What's In My Wallet? Japan Credit Card Strategy | $20,000 Trip on Points: ANA First Class

[@AskSebby]

Get 20% off DeleteMe US consumer plans when you go to joindeleteme.com/AskSebby and use promo code SEBBY at checkout. DeleteMe International Plans: international.joindeleteme.com/ 💳 Sebby's Card Picks: www.asksebby.com/credit-cards CardMatch: www.asksebby.com/guides/cardmatch

[@humphrey]

thanks sebby!

[@TheGalacticVoid]

Hey Sebby! Just wanted to say thanks. I was able to plan a last-minute trip to Japan with a first class ANA redemption + pretty decent Hilton redemptions a month before the trip, and I couldn't have done it without your detailed CC videos. While I didn't make the *best* use of the points, I certainly wouldn't have been able to go without those points and without using your videos.

[@AskSebby]

Awesome! Glad the videos are helpful :)

[@gumerzambrano]

How did you get the ANA redemption?

[@amypriest7751]

Love this type of video! I would enjoy future videos like this for other locations.🗝

[@AskSebby]

Thanks!

[@Buenosdiiaz]

🔑 1) Last year we travelled to Japan for the first time and fell in love with the destination. Our favorite part of the trip was staying at Iwaso Ryokan on Miyajima island near Hiroshima. 2) Our next trip to Japan is in February 2025 and we are really looking forward to staying at the Andaz Tokyo. Thank you for all you do!

[@zunedog31]

$1400 room for 35k Hyatt is amazing!!

[@thejokerspeaks]

1. Valdez Alaska 🔑 2. Hilton Tokyo near Shinjuku with lounge access, 5th night free, coming up in October. 13 night cruise to get there for $3,200 pp (in a suite), $1,600 for Hawaiian business class to fly home. Had we jumped onto Alaskan Airlines sooner, we probably could have got airfare much cheaper.

[@areus1456]

Valdez felt like another world when driving in. One of the places I wished I visited more when I lived in AK.

[@thejokerspeaks]

@@areus1456 We saw it by cruise ship 15 months ago. I would imagine that the drive in was breathtaking. I might have to do a road trip from Anchorage sometime, next time we're up there.

[@CostcoSamurai]

Living in Japan, I've found a certain joy in using my credit card points. There's nothing quite like cashing them in for a stay at a newly grand opening luxury Hilton related hotel, where the simple luxury feels like a well-earned reward.

[@Alexwhatisit]

Thank you because watching your videos taught me a lot about cc points. I’m going to Japan over the new years largely on points!

[@luisserrano863]

Awesome video Sebby, you and Mandy take aspirational travel to a whole new level. Most of us average people would consider ourselves lucky with just one of those redemptions, but you guys had so many awesome redemptions that it’s mind blowing. It’s awesome to see things like this to know the possibilities are endless. It’s awesome that you can share these experiences with us.Definitely very inspiring 🎉

[@andybenskey]

🔑 The WA Cabo was hands down my favorite hotel trip ever. We stayed only two nights, but the level of relaxation felt like it was a week.

[@AskSebby]

WA Cabo is on my list to try! Heard great things about it.

[@KDot07]

Watching this while in Japan on Vacation. Nice vid!

[@bentencho]

I would also recommend the Westin Miyako Kyoto. The building a bit dated (even after the renovation), but it is probably one of the best value Marriott in Japan IMHO. Service is as good as it gets, there is a sauna/spa/pool on-site, the lounge is superb... probably the best one I've been to in Japan, better than the Ritz-Carlton Osaka, Marriott Miyako Osaka, Prince Kyoto Takaragaike, Sheraton Osaka, and even JW Nara (which is pretty good also). Breakfast is top notch too. I believe the Imperial Family stays there regularly (or at least used to). Pricey during peak, but very good value during off-peak.

[@ryanpohl2709]

Not Japan, but Vail, Colorado is just fantastic. The Ritz-Carlton in Beaver Creek was the most special and memorable hotel stay in my life and the experience as a whole created a core memory.

[@tring5323]

🔑 thanks Seb!

[@1990Ravens]

Loved the video. The food looked so delicious. 🔑

[@gonzalorojo6815]

Ask Sebby video, what's in my wallet, booking travel and Japan? YES PLEASE

[@raymondsrealm5377]

Great video like always, really want to visit Japan and this gives me some ideas.

[@wingmantx]

I would love to see a table at the end to itemize your point spent (total) and return of value . Love you videos as always. thank you!

[@drizzy02]

🔑 My wife and I have just recently came back from Japan at the beginning of Aug (also went there for our anniversary). It was our first time there and we loved it so much. Because of your videos I was able to book JAL Business for us both there and back :) We stayed a couple of nights in Kyoto at the Hyatt Regency there, but did visit the Park Hyatt Kyoto for a break from walking. We definitely want to stay there the next time we come back. In Tokyo we stayed at Hotel Toranomon Hills, which we loved, but I want to try to get a stay in the Hyatt Regency Tokyo or the Andaz Tokyo. Congrats to you and Mandy on your anniversary!

[@AskSebby]

Congrats! Andaz Tokyo is a nice property for next time.

[@HaughtyCannur]

sebby: I'm simply one hell of a credit card guru

[@aabbccca18]

🔑 Thanks for a wonderful video! At 1:41 in video, Where did you track / find drops for first class/business flights? Was that screenshot from a website? Also, similar question for hotels, is there a good website to find good hotel deals with points? Last question, any good credit card strategies for cruises? Thanks so much! 😊

[@kalashnikov8420]

Nice. Just back from Japan last week. Cancelled Roku Kyoto last minute and switch to Conrad Osaka. Great decision!

[@trrl87]

Correct me if I am wrong, I feel like Amex would not get points for the transactions in Japan while Chase will get points for the transactions there.

[@AskSebby]

Amex Gold earns 4x on restaurants worldwide, no foreign transaction fees.

[@Double_Double_Animal_Fries]

If you just did videos on Asia travel redemptions like this, I would be all over it

[@ceevee33ful]

When should I starting looking for flights with point if I’m planning to go in November of 2025 I’m so confused 😭😭😭😭

[@CB1-RWB]

We’re over here now Sebby!

[@AskSebby]

Enjoy! :)

[@aeroAdvocate]

How was the renovation at the Hyatt Regency? Supposed to stay for 4-5 nights there soon but if it feels like a construction site then I'd probably avoid it and just stay and a local brand.

[@mariaterezaterra1867]

What is a soft and a hard product?

[@CJ-ot2pg]

🔑 My wife and I just started planning our 2025 Japan trip, and the timing of this video couldn't be more perfect! Thanks as always Sebby ♥️

[@MorbidBlessing]

I’ll be staying at the Nazuna Kyoto Tsubaki St. during my trip. I don’t know about keys, or other awards - but the property looks absolutely beautiful, and the experience seems unique to that place.

[@Lillysammy126]

When I was tracking ANA first and business on ANA site from Nov 2023-Feb 2024, I only saw 2 scenarios where there were 2 first class seats available on the same flight. Of course, I booked one of the 2 seat flights but I had to book a business for the 3rd person. There was actually a lot of single first and business seats. I hate calling so Virgin is a no go and United never showed any.

[@JamesSmith-qv9qo]

How many months out were the first class seats available?

[@Lillysammy126]

@@JamesSmith-qv9qo booked in November 2023 for October 2024 flight 😂. Still didn’t fly it yet. Got to look way in advance. I booked economy and first class mix for the round trip on Ana. Was going to wait for business to open up but then ana was going to raise their gas charges so I just booked the economy instead of waiting to save on cash.

[@JamesSmith-qv9qo]

@@Lillysammy126 Good information, thanks. I’m trying to book one way with Virgin miles for next year.

[@Lillysammy126]

@@JamesSmith-qv9qo good luck. Virgin was impossible and too much work. Literally found no availability on United and virgin just said to call them when I see an opening to not waste their time.

[@JamesSmith-qv9qo]

@@Lillysammy126 Wow, I did not realize it was that difficult. I just started researching booking with points recently. If I don’t find something I will try another way.

[@oloughla]

I think I'm going to opt to stay at the Conrad in Osaka over these Kyoto properties. We'll day trip into Kyoto but I don't want to be held hostage to touristy, overpriced food.

[@josecamacho3978]

Show me how to book with points step by step

[@Euphuzade]

Did you have any troubles with your visa cards? Where they wouldn't except it? I know you mentioned Amex but just want to make sure. About to get a Chase Preferred but if they won't accept it, I may need to change. ( i'll be going to Japan as well )

[@AskSebby]

Visa is accepted everywhere in Japan. There wasn't a place that accepted Amex and not Visa.

[@saoriyoko]

HR kyoto is category 5

[@AskSebby]

Good catch! Got it mixed up with the Hyatt Regency Tokyo.

[@yankeesgiants221]

🔑 Disappointed, Sebby... I was fully expecting you to steal a page out of my playbook and get engaged in Japan 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Just kidding! Glad you're able to jump around Kyoto and try/review the different hotels. 1 - Favorite travel memories: flying JAL first class last year and getting engaged this year in Japan 2 - Now that you and Mandy did videos of Kyoto hotels, I would like to check out the Ritz & Park Hyatt in Kyoto. As for you guys, I would recommend the Osaka Marriott Miyako. We stayed there last year and this year and loved it. The lounge is huge, excellent breakfast buffet, good alcohol options during happy hour, in a super convenient location (above Tennoji Station), and easy access by subway to the tourist traps (Dotonbari, Namba).

[@Chengxuans]

Where did you get your card holder?it looks good

[@itsbenreal]

Interesting video, one thing I don't see that is glossed over is if you are staying at a lot of hotels, how are you getting your luggage from one place to another?

[@jaypaladin-havesmartswilll5508]

It's a bummer that ANA only allows one award first class seat per flight.

[@eldan90]

🔑 great video, next year I’ve booked Conrad in Tokyo via FHR with a third night free, and for Osaka I did the Ritz with two Marriott certificates from the biz card. Also doing the Ritz in Shanghai with points and certificates. Also what a shame she got the old product again, I’m doing first RT with my girlfriend and I hope we get at least one leg with the new equipment!

[@zstarman]

Sebby, I’m planning a trip to Japan in April 2025 and am considering two Hilton hotels in Kyoto. I'm not certain which one I want yet, but I’d like to secure the prices and availability. Would it be possible to book both hotels for the same dates using the Flexible Rate and then cancel one later? Is this allowed under Hilton's policy?

[@AskSebby]

Yes, you can do that. Be sure to take note of the cancel before date so you're not stuck paying for both.

[@angelinaramon]

Going to Japan for the first time in Oct. Just trying to think if I want to go to Tokyo or Kyoto first.

[@KevinYang]

🔑 Fav is definitely trips to Japan. +1 The AC Hotel Tokyo Ginza was solid and really worth it with points and staying 5 nights! Still gotta try that ANA First class (or even just the new Business class...) and PH Kyoto! Was it pure luck finding a redemption there that matched up to your schedule with the ANA First class drop?

[@HareRee]

Where did you find the Anniversary Edition? I was able to get a tasting of it at the Distillery but I couldn’t find it for sale anywhere.

[@AskSebby]

In the air. ANA first class passenger exclusive sale.

[@mattdarling9450]

🔑 When I was in Japan last year Pasmo only worked on Apple and not Android. Any idea if this has changed?

[@mrhydrojefe]

🔑headed to Japan for our first time at the end of Oct. staying half the time at Hyatt’s in Tokyo and the other half at Hyatt centric Kanazawa.

[@AskSebby]

Nice!

[@XMegaJuni]

where is the 4 free night rewards from?

[@downapocalyptic]

Wait isn’t the HR Kyoto a category 5? So you used 20k pts, not a 1-4 cert?

[@AskSebby]

Yes, good catch. Got it confused with the HR Tokyo.

[@mikescheme]

Hyatt Regency Yokohama (Suite) was an amazing redemption. Appreciate all your content that help me get better with the points game. 🔑

[@TheAndyzilla]

Does the free night reward from hilton work in like the conrad? I still get confused with the wording of the certificate

[@theelpuma57]

Bro I just we asked you this last night on instagram thank you so much !

[@brianaw220]

🔑 Favorite travel was definitely our honeymoon cruise from NYC to Florida and the Bahamas. As far as Japan, my wife and I are looking to take our first international vacation this year; our top two destinations are Japan and Italy. We're teachers and looking at April break (week of April 14), so I've been ready to pounce on ANA business to Japan when it opens up. We also get a February break the week of February 17, so as you've said you prefer Fall and Winter in Japan, should we look at February?

[@ropblu3]

Yeah, the summers is tough in Japan. I haven’t been there in the summer and I don’t think I wanna go. I’ll stick to my October November March April and May months. I bet you were sweating your a** off lol 😅

[@AskSebby]

Haha, definitely sticking to winter months in the future!

[@LucLaFayette]

We enjoyed The blossom hotel in fukuoka and also kumamoto.

[@xabierlanda8998]

🔑 Amazing Hotels, big bed, hahah, Michelin Restaurant, doesn’t get me, we have a lot of them in the city with your name, Happy Anniversary Mandy & Sebastián 🎉🎉🥂🥂🍾🍾🍾

[@Paolo_DLR]

Michelin keys... Interesting. We did spend one night at PH Kyoto last month and absolutely loved it. Good to know about the other options for next time. 🔑

[@FluffiestWalrus]

🔑 Have flight point redemptions changed in the last 6 months to a year? When I look at booking business class seats with points now it seems like everything is crazy expensive. I’ve seen 900k points for instance. I remember being able to get that sort of thing for much lower in the past

[@carsrobin]

How did you find the ANA first class availability? I always have a hard time ever finding anything. Always enjoy your content. Best! 🔑

[@Ben-bo5xp]

Love hearing about using points for things. I'll be going to Japan in a couple months and booked it using my Chase points. Do you have any more budget friendly good eats you'd suggest for Kyoto or Tokyo?

[@AskSebby]

Nice! Yes, Kyoto food guide is coming soon on the Sebby Fung channel.

[@fun2badult]

How are people racking up so much points? Opening a new credit card every 6 months can only get you certain amount

[@VernHamster]

buying groups, credi card funding for bank accounts, gift cards

[@calvinowen5946]

Husband+wife. 4 sign up bonus’s a year. Also Sebby often mentions he gets a lot of points from referral bonuses.

[@davidjackson2179]

You should be able to get a new card ever 2-3 months

[@TheGreen415]

Great video! Although you didn’t say how much you booked the flights for?

[@Mini-ou8hc]

Dope!

[@AskSebby]

:)

[@kevinbutty1286]

Hey Sebby - wanted to ask what is the ideal Marriott card strategy? Was thinking about getting the brilliant but I don’t know if that interrupts the path of trying to get the ritz. Thanks man!

[@LC-W.I.N.]

🔑 Going to Japan this fall starting off at The Park Front Hotel at Universal Studios then going to Conrad Osaka. Next we stay at the Roku Kyoto LXR before finally finishing off at Conrad Tokyo.

[@soapa4279]

My gawd I need to go to Japan

[@Lifeissorich.]

Nice trip detail

[@AskSebby]

Thanks!

[@DavidSmith-xc2xz]

Any experience with Hyatt Regency Hakone? Thanks

[@MarkBacera]

Lol I live in Japan, and absolutely no one would pick the summer over fall 😅😂

[@thanirz]

Food at the LXR kyoto was pretty mid and not many other options

[@AskSebby]

Agree. The LXR in Kyoto has lots of room for improvement compared to the other luxury hotels in Kyoto.

[@NightxPhantom]

🔑 The Hilton Kyoto seems to be a new addition in a very centralized area. Wonder how it compares to the other options…

[@AskSebby]

On the list to try next time!

[@sergio77lopez7]

Which brand is the wallet?

[@Ocd57nZn]

Is there a Chinese version of kanjitogo/?

[@bigstick8699]

Lol i misread the title thinking you were going to review Japanese credit cards. 😢

[@christophercampbell4322]

Where did you find the Hibiki?

[@theanimecompletionist]

For a second I thought this was about Japanese credit cards and I would have said just go for the Amex Gold Preferred card 😂

[@AskSebby]

😛

[@authentiking]

🔑 hi Sebby, excluding flights & hotels, do you remember how much your average daily spend in Japan was? Trying to budget for my trip in December lol And my favorite travel memory is New Zealand!

[@bonwatcher]

🔑I saw that Mandy took one for the team on her flight change, but then she got a primo bottle of whisky for dirt cheap for the trouble. I am sure you're not crying too hard! 😭😂

[@Ed2Ki]

what wallet is that?

[@jfuji1053]

Hey Sebby great vid as usual. Would love your opinion on our itinerary for Japan this Feb. Tokyo - Hyatt Toranomon hills Niseko - Hilton (you’ve already reviewed that) Kyoto - Hilton double tree Kyoto station Tokyo - AC Mesm Tokyo Your expertise is appreciated Thanks 🇯🇵

[@FABRCTR]

🔑Love todays vlog! Favorite travel memory recently is visiting the island of Culebra off Puerto Rico and finding the graffiti covered Tanks on the beachfront. We have Japan planned for Jan 2026 and are looking forward to staying at Hotel Gracery and seeing Godzilla. However! we're currently stuggling to find good flights from US to Kathmandu for April 2025, preferrably Business Class Award Flights. We'd love some help! Thanks Sebby!

[@EckoMG13]

COME ON SEBY BALL 😂 PUT IT ON THE AMEX 💀

[@johnnyappleman7159]

I want the wallet in the thumb nail 😭😭😭😭

[@yrch21]

Hi Sebby, what is the website your used to find reward airline seats

[@AskSebby]

Seats Aero: www.asksebby.com/seatsaero

[@jsbatra]

what is your favorite Japanese whiskey? 🗝

[@AskSebby]

Yamazaki 18 🥃

[@vitobiondo5178]

Hello Sebby, I currently have the Ritz Carlton and wanted to apply for the Bonvoy Brilliant but I believe I would not receive the welcome offer, is that true? If so do you have any suggestions on how to navigate this, or am I just out of luck? I really would like the card if it makes sense. Any feedback would be appreciated!🔑🗝🔑🗝🔑🗝🔑

[@jeffchung6832]

Sebs, congrats on 2nd bottle. Do you know how long that promotion will go? End of August or till merch runs out? Mahalo!

[@AskSebby]

No clue. Hopefully, it's longer than August.

[@jimmyjames6492]

🔑🔑🔑

[@Olafdaschneemann]

Is Japan the new “it” thing? Looool

[@lunyx6]

You cannot use digital suica or pasmo with an android phone unless the phone was built specifically for the jp market due to hardware limitations.

[@iLoveKalifornia]

Big fan of y’all but the fact that Mandy flew on a separate flight to do 1st class is genuinely ghetto… how can you start your travel journey separate just for this?! Kinda low & disappointing

[@joemcdermott6887]

🔑 You should absolutely stay at Zaborin next time you go skiing in Niseko. Right at about $1100 per night, but it includes breakfast and a Kaiseki dinner. Its the most peaceful place in the winter.

[@AskSebby]

Thanks! Will add it to the list.

[@ApplyWithAdler]

🗝️ what resources do you use to identify new hotels that you want to try?

[@victorbalta1402]

🔑 how did you find availability on ANA?

[@normandea]

It's all the same being regurgitated over and over, and on multiple channels such as this. Sebby was interesting for a long time, and with updates, but gets exhausting to be honest. There is nothing new? Cutting edge? Ok, I get it.

[@AskSebby]

Sorry to hear you've outgrown the channel if a video about a recent trip with real life examples (not regurgitated content) is triggering you. Wishing you the best in your future travels! ✌️

[@brandonhuang4414]

That you Sebby for pronouncing Marry-it (Marriott) correctly. Ever since I found out how it’s pronounced it bothers me when people say it wrong 😂😂

[@jamesragland03]

🔑

[@LifeWithKarisha]

🔑 🔑

[@gilmendoza8092]

🔑 ❤

[@habeshafinance1710]

Key