Great explanation! The last time i did this last year, the Virgin Atlantic agent told me to go ahead and transfer my points while i was on the phone with her and she's see when it updates on her end. It was pretty much instant! And i was able to book in one phone call for a first class trip on ANA 🎉
Great roundup of the options! I heard some people have been having trouble booking last minute ANA flights via Virgin, but hopefully just temporary! Also that some were able to book ANA via Aeroplan by calling too. Another time spots open up could be during equipment changes, which seem to happen pretty regularly across seasons!
you can book two one ways. or just one one way. it does not have to be roundtrip when you use Virgin points. you have to book a round trip when you want to book directly through ANA through their ANA website and with ANA points.
were you allowed to book a one way? How does it work when it comes to booking a flight back Chase? Did you have to book the return flight at the same time or can you book the return flight while you're in Japan? Thanks!
Thank you for the detailed video. This may be a simple question but wanted to make sure. When traveling with a +1 do they also need their own virgin atlantic account if I am purchasing for the both of us?
Seeing the availability on United, but when I call VA, they say there is no availability. The United availability is still there as of this writing so don't think it was taken. Seems like VA has stopped offering the last min business class award tickets for ANA. Too bad.
Honestly I've been researching and trying to find these types of award flights, and always come up short. It's so discouraging. Might end up just giving up on the idea altogether and focus on Hotels lol
I tried to see if I could actually book a flight by calling Virgin Atlantic. I checked the United website and called VA, but I was told that nothing was available at their end. I asked for another date, which was also available right in front of me on the United website, and was told no.
u can book from Japan to China. Unfortunately this is just for flights that originate or end in Japan. and its only for nonstop flights as well. so that might be the problem you are running into. you can book it through ANA for just the jfk - haneda legs. then book separately to and from china
i've heard people mention that. People have said that it might be from high demand of people trying to book with Virgin points. So they limited the number of seat options available through virgin specifically.
@@ChaseYokoyama I've been trying. The problem with ANA is you have to book return. Sometimes you'll find 1 flight. Most times they have only 1 seat 🤦🏽♂️
i’ve been trying to do this out of jfk and hnd for the last 3 days and have had no luck talking to Virgin. They keep saying the flights come back unconfirmed
@ChaseYokoyama To piggyback off this comment, I've also run into the same problem. ANA nonstop flight that is on United's calendar (Business class I), but Virgin says it is unavailable when I call, even though United shows availability.
If I try to book business class Ana with points it is waitlisted 100% of the time no matter how much I moved the dates around. Flying out of SFO to Tokyo so it should be easy (we’ll it is if I pay cash)
@@ChaseYokoyama thanks! This is first time trying to book to Asia. I’ve been having the same issue with Singapore airlines. When I book cash there’s flights when I try and use points it says there are no flights available. Is that common also?
Not true. I just got back from doing this very thing. 355 days in advance. First class there, business back. From Chicago. Pro tip: get a VPN and set it to Japan. Then look/ book it 355 days in advance when it is 9 am Tokyo time. That’s how I got it done.
Watching you do the call to Virgin was SO helpful - thank you so much!
that is good to know 🙏🏽 I will include phone calls going forward for things like this
Great explanation! The last time i did this last year, the Virgin Atlantic agent told me to go ahead and transfer my points while i was on the phone with her and she's see when it updates on her end. It was pretty much instant! And i was able to book in one phone call for a first class trip on ANA 🎉
wow that was pretty boiz of her to do that 👍🏽 sounds like you had a smooth time
Great roundup of the options! I heard some people have been having trouble booking last minute ANA flights via Virgin, but hopefully just temporary! Also that some were able to book ANA via Aeroplan by calling too. Another time spots open up could be during equipment changes, which seem to happen pretty regularly across seasons!
Thanks for your insights Kevin 🙏🏽
Great content. Probably one of the better explanations of virgin atlantic booking experience for ANA.
Thank you! I hope you found it useful.
Great content, Chase. How long does the transferred points take to be available in the VA account? Is it immediate or a day or 2? Thank you!
its "immediate". takes less than 15 minutes
We pretty much give up on ANA
Great review. To clarify, when you want to book an ANA award flight with Virgin points, you have to book round trip?
you can book two one ways. or just one one way. it does not have to be roundtrip when you use Virgin points. you have to book a round trip when you want to book directly through ANA through their ANA website and with ANA points.
Good explanation Chase
Thank you boss man Sledge
thanks for the video step-by-step instructions....so it would be about $500 in taxes and fees to fly there and back correct?
Yes approximately $500
were you allowed to book a one way? How does it work when it comes to booking a flight back Chase? Did you have to book the return flight at the same time or can you book the return flight while you're in Japan? Thanks!
Yes, i was allowed to book a one way. Then I found the return trip back while I was in Japan. 👌🏽
Thank you for the detailed video. This may be a simple question but wanted to make sure. When traveling with a +1 do they also need their own virgin atlantic account if I am purchasing for the both of us?
if there are 2 award seats available then yes you can book it with the points from one account.
Ana is the hardest by far I’ve come by, manage to find almost any other flight award availability but so far nothing for ANA
unfortunately that is the case.
Is it possible to just ask VA for available dates to use reward points on ANA?
no unfortunately they will not look for us
How long does it take to transfer Amex points(or Chase points) to Virgin Atlantic ?
personally it took like 5 - 15 minutes every time I did it
Seeing the availability on United, but when I call VA, they say there is no availability. The United availability is still there as of this writing so don't think it was taken. Seems like VA has stopped offering the last min business class award tickets for ANA. Too bad.
many people have now spoken out about this and I have no idea why Virgin is doing this. Hopefully they clear this up sooner than later.
@@ChaseYokoyamawhat’s the next best thing? I already transferred my Chase points to Virgin because of a transfer bonus
@@KennethTungol either keep looking for ANA through virgin, or perhaps you can book a domestic Delta flight through them as well
lot of flights available TO tokyo but cant seem to find any business class flights on the united site FROM tokyo. only economy showing
Great video
Glad you enjoyed it
Honestly I've been researching and trying to find these types of award flights, and always come up short. It's so discouraging. Might end up just giving up on the idea altogether and focus on Hotels lol
its hard. No sugarcoating here. Is it worth it? Yes and no. That's why its nice to have the convenience of redeeming points through other methods.
Would that flight not show up on virgin atlantic website? Only bookable by phone?
correct. the ANA flights do not appear on the Virgin website
can I book from Chicago to China like shanghai ? or I have to book to NRT first and additional shanghai ?
you would have to book from Chicago to Japan first. Then use some other method to fly to China
When calling virgin, are they able to put your ticket on hold while you wait for your points to transfer?
no unfortunately they can not. However transferring points usually only takes a few minutes
@@ChaseYokoyama I know from Chase it is instant. How about transferring from AMEX? Thanks!
@@michaelshui88not sure about virgin. I transferred my AMEX points to ANA and it like like 3 days.
I tried to see if I could actually book a flight by calling Virgin Atlantic. I checked the United website and called VA, but I was told that nothing was available at their end. I asked for another date, which was also available right in front of me on the United website, and was told no.
ya i gotta look into this more and make another video because a lot of people have been saying the same thing 😞
Great video,
For some reason I can never find availability under aeroplan
Cheers
Ya i have found it harder for me booking through Aeroplan
What If I wanted to go to Bangkok? I cant book through virgin atlantic even if it’s operated by ANA from jfk to haneda and haneda to jfk?
u can book from Japan to China. Unfortunately this is just for flights that originate or end in Japan. and its only for nonstop flights as well. so that might be the problem you are running into. you can book it through ANA for just the jfk - haneda legs. then book separately to and from china
Will this work with Amex Hilton card?
Yes, you can transfer Hilton points to ANA 10,000 Hilton points = 1,000 Mileage Club miles
Is the VS to book ANA blocked right now?
I tried to call but VS said no availability within 14 days even if I can see availability through ANA
i've heard people mention that. People have said that it might be from high demand of people trying to book with Virgin points. So they limited the number of seat options available through virgin specifically.
Yup did that .. still wait listed… i did aug 2025 and sept 2025 even premium economy still wait listed
😳
because everyone watched this video now there's a crowd
Nice tip
Thank you!
Can you help me book a flight. I'm looking for 2 business class tickets return. I have Amex and Chase points 🙏🏼
if its on specifically ANA I would recommend to check every day for the potential dates that you would be flying.
@@ChaseYokoyama I've been trying. The problem with ANA is you have to book return. Sometimes you'll find 1 flight. Most times they have only 1 seat 🤦🏽♂️
i’ve been trying to do this out of jfk and hnd for the last 3 days and have had no luck talking to Virgin. They keep saying the flights come back unconfirmed
are you seeing the availability on ANA or United's websites?
I learned something new today about the VIrgin and ANA.😂
just tryna spread 100% accurate information 🤷🏽♂️
When I called they told me ANA denied their award request, does it mean someone has beat me to it or is it a ghost showing on other websites?
for clarification, what do you mean denied? they said they couldn't find the award? which websites did you verify the availability before calling?
Every time I call virgin Atlantic the agents say the award flights are not available, even though I’m seen the flight available on united!
is it an ANA flight, is it nonstop?
@ChaseYokoyama To piggyback off this comment, I've also run into the same problem. ANA nonstop flight that is on United's calendar (Business class I), but Virgin says it is unavailable when I call, even though United shows availability.
@Moonsky87 I’m having the exact same issue
If I try to book business class Ana with points it is waitlisted 100% of the time no matter how much I moved the dates around. Flying out of SFO to Tokyo so it should be easy (we’ll it is if I pay cash)
ya booking through ANA is just waitlist hell.
@@ChaseYokoyama thanks! This is first time trying to book to Asia. I’ve been having the same issue with Singapore airlines. When I book cash there’s flights when I try and use points it says there are no flights available. Is that common also?
I think I have a bigger chance at winning the lottery rather than winning this
we gotta go to Vegas to test that theory out!
These tickets don't exist.
They sure are hard to come by.
@@ChaseYokoyamabut honestly ANA business from NYC / SFC round trip is not that expansive compared with others…can use SC plat cash out + IAR
Not true. I just got back from doing this very thing. 355 days in advance. First class there, business back. From Chicago.
Pro tip: get a VPN and set it to Japan. Then look/ book it 355 days in advance when it is 9 am Tokyo time. That’s how I got it done.
@@rogerp4564 I mean not everyone has the flexibility to lock vacation 1 yr in advance
@@rogerp4564who’d you book thru at 355d though??
very complicated!
agreed. its not simple. its high effort, high reward
hold up, your rent is only $2250??
well my portion is $1,300 but the total is $5k since I have roommates.
Great tutorial Chase!🫵 Thanks for the detailed information and walkthrough 🤙
You bet Cesar! 🙏🏽 Thank you good sir