Sweet Spot Sunday: Fly Alaska Airlines to multiple destinations using Japan Airlines miles
Many TPG staffers love flying Alaska Airlines. And many of these same staffers would argue that Alaska Mileage Plan is one of the best frequent flyer programs. Even so, Alaska Mileage Plan may not be the best option every time you want to redeem miles to fly on Alaska-operated flights.
So, today I'll discuss a lesser-known sweet spot: using Japan Airlines Mileage Bank for multi-city Alaska-operated awards.
Why it's special
The Japan Airlines Mileage Bank program has a distance-based partner award chart. This award chart is appealing for trips where you want to fly on multiple relatively short Alaska-operated flights. Here's a look at the economy award chart:
- Up to 1,000 miles trip distance: 12,000 miles
- 1,001 to 2,000 miles trip distance: 15,000 miles
- 2,001 to 4,000 miles trip distance: 23,000 miles
- 4,001 to 6,000 miles trip distance: 37,000 miles
- 6,001 to 8,000 miles trip distance: 45,000 miles
- 8,001 to 10,000 miles trip distance: 47,000 miles
- 10,001 to 12,000 miles trip distance: 50,000 miles
- 12,001 to 14,000 miles trip distance: 55,000 miles
- 14,001 to 20,000 miles trip distance: 70,000 miles
- 20,001 to 25,000 miles trip distance: 90,000 miles
- 25,001 to 29,000 miles trip distance: 110,000 miles
- 29,001 to 34,000 miles trip distance: 130,000 miles
- 34,001 to 50,000 miles trip distance: 150,000 miles
As you can see, the number of miles required for an award ticket depends on your total trip distance. However, there are several complexities to consider, including:
- One award can have up to six flights and up to three stopovers of more than 24 hours.
- An award can open-jaw on at most one stopover -- but surface sector distance during this stopover won't count toward the total trip distance.
- Itineraries with surface sectors may not be allowed as one award ticket in some cases.
- You can include the same city in an itinerary up to three times, but you can only stop in a city once.
For example, you could start in Seattle and stopover in Fairbanks, Anchorage and Portland before returning to Seattle. This 3,465-mile route would cost 23,000 miles per person plus taxes and fees in economy.
Or, you could start in Seattle and stopover in Honolulu, Los Angeles and San Jose del Cabo before returning to Seattle. This 7,958-mile route would cost 45,000 miles per person plus taxes and fees in economy.
You could also start in San Francisco and stopover in Anchorage, Honolulu and Cancun (after connecting through San Diego) before returning to San Francisco. This 11,844-mile award would cost 50,000 miles per person plus taxes and fees in economy.
In short, the options are essentially limitless if you can find partner award availability for each segment.
Related: Sweet Spot Sunday: Fly to Hawaii for 20,000 AAdvantage miles each way
How to book this award
I recommend searching for (and finding) award availability on American Airlines' website. Then, go to the Japan Airlines website and log into your Mileage Bank account. Click on JAL Mileage Bank on the top menu bar and select "JMB Partner Airlines Award Ticket" under the "Redeem your miles" section. Next, click on "JMB Partner Airlines Award Ticket" under "Book ticket."
Now select "Staying in multiple cities" and choose Alaska Airlines as the partner airline. Then choose your travel pattern and enter your flight information.
If there's award availability on your dates, you'll see options on the next page after you click "Search."
You can also call the U.S. and Canada English-language JAL Mileage Bank Center at 1-800-525-3663. However, there's a $50 ticket service fee when you book over the phone (you won't pay this fee when booking online).
Related: How to search award availability for the major airlines
How to earn Japan Airlines miles for this award
Perhaps the biggest shortcoming to this sweet spot is that it can be challenging to earn Japan Airlines miles. After all, the only major transferrable currency that transfers to JAL MileageBank is Marriott Bonvoy, at a 3:1 ratio, with a 5,000 mile bonus awarded for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred.
If you're looking to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points, consider opening a Marriott Bonvoy cobranded credit cards. Many of these cards are offering higher than usual welcome bonuses, and can be a great way to top up your Marriott account. Just be aware that you may lose value when transferring Marriott points to an airline instead of redeeming for hotel nights.
There is also a JAL MileageBank credit card available in the U.S: the JAL USA CARD. This card has a lower annual fee version that earns 0.5x points on qualifying purchases and a higher annual fee version that offers 1x points.
Related: Airline miles that are hardest to earn — and why you want them anyway
Bottom line
Since it's often difficult to earn Japan Airlines miles, this sweet spot is easy to overlook. And it won't be a reasonable option every time you want to redeem miles to fly on an Alaska-operated flight.
But if you find partner award availability and can maximize the up to three allowable stopovers on your award, this sweet spot may be appealing. However, note that you can't redeem Japan Airlines miles within the first 60 days of enrolling in the Japan Airlines Mileage Bank program. And you can only redeem miles for travel by yourself and select family members.
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.