Japan remains one of the most sought-after award destinations — and for good reason. World-class airlines, incredible food, efficient transit, and a unique culture make it a bucket-list trip for many travelers.
But here’s the challenge: award availability to Japan is competitive. The best redemptions get snapped up quickly, and knowing where to look is half the battle.
This guide covers everything you need to know about booking award flights to Japan in 2026.
Best Airlines for Flying to Japan
ANA (All Nippon Airways)
ANA consistently ranks among the world’s best airlines. Their business class features lie-flat seats, excellent Japanese cuisine, and impeccable service.
First Class is the holy grail — private suites, multi-course kaiseki meals, and pajamas provided.
Japan Airlines (JAL)
JAL’s new A350-1000 first class (launching 2024-2026 routes) features fully enclosed suites with doors. Their business class “Sky Suite” is also excellent.
United Polaris
If you can’t find ANA/JAL availability, United Polaris business class is a solid backup. Direct flights from multiple US cities.
Award Booking Options
Option 1: Virgin Atlantic → ANA (Best Value)
The sweet spot:
- Business Class: 60,000 miles one-way
- First Class: 110,000-120,000 miles one-way
This is exactly how I booked my ANA First Class flight — see my step-by-step ANA First Class booking guide for the full breakdown.
How to book:
- Search ANA.com for award availability (look for seats)
- Transfer Chase/Amex/Citi/Capital One/Bilt to Virgin Atlantic
- Call Virgin Atlantic at 1-800-862-8621 to book
Why it works: Virgin Atlantic charges significantly less than ANA’s own program for the same flights.
Option 2: ANA Mileage Club (Direct)
Pricing:
- Business Class: 75,000-90,000 miles (varies by season)
- First Class: 150,000 miles
Transfer partners: Amex MR transfers 1:1 to ANA.
Pros: Can book round-trips (sometimes required for ANA F availability) Cons: Higher mile cost than Virgin Atlantic
Option 3: United MileagePlus
Pricing:
- Business Class: 70,000-88,000 miles (dynamic)
- Partner ANA J: Similar pricing
Transfer partners: Chase UR transfers 1:1 to United.
Pros: No fuel surcharges, easy online booking Cons: United’s own metal isn’t as good as ANA/JAL
Option 4: American Airlines → JAL
Pricing:
- Business Class: 60,000 miles (off-peak) / 70,000 (standard)
- First Class: 80,000 miles (one of the best F sweet spots!)
How to earn AA miles: Citi/Barclays cards, shopping portal, Bilt transfers
Why it’s great: JAL First Class for 80,000 miles is incredible value. You can also transfer Capital One miles to JAL directly — Capital One is the only bank program with JAL as a transfer partner.
When to Book
Timing Strategy
- 355 days out: ANA releases most availability
- 330 days out: JAL releases availability
- 2-3 weeks out: Last-minute releases sometimes appear
- Cherry blossom season (late March-April): Book 355 days out or forget it
Best vs. Worst Times
Easier availability:
- January-February (excluding New Year)
- May-June (after Golden Week)
- September-November
Hardest to book:
- Cherry blossom season (late March-early April)
- Golden Week (late April-early May)
- New Year period
Tools for Finding Availability
Seats.aero
Aggregates award availability across programs. Set alerts for your routes.
ExpertFlyer
Set alerts for specific fare classes (I, O for ANA). Paid tool but worth it for serious seekers.
ANA Website
Search directly as a guest. Availability shown is accurate for Virgin Atlantic bookings.
United Website
Good for searching Star Alliance partner availability.
Sample Itinerary: JFK → Tokyo
Route: JFK → HND (Tokyo Haneda) Airline: ANA Booking via: Virgin Atlantic Cost: 110,000 Virgin Atlantic miles + ~$250 taxes Cash value: $15,000+ for First Class
How I’d do it:
- Set Seats.aero alert for ANA F from JFK
- When availability pops, immediately transfer Chase → Virgin Atlantic
- Call Virgin Atlantic, have backup dates ready
- Book immediately — availability disappears fast
Taxes and Fees
One advantage of booking ANA/JAL with miles: low fuel surcharges from the US.
Typical costs:
- Virgin Atlantic → ANA: $200-300 one-way
- United → ANA: $50-100 one-way
- AA → JAL: $50-100 one-way
Compare this to British Airways, which passes on $500+ in fuel surcharges.
Points Required: Quick Reference
| Route | Class | Program | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| US → Japan | Business | Virgin Atlantic | 60,000 |
| US → Japan | First | Virgin Atlantic | 110,000 |
| US → Japan | Business | ANA Direct | 75,000-90,000 |
| US → Japan | First | ANA Direct | 150,000 |
| US → Japan | Business | AA → JAL | 60,000-70,000 |
| US → Japan | First | AA → JAL | 80,000 |
Action Plan
- Decide your dates — Be flexible if possible
- Set alerts — Seats.aero, ExpertFlyer
- Accumulate transferable points — Chase, Amex, Bilt
- Act fast when availability appears — Transfer and book same day
- Have backup plans — Multiple dates, multiple airlines
Japan in business or first class is achievable with the right strategy. The experience is worth the effort.
Related reads:
- How I Booked ANA First Class for 110k Points
- Transfer Partners Explained: How to Maximize Your Points
- Chase Ultimate Rewards: The Complete Guide
- Flying Blue Promo Awards: The Ultimate Guide
Planning a Japan trip? Drop your questions below — happy to help with routing.
💬 Comments
Have questions or thoughts? Join the discussion below!