Get Incredible Value From United Miles on Intra-Japan Flights
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Last week, I flew from Nagoya, Japan (NGO) to Nagasaki, Japan (NGS) to visit the world's first "robot-staffed hotel." That review is coming soon. For now, I wanted to share how a short round-trip flight would've cost more than four nights at the robot hotel (after the Citi Prestige Card's 4th Night Free credit) if I'd paid for the flight rather than using United MileagePlus miles.
Japan has an incredible train system, which makes the demand for domestic flights low — leading to a rather limited route network. That said, for traveling between some cities, flying definitely makes sense. According to Rome2Rio, the route from Nagoya to where we were headed in Nagasaki would've taken over 6 hours and cost up to $227 per person each way by train. Or, there was a 1:25-hour flight from NGO-NGS. Even after factoring in transfers to/from the airport, we'd be saving time.
The downside? Due to ANA's monopoly on this nonstop route, the round-trip flight would cost $697 per person! The upside? There was award availability on the flight. And, with the United MileagePlus program, it'd only cost 10,000 miles round-trip. There are no taxes/fees passed along, but we had to pay $75 for the close-in booking fee since it was booked within 21 days of departure, and we don't have United status. Still, even paying that fee, we were getting 6.22 cents per mile from this economy redemption. That's well ahead of the 1.5-cents-per-mile TPG valuation for United miles.
Even better, a round-trip isn't required to get this excellent rate. All intra-Japan flights under 800 miles cost just 5,000 United miles in economy. Longer flights are going to cost 8,000 miles each way.
While you could splurge for first class, I wouldn't recommend it for the sub-800 mile flights. The seats are nice, but these flights are too short to justify the price difference. However, the 4,000-mile premium each way would make a lot more sense for flights longer than 800 miles.
Let's take a look at some routes where this could make sense. Here's a selection of just a few of the domestic routes where you might want to redeem United miles for on ANA:
| Route | Min one-way (economy) | Max one-way (economy) | Cents per mile | Min one-way (first) | Max one-way (first) | Cents per mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nagoya-Nagasaki (NGO-NGS) | $97 | $348 | 1.9 - 7.0 | $161 | $392 | 1.3 - 3.3 |
Toyko-Nagasaki (HND-NGS) | $96 | $345 | 1.9 - 6.9 | $210 | $477 | 1.8 - 4.0 |
Tokyo-Sapporo (HND-CTS) | $98 | $363 | 2.0 - 7.3 | $157 | $444 | 1.3 - 3.7 |
Osaka-Sapporo (KIX-CTS) | $81 | $440 | 1.6 - 8.8 | $174 | $509 | 1.5 - 4.2 |
Tokyo-Okinawa (HND-OKA)* | $81 | $437 | 1.0 - 5.5 | $226 | $518 | 1.9 - 4.3 |
Osaka-Ishigaki (KIX-ISG)* | $170 | $512 | 2.1 - 6.4 | $250 | $566 | 2.1 - 4.7 |
*Flights are over 800 miles, so economy costs 8,000 miles each way.
As you can see, virtually all of the options provide a higher value than TPG's valuation of United miles. You'll have to book a cheap date well in advance in order to not get more than 1.5 cents per mile.
This award sweet spot makes a trip to Japan a lot easier and cheaper. For example, there have been a few recent flight deals from the US to Nagoya (NGO). While a perfectly lovely city (from which I'm writing this article) it's not the best city for tourists. With a combination of a flight deal here and these United awards, you can easily hop around Japan for cheap.
If you need more United miles, United MileagePlus Explorer Business Card which is currently offering a 50,000-mile sign-up bonus for spending $3,000 in the first three months.
United is a transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards (1:1, instantaneous) and Starwood Preferred Guest (2:1). While the SPG transfer rate is terrible, you can transfer Starpoints to Marriott (1:3) and use the Marriott Hotel + Air Packages to get a load of United miles. 90,000 Starpoints transferred to 270,000 Marriott points would convert into 132,000 United miles plus a seven-night stay at a Marriott Category 1-5 hotel.
You can earn Ultimate Rewards points through sign-up bonuses for the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card (80,000 points for $5,000 spend), Chase Sapphire Reserve (50,000 points for $4,000 spend) and Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (50,000 points for $4,000 spend).
No matter how you get the United miles, make sure to remember to see how you can put them to use on your next trip to Japan.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. 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, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. 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, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.