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Japan is often a bucket-list destination, but getting there can be expensive. With the right strategy, though, flying to the Land of the Rising Sun can cost you next to nothing. Credit card rewards can cover your airfare, leaving you to pay just taxes and fees — or they can cover the full expense.
Here are four of the best ways you can achieve your goal of booking a trip to Japan without needing to save up for years.
1. ANA Mileage Club
All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline, is a great place to start when searching for an award trip to the country. For flights from North America, the minimum number of miles required for a round-trip flight depends on which class you book and when you travel.
| Low season | Regular season | High season | |
| Economy | 60,000 | 70,000 | 75,000 |
| Premium economy | 88,000 | 98,000 | 103,000 |
| Business class | 105,000 | 115,000 | 120,000 |
| First class | 210,000 | 210,000 | 225,000 |
You can search for award flight availability on the airline’s website but need to sign up for the ANA Mileage Club program first.
While there is a co-branded card for the airline, issued by the First National Bank of Omaha, its sign-up bonus and rewards program leaves much to be desired. Fortunately, there are other cards that allow you to transfer miles. Examples include:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- American Express® Gold Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
One thing to keep in mind is that transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to ANA Mileage Club occurs at a 3:1 ratio, although you will get a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points you transfer. With Amex Membership Rewards points, on the other hand, the ratio is 1:1. Also, Amex offers airline fee credits on some of its credit cards, which can save you money on baggage fees and other related costs.
Also, ANA is a member of the Star Alliance, which also includes United Airlines. If you have the United℠ Explorer Card, you could use your miles to book ANA flights through the United website.
2. Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
If you want more options, it may be worth looking into flights with Japan Airlines (JAL). For starters, the airline offers discounts on limited days of the week, which allow you to get a business-class ticket for 80,000 miles or first-class for 110,000. To qualify, you typically need to depart from the U.S. Monday through Thursday and return Tuesday through Friday.
Base miles for non-discounted round-trip fares from the U.S. are as follows:
| Fare class | Base miles required |
| Economy | 50,000 |
| Premium economy | 65,000 |
| Business class | 100,000 |
| First class | 140,000 |
Award availability can be limited on certain days, so if no seats are available on a date you want to fly, you’ll be waitlisted. Alternatively, you can book a PLUS ticket for extra miles to open up award availability. The cost above the base requirement can vary based on where you’re departing from and which class you book.
You can search for award availability for Japan Airlines flights through its website or its Oneworld alliance partners’ websites.
Again, the First National Bank of Omaha offers a co-branded credit card that earns miles with the airline, but you’re not going to earn much with the bonus or rewards program. Other cards that can help you earn Japan Airlines Mileage Bank miles include the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card.
As with ANA, though, the transfer ratio is 3:1 with a bonus of 5,000 miles with every 60,000 points transferred.
JAL is also a member of the Oneworld alliance, which also includes American Airlines and British Airways. So if you have the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® or the British Airways Visa Signature® Card, you can use your rewards with either airline to book flights with Japan Airlines.
3. Korean Air SKYPASS
Like ANA, Korean Air has varying mile requirements from the U.S., based on peak and off-peak travel. You can search for award availability directly on Korean Air’s website.
| Off-peak | Peak | |
| Economy | 70,000 | 105,000 |
| Prestige | 125,000 | 185,000 |
| First | 160,000 | 240,000 |
There are a handful of decent co-branded Korean Air credit cards available through U.S. Bank, including a secured credit card for people with poor credit.
Alternatively, you can earn points with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card or the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card and transfer them to SKYPASS at a 3:1 ratio (with an extra 5,000 miles for every 60,000 points transferred).
Another option is to book Korean Air flights through a SkyTeam alliance partner, such as Delta Air Lines. If you prefer this option, consider the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card.
4. Redeem rewards from cards that can cover any flight
Earning airline points or miles with a co-branded credit card isn’t always easy, especially when the sign-up bonus is typically lower in value, and you only earn bonus rewards on purchases made with the airline. And while transferring points from the Marriott Bonvoy program is an option, it’s not a very valuable one with a 3:1 ratio.
If you want more flexibility, consider a general travel credit card that can allow you to redeem rewards for any flight you purchase to Japan, regardless of where you find it.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is an excellent example of this strategy. You book the flight directly with the card, then use your miles to get a statement credit, essentially “erasing” the cost.
To fully take advantage of general travel credit cards, look for travel deals. Websites like Dollar Flight Club can alert you when a flight goes on sale, allowing you to save money and still get some or all of the expenses covered with your rewards.
Also consider other general travel credit cards, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. The card doesn’t give you the flexibility to book anywhere but does offer a platform where you can book flights directly with airlines. What’s more, there are some Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners that could help you get to where you want to go.
Bottom line
There’s no single best way to get to Japan using points and miles, so if it’s on your bucket list, the sooner you start researching your options, the better. As you consider each avenue, think about which is the best travel credit card that can help you get there faster and align with your spending habits.
Whether through a sign-up bonus or rewards earned on everyday purchases, getting the right card sooner rather than later can help you achieve your goal much faster.
Benefits
Card Details
- Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
- Earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases
- Longer intro APR on qualifying purchases and balance transfers
- No foreign transaction fees
- Apply Now
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
- 0% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
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on Bank of America’s secure website
Intro Offer
Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
Annual Fee
$0
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