The Points Collector’s Guide to Japan Airlines

Flying to Japan? Japan Airlines (JAL), the country’s flag carrier, is one of the best options — especially if you’re using miles.

Here's what it's like flying with JAL, how to earn and redeem points, and how to maximize your elite status:

JAL offers four cabin classes, with business and first class among the most aspirational redemptions. First class (JAL Suites) isn’t fully enclosed, but is spacious, private and luxurious. First class is available on these U.S. routes:

• Chicago to Tokyo-Narita.

• Los Angeles to Tokyo-Narita.

• New York to Tokyo-Haneda.

• New York to Tokyo-Narita.

• San Francisco to Tokyo-Haneda.

Business class is available on more routes and offers lie-flat seats, privacy (especially at the windows), and excellent service.

» Learn more: Japan Airlines business class review: Tokyo to New York

You can book JAL award seats in two ways:

1. Use JAL Mileage Bank miles.

2. Use miles from partner airlines, including those in the Oneworld alliance (such as American Airlines and British Airways), or select non-alliance partners like Hawaiian Airlines.

Fly JAL or partner flights

Mileage earnings are based on distance flown and ticket class. For example:

• Full-fare economy and premium economy tickets can earn 100% of miles flown.

• First-class fares can earn up to 150%.

• Discounted economy tickets may earn as little as 30%.

You can also earn miles by crediting flights from partners like Hawaiian Airlines, Korean Air and Emirates to your JAL Mileage Bank account.

» Learn more: How to choose which airline miles to earn from your flights

Earn by spending on credit cards

JAL USA Cards

There are two versions of the JAL USA Card. Both offer a low welcome bonus (5,000 miles). The $20 annual fee version earns 1 mile per $2 spent; the $70 version earns 1 mile per $1 spent.

Hotel credit cards

Many hotel credit cards offer better value by transferring points to JAL:

• Marriott Bonvoy (transfers at 3:1 ratio, with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points transferred)

• Hilton Honors (10:1 ratio).

• World of Hyatt (transfers via partner programs).

Convert other programs’ points to Mileage Bank miles

Don’t have Marriott, Hilton or Hyatt points? You may still have options for getting JAL Mileage Bank miles. Chase Ultimate Rewards® points can be converted into Marriott points, which can then be converted into JAL miles. Chase points transfer to Marriott at 1:1 ratio.

American Express Membership Rewards can be converted into either Marriott points or Hilton points, which can then be converted into JAL miles. Choose Marriott points. They get you much better value: 1 JAL mile for every 3 Marriott points, compared with 1 JAL mile per every 10 Hilton points. So convert your AmEx points to Marriott at a 1:1 ratio, then convert those Marriott points into JAL miles at a 3:1 ratio. Terms apply.

For JAL flights

JAL uses a region-based award chart. Look for "base mile" pricing, which functions like a saver award in other programs and offers the best value.

The airline has a chart showing how many miles you’ll need to book a flight on JAL.

For flights on partner airlines

When you search for partner awards, the prices shown are based on one of two different charts. The JMB Partner Airlines Award Ticket Chart for American Region is a distance-based chart showing you how many JAL miles you need for a flight on almost every partner airline, including Oneworld and other partners (but excluding Jetstar Japan, which has its own chart). When you book an award priced from this chart, all segments of your trip will be on the same airline.

There’s also the Oneworld Award Tickets Chart for American Region. When you book partner awards priced according to this chart, your choices will include itineraries on two or more airlines from the Oneworld chart. This means you may have some options to mix and match carriers. You can also add Japan Airlines when your itinerary includes Japan domestic sectors.

JAL is extremely generous with stopovers (more on that later):

• Up to 3 stopovers on one-partner awards.

• Up to 7 stopovers on Oneworld awards.

This flexibility makes it easy to add destinations—like stopping in Tokyo en route to Bangkok or combining multiple European cities into one award.

Other ways to redeem Mileage Bank miles

Just like other airline programs, JAL Mileage Bank offers you several options to redeem your miles on items and services other than flying. You can redeem miles on e JAL Points that allow you to pay for flight tickets and package tours. However, this doesn't get you good value for your miles.

You can also redeem Mileage Bank miles for hotel rooms, car rentals or merchandise. You can even redeem miles for Amazon gift cards, but this doesn't give you the best value either.

JAL operates nonstop flights from 11 U.S. cities:

• Boston.

• Chicago.

• Dallas.

• Los Angeles.

• Honolulu.

• Kona, Hawaii.

• New York.

• San Diego.

• San Francisco.

• San Jose.

• Seattle.

Depending on the route, flights arrive at either Tokyo-Narita, Tokyo-Haneda or Osaka-Kansai.

JAL’s four hubs — Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Okinawa — connect to more than 180 destinations on over 200 aircraft. And while it’s not the largest Japanese airline (ANA holds that title), its service quality and award options make it a top choice for travelers.

A neat baggage delivery perk in Haneda

JAL offers same-day baggage delivery for tourists arriving at Haneda Airport Terminal 3. No JAL ticket or passport required — and Japanese residents can use it too.

• Where: JAL ABC Counter, Haneda Terminal 3, Arrival Lobby.

• Cost: ¥4,500 per suitcase.

• Delivery Area: 14 Tokyo districts, including Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Minato.

• Delivery Time: Drop off by 4 p.m. for delivery by 8 p.m., or by 6 p.m. for 10 p.m. delivery.

• Bag Limit: Up to 20kg, 160cm in total dimensions.

This service alleviates overcrowded transport and luggage storage issues, allowing tourists to enjoy Tokyo baggage-free. JAL said it plans to expand the service in the future.

When you sign up for the Mileage Bank program and complete an eligible flight, you earn points toward Fly On elite status. If you fly often enough, you’ll be invited to join a more exclusive paid elite program called JAL Global Club. Both programs have different levels with different perks.

Fly On elite status

Fly On has three elite levels: Crystal, Sapphire and Diamond. Here are the most notable benefits you get at each level.

Crystal

• Priority waitlist.

• Advance front seat assignment service on JAL international flights.

• Mile-up bonus.

• Priority check-in.

• Extra checked baggage allowance.

• Priority standby.

• Priority boarding.

• Oneworld Ruby benefits.

Sapphire

Crystal benefits, plus:

• Higher mile-up bonus.

• Higher checked baggage allowance.

• Bonus Fly On points promotion “for a month of your choice.”

• Access to participating airport lounges including Oneworld lounges.

• Oneworld Sapphire benefits.

Diamond

Crystal and Sapphire benefits, plus:

• Higher mile-up bonus.

• Suspension of mileage expiration.

• Priority security lane.

• Access to JAL first class lounges (at Haneda and Narita airports) and Sakura lounges.

• Complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi service on international flights.

• Oneworld Emerald benefits.

How to reach the different status levels

You can earn elite status by flying JAL Group and Oneworld alliance airlines. Here are the tiers and how to reach them.

JMB Crystal

Meet one of the following conditions during the prior calendar year:

• 30,000 Fly On points (including 15,000 Fly On points on JAL Group flights).

• 30 flights (including at least 15 JAL Group flights) and 10,000 Fly On points.

JMB Sapphire

Meet one of the following conditions during the prior calendar year:

• 50,000 Fly On points (including 25,000 Fly On points on JAL Group flights).

• 50 flights (including at least 25 JAL Group flights) and 15,000 Fly On points.

JMB Diamond

Meet one of the following conditions during the prior calendar year:

• 100,000 Fly On points (including 50,000 Fly On points on JAL Group flights).

• 120 flights (including at least 60 JAL Group flights) and 35,000 Fly On points.

Global Club elite status

JAL Global Club membership is available by invitation only to members who have met Mileage Club Sapphire or Diamond requirements. There’s a fee, which you can pay in miles. The initial and renewal fee for most members is 5,000 miles, but the renewal fee will be waived if you earn at least 35,000 Fly On points or fly at least 14 qualifying JAL international flights.

For most people, one airline ticket equals one destination. If you want to see more places during your trip, you usually pay for additional tickets. But a unique feature of award travel versus buying tickets with cash is that airlines often allow you to squeeze more than one destination into your award itinerary.

Japan Airlines has an amazing stopover allowance, and unlike many other airlines that don’t exactly advertise their stopover policies, JAL wants you to know all about it.

» Learn more: What are layover, stopover and open jaw flights?

Up to 3 stopovers on a Japan Mileage Bank partner airline award ticket

With a JMB Partner Airline Award you’re limited to one partner airline, but you can make three complimentary stopovers on the way to or from your destination. Here is an example from the JMB website: London to Paris to Helsinki to Los Angeles to New York.

Up to 7 stopovers on Oneworld award tickets

With a Oneworld award you can make up to seven stopovers, which is almost unheard of in the world of award travel.

» Learn more: The best airlines for free stopovers

JAL and JALPAK now offer dynamic vacation packages for foreign visitors via the revamped Japan Airlines Vacations website. Travelers can book international flights, domestic connections and stays at 5,000+ hotels in one transaction.

New features include:

• Quick-view tools and search filters for activities and accommodations.

• Pre-packaged options like ski vacations in 12 regions, including Niseko and Furano.

• Free checked sports equipment for JAL Vacations users, ideal for ski trips.

JAL is one of the best airlines to fly to Japan, and its miles can help you travel all over the world due to its partnerships. JAL’s first and business class cabins are among the best in the world, too.

Earning Japan Airlines Mileage Bank miles isn’t easy. But using the right credit card or flying partner airlines can help you collect JAL miles to enjoy some unique benefits — most notably JAL’s extremely generous stopover policies.