ANA or JAL: How to Get the Most Out of Airline Miles
- A specialist in miles and the airline industry breaks down how to use them
- Redeeming for first class is not automatically the worst value; value per mile is what counts
- One-way bookings and partner airlines are underused redemption techniques
- A small earning or redemption before expiry can extend a balance
Which is better value, ANA or JAL? For frequent travellers between Taiwan and Japan the question is concrete: the same Taipei–Tokyo leg can cost wildly different amounts depending on whether you redeem miles, pay cash, or transfer credit card points. This programme brings in a specialist to unpick the common misconceptions.
The most useful one: first class is not automatically the worst redemption. What matters is the value extracted per mile and the award threshold on that route, and short-haul economy is often the weakest use of the same balance. One-way bookings and partner airlines are similarly underrated, since award charts differ sharply within an alliance.
Expiry is the practical question, and most programmes allow an extension if you make a small earning or redemption before the deadline rather than dumping miles into low-value goods. Decide first where your miles actually come from, then concentrate on one programme. Watch for quiet changes to award thresholds — they decide what your balance is worth.