How to Fly to Japan with Points

By Bryce Casson, Founder · Cardocrat · Updated June 2026

The short answer: Japan is served by two superb airlines, ANA and Japan Airlines, both with excellent business and first class. Book ANA through Amex or Virgin Atlantic and JAL through Alaska, American, or British Airways Avios. ANA round-trip business awards and JAL business through Alaska are among the best values, and West Coast gateways shorten the trip.

This guide covers booking ANA and JAL with points, the best programs and sweet spots, gateway tactics, and economy options for Japan. Award prices and availability change constantly as programs devalue and adjust, so treat every points figure here as a rough, illustrative guide rather than a guarantee. Always confirm the current price and that an award seat is actually available on the airline own site before you transfer points, since transfers are one-way and cannot be reversed.

The two great airlines to Japan

Japan is unusual in being served by two world-class home carriers. ANA, a Star Alliance member, operates business class branded The Room and first class branded The Suite, both on its 777-300ER, and is renowned for spacious, private seats and excellent service. Japan Airlines, a Oneworld member, offers its own highly regarded business and first class with a more understated elegance.

Having two superb options across two alliances means more ways to find award space and more programs to book through. The choice often comes down to which carrier has space on your dates and which program prices it best. See our business class guide.

Booking ANA to Japan

ANA business and first class are bookable through ANA Mileage Club, which transfers from Amex, as well as Virgin Atlantic, Avianca LifeMiles, Aeroplan, and Turkish. ANA own round-trip awards are a famous sweet spot, offering some of the lowest business-class prices to Japan, with the requirement that you book a round-trip. Virgin Atlantic has historically priced ANA attractively as well, though pricing shifts over time.

Because ANA is a Star Alliance carrier, you can also book it through other Star partners if they have better availability or pricing for your dates. The key is to check ANA own awards first for the round-trip value, then compare partner options. See our Amex ecosystem guide.

Booking Japan Airlines to Japan

Japan Airlines business and first class are bookable through Oneworld programs, with Alaska Mileage Plan long regarded as one of the best values for JAL business class, and American AAdvantage and British Airways Avios also able to book it. JAL releases solid award space to partners, which makes it a reliable option when ANA space is tight.

The combination of ANA and JAL, across two alliances and many booking programs, means Japan has more award paths than most destinations. If one carrier or program does not have space, another often does. See our Alaska guide and sweet spots guide.

Gateways and stopovers

As with the rest of Asia, West Coast gateways like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle are significantly closer to Japan and often have more nonstop award space, so positioning to the West Coast can improve both comfort and availability. A cheap positioning flight can be well worth it for a better long-haul seat.

Tokyo also makes an ideal stopover point. Through a stopover-friendly program, you can add a few days in another Asian city on the same award, turning a Japan trip into a two-country itinerary. Japan also pairs naturally with onward travel across Asia. See our Asia guide and booking tactics guide.

Economy and timing

Economy to Japan can be a good redemption when cash fares are high, such as cherry-blossom season in spring or peak autumn, where points insulate you from inflated prices. Distance-based and partner economy awards can also be reasonable. When cheap cash economy is available in quieter months, paying cash and saving points for a premium cabin is often smarter.

Given how strong ANA and JAL business-class values are, Japan is a destination where many travelers prioritize a premium redemption for the long flight. Compare the cash price against the points cost to decide. Award prices and availability change constantly as programs devalue and adjust, so treat every points figure here as a rough, illustrative guide rather than a guarantee. Always confirm the current price and that an award seat is actually available on the airline own site before you transfer points, since transfers are one-way and cannot be reversed. See our economy redemptions guide.

The bottom line

Japan is served by two superb airlines, ANA and Japan Airlines.
Book ANA through Amex or Virgin Atlantic, and JAL through Alaska or Avios.
ANA round-trip business and JAL business through Alaska are top values.
West Coast gateways meaningfully shorten the journey to Japan.
Pair a Japan trip with a stopover to add another Asian city.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to fly to Japan with points?

Book ANA or Japan Airlines business or first class. ANA is bookable through Amex or Virgin Atlantic, and JAL through Alaska, American, or British Airways Avios. ANA round-trip business and JAL business through Alaska are among the best values.

How do I book ANA business class to Japan?

ANA business, branded The Room, is bookable through ANA Mileage Club, which transfers from Amex, plus Virgin Atlantic, Avianca, Aeroplan, and Turkish. ANA own round-trip awards offer some of the lowest business-class prices but must be booked round-trip.

How do I book Japan Airlines with points?

JAL business and first class are bookable through Oneworld programs. Alaska Mileage Plan is a long-regarded value for JAL business, and American AAdvantage and British Airways Avios can also book it. JAL releases solid partner award space.

Which US gateways are best for Japan?

West Coast gateways like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle are closer to Japan and often have more nonstop award space. Positioning to the West Coast with a cheap flight can unlock a better long-haul award.

When should I use points for economy to Japan?

Use points when cash fares are high, such as cherry-blossom season or peak autumn. When cheaper cash economy is available in quieter months, paying cash and saving points for ANA or JAL business class is often the smarter move.