ANA vs JAL programs compared
A side-by-side of earning, redemption, alliances, and why neither wins universally.
Both miles expire ~36 months after accrual; ANA is Star Alliance and JAL is oneworld, so the better program is the one whose routes, home airport, and partner award inventory fit your real travel — there is no universal winner.
Key points
- Both expire generally at the end of the 36th month after accrual.
- ANA: Star Alliance; JAL: oneworld — pick by your routes and partners.
- ANA introduced revised domestic award rules from May 19, 2026.
- JAL uses JMB PLUS dynamic pricing; changes for tickets from Oct 1, 2026.
- Value depends on realistic award availability, not a headline per-mile figure.
How they differ and how to choose
ANA and JAL are similar on the fundamentals: miles generally expire at the end of the 36th month after accrual, and both offer family arrangements under specified relationships and account rules. The decisive differences are alliance and structure. ANA is Star Alliance with revised domestic award rules effective May 19, 2026; JAL is oneworld and uses base pricing plus JMB PLUS dynamic pricing, with changes for tickets issued from October 1, 2026. Co-branded cards differ too (ANA cards across networks vs JAL, often JCB-leaning).
Choose by your real travel: the airline whose routes, home airport, and partner award inventory you can actually use. Neither is universally better, and a headline “¥2 per mile” is not a fact — value each program against the specific awards you would realistically book.
Who this is for
- Frequent flyers weighing ANA vs JAL
What this is not
- People seeking a single universal “best” airline
- A per-mile valuation is not a fact; award charts changed in 2026 for both airlines.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, ANA or JAL?
The airline with better routes, award seats, and alliance partners for your real travel. ANA is Star Alliance; JAL is oneworld. Both miles generally expire at the end of the 36th month after accrual, and both revised award pricing in 2026, so neither is universally better and a fixed per-mile value is not a fact.
How do I calculate the value of a mile?
Mile value = (comparable cash fare − award taxes/fees − benefits forgone) ÷ miles used. Use the fare you would really buy, not an inflated flexible fare, and remember taxes and surcharges remain on award tickets. Direct conversion often yields under ¥0.5 per point unless the award is genuinely high-value.