Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club program has devalued redemptions flying All Nippon Airways again, this time in business class.
Without notice, round-trip business-class redemptions have increased as follows:
Hawaii to Japan is now 75,000 Virgin points (up from 70,000 points)
Western United States to Japan is now 105,000 Virgin points (up from 90,000 points)
Eastern United States (as well as from Europe) to Japan is now 120,000 Virgin points (up from 95,000 points)
One-way ANA redemptions made with Virgin points can be booked for 50% of the cost of a round-trip flight, so the one-way pricing has increased:
Hawaii to Japan is now 37,500 Virgin points (up from 35,000 points)
Western United States to Japan is now 52,500 Virgin points (up from 45,000 points)
Eastern United States (as well as from Europe) to Japan is now 60,000 Virgin points (up from 47,500 points)
Related: Feels like first class: Flying ANA The Room business class from LA-Tokyo
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There are no changes to the prices of first-class redemptions flying ANA with Virgin points, which were devalued in 2023.
ANA premium-cabin redemptions remain arguably the single best use of Virgin points, and while devaluations are never welcome, they are an unfortunate reality of the industry, especially when they are without notice, and from the West Coast and Hawaii at least, this is relatively mild.
The first- and business-class prices are still very reasonable compared with what other programs charge for flights of similar length, and Japan’s ANA is known as one of Asia’s leading airlines.
Virgin’s Flying Club program is a transfer partner of all major credit card programs, and with transfer bonuses from time to time, Virgin points are easy to use.
Availability can be difficult to find through Virgin Atlantic. You will have the best chance at finding seats either 12 months in advance when the flights are first loaded or up to 14 days before the flight departs when unsold revenue seats are often converted to awards.
To find availability, you can search on the United Airlines MileagePlus website, and then if you see availability, call Virgin Atlantic at 800-365-9500 to book.