How to Book Japan Airlines Business Class with Credit Card Points

Japan Airlines has some of the best business class seats in the air, and you can book them with Chase Ultimate Rewards points, American Express Membership rewards points, Citi ThankYou Points, Capital One Venture miles and Bilt points!
This video shows you how to book a business-class flight to Japan with Japan Airlines and maximize your miles and points.
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Chapters
Intro 0:00
Booking with American Airlines 0:31
Booking with Cathay Pacific Miles 4:52
Booking with British Airways Avios 6:44
This video may contain links through which we are compensated when you click on or are approved for offers. The information in this video was not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

[@Re3iRtH]

I just flew JAL first class from Tokyo to NYC, a $15,100 ticket and an incredible experience. Cost 70K Alaska miles + $54.

[@brucebanksshow]

How?

[@abirakbar9809]

Any insight please

[@williamfeliciano6003]

true but isnt it just a one way sadly ;/ still a good redemption

[@Re3iRtH]

@@williamfeliciano6003 24.0+ cpp heck ya that's a good redemption

[@cee_el]

@@williamfeliciano6003 70k for one way is an amazing redemption. There aren’t many other airlines that has a better redemption than this. ANA does I know. But anyways jal no longer offers it for this price

[@LuckyAces444]

I think AA just make it so much harder to find their alliances flights in 2024, looks like Alaska Airlines or British Airways are a better way to do your search.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Max, you have the best redemption videos in the business!! Thanks!

[@jjustin5177]

Great job have a safe and happy new years

[@atransitionallife5166]

This was, by far, the easiest-to-understand points/awards booking videos I've ever seen! Thank you!!!

[@MyLifeInDallas]

I booked First Class on JAL (DFW to SGN) for 80,000 miles via AA.

[@shawntaylor9338]

This was a really helpful video! I’ve used AA’s search capability a lot in the past but I learned a couple of new tricks here. Thanks for sharing these tips!

[@sahil1294]

Such a great video. Thanks!

[@monicap9550]

I recently spent HOURS searching for award seats from the US to ATH/CPH/BGO with nil success. I wish I had seen your videos about seat aeros beforehand. Thank you so much for your channel.

[@luvsufurever]

Omg thank you! This is what I’ve been looking for!!!

[@MaxMilesPoints]

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@philbertshevitz3113]

Excellent video... you are truly an expert at this stuff.

[@salvadorvallejo6145]

One of the best videos I’ve seen so far on how transfer partners work!! Thank you so much, earned a subscriber!

[@MaxMilesPoints]

Thanks for the subscribe! 🙌🏼

[@theinternationalist1357]

Finally, this is what I been waiting for (award tickets to Japan). Max your the man! I'm actually in Sakado, Japan now. Stay here for 3 weeks, celebrating New Year in Japan.

[@MaxMilesPoints]

Glad to hear it! Super jealous that I’m not in Japan right now. Have an awesome time!

[@winston3737]

Perfect timing! Thank you :)

[@MaxMilesPoints]

You’re welcome!

[@jans.travel]

Perfect timing.. planning on traveling to Japan in March.

[@MaxMilesPoints]

Hope you’re able to find the award availability you’re looking for! 🤞🏼

[@navsky]

Thanks for sharing. JAL is definitely my top 3 favorite airlines.

[@shaoyuchou]

Super useful video. I usually book JAL through Alaska airline or AA miles. Never realize I could book through Cathay. Now I can use my Amex, Citi or Capital One points.

[@FinickyHorseGameStudios]

Great work!

[@lorenbrowne]

Thank you!!

[@mia8854]

I like all your videos! Your videos are easy to follow and super informative. If you know good ways to reem points to fly to Seoul, Korea, that would be really helpful!!!

[@luannehorne697]

That was very informative for me-- Im new at this and the only thing I am good at so far is spending money to earn points-- after that- I am lost!! Thank

[@iankm1]

I must watch this video once a month to remember how to book JAL. You have the best videos, can you do a live soon and take questions?

[@marcusyoung5440]

Thanks for this video! Between this one and the ANA video, I feel really set on how to get to Japan. For Feb I’m gonna try to add a Tokyo stopover and an extra ANA flight to HKG for not many more VS miles. 🤞🏼🍀 Can I do that with JAL too? Any sweet spots to other parts of Asia? Thx!!

[@kyrylobutenko]

Booked Chicago to Tokyo through Cathay ....300k points/ 1618$ for 2 people return flight last night. Thanks to you videos

[@darith770]

economy

[@cnin]

Thank you for all the information. How about to go to South Korea?

[@monicap9550]

Please do a video for how to search for J class seat to Australia or New Zealand. Thanks in advance.

[@pitpoleo9]

Really love your video! All helping! Can you help me to find a tickets to indonesia with amex points?

[@JadeF-zh2il]

Would love to see a video on how to book an extended stop over for the cost of 1 way business class if possible!

[@darith770]

nuh

[@cesarlob]

I’m still struggling to find flights to Japan from Honolulu on my vacation weeks. I feel like the points are useful only if you have flexible schedule and just take what is available.

[@mayumiy2149]

Thank you so much for the details. I am new to the points club! I need my parents over 80 years old to fly for me to Los Angeles. They are quite old I try to get a business class for me. I think the only way I can afford is using points. so, I appreciate you. My parents do not speak English at all, if I book through American or British airline for JAL, they can just go to JAL counter to check in out, so they do not have to speak Japanese, correct? I never booked this way using points, I just want to make sure my parents will not get troubles.

[@shaileshdoshi6866]

hi max i saw your few videos all are great, but can you share video for india destinations for economy class tkts using any mileages with lowest numbers like united/american/delta/british/

[@wellsw3]

Another great video. The only thing I wish it had mentioned would be booking JAL award tickets thru Alaska Mileage Plan. There's one big perk over AA or BA is Alaska's very generous stopover policy, which would make it possible to visit Japan for free, then continue on the onward flight for the final destination. Of course the downside is that Alaska's miles are much harder to come by.

[@williamfeliciano6003]

isnt it just a one way tho?

[@saulsotelo4108]

Do you know how to book through Alaska airlines

[@ann4621]

Thank you for the video! I am searching for one way business award flight from Tokyo to JFK for 5/30 or 5/31 but have not had luck finding one. I saw award available on Japan airline but I don’t have the mileage at Japan airline

[@darith770]

dont quit ur day job

[@jeffreyho4508]

Hi Max, is there a reward seat search for Canadian users

[@johnsmith02]

I did LAX-NRT on JAL first class and HND-LAX on ANA business class “the room” on award tickets back in May. I couldn’t find JAL availability on the day I wanted to return. I always book one way award tickets to increase my flexibility.

[@Tendertroll1]

How soon in advance for you book them?

[@johnsmith02]

@@Tendertroll1 This was May 2022, and I booked about 2 weeks prior to the trip. It was not easy to enter Japan at the time, and availability was good. Nowadays, you hardly ever see ANA premium cabin availability on UA.

[@Tendertroll1]

@@johnsmith02 oh I see

[@Project_Kuhaku]

How does seating arrangement work after you book your flight? Say the scenario is your partner/group are all booking their ticket separately in order to use their own miles, and we all successfully are able to buy business class award seats. How does the seating arrangement work after this point?

[@Lnetta2Lteezy]

I'm specifically trying to use my Amex points to get to Japan so thank you for the Cathay plug!! One question, for the one way ticket on the points, how do you get the return flight too? Do you need to find award again but coming from Japan back home (US for me)? And also (one more question) I don't live near one of the airports that go straight to Japan that you showed, I'm assuming it's just need to book a separate flight to that airport prior to the Japan flight; or is there another step to this I'm missing? Thanks so much for your helpful content!

[@ryanshannon6963]

If you're using Amex points then you can transfer directly to ANA, which has cheaper award redemptions (you can now do one-way redemptions on ANA, but *I think* you have to call for those). I guess having the flexibility of using Cathay if ANA doesn't have any ANA award availability is always a good alternative, though.

[@kelleyau9056]

Thos was vey helpful! - I checked British airways, its 78k avios + $333, which doesn't seem worth it for Business, but maybe those transfer bonuses would help a lot...

[@MaxMilesPoints]

Here’s to hoping a BA transfer bonuses comes around sometime soon!

[@ariadora_]

I just tried this, but am having issues on the Cathay website. All I see are BA flights, not JAL. I found many JAL options using the American Airlines calendar, but since I’ll be transferring Capital One points, I wanted to book through Cathay. Any advice?

[@chrischeng158]

@max do you like JAL or ANA business class better?

[@scrumcaptain]

Do you have a video on how to book award flights on Japan Airlines to other countries, not just Japan?

[@evolutional7135]

which airlines to I transfer to for capital one?

[@natashaorozco3725]

I didn’t see Cathay Pacific as a transfer partner for capitol one. Was it for another partner?

[@derekfong9556]

Nice tips! Does JAL also charge giant fuel surcharges like ANA? I followed your ANA video, but I wish you mentioned the surcharges and how ANA has to “approve” your flight. Their flight schedule also did not match the United schedule method in your video unfortunately 😔

[@Tendertroll1]

Dude I am trying to book a flight with JAL and they are showing a fuel charge too, price gouges

[@irislynn4970]

@@Tendertroll1700 dollars I was shocked when I saw it this morning.

[@Tendertroll1]

@@irislynn4970 price gouging at its finest

[@LuisMoreno-lr2vk]

Hi. Great video. I am new to this and have seen several videos. This question is bugging me: Why do you select ONE WAY for your example? What are the chances I get a great deal on my return flight? Is it possible to get a great deal on ROUND TRIP searches? Thanks!!!

[@LuisMoreno-lr2vk]

CANCEL THAT..., I JUST READ YOUR COMMENT TO THE SAME CONCERN BELOW!! HAPPY TRAVELS. LOL

[@steftrando]

You need to zoom in your screencast more

[@naggers_6983]

Is there a certain reason why we can’t book ANA for the time being? I tried searching on Virgin Atlantic and nothing is popping up.

[@julieslater7073]

help-I can not figure out how to use cathay pacific site-trying to book one way either from LAX to tokyo or osaka or the reverse. 4 in biz and sometimes it won't even let me search and sometimes says not available. I am so confused

[@sarayuchaverah8630]

Hello I tried searching for the Calendar option in Americal airlinrs but i can’t find it. Is this option no longer available? 😢

[@berry1068]

Love this video - literally just did this for my honeymoon next year via british airways! Question for you Max (about ANA) - I know there are usually a certain amount of reward flights allotted per flight, and usually ANA only lists 1 biz class flight. But as the date approaches they may post more if people in their ANA club aren't taking those seats. Do you know when you start looking for those potentially 'extra' biz class flights? 3 weeks out? 2? Thanks so much!

[@MaxMilesPoints]

ANA is hard to predict but as of recent there has been some good last minute award availability. Like 3-4 weeks before departure. Not sure how long that will keep happening but that’s what’s happening as of right now with ANA. Finding award availability on ANA right now is just not fun and the surcharges are kinda a lot too

[@marcusyoung5440]

I’ve been watching this last minute availability since September. It seems to be consistent except for the month of December which kinda dried up for the outbound only. It looks like they’re back on track. I see January availability. I’m hoping to go in February!

[@JCSantiago]

Why is it that each time I search I only find flights that are 100k miles each way?

[@shyaminator]

Cathay Points are devalued now 😥They're 89k miles now for business

[@yumified1]

I wanted to know how the airlines decide on availability on a partner flight. For example, AA, Cathay and Air Canada may have availability on the calendar at different times. AA's calendar is open until March 10th, Cathay is open through April 8th and Air Canada is open through March 28th. Will these all be the same JAL seats or does JAL release them at a certain time for all partner airlines? It seems like I should book through Cathay since it's available first but wasn't sure if these are the same seats. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[@darith770]

Yes

[@dunkninddonuts]

is it worth it to open the american airlines executive credit card?

[@sheilam9141]

first

[@Frank-Mesen]

With all this technology out now, is there a website or app the does all the work for you to make it way easier?

[@MaxMilesPoints]

Check out Point.me www.point.me/?pid=300 (Affiliate link) It searches 33 programs at one time and gives you real time award availability. But it’s takes a while to search and only searches one day at a time. It’s great if you’re fixed on your travel date and just want to know exactly. I still like searching manually because I think it’s the discovery / exploration / puzzle part of it. And sometimes searching manually it uncovers opportunities or routing or redemption options i otherwise would overlook or point.me would not pick up

[@DonBinny10]

Anybody knows how to book it with a canadian credit card? Im with RBC and I'm looking for a way to book this deal

[@DavidSmith-wp2zb]

I tried to book JAL with AA miles and my reservation has been "on request" for a month and a half, and the airline cannot tell me if i have a confirmed seat!

[@timhall123]

Need advice from everyone. I want to travel in November 2024 from NYC to Tokyo, JAL airlines, business class. I do not fly on American Airlines. I was thinking of opening up an American Airlines credit card to get the bonus miles to use for a business class ticket for my trip to Tokyo. I followed the steps in this video. However, I can not find any AA airline award business class seats for any month leading up to September 2024. October and November 2024 bookings are not available yet. Is it really difficult to get these award seats from NYC to Tokyo? If yes, then it may not be worth it for me to open an AA co-branded credit card. Any suggestions on how to get award seats for my desired flight, time frame when award seats will be available for AA November 2024 flights?

[@swagav]

searched for a flight on cathay, is it normal to have over $400 in fees??

[@cee_el]

No more 70k first class from east coast to japan and Vice versa. Ugh, Alaska airline didn’t even give us advance notice

[@zrivera4950]

I cant search AA website like Max did anymore... AA Is only show Japan Airways.... Is this happening to anyone else?

[@Brianlovesrice]

Is availability significantly easier on off season months for AS? Been looking at May and noticed availability is few

[@darith770]

duh

[@fano1th]

So, I just followed your directions on the American website and found exactly ZERO business class options from New York to Tokyo for an ENTIRE YEAR. 😞

[@markkaroo]

Do you do consultation on booking?

[@darith770]

wut u tink

[@shengshengxu2872]

Hello Max, do you have any idea when Japan Airline will release business class award ticket for next 12 months? I used your AA to check the non-direct flight from NYC to TYO this year and early next year. No business class award ticket is available except T-14 days. Thanks.

[@MaxMilesPoints]

Right now it’s pretty open in late feb and early March last time I checked earlier this week !

[@shengshengxu2872]

@@MaxMilesPoints Thanks, Max. Right now I don’t have 60k or 80k miles to redeem the award ticket. Is this why the system block me to see those tickets in Feb and Mar next year? I am accumulating the miles using AA now.

[@skillfullyyoursmaris4425]

What if you do not have enough Chase preferred points to cover the business class miles required at British airways? Can I buy miles or is it worth buying miles?

[@darith770]

umm

[@jeffchung6832]

Other than alaska and AA, which one world mileage program is the best that is transferable from amex? Cathay or british? Anyone else? British high fuel charges ...

[@darith770]

skymiles

[@taylorlong3057]

Is there a way to search for JAL first class on AA and book through Cathay?

[@darith770]

u think

[@Chris-ut5ih]

Bummed that British airways charges so much UR points

[@olekonig7704]

Not a realistic example. Many flights with stopovers have long layover or some legs are in economy, also no mention of the problems with AA award site. At least 6 six months, with the website not working correctively

[@Welcometoohiosir]

Hi, so it only work with nonstop flight guys? What if we need flight that are at least 1 stop? Thanks in advance if any can help.

[@MaxMilesPoints]

That is correct, this works best for nonstop flights from the U.S. to Japan. If you don't live in a city with one of the non-stop flights on Japan Airlines to Japan, you can book a positioning flight. For example if you live in Las Vegas, you can book a cheap ticket from Las Vegas to Los Angeles and take the flight from there.

[@camillejoy6727]

Can i transfer my Chase and AMEX points at the same time at British Airways to get more miles?

[@MaxMilesPoints]

Yes you can transfer points from both Amex and Chase to British Airways to earn more avios

[@kimberlysmith3784]

Where do you search to find out all the routes Japan Airline flies from USA to Tokyo? I'm asking because I want to do this for other airlines

[@darith770]

yes

[@ratchfordgeorge]

how did you find the availability dates? I just check from August until next year, did'nt see one availability date

[@MaxMilesPoints]

You’ll have a higher chance of finding award space 9+ months in advance. Posted to my stories on Instagram yesterday. Feb / march is what you should be searching for award availability for for a higher chance of finding award availability

[@607_jacobus9]

I have tried to look for JAL business class on AA seems to be rare. which airports have the better availability?

[@darith770]

Mars

[@607_jacobus9]

@@darith770daym. Didn't know about this thank you very much. Have a good day ahead. Keep safe over there in Mars bruh

[@williamfeliciano6003]

Is finding ana business class ticket hard now ?

[@MaxMilesPoints]

It is! 😕

[@KittS.168]

How can I book jfk to Bkk on JAL? Thanks 🙏

[@MaxMilesPoints]

If you book through Cathay Pacific you can potentially route all the way to BKK. JFK-TYO-BKK

[@kevingiang5606]

Is emirates a good way to book JAL? their fees are a lot lower.

[@darith770]

maybe

[@paulrodger3115]

How does this work for Air Canada Aeroplan card & points. Toronto - Cebu/ Davao or Manila, Then Bangkok ( or MNL to Accra, not doing BKK). Business class seat. Would YYZ - MNL (CEB or DVO) - ACC. IS MNL A 5,000 Mile stopover. I am a Canadian. Thanks

[@joethong726]

Air Canada is not part of one world. You can’t redeem aeroplan for Jal but you can redeem it for Ana flights. You can fly Vancouver or Calgary to Tokyo on ANA BIZ Class for 55000 points. One of the sweet spots in the award chart

[@paulrodger3115]

@@joethong726 thanks. Would That get me to manila, using Tyo as a stopover. +5,000 for the stop

[@joethong726]

@@paulrodger3115 if manila is your final destination, you will be looking at 87,500 aeroplan points for J Class. If you want to stopover in TYO, add another 5,000 points

[@DallinBunnell]

You always search one-way. Is there a reason you don't search round trip flights?

[@MaxMilesPoints]

One-way allows more flexibility. Very few airlines give you any discount for booking round-trip. For the return ticket repeat the search but swap the airports, similar process

[@ReinHart006]

How come it says 75K on bottom but 85K on top? Just want to make sure before I transfer my pts, thanks in advance!

[@MaxMilesPoints]

Just a weird thing Cathay does. The number at the bottom is the correct number!

[@MeikaiBry]

Something's wrong, when I look up the same type of flights, LAX or SAN to NRT for example business class tickets are 400,000+ points not like 60K as your video is showing

[@MaxMilesPoints]

You need to find saver award availability

[@shannel317]

Tried booking with Cathy Pacific from SFO to Japan but the taxes and fees are $750.00 per person. Is there anyway to avoid this?

[@MaxMilesPoints]

Book using AA miles if you want less in taxes and fees

[@shannel317]

@@MaxMilesPoints I only have capital one mile points and I transferred them over to Cathy pacific already. Is there any other way to book?

[@MaxMilesPoints]

@@shannel317 If you already transferred your points to Cathay Pacific, and if you only have Capital One Miles, then booking via Cathay is your best option. I always recommend checking for award availability and the total cost of the flight before transferring any points.

[@user-xi5oy4xl7g]

Help Please! Point experts always say they received flights on average for 70k-120k points. I’ve tried to replicate the tricks with various airlines but all my results come out to 300k-600k per person. I’m flying from LAX to Tokyo. Any ideas?

[@MaxMilesPoints]

You’re finding everyday award space which is the ones that are more readily available and are more expensive. You want to find saver award space it explain some of the nuances about award availability in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/emPdoJxqgZWYo7s

[@edrico123]

am i tripping i just ran the search from SAN to TOKYO in American Airlines today.... and 35k for economy, 280K! FOR Premium Economy, and a whopping 450K thats 450,000 POINTS for Business class. Did the points game get this bad in a one year span or am I doing something wrong. I checked several different months out from 6-10 months out. All like this.

[@walex19]

yeap still the same. wtf

[@righteous6963]

there is no Calendar on the AA site.............

[@MaxMilesPoints]

Yes there is ………………

[@righteous6963]

@@MaxMilesPoints i went on AA site no calendar section

[@MaxMilesPoints]

@@righteous6963 it’s shown visually in the video at 01:51. Follow the instructions to see the calendar

[@righteous6963]

Yes on the video I know it shows the calendar but when I go on the AA site myself there is no Calendar section Don't know if it matters but I am in Los Angeles@@MaxMilesPoints

[@irislynn4970]

Trying to book through Cathy pacific. And got hit 700 sub charges. People be aware of it

[@MaxMilesPoints]

Alternative is to book via AA or Alaska for less in taxes and fees but points are harder to earn. 75k + $350 each way in taxes and fees is a small tax to pay for a flight that’s typically $3k-$4k in cash

[@irislynn4970]

@@MaxMilesPoints sigh too bad that no award availability for business class through out the year ( or the point required were ridiculously high) I had to book economy. But still have to pay 700 dollars for the sub charge. I think it is worth of mentioning in the video tho.

[@MaxMilesPoints]

@@irislynn4970 thanks for the suggestion. Booking economy and paying the taxes and fees is a dealbreaker in most cases. You can typically find economy tickets round trip for under $1,000.

[@tambourinedmb]

just logged on AA 500k-800k round trip wtf

[@walex19]

lol yeah wtf!?

[@joking2512]

wow, this is all invalid now... jal flights aren't available in cathay or british airways

[@MaxMilesPoints]

This strategy is still valid, you can still book JAL via Asia Miles, British Airways and American Airlines.

[@joking2512]

@@MaxMilesPoints are you sure? are there only specific Jal flights showing up on Cathay or British airways? Found the flights on AA but not showing up on Cathay and British.

[@AirJermaine]

OOOOF! Had I watched this video before booking, I would've saved a TON of points on my JAL First Class flight from Tokyo to Chicago 😭😭😭. Here's the video of that unreal flight experience I posted on my channel: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIDYg62HmbiMaJI

[@societychange229]

Do you offer a consulting or some sort of training ?

[@MaxMilesPoints]

I have a couple consult slots open in January calendly.com/maxmilespoints/30-minute-call