Key Points
- ANA suspended new Amazon gift card redemptions in 2025, making flight bookings the better value option at 1.5-2 cents per mile.
- When available, Amazon redemptions offered only 0.6 cents per mile (10,000 miles for £60 UK or 12,000 miles for $100 US), well below flight redemption values.
- ANA miles have a strict 36-month expiration with no extensions, making strategic redemption planning essential to avoid losing your miles entirely.
Introduction
ANA Mileage Club members once had the option to redeem miles for Amazon gift cards across multiple regions. While this redemption path offered convenience, it came with a significant value trade-off that most travelers should understand before choosing this option. Here's what you need to know about using ANA miles for Amazon purchases and whether there are smarter ways to use your hard-earned miles.
Before we dive into Amazon redemptions, it's worth understanding how ANA fits into the broader landscape of flexible points programs and why maximizing your mile values matters.
Current Status: Amazon Redemptions Suspended
As of 2025, ANA has suspended new redemption applications for Amazon e-Gift Cards. According to the official ANA website, the airline states: "We are currently suspending new redemption applications for Amazon e-Gift Cards. We apologize for any inconvenience caused."
This suspension affects all Amazon redemption options that were previously available:
- Amazon.com (United States)
- Amazon.co.uk (United Kingdom)
- Amazon.de (Germany)
The suspension has no announced end date, and ANA has not provided details about when or if this redemption option will return.
How Amazon Gift Card Redemptions Worked
Before the suspension, ANA offered different redemption rates depending on the Amazon region:
United Kingdom Amazon Gift Cards
- 10,000 ANA miles = £60 Amazon.co.uk gift card
- Value: Approximately 0.6 cents per mile
United States Amazon Gift Cards
- 12,000 ANA miles = $100 Amazon.com gift card
- Value: Approximately 0.83 cents per mile
Germany Amazon Gift Cards
- 10,000 ANA miles = €70 Amazon.de gift card
- Value: Approximately 0.7 cents per mile
Eligibility and Restrictions
The Amazon gift card redemptions came with specific requirements:
- UK and Germany options were only available to ANA Mileage Club members residing in Europe, Middle East, and Africa
- Members needed their correct regional address registered with ANA before redeeming
- Gift card claim codes were issued 7 days after redemption
- Only one gift card claim code per redemption (multiple applications needed for multiple codes)
- No cancellations or refunds after application
- Family Account Service could not be used
The Value Problem with Amazon Redemptions
The Amazon gift card redemption option consistently delivered poor value compared to flight bookings. Here's the breakdown:
Amazon Gift Card Value
At best, you received 0.83 cents per mile through U.S. Amazon redemptions. At worst, the UK redemption offered just 0.6 cents per mile.
Flight Redemption Value
ANA miles typically deliver 1.5-2 cents per mile when booking flights, especially in premium cabins. Some sweet spots offer even higher values:
- Round-trip business class to Japan: 105,000-110,000 miles (worth $4,000-6,000 in cash = 3.6-5.5 cents per mile)
- Round-trip business class to Europe: 88,000-100,000 miles (worth $3,500-5,000 in cash = 4-5 cents per mile)
- Round-trip economy to Europe: 55,000 miles (worth $800-1,200 in cash = 1.5-2.2 cents per mile)
The difference is significant. Redeeming 12,000 miles for a $100 Amazon gift card (0.83 cents per mile) wastes value you could use for travel worth $180-240 at typical redemption rates.
Why Anyone Considered Amazon Redemptions
Despite the poor value, Amazon gift card redemptions made sense in a few specific situations:
Expiring Miles Emergency
ANA miles have a strict 36-month expiration policy with absolutely no way to extend the deadline. When miles are about to expire and you can't find flight availability, redeeming for Amazon gift cards salvaged some value rather than losing everything.
Transfer Partner Alternative
For American Express Membership Rewards holders, this created a backdoor way to convert points to Amazon purchases at 0.83 cents per point. While not impressive, it provided an option for those who couldn't find good flight redemptions. The American Express Gold Card and Platinum Card from American Express both transfer to ANA at 1:1 ratios, making them popular choices for earning ANA miles.
Difficulty Finding Award Space
ANA award availability can be challenging, especially for:
- Premium cabin seats (business and first class)
- Peak travel periods
- Popular routes to Japan
- Last-minute bookings
When award flights simply weren't available, some members chose Amazon redemptions over watching miles expire.
Better Ways to Use ANA Miles
If Amazon redemptions return, consider these superior alternatives first. For a comprehensive look at maximizing airline miles, check out our guide to hotel points, which follows similar value optimization principles.
Best ANA Mile Redemptions
Business Class to Japan
- ANA-operated flights: 105,000-110,000 miles round-trip
- Star Alliance partners: 110,000 miles round-trip
- Value: 3.6-5.5 cents per mile
Business Class to Europe
- United Airlines: 100,000 miles round-trip (low fuel surcharges)
- LOT Polish Airlines: 100,000 miles round-trip
- Value: 4-5 cents per mile
Business Class to South/Central America
- Copa Airlines, Avianca: 88,000 miles round-trip
- Minimal fuel surcharges
- Value: 3-4 cents per mile
Round-the-World Tickets
- Business class: 170,000-200,000 miles
- Up to 8 stopovers allowed
- Value: 4-8 cents per mile depending on routing
Economy Class Sweet Spots
North America to Europe
- 55,000 miles round-trip on Star Alliance partners
- Value: 1.5-2.2 cents per mile
North America to Asia
- 60,000 miles round-trip
- Value: 1.3-2 cents per mile
Within Asia
- As low as 35,000 miles round-trip
- Excellent for exploring multiple countries
Managing ANA Miles Expiration
The 36-month expiration policy is ANA's biggest drawback. Here's how to manage it:
Track Your Expiration Dates
- ANA miles expire exactly 36 months after earning
- No activity extends the expiration
- Multiple batches of miles expire on different dates
Plan Redemptions Early
Start searching for award flights at least 6 months before your miles expire. This gives you time to:
- Find availability on your preferred routes
- Consider alternative destinations if needed
- Complete Amex transfer if additional miles are required
Transfer from Amex Strategically
American Express Membership Rewards transfer to ANA at 1:1, but transfers take 48-96 hours. Don't transfer speculatively—only transfer when you've confirmed award availability. Understanding how American Express rewards programs work helps you maximize this transfer partnership.
Cards like the American Express Gold Card earn 4x points on dining and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year), while the Platinum Card from American Express offers 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines. Both cards provide excellent earning rates for building your ANA mile balance.
Consider Alternative Programs
If you consistently struggle with ANA availability, consider these Amex transfer partners instead:
- Avianca LifeMiles (similar Star Alliance access, more flexible)
- Air Canada Aeroplan (flexible redemptions, no expiration with activity)
- Virgin Atlantic (excellent Star Alliance partner access)
How to Retrieve Amazon Gift Card Codes (If Previously Redeemed)
If you redeemed for Amazon gift cards before the suspension, retrieving your codes became more difficult after ANA's website redesign. Here's the process:
Step-by-Step Retrieval
- Log in to your ANA Mileage Club account
- Navigate to "My Menu"
- Look for "International Benefits" (this option may not always appear)
- Click "Gift Card Claim Codes" when visible
- Codes are only available for 12 months after redemption
Troubleshooting
Many users report the "International Benefits" option disappearing from the menu. Try:
- Different browsers (Firefox, Safari, Chrome)
- Clearing browser cache
- Logging out and back in
- Accessing during Japan business hours
If codes still don't appear, contact ANA customer service with your redemption confirmation details.
Alternative Ways to Use Points for Amazon
If you need Amazon purchasing power, consider these options instead of converting valuable airline miles:
Better Transfer Partner Options
Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Transfer to United, then book ANA award flights
- Use Chase portal at 1.25-1.5 cents per point (with premium cards)
- More flexible than direct ANA transfers
The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 5x points on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards and 3x points on dining, making it excellent for building a transferable points balance. For even more value, the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers 1.5 cents per point when booking through the Chase portal, plus 10x points on hotels and car rentals and 5x on flights.
Learn more about maximizing Chase Ultimate Rewards for travel to understand all your options.
Citi ThankYou Points
- Transfer to Avianca LifeMiles for Star Alliance bookings
- Better award availability than ANA
- Miles don't expire with account activity
The Citi Strata Premier Card earns 3x points on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel, and hotels, providing strong earning potential. For more details, see our guide on understanding Citi ThankYou Points.
Direct Amazon Options
Several credit cards earn rewards directly usable on Amazon:
- Amazon Prime Visa: 5% back at Amazon (for Prime members)
- Chase Freedom cards: 5% in rotating categories (when Amazon is featured)
- Discover it: 5% in rotating categories (when Amazon is featured)
These options deliver better value than converting airline miles at poor redemption rates. Our guide to best cash back credit cards explores more options for maximizing everyday purchases.
When Amazon Redemptions Made Sense
Despite the poor value, Amazon gift card redemptions were the right choice in these specific scenarios:
Scenario 1: Imminent Expiration
You have 15,000 ANA miles expiring in 2 weeks. You've searched extensively but can't find award flights that work with your schedule. Redeeming for $100 Amazon credit (12,000 miles) saves value from complete loss. The remaining 3,000 miles were going to expire anyway.
Scenario 2: Small Orphaned Balance
You have 10,000-12,000 ANA miles from a past credit card bonus. You don't plan to earn more ANA miles, and 10,000 miles alone can't book any meaningful award flights. An Amazon gift card provides actual utility rather than letting the miles expire unused.
Scenario 3: Flexibility Constraints
You need to travel specific dates to specific destinations. ANA award availability is completely unavailable for your requirements. Your miles expire in 8 months, and you've exhausted all routing possibilities. Amazon redemption prevents total loss.
FAQ
Can I still redeem ANA miles for Amazon gift cards?
No. As of 2025, ANA has suspended new redemption applications for all Amazon e-Gift Cards across all regions (US, UK, Germany). There's no announced timeline for when this option might return.
What was the best Amazon redemption rate before suspension?
The U.S. Amazon option offered the best rate at 0.83 cents per mile (12,000 miles for $100). However, this was still poor value compared to flight redemptions at 1.5-5+ cents per mile.
Do ANA miles expire?
Yes. ANA miles have a strict 36-month expiration from the date earned, and there's absolutely no way to extend this deadline through account activity or any other method.
How long does it take to get Amazon gift card codes from ANA?
When redemptions were available, ANA issued gift card claim codes 7 days after you applied to redeem your miles. You had to log back into your account to retrieve the codes.
Can I transfer ANA miles to another person?
No. ANA miles cannot be directly transferred between individuals. However, ANA offers the Family Account Service for members living outside Japan, allowing immediate family members to pool miles together.
What should I do with small amounts of ANA miles?
If you have small ANA mile balances (under 20,000 miles), consider: 1) Transferring additional Amex points to reach a useful redemption threshold, 2) Using the Family Account Service to pool with family members' miles, or 3) If neither option works and expiration is near, waiting to see if Amazon redemptions return as a last resort. For more strategies on managing loyalty program balances, check our authorized user guide for family pooling strategies.
Which American Express card is best for earning ANA miles?
The American Express Gold Card typically offers the best earning rate for everyday spending with 4x points on dining and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year). The Platinum Card from American Express excels for travel purchases with 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines. Both transfer to ANA at 1:1. See our comparison of best American Express credit cards to determine which fits your spending patterns.
Conclusion
While ANA's Amazon gift card redemption option provided convenience, it consistently delivered poor value compared to flight bookings. With the current suspension of this redemption path, focus your ANA miles strategy on the program's true strengths: affordable premium cabin redemptions and extensive Star Alliance partner access.
The strict 36-month expiration policy makes strategic planning essential. Start searching for award flights early, transfer from American Express only after confirming availability, and consider alternative programs if ANA consistently doesn't work for your travel patterns. When redemptions return, save Amazon gift cards as an absolute last resort to prevent complete mile loss, not as a preferred redemption strategy.
For more ways to maximize your travel rewards, explore our guides on best travel credit cards and flexible points programs. Building a diversified points portfolio across multiple programs gives you the flexibility to book award travel when and where you want it.
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