MileagePlus vs ANA
Both United MileagePlus and ANA Mileage Club are airline loyalty programs in the Star Alliance. They share enough overlap that travelers regularly compare them, but the right answer depends on your typical trips.
Quick spec comparison
| Spec | MileagePlus | ANA |
|---|---|---|
| Kind | Airline miles | Airline miles |
| Alliance / network | Star Alliance | Star Alliance |
| Fixed award chart? | No (dynamic) | Yes |
| Fuel surcharges on awards | No | Some partners |
| Expiration | Never expire (eliminated 18-month policy) | Expire after 36 months |
| Transfers in from | Chase UR, Bilt, Marriott Bonvoy | Amex MR (1:1), Marriott Bonvoy |
| Signature sweet spots | Excursionist Perk: free segment on round-trip awards, Polaris business class US to Europe at 60-77K saver, Star Alliance partner sweet spots (ANA, Lufthansa, Swiss, Singapore) | 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 | Largest transferable points partner ecosystem (Chase, Bilt) + Excursionist Perk | Round-trip business pricing is the cheapest Star Alliance partner award available |
Where MileagePlus wins
- MileagePlus doesn't pass fuel surcharges to most awards (ANA does).
- MileagePlus accepts transfers from more bank programs — easier to top up.
- Easiest US-based Star Alliance program with deep Chase integration.
Where ANA wins
- ANA publishes a fixed award chart — easier to plan ahead.
- Cheapest round-trip Star Alliance business class anywhere — but US originating only.
Pick MileagePlus if…
You're targeting one of these specific redemptions: Excursionist Perk: free segment on round-trip awards or Polaris business class US to Europe at 60-77K saver. MileagePlus 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 →