What just happened—and why it matters now
If you tried to move Membership Rewards to ANA Mileage Club this month and nothing showed up, you’re not alone. Reports since September 2 indicate transfers are initiating on the Amex side but not posting to ANA, and as of September 14 frontline reps have acknowledged the issue with no timeline for a fix. That’s a serious snag for anyone eyeing ANA’s famously valuable award charts. (Source: Doctor of Credit.) ([doctorofcredit.com](https://www.doctorofcredit.com/american-express-to-ana-transfer-issue/?utm_source=openai))
Under normal conditions, ANA posts Amex transfers in roughly 2–4 business days—occasionally faster—making it a go-to for premium-cabin redemptions (think 75,000–95,000 miles round-trip business class between the U.S. and Japan, routing-dependent). When those miles don’t land, holds expire, seats vanish, and travel plans wobble. ANA itself states 2–4 business days as standard timing; the current stall is well outside that expectation. ([ana.co.jp](https://www.ana.co.jp/en/gb/amc/amex-membership-rewards-program/?utm_source=openai))
Who’s affected—and how to assess your risk
If you initiated an Amex→ANA transfer on or after September 2 and your ANA balance hasn’t moved, you’re in the affected cohort. Amex reps are attributing responsibility to Amex; ANA’s published guidance still shows normal timelines, which underscores that this is not a routine delay. Travelers with award holds (or those trying to sync transfers right before a fare sale or schedule change) face the highest risk of losing their target itineraries. For readers sitting on a large Membership Rewards balance with near‑term Asia travel, this bottleneck changes the playbook for September.
Two quick checks before you panic: confirm your ANA name and number exactly match what Amex has on file, and verify the transfer request reference on your Amex account. Mismatches can cause separate delays—but the current wave appears broader than routine data-entry hiccups. If everything matches and you’re still stuck beyond 4 business days, it’s time to pivot. ([ana.co.jp](https://www.ana.co.jp/en/gb/amc/amex-membership-rewards-program/?utm_source=openai))
A tactical pivot: three ways to keep your plans alive
1) Book the same or similar flights via other Amex airline partners. For Star Alliance itineraries (including many ANA-operated flights), Air Canada Aeroplan is the most flexible alternative: instant or near‑instant transfers are common, and changes/cancellations are generally easier—even if the award pricing is higher than ANA’s. For some nonstop ANA segments, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club can be a powerful play with simple round‑trip pricing on ANA metal; transfers to Virgin are typically fast from Amex. Use this route when the schedule matters more than the absolute fewest miles. (Timing norms compiled by frequent flyer publications.) ([onemileatatime.com](https://onemileatatime.com/guides/amex-membership-rewards-points-transfer-times/?utm_source=openai))
2) If your ANA itinerary requires a hold, assume that hold will expire. Some advanced guides suggest placing a 72‑hour ANA award hold before transferring points; given the current outage, a hold alone may not save the redemption if points don’t arrive. If you must try, set a hard internal deadline (e.g., 24 hours before the hold expires) to switch to Aeroplan or Virgin if ANA still hasn’t posted. ([mightytravels.com](https://www.mightytravels.com/2026/09/95k-250-fees-vs-4800-cash-ana-tokyo-business-2026/?utm_source=openai))
3) Escalate intelligently. Call Amex Membership Rewards, reference the transfer date and amount, and request a trace. Keep screenshots and note case numbers. While Amex hasn’t provided an ETA, documented cases are your best path to resolution or potential goodwill gestures when systems recover. Doctor of Credit’s reporting indicates Amex has acknowledged responsibility; that’s useful context when you escalate. ([doctorofcredit.com](https://www.doctorofcredit.com/american-express-to-ana-transfer-issue/?utm_source=openai))
Should you still apply for an Amex card during the outage?
Yes—with a twist. If you’re applying primarily to leverage ANA awards in the next few weeks, pause. If your goal is to build a broader, resilient points portfolio, strong welcome offers across key Amex cards still make sense—and your points remain highly liquid across 15+ other airline and hotel partners.
- Platinum Card from American Express: Third‑party trackers and outlets show targeted public offers as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points (spend requirements apply). If you qualify, it’s one of the richest personal card bonuses around, and Platinum’s benefits (airport lounge access, premium hotel credits, and broad transfer options) position you well even if ANA stays offline temporarily. ([forbes.com](https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/best/sign-up-bonuses/?utm_source=openai))
- American Express Gold Card: A dining‑and‑groceries powerhouse that regularly features 60,000–90,000+ point welcome offers depending on the applicant. If your near‑term plan is Flying Blue to Europe or Virgin to book ANA segments when pricing works, the Gold’s everyday earn is a smart feeder. Check your personalized offer during application—Amex now often displays “see your offer after approval,” which varies by profile. ([upgradedpoints.com](https://upgradedpoints.com/credit-cards/reviews/american-express-gold-card/75000-bonus-points/?utm_source=openai))
Strategy note: targeting transferable points while this issue plays out keeps your options open. Even a 95,000‑mile ANA business‑class target can be backstopped by Aeroplan or Virgin in a pinch, albeit at different prices. That optionality is the whole point of bank currencies.
What to do if your ANA transfer is already stuck
- Day 3–4 after initiating: Call Membership Rewards and ask for a “trace” on an ANA partner transfer; request a documented case number and follow‑up window. If you’re inside a hold window, inform the agent. ([doctorofcredit.com](https://www.doctorofcredit.com/american-express-to-ana-transfer-issue/?utm_source=openai))
- Day 5+: If seats are at risk, re‑price via Aeroplan or Virgin and consider booking a backup. Document any additional cash outlay connected to the delay. If the ANA points eventually land, you can evaluate cancel/change paths based on fees and availability. Timing for ANA posts is normally 2–4 business days; beyond that you’re in exception territory. ([ana.co.jp](https://www.ana.co.jp/en/gb/amc/amex-membership-rewards-program/?utm_source=openai))
Let SuperPay do the heavy lifting while systems recover
This is exactly the kind of curveball where planning beats panic. SuperPay’s Rewards Roadmap (PRO+) builds a personalized transfer and redemption plan across all your cards—then stress‑tests it with alternates. If ANA goes dark, your Roadmap auto‑surfaces backup partners (like Aeroplan or Virgin) and shows the updated points math for the same route, so you can pivot without second‑guessing.
Pair that with Smart Card Picker for the earn side: when you’re stocking up on points for Plan A and Plan B, Picker tells you which card to use at every merchant—4X at restaurants with Amex Gold vs. 1X on a general card adds up quickly. If you decide to add a new Amex card, Roadmap helps you model the welcome offer against your real spending to see if you’ll comfortably hit the threshold in 3–6 months.
Your next move
If you have a pending Amex→ANA transfer from early September, start the trace process today and pencil a backup booking path via Aeroplan or Virgin. Building or expanding an Amex portfolio still makes sense—just plan redemptions with partner flexibility in mind and let SuperPay plot the routes for you. Download SuperPay on the App Store and start optimizing your rewards today.