How to Save Money Flying to Japan 🇯🇵 | Best Credit Card Strategy

[@KevinYang]

Question for you: Have you been to Japan? What are your favorite travel redemptions (domestic or overseas)? 👇

[@TheMicromachine333]

An in-depth guide to redemption would be so valuable

[@KevinYang]

An in-depth guide about JAL specifically, or are there other airlines or routes you'd like to learn more about?

[@TheMicromachine333]

@@KevinYangJAL, ANA, EVA, and Singapore Airlines would be fantastic. I’m looking to plan a multi-city trip around Asia

[@KevinYang]

@@TheMicromachine333 Check out some of my "Maximizing points" videos for walk throughs on ANA, EVA, and Singapore! kzbin.info/aero/PLnXVaMqpMMOv5iUcaOz-yXeT2sqXlHe9t&si=RwYYAueS9lnPkbAA

[@TheMicromachine333]

@@KevinYang Will do! Thank you

[@Cryptid71]

I love the video but I was really hoping you'd say which airline program (capital one, Chase, Amex) is best for planning trips to Japan

[@KevinYang]

Yeah, for a video like this that was meant to be a higher level overview (as opposed to my more in-depth guides), had to leave some things out unfortunately... Noted for a potential future video!

[@DC_Consulting_DC]

We usually fly ANA to Tokyo, but have also used UA and SQ. Thanks for mentioning Osaka for redemptions. Sometimes we return from SIN and HKG and stopover in TYO.

[@KevinYang]

I'd love to fly ANA again (even if on the old product, though still wanna try The Room!). How did you feel about ANA vs SQ vs UA?

[@Cocopan0.o]

Hello, i’m trying to figure out which card to start, never done this before. Would a chase sapphire or the freedom unlimited one be good to start with? I plan on traveling to Japan in Fall 2025 with my sister, but would love to do a solo trip in Feb 2025 if possible, which is about 4 months away from now. Pretty soon but I want to try to see if I can do a affordable plan trip with points or gain points from it. Any card or strategy recommendations? 🙏🏽

[@KevinYang]

Depends on your credit, but either Freedom or Sapphire cards are good! If you can qualify, the current bonus of the Sapphire Preferred with 60k points + $300 travel credit is quite good! TBH Finding 1 seat to Asia is pretty easy, two is a lot harder.

[@AbesCreditPointers]

Yeah get the preferred now. Hit the bonus for the free points and after that apply for the flex in order to maximize your UR points.

[@Cocopan0.o]

@@KevinYang thank you!! Yea thanks for the heads up for seating 🙏🏽 going to try to apply. I watched your recent video too, looks like the capitol one would be a good choice too.

[@MP112791]

Subbed. An in depth guide would be appreciated!

[@KevinYang]

An in-depth guide about JAL specifically, or are there other airlines or routes you'd like to learn more about?

[@dabaydestrian415]

I have 120k chase points.. can I transfer these points to get business class from San Francisco to Tokyo ?

[@KevinYang]

Yes! And even first class if you're lucky to find spots. Are you flexible in your times and/or can book almost a year in advance?

[@dabaydestrian415]

@@KevinYang yes I’m flexible to go anytime, and can book a year in advance… but every time I look at the transfer partners, it says no flights available .. am I doing something wrong ?

[@KevinYang]

@@dabaydestrian415 Are you using seats.aero to search? or Aeroplan itself?

[@dabaydestrian415]

@@KevinYang I see the flights now, I was on the wrong website lol. Now I’m on seats.aero. But they’re still 140k- 200k+ points for business class. Is it because I’m searching less than 60 days out ?

[@dabaydestrian415]

I’m trying to fly from Sacramento or SFO to Saigon Vietnam

[@yer992]

First!

[@KevinYang]

🎉🎉