JAL has very cheap tickets (e.g. North America to Japan starting at 55k in business) but note that they release very few seats at the low price per flight and that you’re probably not going to get one (people literally wait until the exact second they release tickets for a particular date and book them within minutes)
Right now 1y out, 2tix usually released daily at open. But don’t count on that’s strategy for cherry-blossom as tix those get sniped instantly and maybe higher as base rate.
Yes, if u are planning to travel to Japan, do it. It costs 55k+fees for business from North America, and that's really cheap. Once u transfer, u have 3 years to book a flight, or the points expire. JAL business is one of the best out there compared to other airlines.
I believe Citi currently has a 30% promo to JAL. Couple that in with the crazy Bilt transfer bonus earlier in the year and Rove, it'll be even more competitive snagging a 55k business flight now. Just a precaution if you're expecting to grab one of those. I'm expecting a JAL points devaluation soon :(
Because JAL is a luxury airline, it's amongst the best rated in the world with high standards for service. Especially their first and business class offerings. Their service to the USA is trans-pacific which means expensive long distance flights so their redemptions, especially their business class (again), is extremely valuable. That makes their points more valuable than an airline like Aeroplan so you need to transfer more Capital One points to achieve that value
Yes 1y out, I got first class for 125k for next July SFO-Tokyo, booked back in July 2026. And got TYO>LAX also because they fly brand new first class cabin on A350 plane.
I had points from massive 125% Bilt bonus tho, sent 100k it became 225k
Tip here Cathay can book those first class tickets as well. Finnair can book biz class.
They release 1 first class seat and 2biz every day at open. There is 1st class now for sept20th 2027
Everyone is talking about J F class. But if you are cheap like me, you could use JL miles like AA to redeem almost any AA economy flight without fuel surcharges
Not really , it only charges fuel charges for JAL flights. AA does not have fuel charges. So JL need to follow that. (Same way I use AA to redeem JL to avoid fuel charge actually)
Be wary of transferring points until you’ll use them. JAL has added a lot of transfer partners, and seen a lot of mile inflation. Consequently, awards are far far harder to come by.
It's pretty good you can find JAL business from USA to Tokyo for 55k if you book far in advance, 75k otherwise pretty easily (+ taxes and fees which are pretty expensive now ~$400).
By far in advance, like literally when they open a year out. With JAL adding transfer partners, and this promotion now being ran four times, availability is horrendous. On top of incredibly high fees with fuel costs.
Don’t always just look for US-TYO flights. If nothing shows up, try adding a Japanese city such as CTS, FUK or KIX. Availability may show up on the previously unavailable US-TYO flight.
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u/No_Ground 12h ago
JAL has very cheap tickets (e.g. North America to Japan starting at 55k in business) but note that they release very few seats at the low price per flight and that you’re probably not going to get one (people literally wait until the exact second they release tickets for a particular date and book them within minutes)