Flying to Japan with Points & Miles
No matter where you’re traveling to, flights can be expensive these days, especially for peak travel seasons. I faced this issue often when I was starting my photography journey - I wanted to go to places like Japan for Cherry Blossom Season, but financially, the flight costs themselves were pretty high, not to mention the hotels and everything else that needs to be budgeted for. Something that helped me immensely was learning how to use points & miles to redeem award tickets for long haul international flights, like from the US to Japan. I studied how credit card sign-up bonuses work and how to optimize them. I researched the different award programs, routes, partnerships, bonuses, and deals. I found award search tools that helped save me time by constantly searching for me, without having to spend hours and hours clicking through portals.
After years of saving up points and largely going for economy class redemptions, I’ll finally be trying some of the top First Class products on ANA (All Nippon Airways) and JAL (Japan Airlines). I’d like to share what I’ve learned about the award seats + points & miles process for booking flights to Japan, with the hopes that you too can have some of these experiences.
Please note that this information is as of March 2025: rates and routes can change often, so double check and do your own research as well. Additionally, a lot of the credit card points and miles systems are geared toward US-based credit card holders. Opening credit cards has its own risks, and none of this should be construed as financial advice of any kind. Definitely do your homework on how these programs work in your geography. With that said, let’s get started.
In this blog, I’ll cover:
Intro to points & miles, award seats, calendars, the “points game”
Tips on acquiring the larger chunks of points needed for business & first awards
Airlines, cabins, products: what award seats to target booking
Search tools & resources to make the process less time intensive
An Introduction to Points and Miles
What are points and miles? Think of them like a currency that you rack up through everyday credit card spending & sign-up bonuses, as well as traveling on different airlines. Airlines and credit card companies offer these rewards to keep you loyal, and if you play your cards right, you can cash them in for flights, upgrades, and even hotel stays. Some credit cards are particularly valuable for this, offering generous sign-up bonuses that can be enough for a round-trip business class ticket. The key is knowing how to earn efficiently and redeem strategically. Since accruing massive amounts of points through spending or flying is difficult, most people acquiring points from “churning” credit cards for their sign-up bonuses. This blog isn’t going to cover churning, but there’s plenty of resources available online, starting with the r/churning Reddit page.
Now, let’s talk about award seats. These are the seats airlines set aside for travelers who want to use their points or miles instead of cash. They’re limited, they get snatched up fast, and they can be tricky to find. Airlines typically allocate only a few award seats per flight, especially in premium cabins (business first), and competition is fierce. Some routes and airlines release more award seats than others, and knowing which programs have better availability can be a game-changer. If you want to fly Japan Airlines or ANA in first class, for example, you’ll need to understand their release patterns & redemption partners, and most of all, be ready to book the moment seats become available.
Award seat availability is first dictated by an airlines’ award seat calendar. Airlines release these seats on a rolling basis, and some open up availability months in advance while others release them sporadically. Some airlines and programs release seats around 330-355 days in advance, while others might only open award space closer to departure (called “close-in” booking). Knowing these calendars well, booking ahead, and having flexibility with your dates can make all the difference in snagging that dream seat. Tools like Roame, Seats.Aero, and airline-specific search engines can help track availability, so you don’t have to check manually every day. Award Fares has a great calendar to study.
As you start to potentially get into this hobby, you’ll hear it called “the points game.” It’s a mix of strategy, patience, and persistence. You’ll find yourself researching the best credit cards for earning miles, tracking award availability, and timing your redemptions to get the most value. Some people take this game seriously, leveraging multiple credit cards and redemption programs. It’s a bit daunting to get start, but once you book your first lie-flat seat to Tokyo for almost nothing, you’ll probably be hooked. Maximizing transfer bonuses, knowing which programs charge fewer miles for the same flights, and taking advantage of sweet spots in award charts can make all the difference.
Three Ways to Rack Up Points and Miles
Earning points and miles isn’t just about swiping your credit card for coffee and groceries, it’s about playing the game strategically to maximize your rewards. If you want to fast track your way to a business or first-class seat to Japan, you’ll need to focus on the biggest earning opportunities. Here are the three ways to quickly accumulate points:
Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses
This is the single fastest way to earn a massive haul of points in a short period. Many travel rewards credit cards offer welcome bonuses ranging from 50,000 to 100,000+ points just for signing up and meeting a minimum spending requirement within the first few months. Some premium cards even offer limited-time bonuses that can be enough for a round-trip business class ticket to Japan on their own. To make the most of this strategy:
Time your applications wisely. Banks often increase sign-up bonuses during special promotions, so waiting for the right offer can pay off.
Meet the minimum spend efficiently. Use your new card for everyday expenses, bills, or even prepaying some larger expenses like insurance or taxes to hit the required amount for a sign-up bonus.
Consider multiple cards over time. Many travelers build up points by strategically applying for new cards across different banks, spacing out applications to stay within approval limits. Chase, for example, has a strict 48 month clock between sign-up bonuses for their Sapphire cards.
Maximizing Category Bonuses & Everyday Spending
Once you’ve earned your sign-up bonus, your next priority is to keep earning at a high rate. The best travel cards offer bonus points on specific categories like dining, travel, groceries, or gas. Instead of earning just 1 point per dollar, you could be earning 3-5x or more in key spending areas.
Match the right card to the right purchase. For example, some cards offer 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines, while others give higher rewards on restaurants. Other cards might offer 2x on every purchase, which is a great catch-all.
Use shopping portals. Many airlines and banks have online shopping portals where you can earn extra points for purchases you’d make anyway. Capital One recently launched their Offers portal specifically catered to their credit card holders, where you can get additional miles with many different shops, travel companies, etc.
Leverage business expenses if possible. If you own a business or have reimbursable work expenses, using a business credit card can really up your earnings.
Transferring Points from Flexible Rewards Programs
Many of the best travel credit cards earn points in flexible programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, BILT Rewards, or Citi ThankYou Points. These points can then be transferred to airline partners, sometimes with added transfer bonuses that give you even more miles.
Take advantage of transfer bonuses. Occasionally, banks offer 20-40% bonuses when transferring points to airline programs, letting you book flights for even fewer points.
Know the best transfer partners for Japan. ANA, for example, and their partner programs (like Virgin Atlantic) often have great redemption rates when you transfer points. Learn which credit card programs transfer to the airline program for your desired seats.
Be ready to book. Transferred points typically can’t be moved back, so always check award availability before transferring.
Understand phantom availability. Some programs, like Alaska Airlines MileagePlan, suffer from what’s known as phantom availability - meaning search tools show available seats, but in reality they’re not bookable. Phantom availability happens to everyone, but don’t be discouraged - just manage your risks carefully, and where possible, call in to book.
My Favorite Award Redemption Options to Japan
Japan is one of the most sought-after destinations for award travel, and fortunately, several airlines offer incredible premium cabin options. Below is a breakdown of the best options, which programs to book through, and what to expect in terms of aircraft and comfort.
All Nippon Airways (ANA)
ANA is known for its excellent service and some of the best business and first-class seats in the world. They operate two different premium cabin products:
The Suite (New First Class). Found on select Boeing 777-300ERs, this is ANA’s newest and most private first class product. It features fully enclosed suites with a massive 43-inch 4K screen and large ottoman. Definitely one of the best ways to fly first class to Japan. New cabins are consistently running on routes to/from JFK and LHR, and rotate on other services to SFO and ORD. You can check which product is flying by doing a mock cash booking on ANA’s website. New cabins will show “The Suite” in the aircraft description.
The Room (New Business Class). Available on the same 777-300ERs as “The Suite”, this seat is considered one of the best business class seats in the world. It’s an extra-wide, fully enclosed suite with a door, offering more space than many first-class products. As mentioned before, the cabins are consistently running on routes to/from JFK and LHR, and rotate on other services to SFO and ORD.
Flying Honu (First and Business Class). Only on ANA’s Honolulu routes, flying their Airbus A380s. The first class hard product is more similar to The Suite, but the business class is more similar to the older products.
Old First & Business Class. Found on older 777-300ERs (business and first) and 787-9s (business only), the previous generation first class ("ANA First Square") features a semi-enclosed suite with a smaller entertainment screen and less privacy. Still has the great food, beverage, and service you’d expect on ANA, but without the new seats.
How to Book ANA Awards
ANA Mileage Club. Great rates but require round-trip bookings - not ideal in the world of award travel. Their calendar is seasonal, which means for peak cherry blossom season, the deal isn’t as good. Transfer times from credit cards like AMEX can also be long, leaving you in limbo.
Business Class: 100,000-110,000 miles round-trip, depending on season.
First Class: 150,000-200,000 miles round-trip, depending on season.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. The best option for one-way awards. Must be booked over the phone. Business class awards can’t be booked within 14 days of flying, but First class can.
Business Class: 52,500 miles one-way (US-West Coast), 60,000 miles one-way (US-East Coast)
First Class: 72,500 miles one-way (US-West Coast), 85,000 miles one-way (US-East Coast)
United MileagePlus. Charges more miles but allows one-ways too. Bookable online on United’s website.
Business Class: 110,000 miles one-way. Sometimes 100,00 miles for United credit card holders or elite status holders.
First Class: 220,000 miles one-way.
Japan Airlines (JAL)
JAL is another top-tier airline, offering exceptional soft product (food, service, and amenities) and solid business and first-class seats. Their cabins include:
A350-1000 First Class (New First Class). JAL’s newest aircraft with only 6 fully enclosed suites. Larger than ANA.
A350-1000 Business Class (New Business Class). JAL’s newest aircraft with incredible enclosed suites with closing doors as well.
First Class (Boeing 777-300ER). Features wide, open suites with large leather seats that convert into a bed. While not fully enclosed, the privacy and comfort are top-notch, and the service is world-class.
Business Class (Sky Suite). 777-300ER & 787-9. Reverse herringbone seats (similar to Cathay Pacific and American Airlines) with direct aisle access. The 787-9 version has a staggered layout.
Business Class (Sky Suite III). 787-9 & 787-8. Forward-facing, lie-flat seats with a tighter configuration than the Sky Suite.
How to Book JAL Awards
American Airlines AAdvantage. The best way to book JAL, but AA miles are difficult to acquire.
Business Class: 60,000 miles one-way.
First Class: 80,000 miles one-way.
Alaska Airlines MileagePlan. Typically only works JAL business class, and sometimes shows phantom availability “non-bookable flights”.
Business Class: 75,000 miles one-way.
British Airways Avios.
Business Class: upwards of 93,000 miles one-way.
First Class: upwards of 123,000 miles one-way.
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles.
Business Class: upwards of 75,000 miles one-way.
First Class: upwards of 110,000 miles one-way.
United Airlines
While not as luxurious as ANA or JAL, United Polaris offers a comfortable way to fly to Japan with fully lie-flat seats. United’s best option is its consistent Polaris Business Class, which is found on the Boeing 777-300ER, 787-10, and some 787-9s. These seats offer direct aisle access, larger entertainment screens, and improved bedding compared to older business class cabins.
How to Book United Awards
United MileagePlus. Best option for United flights.
Business Class: upwards of 100,000 miles one-way.
Aeroplan (Air Canada). Can be a good option when United has saver availability.
Business Class: 75,000 miles one-way.
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines doesn’t release long-haul business class awards to most partners, but you can book its Tokyo flights through Aeroplan. It’s only one route: LAX-NRT.
Business Class (Boeing 777-300ER). Features Singapore Airlines’ comfortable lie-flat seats. Wide but requiring passengers to angle themselves slightly to stretch out fully - which may be difficult for taller travelers.
How to Book Singapore Airlines to Japan
Aeroplan (Air Canada)
Business Class: 75,000 miles one-way.
Award Search Tools
There’s so many award search tools out there these days, but only two have consistently got me results: Roame.Travel and Seats.Aero. Both platforms scape airline portal data for information about available award seats. Both provide email alerts to paid users based on desired routes, point amounts, and dates. However, their user interfaces (UI) are quite different - both are user friendly in my opinion, but they look quite different, so one or the other may suit your taste more. I currently pay for both services - time is of the essence for award travel, and for a relatively modest cost, using both could result in locking down one of my most desired seats. Both services have free versions - but you’ll be limited to how far out in the future you can look or how many of their different tools you can use.
Roame.Travel
Roame.Travel is a powerful, user-friendly award search tool that helps travelers find available flights using airline miles. Roame scans award availability across different programs in seconds, thanks to its SkyView search feature. The Roame team also writes guides of their own! They have detailed information on how to use their tools to book some of the best cabins. Check it out here: Roame Guides. I like Roame for a few reasons:
Search Multiple Airlines at Once. Instead of searching ANA, JAL, and United separately, Roame.Travel aggregates availability from various loyalty programs, saving you time.
Easy-to-Use Interface. The website is clean, intuitive, and far simpler than many clunky airline award search engines.
Filters for Specific Classes & Routes. Want ANA First Class from New York to Tokyo? You can filter specifically for that.
Saves Time & Effort. Rather than manually checking airline calendars every day, Roame.Travel automates the process and finds open seats for you. Paid users can also set 5 “searches” to produce email alerts, so when seats pop up, you’'ll be ready to book.
Facebook group. The Roame team runs an “Award Travel by Roame” Facebook group where people cancelling seats or sharing seats they found but can’t book share information. There is a lot of noise in these groups but honestly, I’ve found it to be a helpful community!
Seats.Aero
Seats.Aero is very similar to Roame, but the UI is a little more simple (not in a bad way). For those seeking rare Japan seats, Seats.Aero also does email alerts - but importantly, Seats offers unlimited alerts. They also have specific “Tools” like ANA First Class Finder and JAL First Class Finder, which are pre-filtered views that just focus on the most premium seats. Some may find that Seats’ table-focused view to be cleaner than Roame’s very “Google Flights-esq” UI, but to each their own.
Wrapping Up
Learning about award travel has a bit of a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, you can really redeem some special experiences. Like I mentioned before, it’s a bit of a “points game” and to the players go the spoils, so if flying some of the world’s best first and business class products interests you, I’d definitely recommend giving it a try.
What else do you want to hear about? Were you able to book any special award seats for your Japan trip? Let me know via Email or Instagram DM! My inboxes are always open, and I’ll try to reply as soon as I can.
Be well, and see you in the next post!
