How to use 100,000 Chase points to fly business class to Japan
To celebrate the 100,000 bonus point welcome offer after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), we are showing some of the best and easiest ways you can maximize this limited-time offer.
First, we showed you how to book round-trip flights for the whole family to Hawaii with 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
Next up: How to turn that 100,000-point welcome bonus into a business-class flight to Japan by transferring them to United Airlines at a 1:1 ratio.
You can find one-way business-class fares to Tokyo from the West Coast starting at $2,160, but award tickets are available from 85,000 United Airlines MileagePlus miles. The value of an award ticket versus paying with cash is at least 2.5 cents per point.
I am a lucky man, since I've been able to redeem miles to fly to Japan in business class and first class multiple times. It's one of the biggest sweet spots in the world of points and miles.
If you just earned a bunch of points or you are sitting on a stash, you can do this, too.
The redemption: Business class to Japan from 85,000 points
| At a glance: United Airlines business class to Japan | |
|---|---|
Transfer partner | United Airlines MileagePlus (1:1 transfer from Chase Ultimate Rewards) |
Points required | From 85,000 per person plus $5.60 in taxes and fees |
Cash value | At least 2.5 cents per point |
Availability | Not widespread, but lots of days are available. Search on the United website or Seats.aero |
Best for | Anyone who wants to fly business class in style to Asia |
MileagePlus offers the following great deals to Tokyo (one-way, per person, plus starting at just $5.60 in taxes and fees):
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Tokyo's Haneda International Airport (HND) from 85,000 Chase points.
- LAX to Narita International Airport (NRT) from 85,000 Chase points.
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to HND or NRT from 85,000 Chase points.
- New York's JFK International Airport (JFK) or New York's LaGuardia (LGA) to HND or NRT from 85,000 Chase points.
- Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to NRT from 85,000 Chase points.
- Plus many more.
That means you could book a one-way business-class fare for less than the welcome bonus. Here's a trip I found from New York City.
Here's another option. Notice that many of the best deals are available if you also hold a cobranded United credit card.
Remember, you'll earn at least 5,000 additional Chase points by spending $5,000 on everyday purchases to earn the 100,000-point welcome offer.
For a card with just a $95 annual fee, this is a terrific way to maximize your travel.
Chase points transfer to United at a 1:1 rate at no cost, and in our testing, transfers are usually instant.
Related: How to transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to United MileagePlus
Bottom line
Booking a business-class seat to Japan is just one of many valuable ways to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points. We'll keep bringing you our favorite options and showing you just how easy it is to book.
This 100,000 bonus point welcome offer on the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a strictly limited-time offer, so don't miss out on our favorite beginner travel card.
Related reading:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Card review: A top travel and dining card
- Chase Sapphire Preferred adds new perks and bonus categories, cuts Hyatt transfer ratio
- 10 best ways to use 100K Chase Ultimate Rewards points: From first-class flights to all-inclusive getaways
- After more than 15 years, this is why the Chase Sapphire Preferred should still be your first rewards card