Maximize Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Points for ANA First Class?

Alright, so I've been digging into the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club program and heard it's got some sweet spots for ANA First Class redemptions. Has anyone here tried booking ANA First using Virgin Atlantic points? I know the taxes and fees can be a bit much, but if the experience is as good as people say, it might be worth it.

I'm sitting on about 100k Flying Club points and trying to figure out the best way to use them for a bucket list trip. I've seen some availability from LAX to Tokyo, but it seems hit or miss. Any tips on finding more consistent availability?

Also, if you've done this, how was the booking process? Did you have to call Virgin Atlantic directly, or could you manage it online somehow?

Would love to hear any experiences or advice you folks might have!

Yeah, booking ANA First with Virgin Atlantic points is one of those sweet deals. Availability can be tricky, though. It's best to look for flights as soon as the schedule opens up, around 355 days out. For the booking process, you'll need to call Virgin Atlantic directly. They can't book ANA online. And yeah, taxes and fees are on the higher side, but the experience is top-notch. If you can find availability from LAX to Tokyo, it's totally worth it for a bucket list trip. Keep checking, especially if your dates are flexible!

Yeah, ANA First is definitely a great use of Virgin points. You're right about taxes and fees-they can add up, but the experience is top-notch. I tried booking once, and yeah, you'll likely have to call Virgin directly. Their site doesn't handle partner bookings well. I've found that searching for availability through ANA's site first helps. Sometimes you see seats there that Virgin's reps can book. But yeah, it's a bit of a treasure hunt. Good luck!