Do ANA Mileage Club Miles Expire? (2026 Policy)

Yes, ANA Mileage Club miles have a strict expiration date.

Unlike US airlines (like United or Delta) where miles never expire, or European airlines (like Air France) where a single flight extends your balance, All Nippon Airways (ANA) uses a "Hard Expiry" system.

Your miles expire 36 months after the month they were earned.

Crucially, earning new miles does NOT extend the validity of your old miles. Each batch of miles has its own individual timer. If you do not use them by their specific deadline, they vanish.

This guide explains how to track your expiration dates, who is exempt, and the "Sky Coin" hack that can save your points at the last minute.

The 36-Month "Hard Expiry" Rule

ANA operates on a fixed timeline.

  • Validity: Valid until the end of the 36th month after earning.
  • Example: You earn 5,000 miles on April 15, 2026. These miles will expire on April 30, 2029.
  • Activity Rule: Earning new miles (e.g., in 2027) will NOT extend the expiration date of the miles you earned in 2026.

This creates a "rolling expiration" scenario. You might have 50,000 miles in your account, but 10,000 of them could be expiring next month while the rest are safe for another year.

Exceptions: Who is Safe?

There are only two groups of people exempt from this strict rule.

1. Diamond Service Members

If you hold Diamond Service status (ANA's top tier), your miles do not expire as long as you maintain that status.

  • Warning: If you drop from Diamond to Platinum, your unused miles will suddenly be given a 36-month expiration date starting from the date your status changed.

2. Million Milers

If you have flown 1 Million Lifetime Miles on ANA Group operated flights, your miles will never expire for the rest of your life, regardless of your current elite status.

The "Sky Coin" Hack: How to Save Expiring Miles

If you have miles expiring soon and can't find an award seat to book, do not let them expire. You can convert them into ANA Sky Coins.

What are Sky Coins? They are electronic credits that can be used to pay for cash tickets on ANA.

  • The Conversion: You can trade Miles for Sky Coins at a rate of 1.0x to 1.7x, depending on your elite status and how many miles you swap at once.
  • The "Extension": Sky Coins represent a fresh currency with a 12-month expiration date.
  • The Strategy: By converting miles to Sky Coins just before they expire, you effectively buy yourself one extra year to use that value on a flight.

Note: Sky Coins can only be used for paid tickets (cash fares), not award flights. However, using Sky Coins to buy a ticket does allow you to earn miles on that flight!

Important Warning for Amex Users

ANA is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards (1:1 ratio). This is how most international travelers earn ANA miles.

DO NOT transfer your Amex points until you see an available seat.

  • The Mistake: Users transfer 100,000 Amex points to ANA "just to be ready."
  • The Trap: As soon as those points hit your ANA account, the 36-month clock starts ticking. If you don't find a flight for 3 years, you lose them.
  • The Fix: Keep points in Amex (where they don't expire) and transfer only when you have a specific flight in mind. Transfers typically take 24-48 hours.

How to Check Your Expiration Date

Because different batches of miles expire at different times, you must check your detailed statement.

  1. Log in to the ANA Website.
  2. Go to My Menu → Mileage Balance.
  3. Look for the section labeled "Mileage Expiration Dates (by Month)."

This table will show you exactly how many miles are expiring in the current month and upcoming months.

Summary Checklist

To manage the strict ANA policy:

  • Don't Hoard: ANA miles are for burning, not saving.
  • Don't Pre-Transfer: Keep points in Amex until you are ready to book.
  • Check Dates: Look at your "Mileage Expiration by Month" chart quarterly.
  • Use the Hack: If miles are about to expire, convert them to Sky Coins to get a 12-month extension.

Disclaimer: Loyalty program terms change. Always verify the latest rules directly on the official ANA Mileage Club website.