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6 Best Airlines to Fly to Japan

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After being closed for more than two years because of the pandemic, Japan has reopened to tourists. That has many travelers excited about visiting the Land of the Rising Sun. But what's the best way of flying across the Pacific Ocean to visit?

Here are our choices for the best airlines to fly to Japan and the best ways to book flights to Japan with points and miles.

The best airlines to fly to Japan

All airlines aren't created equal. Some airlines offer a much better in-flight experience than others, particularly when flying to Japan. Assuming the price is the same, here are our choices for your trans-Pacific flight.

1. Japan Airlines

Both major Japanese airlines rank in lists of top 10 airlines in the world. However, we give Japan Airlines the edge in our rankings of the best airlines to fly to Japan.

Japan Airlines is one of only a few airlines that installed just eight seats per row in economy on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft — instead of the typical nine seats per row. Add in at least 33 inches of seat pitch per row, and Japan Airlines offers some of the best seat spacing in economy. Japan Airlines fittingly calls its economy seats "Sky Wider."

And the experience gets better as you move forward. Japan Airlines offers one of the top premium economy products in the world. If you can afford to book it, its business and first class seats are highly regarded as some of the best ways to fly.

2. All Nippon Airways

Like Japan Airlines, fellow Japan-based All Nippon Airways — better known as ANA — offers some of the highest-acclaimed business and first class experiences in the world. If you're looking for a great way to cross the Pacific no matter what cabin, ANA is an excellent option.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

3. Singapore Airlines

When you consider flights to Japan, Singapore Airlines isn't likely the first airline you think of. However, this Skytrax 5-star airline operates a fifth freedom flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo's Narita International Airport. You can try out Singapore's well-regarded economy , premium economy , business or its top-notch first class cabin on this route.

4. Delta Air Lines

Of the U.S.-based airlines flying to Japan, Delta Air Lines provides particularly noteworthy service. In economy, Delta enhanced its service to include perks like hot towel service and free Bellinis.

Delta also offers its relatively new Premium Select premium economy product on many routes. Up front, you can enjoy Delta One Suites on many flights to Japan.

» Learn more: How to save on Delta flights

The best airlines to fly to Japan with points

While the airlines mentioned above will get you to Japan in comfort, they may not always be the best when it comes to award flights. If you’re looking to redeem points or miles to get to Japan, the airlines below offer the best value.

1. All Nippon Airways

By far, points and miles collectors will get the most value by flying to Japan on ANA. Several loyalty programs offer excellent award pricing on ANA, and those miles can be easily generated through major transferable point programs.

In the points and miles ecosystem, you can often book award flights cheaper through partner award programs . But that's not the case with ANA. If you're booking a round-trip award ticket, check award pricing through ANA's Mileage Club first. 

During off-peak dates, you can book round-trip award flights between the U.S. and Japan for just:

40,000 miles round trip in economy.

62,000 miles round trip in premium economy.

75,000 miles round trip in business class.

Even during peak times, you'll pay less for round-trip awards through ANA than some of the other deals highlighted in this piece. The downside is the significant carrier-imposed surcharges that ANA charges for award bookings on its own flights.

Build your balance of ANA Mileage Club miles by transferring points from American Express Membership Rewards at a 1:1 transfer ratio. Or transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to ANA at a transfer ratio of 3:1 — plus a 5,000-mile bonus for transferring at least 60,000 Bonvoy points.

If you're booking a one-way award, consider booking through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club instead. Nonstop award flights from the U.S. mainland to Japan on ANA cost as few as 30,000 miles each way in economy. Upgrade to business class from 45,000 miles, or splurge for ANA first class from 55,000 points.

You can transfer points to Virgin Atlantic from every major transferable points program . However, you'll need to transfer Capital One miles through Virgin Red first.

» Learn more: Best ways to book ANA business and first class awards to Japan

2. American Airlines

American Airlines didn't rank on our list of the best airlines to fly to Japan. However, it's a great option for those using points and miles thanks to several appealing award redemption options.

Using the American Airlines AAdvantage program, you can book MileSAAver award flights from the U.S. mainland to Japan for:

32,500 miles each way in economy on off-peak dates.

35,000 miles each way in economy on standard dates.

50,000 miles each way in premium economy.

60,000 miles each way in Flagship Business class.

However, you can book these award flights for fewer miles by taking advantage of American’s partnership with Etihad Guest . Off-peak economy awards cost 25,000 Etihad Guest miles each way, and business class awards cost 50,000 miles one way.

The catch is that you can't book award flights online. So, you'll need to find award availability online and then call Etihad Guest to book. Generate Etihad Guest miles by transferring points at a 1:1 transfer ratio from American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles or Citi ThankYou points .

3. Japan Airlines

In addition to Japan Airlines being one of the best airlines to fly to Japan, you can also get a great deal using miles. Alaska Mileage Plan mileage collectors can fly Japan Airlines to Japan — or onward into other parts of Asia — for as few as:

35,000 miles each way in economy.

60,000 miles each way in business class.

70,000 miles each way in first class.

Take advantage of Alaska Mileage Plan's stopover rules to book a free stopover in Tokyo on your way to another destination in Asia for no additional miles.

American Airlines AAdvantage members can get nearly the same rates but without the free stopover. Japan Airlines first class costs 80,000 AAdvantage miles vs. 70,000 Mileage Plan miles. The upside: AAdvantage members can book Japan Airlines premium economy for 50,000 AAdvantage miles each way.

The best way to book Japan Airlines awards to Japan is using JAL Mileage Bank miles. For flights between North America and Japan, you'll pay as few as:

25,000 miles each way in economy.

32,500 miles in premium economy.

50,000 miles in business class.

70,000 miles in first class.

The downside with these sweet spots is that JAL Mileage Bank isn't a transfer partner of any major U.S. bank points program. Your best transfer option is Marriott Bonvoy at 3:1.

» Learn more: Award sweet spots using Japan Airlines Mileage Bank miles

4. United Airlines

Another U.S.-based carrier that's worth considering when booking award flights to Japan is United Airlines . The cheapest mileage option is booking through ANA Mileage Club for just 50,000 miles round trip.

However, ANA charges high carrier-imposed fees on United award flights. So, consider booking United economy award flights through United for as few as 35,000 United MileagePlus miles each way. Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to United if you need to top off your account.

Theoretically, you can book United Polaris business class to Japan for 70,000 United MileagePlus miles or 75,000 Aeroplan points each way with minimal taxes and fees or 85,000 ANA Mileage Club miles round trip with high fees. However, United is incredibly stingy with releasing international award availability to general members.

» Learn more: How to get cheaper award prices on United flights

Flying to Japan, recapped

There's really no wrong way to fly to Japan. From ancient temples to incredible food and unique experiences, visiting Japan is worth it any way you fly there. With that said, some airlines provide a much more comfortable way to cross the Pacific.

Whether you're booking with cash or miles, Japan Airlines and ANA top our list of the best airlines to fly to Japan. After that, our list diverges. When booking with points and miles, American and United have appealing redemption options. If you're booking a paid flight, consider Singapore Airlines or Delta for a more comfortable ride.

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Delta Is Making It Easier to Get to Tokyo With New Flights From LA and Honolulu

The new routes are being added in anticipation of Japan's easing travel restrictions.

Delta Air Lines will make it easier to get to Japan this fall, resuming service from Los Angeles to Tokyo and adding a new flight from Hawaii.

The airline will resume direct flights between Los Angeles International Airport and Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Oct. 30, according to the carrier . The airline will then introduce a brand-new daily service between Honolulu and Haneda on Dec. 1.

Delta said the new routes are being added in anticipation of Japan's easing travel restrictions. Currently, Japan welcomes tourists but only those traveling on assigned package tours , which are subject to strict regulations like required tour bookings and mask-wearing. It wasn't immediately clear when travel rules would be relaxed.

"As travel restrictions gradually ease in Japan, we decided to restart the service from Los Angeles and Honolulu and increase the frequency of the flights currently operating… to Haneda," Victor Osumi, Delta's managing director – Japan, said in a statement. "Our commitment to the health and safety of everyone on board always comes first, and customers will enjoy more options to Haneda, with Delta's unparalleled travel experience on the ground and in the air."

The flight from LAX will operate three times each week on an Airbus 330-900neo aircraft, which will include the company's Delta One Suites, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+, and Main Cabin seats. The flight will then increase to daily departures starting Dec. 1.

The flight from Honolulu will operate on a Boeing 767-300ER aircraft and will feature Delta One, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+, and Main Cabin fares.

Last month, Delta opened its only international Sky Club lounge in Haneda Airport, treating passengers to sake, a made-to-order noodle bar, booths for quiet work, and five shower rooms so travelers can freshen up before a long flight. The more than 9,000-square-foot club also features impressive views of the airfield and the Tokyo city skyline and — on clear days — Mount Fuji itself.

Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram .

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Delta in Japan

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Continuing Delta’s long-term commitment to Japan

Delta has been committed to Japan for nearly 70 years since first inaugurating flights to Japan in 1947

Delta offers flights to 6 U.S. mainland gateway cities (Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Detroit and Atlanta), 4 resort destinations (Honolulu, Guam, Saipan and Palau), and 4 cities in Asia (Manila, Shanghai, Singapore and Taipei).

Delta operates flights from Tokyo-Narita, Tokyo-Haneda, Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka.

Fast facts:

• Inaugurated flights to Tokyo-Haneda in 1947, Osaka in 1967, Nagoya in 1991 and Fukuoka from 2011
• Japanese-language reservation centre open daily from 9 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Dedicated Japan Sales Support team
• Delta Professional: a Japanese language website for agency travel professionals
• Email Extra & Newsline: Communication produced exclusively for travel professionals by Delta Global Sales

Japan-focused products & services 

Our Japan-U.S. routes feature the same superior products and services customers have come to know us for, including:

- 180-degree flat-bed seats with direct aisle access featuring Westin Heavenly® In-flight bedding in our Delta One™ cabin

- ‘Kaiseki’ style meals are offered as an option in the Delta One cabin and entrees with a Japanese flair are offered as an option in the main cabin

- A selection of Japanese beverages including; Asahi, Suntory Premium Malt, Kirin Ichiban beers and Sake

- Upgraded Main Cabin meals, plus Häagen Dazs®, Ben & Jerry's® or Magnum® ice cream and a hot tortilla on board

- Slippers for Main Cabin passengers on transpacific flights to and from Japan

- Starbucks coffee is offered on Delta flights in all cabins

- In-seat power and Gogo® Wi-Fi across all cabins featuring a large selection of Japanese movies, Japanese voice-over Hollywood titles and a dedicated Sky Kids™ channel including a wide selection of music

-  Japanese-language inflight magazine featuring destination information as well as helpful immigration procedures and airport maps

- Japanese speaking flight attendants on all Japan flights and Japanese speaking ground staff at U.S. major hubs

- New upgraded Main Cabin blankets (from November 2016)

Together with the existing Delta Comfort+™ and Main Cabin amenities, which include an eye mask, a pair of earplugs and a full-size bottle of water following meal service, the newly-added slippers  and upgraded blankets will further improve the comfort for customers seated in Delta Comfort+ and the main cabin.

Flying from Japan

Delta’s extensive Japan route network offers flights to major U.S. cities where customers can connect to over 250 U.S. destinations and beyond.

New Haneda flights offer convenient connections across North America

Delta Air Lines daily flights from Tokyo-Haneda to Minneapolis flights provide extensive connections to over 110 U.S. and Canadian destinations. Both Haneda direct flights will operate using a 291-seat Boeing 777-200 aircraft with 37 seats in Delta One, 36 seats in Delta Comfort+, and 218 seats in the Main Cabin. Delta’s new Tokyo-Minneapolis flight schedule: Flight        Departs            Arrives               DL120       HND 16:25        MSP 13:28     DL121       MSP 11:50         HND 14:20 +1

Tokyo-Haneda to Los Angeles daytime schedule: Flight        Departs            Arrives              DL006       HND 15:55        LAX 9:55             DL007       LAX 11:00          HND 14:55 +1 *flight schedules are subject to change. Please check the most updated schedules on delta.com

Community affairs 

Delta is the No.1 U.S. airline operating in the Japan market. ‘Giving back to the community we serve’ describes Delta’s strong willingness to work with the community and to contribute to the local cities where our employees and customers are living and working.

Delta’s SkyWish charity program is part of Delta’s frequent flyer program where customers can choose to donate miles to their preferred NGOs and NPOs. Under the SkyWish charity program, there are 11 charity partners with 8 based in Japan. These organizations use donated miles to support children in need, establishes schools and provides educational programs to children.

The airline also supports ‘Relay for Life’ activities at airports and local walking events in Japan.

As part of its community affairs activities, Delta has been actively partnering with educational institutions worldwide. In Japan, Delta supports Japanese students and business people in study programs in the U.S. through various sponsorships including the Fulbright scholarship. In 2016, Delta reached an agreement with Waseda University and Doshisha University to support their study abroad programs which are designed to foster U.S.-Japan relationships.

Delta is the official airline of professional golfers Hiroyuki Fujita, Chie Arimura, as well as MLB Japan, and is the official supporting company of the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants.

Stay connected with Delta Air Lines

You love to travel. We love taking you there. Our Facebook page reflects that passion. Click  here  to connect with Delta and like us on Facebook.

Please tweet us at  @DeltaAssist_JP  for real-time customer assistance through Twitter (8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Japan time)

Reservation Hotline

                                                   Any questions? Call the Delta Air Lines Reservations Hotline for assistance at 0570-077733

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Delta adding more flights between Japan and U.S. in anticipation of relaxed travel restrictions

There are two international airports in the Tokyo area, Narita and Haneda. Given the choice, though, just about any traveler would prefer their flight to be going through Haneda. That’s because Haneda is actually located within the Tokyo city limits, just a half-hour train ride from the Yamanote loop line that marks the city center. Narita, on the other hand, is actually in Chiba Prefecture, Tokyo’s neighbor to the east, requiring a full hour to get to downtown Tokyo on a train that costs more than 10 times as much as the ride from Haneda, and if you can’t catch the express, the Narita-to-downtown ride will take you nearly two hours.

So it’s good news for travelers that Delta has just announced that it’s not only increasing its number of direct flights between Haneda and the U.S., but even adding a new route, as it expects significant increases in passenger numbers between the two countries to increase before the end of the year.

Delta’s press release cites “anticipation of relaxed travel restrictions” as the reason why it will be resuming non-stop flights between Haneda and Los Angele’s LAX. Starting October 31, Delta will be operating three flights a week along the route, with departures from LAX at 9:45 a.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays and arriving the next day at 3:10 p.m. in Japan, and flights departing Haneda at 4:50 p.m. on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays and arriving at 10 a.m. the same day.

On December 1 Delta will begin operating the Haneda-Los Angeles flights every day. Frequency bumps are coming even sooner for the airline’s already-in-operation flights between Haneda and Seattle, Detroit, and Atlanta, which will go daily from October 30. Finally, on December 2, a new Haneda-Honolulu route will begin service, with flights every day.

While Delta hasn’t given any reason more specific than “anticipation of relaxed travel restrictions,” it’s worth noting that Japanese citizens and residents can already travel more or less freely between Japan and the U.S., which suggests that Delta is expecting movement on the long-awaited loosening of restrictions on inbound foreign travelers into Japan before the year is done.

Source:  PR Times  via  IT Media

Read more stories from SoraNews24.

-- Tokyo airport’s new train line to make getting into, out of the city easier for JR pass holders

-- Travelers can now fly in a Pokémon airplane in Japan

-- Tokyo’s Haneda Airport becomes fourth airport in the world to be awarded coveted 5-Star rating

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13 Comments Login to comment

factchecker Aug. 19, 2022 07:04 am JST

Do they know something we don't about the stupid pcr tests?

Arrrgh-Type Aug. 19, 2022 07:33 am JST

This effusive love of Haneda's location always seems to pop up in articles about Tokyo's airports, but shockingly, not everyone lives smack dab in the middle of Tokyo. If you're in much of Chiba, Ibaraki, or in many of Tokyo's northern and eastern suburbs, Narita's going to work out much better, and you won't have to drive/take trains through the middle of Tokyo either. But Narita's not in the big fancy city, so it gets overlooked.

Sanjinosebleed Aug. 19, 2022 08:02 am JST

Great! Hopefully that signals that the JGov is ready to end the sakoku soon!

theResident Aug. 19, 2022 10:13 am JST

@Taki Mata - I think its safe to assume that the airlines are being given a quiet 'heads-up' - especially as larger planes on routes are being re-instated, and routes are returning almost on a weekly basis as Winter Schedules are being firmed up. Personally, I don't see the visa waiver being re-instated for a whole (so, still no tourists), but I do see the pre flight PCR test and daily cap being abandoned, especially as the Government is looking to reclassify Covid.

theResident Aug. 19, 2022 10:59 am JST

@Taki Mata: No, I agree the whilst the removal of the PCR test would not 'significantly' boost numbers into Japan, i think it will remove reluctance to travel. I do know of several people now, both on business and pleasure who have been stuck abroad testing positive pre flight. The costs do (obviously) mount up the longer you are stuck.

I think the large majority of long haul travel IS business anyway now as tourists on a budget do have reluctance to travel with the costs of even having to have one acceptable PCR test at their destination. If you look st seat maps on long haul flights at present , business class cabins are a lot more occupied than economy cabins even with the inflated prices.

I don't see unrestricted tourism returning until the inevitable northern hemisphere winter surge in Covid and Flu has passed - regardless of how the Japanese classify Covid.

WA4TKG Aug. 19, 2022 10:30 pm JST

I’m sure their ticket prices aren’t coming down to what they used to be, any time soon.

kurisupisu Aug. 20, 2022 06:21 am JST

Overpriced tickets and Corona isn’t a big thing (now) but Monkey Pox is and for those riding camels?

There’s a desk for you too…

shogun36 Aug. 20, 2022 10:02 pm JST

Yeah that's great...........

Now how about international flights that fly into ANY WHERE OTHER THAN Tokyo?!?!

Does every individual REALLY have to transfer from Tokyo to get home?

I mean people DO live in Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Hokkaido, etc etc.

Can we get some new direct flight paths?

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The Best Ways To Fly to Japan With Points and Miles [Step-by-Step]

Ehsan Haque

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Table of Contents

Best rewards programs for booking flights to japan, final thoughts.

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Temples, palaces, bullet trains, skiing, and gourmet restaurants are just a slice of what awaits you in Japan. From its capital in Tokyo to Okinawa, Kyoto, Osaka, and Sapporo, Japan offers several cities worth visiting — especially if you can pay for your flight with points or miles.

From the U.S., travelers can fly nonstop to 2 major airports: Haneda (HND) and Narita (NRT). HND is south of Tokyo, with fewer nonstop options from the U.S., while NRT is a bit farther east of Tokyo, with a few more nonstop options from the U.S.

U.S. travelers have no problem booking flights to Japan, with several flight options no matter where you live in the U.S.

Airlines in Oneworld , SkyTeam , and Star Alliance all offer flights between the U.S. and Japan — great news, as members in any of these have several ways to use their points and miles.

Flights booked through All Nippon Airways’ MileageClub program must be booked round-trip. All other programs listed allow flights to be booked one-way.

With that said, let’s dive into the award options to book your next flight to Japan!

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

In early 2023, Virgin Atlantic joined the SkyTeam alliance, which ANA is not a part of. However, Virgin Atlantic has a partnership with ANA that’s not part of any alliance.

The Flying Club program offers insane value when booking partner ANA-operated flights to Japan. Although there was a major devaluation of the program earlier this year, it remains a viable option to fly between the U.S. and Japan.

Here’s the updated award chart for ANA flights booked through Virgin Atlantic:

A major downside to this redemption is that ANA award flights can’t be booked on the Virgin Atlantic website.

Look for frequent transfer bonuses from bank programs such as Chase and American Express to Virgin Atlantic.

Here are a couple of ANA award flight options, among many, that you can use Virgin Points to book:

• Los Angeles (LAX) — Narita (NRT) for 90,000 Virgin Points in ANA business class
• New York (JFK) — Haneda (HND) for 170,000 Virgin Points in ANA first class

With the Virgin Points in your account, use these steps to book the flight:

• Search for saver award space for ANA-operated flights on United Airlines.
• Write down the flight details, including time, date, and flight number.
• Call Virgin Atlantic at 800-365-9500 to book the flight.
• Pay the taxes and fees.

Earning Virgin Points

Earning Virgin Points is easy, as the program is a transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards ,  Capital One Miles,   American Express Membership Rewards ,  Marriott Bonvoy , and  Citi ThankYou Rewards .

If you want to use transferable points, keep these transfer ratios and transfer times in mind:

• Amex Membership Rewards transfer at a 1:1 ratio and take 1 to 2 days.
• Capital One Miles transfers transfer at a 1:1 ratio and transfer instantly (via Virgin Red).
• Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer at a 1:1 ratio and transfer instantly.
• Citi ThankYou Rewards transfer at a 1:1 ratio and take 2 days.
• Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio. With every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points that you transfer, you receive 5,000 bonus miles. Transfers take 1 day.

Virgin Atlantic also has co-branded credit cards that earn miles directly with your everyday spending.

Recommended Chase Cards (Personal)

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred ® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance . With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
• 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $937.50 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC
• APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees:  None

Chase Ultimate Rewards

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ®  is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access , with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $1125 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck ®
• APR: 22.49%-29.49% Variable

Booking ANA award flights with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is a great way to fly between the U.S. and Japan. Look out for frequent transfer bonuses from programs such as Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards.

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan is an incredible award program that you should consider when booking award flights to Japan. Alaska Airlines is in the Oneworld Alliance with other partners such as American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, and Qatar Airways, among others.

Alaska has one major perk with its loyalty program: the ability to book stopovers .

In late 2022, Alaska revamped its award charts, including those for partner airlines. Let’s take a look at the current international award rates for flights to Japan:

Check out our guide on the best ways to redeem Alaska Mileage Plan miles for maximum value .

With enough Alaska Airlines miles in your Mileage Plan account, here are a couple of flights to consider booking:

• New York (JFK) – Haneda (HND) from 100,000 Alaska miles in Japan Airlines business class round-trip
• Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) – Narita (NRT) from 140,000 Alaska miles in Japan Airlines first class round-trip
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Hong Kong (HKG) – Haneda (HND) from 140,000 Alaska miles in Cathay Pacific first class round-trip

When you’re ready to book your flight, follow the steps below for the booking process on partner flights with airlines such as American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Japan Airlines.

• Search for award flights on Alaska Airlines.
• Book the flight online.
• Pay the taxes and fees that include a $12.50 partner award flight booking fee.

Cathay Pacific first class is considered one of the best first class products in the world. Check out our guide on the best ways to book Cathay Pacific First Class using points and miles .

Earning Alaska Airlines Miles

Earning Alaska Airlines miles can be difficult as they only have one major transfer partner: Marriott Bonvoy. Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio, and with every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points that you transfer, you receive 5,000 bonus miles.

With that said, these are the Marriott cards we recommend:

A great option for Marriott hotel fans who want a no annual fee card and automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

Casual travelers who like to frequent properties that are part of the Marriott Bonvoy collection of brands may want to consider the Marriott Bonvoy Bold ® Credit Card.

The Marriott Bold card rewards cardholders for Marriott stays and gives them a boost towards Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

• Up to 14x points per $1 on Marriott purchases
• 2x points per $1 on travel purchases
• 15 Elite Night Credits each year (automatically gives you Silver Elite status)
• Lower point earn rate than other Marriott Bonvoy cards
• Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status is the lowest status tier
• Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Pay no annual fee with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold ® Credit Card from Chase ® !
• Earn up to 14X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy ® with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold ® Card.
• 1X point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
• Your points don't expire as long as you make purchases on your card every 24 months.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• APR: 21.49%–28.49% Variable

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual Free Night Award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.

If you’re a frequent traveler and a Marriott loyalist, there’s a lot to love about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless ® Credit Card . The card comes packed with several great benefits like a free hotel night once a year, automatic Silver Elite status (with a fast-track to Gold Elite status), and multiple options for redeeming points.

• Earn big when you use your card at thousands of participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
• Earn big at grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
• Automatic Silver Elite Status
• Marriott Silver Elite Status is the lowest status tier
• Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases.
• Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
• Earn 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
• 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
• Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy ® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless ® Card.
• Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, automatic Silver Elite status, and path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees. Your points don't expire as long as you make purchases on your card every 24 months.

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with  no credit score impact.

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express ® Card , the latest mid-tier offering in the Marriott Bonvoy lineup of cards, offers cardholders automatic elite status and ways to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on each of their stays and daily purchases.

• 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
• 4x points per $1 at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per calendar year, then 2X points)
• 2x points per $1 on all other purchases
• $250 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• Free Night Award certificate is not an automatic benefit
• Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy ® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
• Earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets per calendar year, then 2X points).
• Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Marriott Bonvoy 1K Bonus Points Per Stay: Earn 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy ® bonus points per paid eligible stay booked directly with Marriott for properties participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
• With complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elites status, earn up to 2.5X points from Marriott Bonvoy ® on eligible hotel purchases with the 25% Bonus Points on stays benefit, available for Qualifying Rates.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Free Night Award: Earn 1 Free Night Award after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy ® points) at a hotel participating in Marriott Bonvoy ® . Certain hotels have resort fees.
• 15 Elite Night Credits: Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express Card ® you can receive 15 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy ® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
• Plan It ® is a payment option that lets you split up purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee. Plus, you'll still earn rewards the way you usually do.
• $250 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.
• APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card  is a premium card designed with road warriors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalists in mind.

So is the card a worthwhile addition to your wallet?

• 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy   program
• 3x points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines and restaurants worldwide
• Steep annual fee of $650 ( rates and fees )
• 6x points per $1 is the same earn rate offered with lower annual fee alternatives like the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express ® Card
• Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card at restaurants worldwide.
• With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy ® . 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy ® . Certain hotels have resort fees.
• Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
• $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton ® or St. Regis ® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ® : Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck ® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy ® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
• Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
• With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• $650 Annual Fee.

There are 2 co-branded Alaska Airlines credit cards offered by Bank of America: a personal and business version.

Provides the potential to earn plenty of miles to fly with Alaska Airlines or over a dozen partners. Plus, get an annual companion fare from just $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23)!

With the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature ® credit card in your wallet, you could get great perks and earn miles at the same time. This is a win-win if Alaska is the airline you prefer to fly with! Plus, its annual companion fare is a great benefit for traveling couples.

• 3x miles per $1 spent on Alaska purchases
• 2x miles per $1 spent on eligible gas, local transit (including rideshare), cable, and select streaming services
• 1x mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
• $95 annual fee
• LIMITED TIME ONLINE OFFER — 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™!
• Get 60,000 Bonus Miles plus Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening.
• Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™. Every year on your credit card account anniversary you’ll receive a companion fare which allows you to book a companion flight from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23). Valid on all Alaska Airlines flights booked on alaskaair.com.
• Free checked bag for you and up to 6 guests on the same reservation – that’s a savings of $70 per person roundtrip!
• Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, local transit (including rideshare), cable, and select streaming services, and unlimited 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases. And, your miles don’t expire on active accounts.
• 10% reward bonus on all miles earned on card with an eligible Bank of America checking, savings, or investment account.
• Priority boarding on Alaska Airlines when tickets are purchased with card.
• With oneworld ® Alliance member airlines and Alaska’s Global Partners, Alaska has expanded their global reach to over 1,000 destinations worldwide bringing more airline partners and more ways to earn and redeem miles.
• Flexibility with no blackout dates on Alaska Airlines flights when booking with miles or a companion fare.
• Plus, no foreign transaction fees and a low $95 annual fee.
• This online only offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
• APR: 20.24% - 28.24% Variable

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Frequent Flyer Program

Alaska Airlines offers competitive pricing for American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Japan Airlines economy, business, and first class flights to Japan. When you factor in the ability to book a stopover , you can get plenty of value out of your Alaska Airlines miles. 

American Airlines AAdvantage

Another great option for award flights between the U.S. and Japan is with another Oneworld alliance partner: American Airlines. You can use American Airlines AAdvantage miles to fly both American Airlines and Oneworld airline flights from the U.S. to Japan.

Although American Airlines has gone through some major devaluations over the years, there’s still plenty of value in the program. Partner awards with American AAdvantage are not subject to dynamic pricing, unlike American’s own flights.

On AA’s partner award chart, Asia is divided into 4 regions, and Japan is considered to be part of Asia Region 1.

Here is a look at what it costs for one-way flights on Oneworld partner airlines:

One of the best ways to redeem American AAdvantage miles is for a business class flight to Japan for 60,000 miles one-way. It costs 20,000 additional miles to fly in first class.

Booking through AAdvantage provides an alternative way to fly on Japan Airlines, as Alaska miles are more difficult to earn.

American Airlines can be a great place to look for Oneworld alliance partner award space.

Here are 2 flights to consider when you have the required number of AAdvantage miles in your account:

• San Francisco (SFO) – Haneda (HND) for 80,000 American miles one-way in Japan Airlines first class
• Chicago (ORD) – Narita (NRT) for 60,000 American miles one-way in Japan Airlines business class

You’ll want to follow these steps when you’re ready to book a flight:

• Search for award space on American Airlines.

Earning American Airlines Miles

You’ll have no problem earning American Airlines miles , as the airline offers several co-branded credit cards and partners with both Marriott Bonvoy and Bilt Rewards.

Transfers from Marriott Bonvoy occur at a 3:1 ratio. There is no 5,000-mile bonus if you transfer 60,000 Bonvoy points, as with other programs. Bilt Rewards transfer at a 1:1 ratio.

Never before has there been a credit card built specifically with renters in mind. Enter the Bilt World Elite Mastercard ®  Credit Card , designed specifically to help renters earn rewards on their rent payments with no transaction fees.

Of course, aside from rewards on rent, there are many other solid features that the card offers that add extra value to cardholders. In this guide, we provide a complete breakdown of everything the Bilt card has to offer to help you decide whether the card makes sense for you.

• 3x points per $1 at restaurants
• 2x points per $1 on travel booked directly with airlines, hotels, and car rental agencies
• 1x point per $1 on rent payments, without a transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year
• Does not offer a welcome bonus
• Must use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points
• $0 annual card fee
• 1X points on rent payments with no transaction fee (up to $100,000 in rent payments every calendar year) and on other purchases
• 2X points on travel (when booked directly with an airline, hotel, car rental or cruise company)
• 3X points on dining
• Use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points
• Select Learn More to learn more about the product features, terms, and conditions
• Foreign Transaction Fees:  $0

Redeeming American AAdvantage miles to fly to Japan is an excellent option. Check out our guide on the best ways to redeem American Airlines AAdvantage miles for maximum value .

ANA Mileage Club

The first Star Alliance program we will look at is ANA Mileage Club .

ANA still uses award charts, so you can book award flights at published rates as long as there’s award space.

One of the main drawbacks of booking an ANA partner flight is that the flight must be booked round-trip. However, the program also allows for stopovers and open jaws on most award tickets, which can allow for a lot of creative itineraries.

ANA has 3 main awards: ANA domestic flight awards, ANA international flight awards, and partner flight awards. ANA prices its flights based on the season: low, regular, and high.

To confirm mileage, you will need to do a few things:

• Confirm the zones for the departure and destination points.
• Confirm departure date seasonalities.
• Confirm the required mileage for the class of service.

ANA places Japan in Zone 1 and North America in Zone 6.

Let’s first take a look at the ANA international flight award chart for round-trip award flights between North America and Japan:

ANA is notorious for offering very few premium-cabin award seats. However, if you can find award space, you can book round-trip flights between the U.S. and Japan for 75,000 to 90,000 miles in business class or 150,000 to 165,000 miles in first class , depending on seasonality.

ANA charges fuel surcharges on its own flights, which can be upwards of $500. Currently, fuel surcharges come out to $270. You can find more information on ANA’s site .

Here are a couple of options to consider when you have Mileage Club miles in your ANA account:

• Houston (IAH) – Narita (NRT) for 40,000 ANA miles in ANA economy during the low season
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Haneda (HND) for 75,000 ANA miles in ANA business class during the low season

Booking ANA awards during off-peak dates is the best way to receive maximum value out of your ANA Mileage Club miles. You can check on ANA’s website for seasonality changes.

With the required number of ANA miles in your account, follow these steps to book your next award flight:

• Search for award availability on United.
• Confirm the same space on ANA.

Earning ANA Miles

It’s relatively easy to earn ANA miles because ANA is a transfer partner of American Express and Marriott Bonvoy. Unfortunately, ANA doesn’t offer a co-branded credit card for the U.S. market.

American Express Membership Rewards transfer at a 1:1 ratio and take 2 to 3 days for transfers. Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio and with every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points that you transfer, you’ll receive 5,000 bonus miles. Transfers can take up to 7 days.

If you’re looking to earn Amex points, here are the Amex credit cards that we recommend:

Recommended American Express Cards (Personal)

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card ® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card  is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access , hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• $695 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards ® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts ® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card ® . The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card ® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection ® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card ® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card ® .
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $189 CLEAR ® Plus Credit: CLEAR ® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck ® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck ® official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card ® . Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card ® . That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card ® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• APR: See Pay Over Time APR

American Express Membership Rewards

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

The American Express ® Gold Card  is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com
• $250 annual fee (see rates and fees )
• No lounge access
• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards ® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards ® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards ® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards ® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express ® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
• Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
• Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
• Annual Fee is $250.

Check out our guide on the best ways to redeem All Nippon Airways Mileage Club Miles for maximum value .

Etihad Guest

Next, we’ll take a look at Etihad Airways and its Etihad Guest program . Etihad is not a part of many major airline alliances but does partner with quite a few airlines around the world, including American Airlines and ANA.

Earlier this year, Etihad Guest completely overhauled its award chart with standard pricing for all its partner airlines. If you want to fly partners like American Airlines or ANA to Japan, this is the updated award chart:

When you’re ready to book an American Airlines award flight, here are the booking steps:

• Search for American Airlines flights on British Airways.
• Write down all of the flight details.
• Book the flight.

it is worth noting that you can book American Airlines redemptions online now. For other partner award bookings, you need to call Etihad at 877-690-0767 to confirm award availability.

Earning Etihad Guest Miles

Etihad Guest is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy.

• Amex Membership Rewards transfer at a 1:1 ratio and transfer immediately.
• Capital One Miles transfer at a 1:1 ratio and transfer within 36 hours.
• Citi ThankYou Rewards transfer at a 1:1 ratio and take up to 6 days.
• Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio. With every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points that you transfer, you’ll receive 5,000 bonus miles. Transfers take 5 days.

With that said, below are some of the Capital One and Citi credit cards we recommend:

Recommended Capital One Cards (Personal)

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• $395 annual fee ( rates & fees )
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status
• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ®
• APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

Capital One Miles

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card   is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

• 5x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
• $95 annual fee ( rates & fees )
• Limited elite benefits
• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.

Interested in a travel rewards credit card without one of those pesky annual fees? Then say hello to the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.

In addition to no annual fee, the Capital One VentureOne card offers no foreign transaction fees.

But is this card worth its salt, or is it merely a shell of the more popular Capital One Venture card?

• No annual fee ( rates & fees )
• No foreign transaction fees ( rates & fees )
• Ability to use transfer partners
• Weak earn rate at 1.25x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
• No luxury travel or elite benefits
• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
• APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable),0% intro on purchases for 15 months

If you’re a business owner, see our recommended Capital One business credit cards .

Recommended Citi Cards

The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is a great all-around travel rewards card that allows you to earn big rewards on a variety of purchases like air travel, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and more, along with flexible redemption options, all for a modest annual fee.

• 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
• 3x points on air travel, other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations
• $100 annual hotel benefit
• Earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou ® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
• Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
• Earn 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
• Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
• APR: 21.24%- 29.24% Variable APR

This no annual fee card rewards cardholders for everyday purchases. Earn bonus points at supermarkets and gas stations, plus your points are rounded up on every purchase.

• Earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com
• Plus, as a special offer, earn a total of 5 Thank You ® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com through December 31, 2025.*
• 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months from date of first transfer and on purchases from date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 18.74% – 28.74%, based on your creditworthiness. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
• Earn 2X ThankYou ® Points at Supermarkets and Gas Stations for the first $6,000 per year and then 1X Points thereafter. Plus, earn 1X ThankYou ® Points on All Other Purchases.
• The Citi Rewards+ ® Card – the only credit card that automatically rounds up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase – with no cap.
• No Annual Fee
• APR: 0% intro APR on balance transfers and on purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR of 18.74% - 28.74%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees:  3% of each purchase transaction in US dollars

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!

The Citi Double Cash ® Card  has long been one of the top cash-back credit cards on the market, and the card now has the ability to earn Citi ThankYou Points!

This means that cardholders of the Double Cash card will now earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Cash back is earned in the form of ThankYou Points . This means each billing cycle, you will earn 1 ThankYou point per $1 spent on purchases and an additional ThankYou point for every $1 paid on your purchase balance as long as there is a corresponding balance in your Purchase Tracker.

Citi has turned the Double Cash card into a top choice for those who are looking for an everyday, no-fuss credit card.

• Uncapped 2% for every $1 spent (1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay)
• Flexible redemption options
• No annual fee
• No bonus categories
• 3% foreign transaction fees
• Bonus Offer: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou ® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
• Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
• To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
• Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
• Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
• If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
• There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
• Citi Double Cash ® Card Travel Portal Limited Time Offer: Earn a total of 5 ThankYou Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rental, and attractions, excluding air travel, when booked through the Citi Travel SM portal on ThankYou.com or by calling 1-800-Thankyou and saying “Travel.” Offer is valid through 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET) 12/31/2024.
• APR: 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 19.24% - 29.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees:  3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase

Citi ThankYou Rewards

Earn big on purchases in your top eligible spend category, up to the first $500 each billing cycle, with no annual fee!

The Citi Custom Cash ® Card is inventive when it comes to cash-back credit cards. Instead of earning a set amount of cash-back on predetermined bonus categories, the Citi Custom Cash card earns 5% cash-back on your highest eligible spend category each billing cycle, without an annual fee.

Thanks to that unique perk, you’ll never need to worry about whether you’re using the right card for the right purchase, as your Citi Custom Cash card will always pay you 5% back on whichever category you end up spending the most on each month.

• 5% cash-back (on up to $500 each billing cycle) from your largest purchase category, including restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment
• Multiple redemption options
• Your 5% category is limited to $500 in spend ($25 in cash-back) each month
• Not particularly rewarding for any purchases outside of your top 5% cash-back category
• Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou ® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
• 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
• Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked via the Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025.
• No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
• Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash ® Card account per person.
• APR: 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees:  3%

If you’re interested in redeeming Etihad miles to fly to Japan, check out our guide for the Best Ways To Earn Lots of Etihad Airways Guest Miles .

Korean Air SKYPASS

Lastly, we’ll take a look at another SkyTeam partner program: Korean Air SKYPASS .

Korean Air is known for a couple of things: the quality of its business and first-class cabins and its competitive award pricing on select routes, including round-trip flights in Korean Air business class to Japan from the U.S.

Korean Air Skypass uses a standard award chart instead of dynamic pricing for its flights, unlike other Skyteam alliance partners like Delta and Air France-KLM.

Korean Air uses region-based award charts that are based on peak and off-peak seasons.

Here is the award chart for one-way flights between North America and Japan:

For flights to Japan, you fly Korean Air with a stop in Seoul, South Korea, before connecting onward to Japan:

• Atlanta (ATL) – Seoul (ICN) – Narita (NRT) for 35,000 Korean Air miles in Korean Air economy during off-peak season
• Dallas (DFW) – Seoul – Haneda (HND) for 80,000 Korean Air miles in Korean Air first class during off-peak season

Here are the steps to book an award flight with Korean Air:

• Search for flights on Air France/KLM or Delta.
• Confirm the same award availability on Korean Air.
• Book the award flight online.

Check out our guide on Best Ways to Redeem Korean Air SKYPASS Miles for Max Value .

Earning Korean Air Miles

Earning Korean Air miles has gotten much harder, as they are no longer a Chase Ultimate Rewards partner. Currently, the only way to earn Korean Air miles is flying Korean or partner airlines, spending on SKYPASS-branded credit cards (such as the SKYPASS Visa Signature ®  Card), or by  transferring points to Korean Air from Marriott Bonvoy . Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio and take 2 days to transfer.

As demand for travel to Japan has increased significantly, cash fares remain quite high. However, you may be able to save quite a bit by using your points and miles. As we’ve covered in this article, there are several excellent programs to use to book an award flight to Japan.

To give you the most award flight flexibility, we recommend earning transferable points from American Express, Capital One, Chase, Citi, and Marriott Bonvoy. These points will help you to unlock value in any of the programs that we discussed.

The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Bold ® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless ® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Citi Premier ® Card has expired and the card is no longer open to applicants. The information regarding the Citi Rewards+ ® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Citi Double Cash ®  Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Citi Custom Cash ® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature ® credit card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express ® Card, click here . For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® card, click here . For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of the American Express ® Gold Card, click  here .

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i use american airlines miles to fly on japan airlines.

Yes, you can! American Airlines and Japan Airlines are members of the Oneworld airline alliance. You can redeem American Airlines AAdvantage miles to fly not only Japan Airlines but other Oneworld airline members such as British Airways and Qatar Airways.

Is it better to fly to Haneda (HND) or Narita (NRT) in Tokyo?

Tokyo’s Haneda airport is much closer to the Tokyo city center, making it a shorter commute than from Narita. However, Narita offers more nonstop international flights from the U.S.

What is the best airline to fly to Japan?

It’s hard to beat the experience you find when flying Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, or Korean Air. Although not listed in this article, Asiana Airlines and Singapore Airlines are additional airlines that would be fantastic to fly to Japan.

Can you use Virgin Atlantic miles to fly to Japan?

Yes, you can! Thanks to Virgin Atlantic’s partnership with ANA, you can use Flying Club points to fly to Japan on ANA.

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About Ehsan Haque

Ehsan is an avid traveler who has traveled to 100 countries, diligently using points and miles to fund his journeys. Currently, he holds 32 active credit cards and earns over a million points and miles annually, primarily using them for luxury hotels and long-haul premium cabins.

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Study Abroad

Make the world your classroom! Delta's study abroad opportunities are open to all students who want to increase their cultural understanding and gain global perspective in their major or program.

Students choose to study abroad for a variety of reasons — some are purely interested in travel, while others want to live in another country, improve a foreign language or delve into a specific topic related to their majors. Whatever your reason, Delta can help you find the best cultural fit for you and your interests.  

Upcoming group trips 

Encountering Japan - May 2025

IHU/SSI 268: A 3-credit study-travel course:

• 11-day immersion-learning experience in Japan
• Introduction to the culture, religion and history prior to travel, as well as learning Japanese survival phrases
• Explore shrines, temples, markets and gardens in Osaka, Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara, visit the Peace Park in Hiroshima, a day trip to Miyajima
• Time to explore on your own integrated into the travel course

Nuts and bolts of this course:

• Cost estimated at $6,000, with fundraising and scholarship opportunities planned to help offset costs
• 3-credit class, earned as either Humanities (IHU) or Social Science (SSI)
• Final multi-media project and presentation representing cultural learning and reflection a solid and firm course requirement

For more information, reach out to Trip Leaders [email protected] or Jay Vanhouten at [email protected] .

You have options 

When it comes to shaping your study abroad experience, the possibilities are endless! Travel for a semester, summer, year or just a few weeks, or enroll in a college for a semester or do humanitarian work. You can join one of Delta's group trips or use of one of the college's partners in the College Consortium for International Studies to join a different U.S. group's trip. 

Benefits of studying abroad

• Increase your understanding of other cultures and diversity in the world.
• Develop a global resume.
• Experience the increasing interdependence of the U.S. and other countries.
• Sharpen interpersonal and communication skills through interacting with people from different backgrounds.
• Improve your ability to use a foreign language.
• Enhance your sense of independence and self confidence.
• Expand your career choices.

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• Earn at least 12 credit hours at Delta College prior to the trip start date.
• Earn a 2.5 or higher cumulative GPA for courses completed at Delta College prior to the trip start date.
• Applicants must apply for financial aid to be eligible. Financial aid eligibility determined through Delta’s Financial Aid Office (D101) Scholarship funds will only apply toward travel expenses, not tuition.

Contact us Make an appointment with student services departments.

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The Best Economy Seats for Long-Haul Flights

By Jessica Puckett

Flying in economy class on a long-haul route is often a necessary sacrifice travelers make in order to afford a far-flung trip. But just thinking about spending hours in coach—with the cramped legroom, lack of recline , and crowded seating arrangements—is enough to send a shiver down any flier’s spine.

Fortunately, there are a handful of airlines that still offer decent space and comfortable seats on long-haul routes, even in their regular no-frills economy classes. Here, we’ve rounded up seven of the most comfortable economy seats available for long-haul flights, based on criteria like legroom pitch, recline depth, seat width, and the overall seating configuration of the economy cabin.

As these seats are still in regular economy, they don’t offer as much space as the more upscale products in premium economy cabins . The below selections may just have a few extra inches of space or recline over their competitors—but even an inch or two can make a world of difference on an hours-long flight, especially if you’re trying to sleep .

If you must fly coach on your next long-haul journey, these are the best economy seats on international flights. (Or, check out these affordable business class cabins that won't break the bank.)

JetBlue is one of the best US carriers when it comes to legroom, even in economy.

JetBlue Airbus A321

The New York-based carrier is one of the top US airlines in terms of legroom. Its Airbus A321 long-range planes, used for its transatlantic routes to Europe, are no exception. In regular economy, called “Core” on JetBlue, expect to see 32 inches of pitch and 18 inches of width, and three inches of recline at your seat. You’ll also find a headrest with adjustable wings and power outlets (though not enough for every passenger to have their own charging port). On planes that also feature Mint business class, the Core cabin has 102 seats in a 3-3 layout, so the one drawback is a potential lack of elbow room as the A321 is just a single-aisle plane.

Japan Airlines Airbus A350-1000

Much of the attention on board JAL’s new A350 plane, which debuted in January 2024, has been focused on its luxurious first and business class suites . But even the back of the plane offers fliers a respectable amount of comfort. In the regular economy cabin, seats offer about 34 inches of legroom pitch and more than 18 inches of seat width, making them one of the roomiest long-haul economy options on the market. Plus, in the fully upright position, the seats sit back at a deeper angle than standard economy seats—before you even engage the recline function, which also offers several more inches of tilt. Extra bells and whistles include a large 13-inch 4K entertainment screen, water bottle pouch and separate cupholder, power outlet and USB-A and -C charging ports. The only downside to the cabin is that the 155 seats in regular economy are laid out in a 3-3-3 configuration, which means more dreaded middle seats. But the rows are spaced far enough apart that economy passengers shouldn’t feel too cramped. You’ll find these jets operating nonstop routes from New York JFK and Dallas Fort Worth to Tokyo Haneda.

All Nippon Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners

Another Japanese carrier that offers one of the best economy seats on international flights is All Nippon Airways. Its coach cabin, especially aboard its Boeing 797-9 Dreamliners that fly between Tokyo and Los Angeles, offers relatively spacious seats with 34 inches of legroom pitch and 17.3 inches of width. The seats also come with a built-in footrest—a rarity outside of premium economy—plus several inches of standard recline. Instead of the seat simply tilting back, however, the seat pan also slides forward so as not to intrude too much on the passenger behind, giving each flier a bit more space. The seats are in a 3-3-3 layout, so avoiding the tight middle seat could be tough; though extra features like universal PC power ports and USB ports at every seat, thick cushioning, and a headrest that adjusts up and down, should help ease the pain.

The high ceilings and wide body of the double-decker Airbus A380 jets help to create an airy, spacious feel.

Emirates Airbus A380

Emirates’ double-decker Airbus A380 jets are the stuff of aviation legend—even on the lower level in plain old economy. The cabin class offers seats with 34 inches of pitch, 18 inches of width, and a solid four inches of recline. With a total of 399 standard economy seats configured in a 3-4-3 layout, the cabin sounds like a crunch. But keeping in mind what an enormous, superjumbo jet the A380 actually is, with higher ceilings and a wider footprint than most jets, those numbers start to sound a lot less stress-inducing. In fact, fliers who’ve experienced the A380 in economy consistently say that the cabin has an airy and spacious feel, despite its massive passenger capacity. There’s also a padded adjustable headrest, a 13.3-inch entertainment screen, and over-the-ear headphones provided at each spot. From the US, you can catch Emirates A380s flying from Houston , Los Angeles , San Francisco , New York JFK, and Washington Dulles to Dubai, and also on special fifth freedom routes , like between New York JFK and Milan.

Singapore Airlines Airbus A380

Singapore’s economy class aboard its Airbus A380 planes is another spacious cabin, even if you’re riding all the way at the back of the superjumbo jet. The pitch in regular economy is a respectable 32 inches, and seats are a roomy 19 inches wide. When it’s time to relax after meal service, you’ll find the seatback able to recline six inches, which is quite a deep angle rarely found outside of premium economy class. (But don’t worry, the seatback entertainment screens have adjustable angles so you can keep watching even if the person in front of you fully tilts back.) Just like aboard Emirates’ A380, Singapore’s economy class on this double-decker plane is laid out in a 3-4-3 seating chart, but with the A380’s wider body and higher ceilings, it shouldn’t feel too crowded. Extra touch points at the seats adding to the convenience and comfort include a cup holder to free up the tray table space, phone storage, and a soft six-way headrest. You can find the A380 on the airline's long-haul routes from Singapore to Hong Kong , London , Tokyo, and Melbourne, as well as its fifth freedom flights between New York and Frankfurt, among other destinations.

By CNT Editors

By Todd Plummer

By Caitlin Morton

By Lale Arikoglu

The exterior rows of Hawaiian's A330 main cabin are ideal for couples hoping to avoid the middle seat, thanks to its 2-4-2 configuration.

Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330

These efficient Airbus jets fly the majority of Hawaiian’s long-haul routes, like its nonstop flights from New York and Boston to Honolulu (which may not technically be international flights, but at more than 11 hours each they are two of the longest domestic flights in the US). Seats in the A330’s Main Cabin offer 31 inches of pitch, which is quite a bit tighter than what other airlines offer on this list. But if you can score a seat on the edges of the cabin, your spot is likely to feel a bit more spacious. That’s because the rows are laid out in a 2-4-2 configuration, making the seats nearest the windows on either side a prime pick for couples or other travel duos for a comfortable ride to and from the islands. All 192 economy seats also offer 17.6 inches of seat width and a four-inch recline. If you’re worried about legroom, you could spring for one of the 68 Extra Comfort seats, which offer 36 inches of pitch, but those usually cost a couple hundred dollars extra on the airline’s longer routes.

Delta Boeing 767-400ER

With an average age clocking in at more than 23 years old, Delta’s Boeing 767-400ERs are certainly older planes. But when it comes to comfort in economy class, don’t count out these workhorse jets that fly many of Delta’s transatlantic routes out of Atlanta and New York JFK, among other long hauls. The Main Cabin on these old-reliables accommodate 156 seats that each offer 31 to 32 inches of legroom pitch, 18 inches of seat width, and three to four inches of recline. What’s more, the seating chart is configured in a 2-3-2 layout, eliminating middle seats on the edges of the cabin for more breathing space near the windows. Additional features like an adjustable headrest, USB ports, and a sizable entertainment screen make the flight feel smoother, even from the cheapest seats.

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Your change fee is waived if you:

• Are traveling on an American Airlines flight
• Are booked in any fare class, including Basic Economy
• Bought your ticket by May 6, 2024
• Are scheduled to travel May 6 - August 31, 2024
• Can travel May 12 - September 20, 2024
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• Rebook in the same cabin or pay the difference

Keep in mind:

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• Changes must be booked by August 31, 2024
• Travel must be completed within 1 year of original ticket date; difference in fare may apply

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What are points and miles worth? TPG’s June 2024 monthly valuations

Editor's Note

One of the questions people often ask us is, "How much is a point or mile worth?"

The true answer varies from point to point and person to person. It also depends on your travel goals and how much you maximize a particular loyalty currency. Still, some rewards credit cards are worth more than others, and our goal is to give you a sense of how they stack up.

Historically, TPG has valued points and miles based on a combination of factors: the price at which we would purchase the miles, award costs in the program (factoring in availability and fees) and our expertise in the inner workings of the programs. However, we now use extensive data for the top six U.S. airline loyalty programs to better estimate the value you should aim to get from your rewards. Read our explainer post on our data-driven valuations for a full methodology breakdown.

Note: These valuations are not provided by card issuers.

What are credit card points and miles worth?

The information for the Citi Premier card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

What are airline points and miles worth?

*Calculated using TPG's data-backed valuations methodology launched in September 2023.

The information for the Avianca and Qatar cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

What are hotel points worth?

Points and miles news.

The elevated welcome offers for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® are ending soon. Don't miss out on earning 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Based on this month's valuation of Chase Ultimate Rewards points, we value the welcome bonus offered by each of these cards at an impressive $1,537.

With so many Ultimate Rewards points on offer through these welcome bonuses, you may wonder how best to use them. We value Ultimate Rewards highly for a few reasons. First, you can redeem them in many different ways, whether you're looking to travel in luxury halfway around the world or want to save money on your everyday purchases.

Secondly, these points are hugely flexible. You're not locked into one specific way of using them; you can chop and change as often as you want, whenever you want. You might want to keep them in your Ultimate Rewards account until a juicy transfer bonus comes around or redeem a welcome bonus as soon as you earn it—the choice is yours.

With so many ways to use Ultimate Rewards, we have prepared a list of easy ways to redeem Chase points that's perfect for beginners and casual points and miles collectors. TPG's points and miles experts explain how to get the maximum value from their Ultimate Rewards ; not to mention, TPG let three staffers redeem 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points for last-minute trips that included a couples getaway to Mexico , a trip to Greece and a business-class flight to New Zealand .

The elevated welcome bonus for these cards ends soon, so don't miss out on this great offer.

Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Sapphire Reserve: Should you go mid-tier or premium?

Travel credit card offers

There is no shortage of cards offering great welcome bonuses ; here are a few of our favorites this month.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

We discussed this card above, but it's so great that we'll cover its benefits in more detail here. After all, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is currently offering 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Per our valuations, that's worth $1,537 when you leverage transfer partners or $937 if you redeem through Chase Travel℠ at 1.25 cents per point.

The card comes with a $95 annual fee, travel protections and additional perks — like a $50 annual hotel credit for reservations made through Chase Travel and a 10% anniversary points bonus based on your previous year's spending. For more details, check out our Chase Sapphire Preferred Card review .

Of course, you may want to spring for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® instead. While the card has a higher $550 annual fee, it includes perks like Priority Pass lounge access , a $300 annual travel credit and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit .

Official application link: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is one of the market's most exciting travel credit cards due to its great earning rates and included perks.

The card currently offers a welcome bonus of 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Due to the value you can get when redeeming with Capital One's excellent airline and hotel transfer partners , our valuations peg the value of this welcome bonus at $1,388.

Check out our Capital One Venture X card review for more details.

Official application link: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The standard Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers the same welcome bonus as the Venture X. You can earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Like the Venture X, the Venture card earns at least 2 miles per dollar on every purchase.

Check out our Capital One Venture card review for more details.

Official application link: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Platinum Card from American Express

With the current welcome offer on The Platinum Card® from American Express , you'll earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Although, you may be targeted for a higher offer through the CardMatch tool . (This offer is subject to change at any time.)

The Amex Platinum Card is packed with benefits like airport lounge access and hotel elite status . The card has a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees ). Enrollment is required for select benefits.

For more details, check out our Amex Platinum review .

Official application link: The Platinum Card from American Express

American Express Gold Card

One of the most popular cards with TPG staffers, the American Express® Gold Card offers 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new card within the first six months of card membership. Based on our valuations, this welcome offer is worth $1,200, but be sure to check the CardMatch tool to see if you're targeted for an even higher offer. (This offer is subject to change at any time.)

The Amex Gold Card is great for many everyday purchases. You'll earn 4 points per dollar on groceries at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) and 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants. The card has a $250 annual fee (see rates and fees ).

For more details, check out our Amex Gold review .

Official application link: American Express Gold Card

The Business Platinum Card from American Express

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express offers 150,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases with your card in the first three months of card membership. Per our valuations, this welcome offer is worth at least $3,000, but you can get even more value when redeeming for high-end airfare.

You'll find many lesser-known Amex Business Platinum perks similar to (but slightly different from) the personal version. Check out our comparison of the Amex Platinum and the Business Platinum to see which card better fits your wallet.

For more details, check out our Amex Business Platinum review .

Official application link: The Business Platinum Card from American Express

Capital One Venture X Business

The Capital One Venture X Business card launched in September 2023. The card offers a welcome bonus of 150,000 miles after spending $30,000 in the first three months from account opening. While that's a large spending requirement, those rewards can go a long way toward your next trip.

The Venture X Business features perks that are nearly identical to those on the personal version of the card — including a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel , extensive airport lounge access and 10,000 bonus miles each year after your cardholder anniversary.

For more details, check out our Capital One Venture X Business review .

Official application link: Capital One Venture X Business

Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card offers a generous welcome bonus of 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $8,000 in the first three months after card opening. Based on our current valuation, this welcome bonus is worth more than $2,000. It could be a great option for business owners looking to benefit from a six-figure welcome bonus who might not reach the higher spending requirements of the Capital One Venture X Business welcome offer .

The Ink Business Preferred also offers 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 in combined purchases each year on travel, shipping, internet, cable and phone services as well as advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines.

For more details, check out our Ink Business Preferred Credit Card review .

Official application link: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here . For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here .

Japan Airlines Earns 'Use It Or Lose It' USDOT Waiver For Los Angeles International Airport Flights

• The FAA granted a temporary waiver to Japan Airlines for flights between Osaka and Los Angeles.
• The waiver extends from March 31 to October 26, covering flights from Osaka Kansai International Airport (KIX) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
• Japan Airlines has 19 weekly departures from LAX to three airports in Japan.

Japan Airlines has successfully petitioned for a waiver at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which granted the airline a waiver from the use-it-or-lose-it flight schedule rule for flight JL60/69 from/to Osaka Kansai International Airport (KIX) from March 31, 2024 to October 26.

Force majeure situation

According to the United States Department of Transportation’s (DOT) filing, the Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) published a waiver that provided relief from the use-it-or-lose-it (U/L) rule in January 2024. The waiver was effective for the current Summer season, which began on March 31 and will end on October 26, with the JCAB arguing that airlines had to get relief from the rule due to a force majeure situation that was,

[] beyond the control of the airlines, including, Russian airspace restrictions, aircraft maintenance required due to failure of Pratt & Whitney engines, and a shortage of airport ground handling personnel in Japan and foreign countries.

Using the opportunity, Japan Airlines filed a petition for the prioritization of canceled flights at LAX, citing the lack of ground handling employees in Japan and reciprocity for JCAB’s U/L waiver. The airline handed back the scheduled timings of flight JL60 from KIX to LAX and flight JL69 from LAX to KIX, the filing read.

Transpacific Triumphs: Breaking Down The Lucrative US-Japan Airline Market

Level 2 airport.

The filing cited the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which explained that LAX was a Level 2 airport. As a result, while such facilities, including the Californian airport, do not have slots, the schedule facilitation at such airports depends upon close and continuing discussions and voluntary agreements between the airlines and the US regulator to reduce congestion.

At Level 2 airports, the FAA generally provides priority consideration for flights approved by FAA and operated by the carrier in those approved times in the prior scheduling season when the FAA reviews proposed flights for facilitation in the next corresponding scheduling season.

Thus, the FAA stated that the flights that it had actually approved to operate in the prior scheduling season would receive priority for the corresponding scheduling season. Since Japan Airlines was a carrier based in a country that has provided relief from the U/L rule and there have been resource limitations that were beyond the airline’s control, the FAA concluded that there was enough reason to provide relief to the carrier, which would establish the operational baseline for the next summer season.

However, the relief is subject to two conditions, namely that Japan Airlines must return previously approved schedules at any Level 2 airports in advance to the FAA and that the schedules approved for initial use during the current summer season are not eligible for relief.

FAA Extends Slot Reductions At New York Area Airports

Japan airlines lax schedule.

According to data from the aviation analytics company Cirium , Japan Airlines has 19 weekly departures from LAX to three airports in Japan, with five weekly flights to KIX, and seven flights each to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) and Narita International Airport (NRT) in June 2024.

The airline’s schedule from LAX to the three destinations in Japan amounts to 4,268 weekly departing seats and 38.1 million weekly departing available seat kilometers (ASK), with Japan Airlines averaging 224.6 departing seats. Other airports within California that it serves include San Diego International Airport (SAN) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

Delta Air Lines Aborts Landing After Japan Airlines Boeing 787 Overshoots Stop Line In San Diego