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!
Thank you so much for this! Was really helpful. A few days after New Year, I was able to book an ANA business class seat to Tokyo for October! The only tedious part was I had to be on hold for 80 minutes before they finally took my call. Glad they had seats available on the days I asked, otherwise that wait would have been for nothing lol
Hi Chase, thank you so much for sharing the method in the video. I’ve noticed that there aren’t many tickets available from the US to Japan, but there are plenty from Japan to the US. I used the same method and found an available award ticket for a non-stop ANA flight on the United website. However, when I called Virgin Atlantic, the agent told me there was no availability to book it. Do you know why? Thanks!
Came across this video and seems you are very knowledgeable in getting great rates for flights. I have a cruise in Nov 2026 to hawaii. Any advice on getting deals to hawaii would be greatly appreciated. Also leaving Boston Massachusetts if that helps . 1 way because we will be flying back from Tahiti. Once again great content
I just got off the phone w/ some VS employees and they said that it could be a glitch in their system. I followed all the directions you mentioned in this video to the tee using UAL for the nonstop flights, but when I called up Virgin none of the reps could find it despite it showing up on the other calendar.
It seems the cat's out of the bag. I tried booking next week to test out the method. I was unable to book through Virgin despite seeing ANA availability on United. The Virgin representative says ANA has been releasing fewer seats to VS compared to other partners. Unfortunately, she couldn't book the flight for me.
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?
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!
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.
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
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.
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.
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
I’m trying my best to learn how to do this all start to finish. Long story short I have around 230k Amex points and my wife and I want to travel to Japan for our honeymoon in July of 2025. Am I able to utilize this method? Do I need to fly business? I made an ANA account and that was beyond confusing to utilize. Any help is appreciated.
@@ChaseYokoyama so I called virgin Atlantic yesterday and they told me there were no business or economy seats available at all. How often do these rewards flights pop up? Are they extremely limited or random? Should I just call periodically?
@@TRexz since u are looking for July 2025, the bix seats will probably not show up until like 2 weeks before ur flight (which is not ideal). the economy seats will pop up more often. I would suggest looking into seats.aero. it can help notify you when these seats do become available.
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.
@@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 🤦🏽♂️
@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?
Thanks for explaining this. Many travel TH-camrs never talk about this complicated award system. Basically, as you said, you have to be very flexible. This means people who have family and work obligations realistically can't do this.
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
which cc was it? Chase or Amex?
Thank you Chase! We were able to snag 2 first class seats from watching your video. More power to your channel!
woooow Im so glad that you found an opening! congratulations and I hope you enjoy it
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 🙏🏽
Thank you so much for this! Was really helpful.
A few days after New Year, I was able to book an ANA business class seat to Tokyo for October! The only tedious part was I had to be on hold for 80 minutes before they finally took my call. Glad they had seats available on the days I asked, otherwise that wait would have been for nothing lol
yaayyy im glad to hear about your win! congratulations! 👏🏽
i cant find any Ana on United! try different airports and different dates! any suggestions? Can't find any economy either!
Hey Chase, do you have an update on what's going on booking ANA flights with VS points?
Great content. Probably one of the better explanations of virgin atlantic booking experience for ANA.
Thank you! I hope you found it useful.
Hi Chase, thank you so much for sharing the method in the video. I’ve noticed that there aren’t many tickets available from the US to Japan, but there are plenty from Japan to the US. I used the same method and found an available award ticket for a non-stop ANA flight on the United website. However, when I called Virgin Atlantic, the agent told me there was no availability to book it. Do you know why? Thanks!
Hey Chase, now if you see a flight available for ANA on united it still like a 90% chance that you cant book it with virgin. What changed ?
Thank you so much! This is really helpful.
You're very welcome!
Came across this video and seems you are very knowledgeable in getting great rates for flights. I have a cruise in Nov 2026 to hawaii. Any advice on getting deals to hawaii would be greatly appreciated. Also leaving Boston Massachusetts if that helps . 1 way because we will be flying back from Tahiti. Once again great content
We pretty much give up on ANA
I just got off the phone w/ some VS employees and they said that it could be a glitch in their system.
I followed all the directions you mentioned in this video to the tee using UAL for the nonstop flights, but when I called up Virgin none of the reps could find it despite it showing up on the other calendar.
It seems the cat's out of the bag. I tried booking next week to test out the method. I was unable to book through Virgin despite seeing ANA availability on United. The Virgin representative says ANA has been releasing fewer seats to VS compared to other partners. Unfortunately, she couldn't book the flight for me.
im sorry to hear that 😖 ive been hearing stories like this for months now
Good explanation Chase
Thank you boss man Sledge
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
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.
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. 👌🏽
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.
Great video
Glad you enjoyed it
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
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
lot of flights available TO tokyo but cant seem to find any business class flights on the united site FROM tokyo. only economy showing
I’m assuming you wouldn’t be able to get PQP accrual to United then, even though you’d be flying an ANA flight which is a united preferred partner?
Correct, You will NOT earn PQP
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
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
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
Is it possible to just ask VA for available dates to use reward points on ANA?
no unfortunately they will not look for us
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.
Nice tip
Thank you!
When do you book return flight?
Full transparency, I booked my return flights while I was in Japan.
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.
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.
I have 50.000 mileage with UA
My question is Can we use that miles booked with Virgin Atlantic?
no unfortunately not.
Can you use United Airlines miles with ANA?
Yes you can book ANA flights on Uniteds website using United Miles
@ thank you for the reply!! Much appreciated
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?
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’m trying my best to learn how to do this all start to finish. Long story short I have around 230k Amex points and my wife and I want to travel to Japan for our honeymoon in July of 2025. Am I able to utilize this method? Do I need to fly business? I made an ANA account and that was beyond confusing to utilize. Any help is appreciated.
Yes, you will be able to utilize this method. No you do not need to fly business class. You can snag up economy seats much easier than biz class.
@@ChaseYokoyama so I called virgin Atlantic yesterday and they told me there were no business or economy seats available at all. How often do these rewards flights pop up? Are they extremely limited or random? Should I just call periodically?
@@TRexz since u are looking for July 2025, the bix seats will probably not show up until like 2 weeks before ur flight (which is not ideal). the economy seats will pop up more often. I would suggest looking into seats.aero. it can help notify you when these seats do become available.
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.
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 😞
I learned something new today about the VIrgin and ANA.😂
just tryna spread 100% accurate information 🤷🏽♂️
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 🤦🏽♂️
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
Great video,
For some reason I can never find availability under aeroplan
Cheers
Ya i have found it harder for me booking through Aeroplan
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
Interesting History.
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?
5:30 Virganna, thank god there is the letter R 😂😂
😂😂😂
Thanks for explaining this. Many travel TH-camrs never talk about this complicated award system. Basically, as you said, you have to be very flexible. This means people who have family and work obligations realistically can't do this.
Glad it was helpful!
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??
they release one first class seat per flight. that’s the rumor
I heard something similar. Like during a certain time from the departure date they release one seat per day
@@ChaseYokoyama i heard they release only one first class award seat total per flight. rest are cash flights. there’s some discussion on flyertalk
Update they no longer fly to Japan
they do
@@jacob-ox1jr they dont , maybe try searching before commenting
@@drdivaaesthetics how did i get my flight confirmed from Virgin atlantic then?
hold up, your rent is only $2250??
well my portion is $1,300 but the total is $5k since I have roommates.
very complicated!
agreed. its not simple. its high effort, high reward
Virgi Ana alliance.
🫶🏽
Great tutorial Chase!🫵 Thanks for the detailed information and walkthrough 🤙
You bet Cesar! 🙏🏽 Thank you good sir