Key Points

• ANA Mileage Club offers the best value for Japan flights at 60,000-88,000 miles round-trip in economy, transferable from Chase, Amex, Citi, and Capital One.
• United MileagePlus provides consistent award availability on Star Alliance partners with no fuel surcharges on most routes, making it ideal for flexible travelers.
• Book 11-12 months out for premium cabins or 3-4 months ahead for economy sweet spots when airlines release additional inventory.

Introduction

Flying to Japan with points is one of the smartest redemptions you can make. The distance means tickets often run $800-$2,000+ for economy and $3,000-$8,000+ for business class. But with the right strategy, you can fly there for just the cost of taxes and fees—often under $100 round-trip.

Here's what makes Japan flights special: multiple airline programs offer great value, award availability is generally better than Europe, and you have options from every major U.S. city. Whether you're dreaming of Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka, I'll show you exactly how to get there using points.

Quick Answer: Best Program for Most People

For most travelers, ANA Mileage Club offers the best combination of value and availability for Japan flights. You'll pay 60,000-75,000 miles round-trip in economy or 88,000-110,000 in business class, with reasonable taxes. ANA miles transfer from Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou Points, and Capital One miles, giving you maximum flexibility.

Understanding Your Options for Japan Flights

Three airline alliances fly between the U.S. and Japan, each with different pricing and availability patterns. Star Alliance (United, ANA, Air Canada) generally offers the most options, with multiple daily flights from major hubs. OneWorld (American, Japan Airlines, British Airways) provides competitive pricing but less frequency. SkyTeam (Delta) has limited Japan routes but can work for West Coast departures.

The key is matching your departure city and travel dates with the program that offers the best combination of availability and price. Let me break down each major option.

Best Programs for Flying to Japan

ANA Mileage Club (Best Overall Value)

ANA Mileage Club consistently delivers the best value for Japan redemptions. Their award chart uses a distance-based system with no fuel surcharges on their own flights. Round-trip pricing from the U.S. mainland runs 60,000 miles in economy (West Coast) or 70,000-75,000 miles (East Coast), and 88,000 miles in business class (West Coast) or 110,000 miles (East Coast).

What makes ANA special is the exceptional business class product on their 777-300ER and 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The "The Room" business class on newer aircraft offers true privacy and comfort that rivals many first-class products.

ANA miles transfer instantly from Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Points. If you're building a points strategy specifically for Japan travel, the Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Express Gold Card give you direct transfer access to ANA.

United MileagePlus (Most Flexible)

United MileagePlus uses dynamic pricing, which means costs vary based on demand. However, you'll often find reasonable rates: 60,000-80,000 miles round-trip in economy and 120,000-160,000 miles in business class. The big advantage is United's extensive route network and the ability to book any Star Alliance partner, including ANA, without fuel surcharges.

United miles transfer from Chase Ultimate Rewards, making cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve excellent for building a United miles balance. United also releases more last-minute award space than ANA, giving you flexibility if your plans change.

For frequent flyers to Japan, consider the United Explorer Card, which offers expanded award availability as a benefit.

American AAdvantage (Solid Alternative)

American AAdvantage charges 60,000-70,000 miles round-trip in economy and 110,000-125,000 miles in business class on their own flights to Tokyo. You can also book Japan Airlines (JAL) flights with AAdvantage miles, and JAL's business class product is consistently rated among the world's best.

The catch? Limited West Coast to Japan routes on American metal, and JAL award space can be hard to find during peak seasons. But if you're flexible with dates and route through Dallas, this can be a great option.

AAdvantage miles don't transfer from credit card points programs, so you'll need to earn them through American Airlines credit cards or hotel point transfers from Marriott Bonvoy.

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (Business Class Sweet Spot)

Here's an insider secret: Virgin Atlantic Flying Club offers one of the best business class deals to Japan at just 95,000 miles round-trip when booking ANA flights. That's significantly less than United or even ANA's own program for the same seats.

Virgin miles transfer from Chase, Amex, Citi, and Capital One, making them accessible. The downside? You can only book round-trip awards, and you must book ANA flights (not United or other Star Alliance partners). But for business class travelers, this is the sweet spot you want to target.

Building Your Points Balance for Japan

The fastest way to accumulate enough points for Japan is through credit card welcome bonuses. Our best credit cards for flights to Asia guide breaks down the top options, but here's the quick version.

Best Cards for Japan Flights

The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in three months. Those points transfer to United and ANA at 1:1, giving you enough for a one-way economy ticket or a strong foundation toward business class.

Pair it with the Amex Gold Card (earning 60,000-90,000 Membership Rewards points) and you're looking at 120,000-150,000 transferable points—enough for round-trip business class on Virgin Atlantic's ANA flights.

For maximum earning power, the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Capital One Venture X both offer 75,000+ point bonuses and transfer to multiple airline partners, giving you flexibility if award availability shifts.

Step-by-Step Booking Strategy

Step 1: Choose Your Route and Dates

Japan has three major international airports: Tokyo Narita (NRT), Tokyo Haneda (HND), and Osaka Kansai (KIX). Haneda is closest to central Tokyo, making it the most convenient option. Most U.S. departures originate from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, or connecting through these hubs.

Peak season (cherry blossom in March-April and fall foliage in October-November) requires booking 11-12 months out. Shoulder season (May-June, September) offers better availability with booking 6-8 months ahead. Winter (January-February) provides the most award space and best deals.

Step 2: Search for Award Availability

Start by searching United.com, even if you plan to book with another program. United shows real-time Star Alliance availability and makes it easy to see multiple date options. Look for "Saver" awards in economy or "Everyday" awards for better availability.

For ANA award searches, you'll need to create an ANA Mileage Club account and search on their website. The interface isn't as user-friendly as United's, but it shows accurate availability for ANA flights.

Step 3: Transfer Points and Book

Once you find available award space, transfer your points to the program you're booking with. Most transfers from Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex, and Citi are instant or within minutes. Capital One transfers can take 1-3 business days.

Book by phone for complex itineraries or if you need to combine programs. ANA's U.S. phone line (800-235-9262) has English-speaking agents who can help with multi-city routings.

Premium Cabin Strategies

Business class to Japan represents incredible value because of the flight length (11-14 hours depending on your departure city). You're looking at lie-flat beds, exceptional food, and premium service that makes the journey part of the vacation.

Best Business Class Products

ANA's "The Room" business class on 777-300ER aircraft offers individual suites with doors—true privacy and comfort. JAL's Sky Suite business class provides similar quality with exceptional Japanese hospitality. United Polaris business class has improved significantly in recent years, with solid hard product and dining options.

When to Splurge on First Class

First class to Japan runs 150,000-220,000 miles round-trip, depending on the program. ANA first class is among the world's finest, but the points premium over business class is substantial. Consider first class only if you're flying from the East Coast (13+ hour flights) or have points to spare.

Maximizing Your Award Availability

Best Days to Fly

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday typically show the most award availability. Avoid Monday and Friday departures, which fill with business travelers. Red-eye flights from West Coast cities often have better availability than daytime departures.

Using One-Way Awards

Don't feel locked into round-trip bookings. One-way awards give you flexibility to mix airlines and classes of service. Fly to Japan in economy (30,000-40,000 miles) and return in business class (55,000-80,000 miles one-way) to maximize value while managing points spend.

Booking Through Partner Airlines

Sometimes you'll find better availability by searching partner airline websites. For example, Air Canada Aeroplan often shows different ANA award space than United or ANA's own site. Flexible points programs give you options when availability is tight.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Waiting Too Long to Book

Award availability disappears fast for Japan flights, especially in business class. Book as soon as the award calendar opens (typically 11-12 months out for ANA and United). Don't wait for "the perfect price"—award pricing rarely improves as departure dates approach.

Forgetting About Taxes and Fees

While award tickets save you thousands on airfare, you still pay taxes and fees. Budget $50-150 per person for U.S. to Japan flights depending on the airline and route. ANA and United have lower fees than programs that pass along fuel surcharges.

Booking Without Checking Connections

Direct flights from the U.S. to Japan depart from limited cities. If you're connecting, make sure you have enough time between flights—international minimum connections are typically 90 minutes, but 2-3 hours provides buffer for delays. Check our international travel card guide for tips on managing connections.

Alternative Strategies

Positioning Flights

Sometimes it makes sense to buy a cheap cash ticket to a major hub (LAX, SFR, SEA) and then use points for the Japan segment. Southwest Rapid Rewards points work great for West Coast positioning flights since they have no blackout dates.

Mixed-Cabin Itineraries

Book business class westbound (when you want to sleep) and economy eastbound (shorter flight with time zone advantage). This saves points while maximizing comfort where it matters most.

Using Hotel Points

If you're short on airline miles, consider transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to airline partners. The transfer ratio isn't great (3:1 with a 5,000-mile bonus per 60,000 points transferred), but it's a way to top off your balance. Check our Marriott Bonvoy transfer partners guide for details.

Real Example: How I Booked Business Class for Two

Last year, I booked two business class tickets from San Francisco to Tokyo using Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles. The total cost: 190,000 Virgin miles (95,000 per person) plus $124 in taxes—for seats that would have cost $14,000+ in cash.

Here's how I earned those miles: 60,000 from Chase Sapphire Preferred, 90,000 from Amex Gold, and 60,000 from Capital One Venture X. Total out-of-pocket for the bonuses: $12,000 in regular spending over 12 months, which I would have spent anyway.

The flights were on ANA's 777-300ER with "The Room" business class—individual suites with doors, incredible food, and attentive service. We arrived in Tokyo refreshed and ready to explore, rather than exhausted from 11 hours in economy.

FAQ

How far in advance should I book Japan flights with points?

Book 11-12 months ahead for business or first class, especially during peak seasons (March-April, October-November). Economy tickets show better last-minute availability, but I still recommend booking 6-8 months out for the best selection. ANA releases award space 355 days before departure, while United's calendar opens 337 days out.

Which credit card gives me the most points for Japan flights?

The best strategy combines multiple cards for maximum points earning. Start with Chase Sapphire Preferred (60,000 points) or Chase Sapphire Reserve (75,000 points) since Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer to both United and ANA. Add an Amex card like the Gold Card for Membership Rewards that also transfer to ANA. This two-card strategy gets you 120,000-165,000 points—enough for round-trip business class.

Can I fly to Japan in business class for under 100,000 points?

Yes. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club charges just 95,000 miles round-trip for business class on ANA flights—the best deal available. ANA Mileage Club charges 88,000 miles from the West Coast. Both programs accept transfers from major credit card points, making this achievable with 2-3 card sign-up bonuses.

Are there fuel surcharges on award flights to Japan?

It depends on the airline and program. ANA Mileage Club and United MileagePlus don't charge fuel surcharges on most Japan routes, keeping fees under $100 round-trip. British Airways charges hefty fuel surcharges on partner flights, making them a poor choice for Japan redemptions. Always check the total cost before transferring points.

What's the best time of year to visit Japan using points?

For award availability, January-February and June-July offer the most options and lowest redemption rates. For the best experience, visit in spring (March-May) for cherry blossoms or fall (September-November) for colorful foliage. Book these peak seasons 11-12 months out, as business class awards sell out fast.

Conclusion

Flying to Japan with points transforms an expensive trip into an affordable adventure. By focusing on ANA Mileage Club or United MileagePlus for reliability, or Virgin Atlantic Flying Club for business class value, you'll maximize every point you earn.

Start by earning transferable points through credit card bonuses, search for award space 6-12 months before travel, and book as soon as you find availability. Whether you're flying economy to explore Tokyo on a budget or treating yourself to ANA's business class experience, your points can take you there.

Ready to start planning? Check our guides on the best travel credit cards and flexible points programs to build your Japan travel fund.

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