The best-value way to fly business class to Japan on points is usually ANA's own planes booked through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, which prices them at 52,500 points one way between Japan and Western US cities and 60,000 between Japan and Central or Eastern US cities, according to Virgin Atlantic's ANA page. Chase, Amex, Citi, Capital One and Bilt points all reach Virgin Atlantic, so the real work is finding ANA award space before you transfer anything.
Japan isn't the only option in Asia. This guide covers the programs worth using for each part of the region, how to match your points to them, and the order to do things in so a transfer never strands you.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: The Headline Redemption for Japan
Virgin Atlantic's page lists ANA business class at 52,500 points one way between Japan and Western US, Canada or Australia, and 60,000 one way between Japan and Central or Eastern US, Europe or Mexico. First class is 72,500 and 85,000 on the same split. These prices exclude taxes and fees.
The rules matter as much as the price. Awards are only on flights ANA itself operates, not on ANA-marketed flights run by another airline, and they're subject to availability. You can't book on the page; Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club team does the booking, so you'll contact them after you find space. Virgin Atlantic can only see the seats ANA chooses to release to partners.
ANA Mileage Club: The Backup for Japan
ANA's own program prices business class between Japan and North America at 110,000 miles round trip in low season, 115,000 in regular season and 180,000 in high season, according to ANA's award chart. Confirm the season for your dates before you compare it with Virgin Atlantic, because the high-season price changes the answer.
ANA is worth checking when Virgin Atlantic has no space, since ANA can see seats it hasn't released to partners. Amex Membership Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy points transfer to ANA; check the current ratio before you move anything.
Air Canada Aeroplan: Partner Space You Can Search Online
Aeroplan books ANA and many other Star Alliance airlines on its own site, which makes it the easiest place to see partner space in one search. It also prices one-way awards, and its stopover rules let you add a second stop on some itineraries. Prices float by route and date, so run the search rather than relying on a figure from a guide.
Aeroplan receives points from Chase, Amex, Capital One and Bilt. The Aeroplan search is also a good way to spot ANA space before you transfer to Virgin Atlantic.
United MileagePlus: Last-Minute Space and Other Routes
United prices awards dynamically, so rates move with demand and can rise quickly in peak season. It's the program to check when you need a seat inside a month, or when you're flying a route ANA doesn't fly. United takes points from Chase only. As with every program here, confirm that seats exist before you transfer.
Singapore KrisFlyer: The Pick for Singapore
Singapore Airlines is the airline for Singapore, and KrisFlyer is how to book its cabins with points. Singapore tends to release its best space to its own members, so search on KrisFlyer first. Points from Chase, Amex, Citi, Capital One and Bilt transfer to KrisFlyer. When you can't find space there, ANA business class to Singapore via Tokyo is a backup.
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles: Hong Kong and Short Hops in Asia
Cathay Pacific's Asia Miles is the program for Hong Kong and for short flights inside Asia, where a distance-based chart can price a trip well below the long-haul programs. Asia Miles takes points from Citi, Capital One and Bilt, and from Amex at a ratio below 1:1, so check the current ratio. It doesn't take Chase points.
American AAdvantage: JAL When You Can Find It
American partners with Japan Airlines, and JAL's business class is one of the best products in the region. The catch is finding the space, which is why points travelers use award search tools; our guide to the best award search engines compares them. AAdvantage miles come from American's cards or flying, so check whether your bank points transfer before you plan around it.
Match the Program to the Destination
- Tokyo and Osaka: Search ANA space through Aeroplan, then book through Virgin Atlantic, or through ANA if Virgin Atlantic is out of space. Use United for last-minute trips.
- Singapore: Start with KrisFlyer, with ANA via Tokyo as the backup.
- Hong Kong: Start with Cathay Pacific Asia Miles.
- Bangkok and Southeast Asia: Look at ANA through Tokyo, Singapore Airlines, and Cathay Pacific for the short hops.
Search First, Transfer Last
Transfers between a bank program and an airline can't be reversed, so a transfer that doesn't convert to a ticket leaves you with miles in the wrong place. Our guide to why points transfers are one way explains the risk. Find the exact flight, confirm the space with the airline, then transfer only what you need, and book right away.
When to Search
Airlines release award space on a set schedule, often close to a year ahead, and the day it opens differs by program. For peak windows such as cherry blossom season in spring, Golden Week in early May and fall foliage, search the day your dates open. Off-peak trips are easier to find closer in, and some airlines release extra seats inside the last few weeks.
What I Would Not Do
I wouldn't book long-haul Asia business class through a bank travel portal without comparing it to the transfer price first. For a long-haul business seat, the portal price in points is usually far higher.
I wouldn't convert Marriott points to airline miles unless I was a few thousand miles short, because the conversion rate is poor. And I wouldn't plan an Asia trip around British Airways Avios on partner flights, since British Airways adds carrier-imposed surcharges that can erase the savings. Our guide to how award flights work covers what you still pay in cash on an award.
Updated October 17, 2026: Asia award pricing.
