Alaska vs ANA
Both Atmos Rewards and ANA Mileage Club are airline loyalty programs. They share enough overlap that travelers regularly compare them, but the right answer depends on your typical trips.
Quick spec comparison
| Spec | Alaska | ANA |
|---|---|---|
| Kind | Airline miles | Airline miles |
| Alliance / network | Oneworld | Star Alliance |
| Fixed award chart? | Yes | Yes |
| Fuel surcharges on awards | No | Some partners |
| Expiration | Never expire (lifetime miles) | Expire after 36 months |
| Transfers in from | Bilt, Marriott Bonvoy | Amex MR (1:1), Marriott Bonvoy |
| Signature sweet spots | Cathay Pacific First Class at 70K US to HK, JAL business class at 60-85K US to Asia, Free stopover on every one-way partner award, Qantas business at 55K to Australia | Round-trip US-Japan business for 85-95K, Round-trip US-Europe via Asia in business for 85K (during off-peak), Round-trip required (no one-way awards on partners) |
| Flagship benefit | Free stopover on every one-way partner award | Round-trip business pricing is the cheapest Star Alliance partner award available |
Where Alaska wins
- Alaska doesn't pass fuel surcharges to most awards (ANA does).
- Alaska has more documented sweet spots in our database.
- Premium-cabin partner award sweet spots and free stopovers — uniquely valuable.
Where ANA wins
- Cheapest round-trip Star Alliance business class anywhere — but US originating only.
Pick Alaska if…
You're targeting one of these specific redemptions: Cathay Pacific First Class at 70K US to HK or JAL business class at 60-85K US to Asia. Alaska is the program built for them.
Pick ANA if…
You're targeting one of these specific redemptions: Round-trip US-Japan business for 85-95K or Round-trip US-Europe via Asia in business for 85K (during off-peak). ANA is the program built for them.
Can you have both?
Yes — and you probably should. Most serious award travelers maintain status (or at least active accounts) across multiple programs because the best partner award for a given route is rarely the same program twice in a row. Find the saver seat first; then book through whichever program prices it cheapest.
Find availability before you transfer
AwardLocker shows live saver award space across every program. Confirm space first, then transfer points only when you're ready to book.
Check availability →