I think there are quite a lot of people who were surprised to hear that: ``What, you won't be able to exchange V Points for nanaco or Yodobashi?''

In January 2026, Sumitomo Mitsui Card officially announced that V points transfer service to other companies will end at 23:59 on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Targets include nanaco points, Yodobashi Gold points, BIC points, Starbucks cards, and many other exchange destinations that I used to use because they were convenient.

In this article, based on the latest information as of March 2026, we will explain in an easy-to-understand manner What you should do before the end of the season and How to use your V points so that you do not waste them even after the end of the season.

What ends in the first place? List of target services

First, let's be clear about what will be lost. According to Sumitomo Mitsui Card's official notice, the following transfers to other companies' points and mileage will end at 23:59 on March 31, 2026.

Complete point exchange destination

  • nanaco points (7-Eleven)
  • Yodobashi Gold Points
  • BIC Point (Bic Camera)
  • Charge to Starbucks Card
  • Charge to Tully's Card
  • Belle Maison Point
  • PiTaPa shop de points

Ending mileage exchange destination

  • Flying Blue(Air France-KLM) Mileage
  • British Airways Executive Club Avios

Roughly speaking, this means that many routes that allow you to exchange and use V points for other points or miles will be closed.

In other words, the V points themselves do not disappear or become unusable. The correct expression is "decreasing options for exchange destinations."

Continuing service — which exchange locations can still be used?

Don't worry, not everything will disappear. As of March 2026, the uses that have been confirmed to continue are as follows.

Main exchange destinations and uses that can continue to be used

  • Cashback on card usage charges (1 point = 1 yen)
  • Shopping on the V Point app (Visa prepaid)
  • Use with Visa touch payment/iD payment
  • Exchange to ANA Miles (via ANA affiliated card)
  • Exchange to JR Kyupo
  • Exchange menu provided by CCCMK Holdings (Use at former T-point affiliate stores)

In other words, the route of ``using V points directly for payment'' is basically still alive. For cashback and app payments, 1 point = 1 yen, so you don't have to worry about losing money on exchange rates.

The exchange of ANA miles is especially important for land milers (those who accumulate miles without boarding a plane), and this is still ongoing as of March 2026, according to ANA official website.

Three things to do by March 31st

``If you have points you would like to exchange, do so now.'' This is our basic policy. I've summarized three specific things you should do.

1. Check your V point balance

First, figure out how much V points you have. There are two ways to check.

  • Vpass app: Point balance will be displayed on the top screen of the app for Sumitomo Mitsui Card members
  • V point site: You can check by logging into V point official website

By the way, the expiration date of V points is one year from the last change date (accumulate, use, or exchange points). Also check to see if your points have expired.

2. If you have a partner you would like to exchange with, complete the procedure now

If you would like to exchange your points for nanaco points or Yodobashi Gold points, please complete the procedure by 23:59 on March 31, 2026.

The exchange procedure can be done from the Vpass app or the V Points site. After completing the procedure, it may take several days to several weeks for the points to be reflected in the exchange destination, so we recommend that you complete the procedure by mid-March, rather than at the last minute.

3. “Cashback” is the best option if you are not particular about where you exchange money

For those who honestly don't know where to exchange their money, Cash back on card usage charges is the simplest and most advantageous option.

The reason is simple. Cashback is 1 point = 1 yen, and there is no reduction in the exchange rate. When exchanging points for other companies, the exchange rate may be equivalent to 1 point = 0.8 yen, but with cashback, there is no such loss.

Furthermore, you will earn points as usual for the amount of cashback you spend on your card, so it is practically the most economical way to use your card. Cashback can be processed from Sumitomo Mitsui Card official page.

How to use V points wisely even after the game ends

“Is there any point in saving V points after April?”——No, in fact, there are still plenty of ways to use them.

The easiest way to use the V Point app is to “use it as is”

If you have the V Point app (formerly V Point pay) on your smartphone, you can use the accumulated V Points to pay directly with Visa touch payment. You can use it at any store that supports Visa touch payments, such as convenience stores, supermarkets, drug stores, etc.

The V Point app is available on App Store and Google You can download it for free from Play.

Up to 7% return with Sumitomo Mitsui Card (NL) + convenience store

With the Sumitomo Mitsui Card, you can receive up to 7% points back when you use your smartphone's touch payment at participating convenience stores and restaurants (as of March 2026). Target stores include 7-Eleven, Lawson, and McDonald's.

In other words, even if you don't exchange points for other companies, the system that allows you to use them for everyday shopping and earn lots of money remains intact.

Continuation of conversion to ANA miles

Good news for people who love to travel. If you have an ANA affiliated card, you can still convert V Points to ANA Miles. The exchange rate varies depending on the type of card, but generally 500 points = 250 miles (50% exchange rate).

However, with the suspension of new issuance of Mizuho Mileage Club Cards/ANA, it has become difficult for new users to exchange at a high rate using the JQ Mizuho route (exchange rate 70%). If you already have a route, it is a good idea to exchange it as soon as possible.

Why will the point transfer service be terminated?

The detailed reason has not been officially announced, but a possible background is The integration of T points and V points in April 2024.

Before the integration, V points (formerly Sumitomo Mitsui Card points) had many exchange routes with points from other companies. On the other hand, the old T Point also had its own partners. After the integration, it appears that the redundant services are being sorted out.

Also, as competition in the point economy intensifies, Sumitomo Mitsui Card (SMBC Group) seems to be aiming to ``complete V Points within its own payment ecosystem.'' This is a strategy to prevent points from leaking out by promoting the use of Visa touch payments and the Vpass app.

FAQ

Will the V points themselves become unusable?

No, your V points will not disappear. Part of the "transfer service to other companies' points/miles" will be discontinued. You can still pay with the V Points app, receive cash back on card usage fees, and use points at partner stores.

Can I still use the old T card (plastic card)?

You can continue to use it at V Point participating stores, but FamilyMart will no longer be able to read magnetic cards on August 31, 2025. We recommend moving to the V Point app on your smartphone.

Can I exchange to nanaco points after April?

No. Exchange for nanaco points will end at 23:59 on March 31, 2026. The closure was also announced on nanaco official website. If you wish to exchange, please complete the procedure by the end of March.

Will the exchange for ANA miles end?

As of March 2026, mileage redemption via ANA affiliated cards continues. However, please note that Flying Blue and British Airways mileage redemption will end at the end of March.

What is the best way to use V Points after the point transfer service ends?

Cashback (1 point = 1 yen) for card usage is the simplest and most advantageous option. Visa touch payments using the V Point app are also recommended as they can be used without rate loss.

References