Amazing deal: Wide-open business-class availability to Japan from just 60,000 miles
Update: It's possible that this award availability is disappearing or is now gone since the story was published this morning.
It's true that the American Airlines AAdvantage program just officially went dynamic with its award prices and that, much like cash prices, average flight award prices have been on the rise in recent years.
However, good deals still exist. For example, how does flying to Tokyo in a lie-flat seat during next year's cherry blossom season sound?
Right now, you can book a great deal for as many as three seats in business class on Japan Airlines for as low as 60,000 American Airlines AAdvantage or Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles one-way. These flights are available on Japan Airlines directly from various major cities (San Francisco, Dallas and Chicago, for example), as well as from connecting airports on various Oneworld partner airlines like Alaska and American.
Related: TPG flight review of Japan Airlines business class
Airlines: Japan Airlines and other Oneworld carriers.
Routes: From Boston, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and more to Tokyo.
How to book: Book with the Oneworld partner you want to use miles from; with American Airlines, you'd book on American's website.
Travel dates: From January through April 2024.
Book by: ASAP.
Related: These are the best credit cards for earning airline miles
How to book business-class awards to Japan
As you can see by running a flexible-date search, there is widespread availability in February and March for one person from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Tokyo-area airports (represented by the code TYO).
However, this isn't just a deal for solo travelers (or just from California). Those same flights were available for as many as three passengers, but availability isn't as widespread when you add more passengers to the search.
Note that the booking calendar is open through mid-March 2024 with American Airlines, but it's already open into early April 2024 if you want to book via British Airways.
The costs for mileage and taxes and fees are higher with British Airways, but you have the availability to transfer points to British Airways from most of the major credit card points programs. This makes it a good option if you don't have American or Alaska miles at the ready.
To book round-trip business class on Japan Airlines using American Airlines on this example itinerary from San Francisco, it would be 120,000 American miles plus $52.65 all-in. That's a fantastic deal for a seat that sells for thousands of dollars.
As you can see, availability is (as of this writing) much better than usual.
Availability from the New York City area
I booked tickets from the New York City area to Tokyo for 120,000 American AAdvantage miles.
In my case, I found availability from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). I ended up paying the same number of miles to start in New York and connect in California as if I had booked directly from the West Coast — just 60,000 miles each way.
I'll be flying from Newark to San Francisco on Alaska in first class before connecting to Haneda Airport (HND) on Japan Airlines business class. That's one of the best values I've found for American Airlines miles in a long time.
In fact, that may be the best deal I've had since I flew Japan Airlines in business and first class in 2017.
On the way back, I'll fly Japan Airlines to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) before connecting to an American Airlines flight to LaGuardia Airport (LGA). In all, I spent 120,000 American Airlines miles and just $58.25 in taxes and fees.
Example from the Boston area
You can find similar routing from Boston. In this case, to Tokyo via San Francisco with a return via Chicago. Again, for just 120,000 miles and $58.25 in taxes and fees.
Flying from Los Angeles via Alaska miles
As mentioned, you can also find these trips using Alaska Mileage Plan miles. The availability doesn't appear to be as widespread via Alaska, but I was able to find flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Tokyo for 120,000 Alaska miles plus about $81 in taxes and fees.
Again, that is routing via San Francisco. A note of caution: Alaska shows a lot of availability for mixed-cabin redemptions, so make sure that you are put in business class on all the legs. Sometimes Alaska will show you first class on the short-haul leg and not the long-haul leg, where it's most important.
If you see a little business-class-seat icon on the award price, know that means the long leg will be in coach. If the shaded box doesn't show a little symbol, both legs are in business (first class domestic).
Bottom line
This is an incredible chance to get to Tokyo in comfort, or even tack on a trip to farther destinations in Asia once in Japan. We rarely see opportunities for business-class travel at these award prices, so we recommend that you jump on this as soon as possible if Japan has been on your wish list.
To give a flavor of just how sweet a deal this is, the cash price for that Boston-to-Tokyo itinerary is more than $18,000 if booked with cash.
Related reading:
- Your ultimate guide to American Airlines AAdvantage
- Best credit cards for American Airlines flyers
- What is American Airlines elite status worth?
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- Everything you need to know about flying basic economy on American Airlines
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- 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.
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| 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. |
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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.