cared for without being intrusive. This level of detail is what makes a flight one of the best airline experiences in the world.
Realistic Math Examples: The Staggering Value of ANA First Class
Let’s look at the numbers to see just how incredible the value proposition is when booking ANA First Class with points.
You book a one-way First Class flight from San Francisco (SFO) to Tokyo (HND). The cash price is $16,000.
- Points Program Used: Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Points Cost: 47,500 points (transferred from Amex)
- Taxes & Fees: ~$250
Value Realized: An unbelievable 31.6 cents per point. This is one of the highest possible values you can get for your points and solidifies its status as a best airline redemption.
You book the same SFO-HND flight directly through ANA Mileage Club during a low-season date.
- Points Program Used: ANA Mileage Club
- Points Cost: 75,000 miles (round-trip for 150k)
- Taxes & Fees: ~$500
Value Realized: Still an excellent 20.6 cents per point. While not as spectacular as the Virgin deal, it’s a fantastic value and easier to book online.
You use points for an economy ticket on the same flight. The cash price is $1,200.
- Points Program Used: United MileagePlus (dynamic pricing)
- Points Cost: ~80,000 miles
- Taxes & Fees: ~$60
Value Realized: 1.4 cents per point. This highlights the core principle: to get best airline value, aim for premium cabins.
In these scenarios, booking ANA First Class through a partner program provides a dramatically higher return on value than any other option.
Gotchas You Shouldn’t Ignore When Booking ANA First Class
The path to this incredible experience has some significant hurdles. Being aware of them is the key to a successful booking.
- Finding Award Space is Extremely Difficult: This is the biggest challenge. ANA typically releases only one or two First Class award seats per flight, and they are often snapped up immediately. You need to search far in advance (355 days out) or look for last-minute availability. Tools like Seats.aero can be invaluable for this.
- Booking Through Virgin Atlantic Requires a Phone Call: While you can find availability on other Star Alliance sites (like United’s), you must call Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club service center to book ANA First Class awards. This can sometimes involve long hold times.
- High Surcharges on ANA’s Own Program: While the points cost is reasonable, booking directly with ANA Mileage Club comes with significant fuel surcharges that can add over $500 to the cost of your ticket.
- It Must Be a Round-Trip for ANA Bookings: ANA’s own program does not allow one-way award bookings for partner flights. You must book a round-trip or open-jaw itinerary, a key difference from other programs.
How We Determine the “Best Airline” Redemption
Our declaration of ANA First Class as the top points redemption is not just an opinion. It’s based on a weighted analysis of several key factors that define a truly exceptional award.
- Outsized Cents-Per-Point Value: The core of our analysis is the mathematical value. A redemption must offer a CPP that is dramatically higher than the baseline to be considered one of the best airline redemptions.
- Quality of the “Hard” and “Soft” Product: The physical seat, the food, the amenities, and the service must all be true international first-class standards. We rely on extensive reviews from trusted sources like One Mile at a Time.
- Point Accessibility: The experience must be achievable. The fact that ANA awards can be booked with points transferred from every major bank currency makes it far more accessible than products from more restrictive programs.
- The “Wow” Factor: A top-tier experience should have a signature element that makes it memorable. For ANA First Class, this is the combination of the massive private suite and the impeccable Japanese dining and service. For a deeper dive into maximizing your points, see our Complete Guide to Travel Rewards.
FAQs About Booking ANA First Class
How do I find ANA First Class award availability?
The easiest way is to use a Star Alliance partner website that has a good calendar search view, like United.com. Search for your desired route and look for dates that show “First Class Saver Award” availability for ANA-operated flights. This is the inventory that Virgin Atlantic can book.
Which credit cards earn points I can use for this?
To book via Virgin Atlantic, you need points that transfer to them. This includes American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Citi ThankYou Points. This wide range of partners is why it’s such an accessible sweet spot, making it a best airline redemption for many.
Is ANA’s Business Class (“The Room”) also a good deal?
Absolutely. It’s often considered one of the best business class products in the world. Booking ANA Business Class through Virgin Atlantic for 45,000 points one-way is also an incredible “sweet spot” and a much easier award to find than First Class.