Japan award prices change when programs update their charts or fuel surcharges, so check the live price before you transfer.
A one-way economy award from the US to Japan starts at about 30,000 points. Business class starts at 52,500 points one-way on ANA through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club from the West Coast (60,000 from the Central and Eastern US), and 60,000 on Japan Airlines through American AAdvantage or Atmos Rewards. Which one you can use depends on your bank points. Chase points don't transfer to JAL at all.
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Quick answer
- Economy: from 30,000 one-way (Virgin on ANA from the West Coast, or Atmos on JAL from Seattle), 32,500 on Aeroplan from Seattle, and about 35,000-50,000 elsewhere.
- Business: 52,500 West / 60,000 East on ANA via Virgin Atlantic, 52,500 on ANA's own miles in regular season, and 60,000 on JAL via AAdvantage.
- Best for Chase points: Virgin Atlantic (ANA), Aeroplan (ANA and United) or United.
- Best for Amex points: Virgin Atlantic, or ANA Mileage Club, which only Amex feeds.
- JAL: reachable with Citi, Capital One and Bilt points, never Chase or Amex.
Free tool: see what your Chase, Amex, Capital One, Citi or Bilt points become at every airline and hotel, with live transfer bonuses at kritdeals.com/transfer-calculator, or in the free KritDeals app for iPhone and Android.
Points to Japan by program
One-way, per person, at the lowest saver level. "West" means the West Coast. Virgin's "Central and Eastern US" includes cities like Chicago, Houston, Dallas, New York and Washington.
| Program | Airline | Economy | Business | Bank points that transfer in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Virgin Atlantic Flying Club |
ANA | 30,000 West / 32,500 East | 52,500 West / 60,000 East | Chase, Amex, Citi, Bilt, Wells Fargo 1:1 |
| ANA Mileage Club | ANA | about 20,000-36,000 by season | 50,000 low / 52,500 regular / 82,500 high | Amex 1:1 only (allow up to 4 days) |
 Air Canada Aeroplan |
ANA, United | 32,500 (under 5,000 mi) / 50,000 | 55,000 (under 5,000 mi) / 85,000 | Chase, Amex, Capital One, Bilt 1:1 |
 American AAdvantage |
JAL | from 35,000 | 60,000 (80,000 reported with an AA connection) | Citi 1:1 |
 Atmos Rewards |
JAL | 30,000 (under 5,000 mi) / 37,500 | 60,000 (under 5,000 mi) / 75,000 | Bilt 1:1 |
| JAL Mileage Bank | JAL | from about 27,000 | from about 55,000 | Citi 1:1, Bilt 1:1, Capital One 4:3 |
 United MileagePlus |
United, ANA | from about 40,000 | roughly 80,000-120,000 | Chase, Bilt 1:1 |
 Delta SkyMiles |
Delta |
dynamic | dynamic, often 150,000+ in Delta One | Amex 1:1 |
Distance matters for Aeroplan and Atmos. Seattle to Tokyo is about 4,800 miles, so it falls in the cheaper band. San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and New York are all over 5,000 miles.
Did the Virgin Atlantic ANA sweet spot change?
Not in 2026. Virgin's last increase was in May 2024, when ANA business went from 45,000 to 52,500 one-way from the western US and from 47,500 to 60,000 from the central and eastern US. Those prices were still current in October 2026. ANA First is 72,500 West and 85,000 East one-way (see our ANA First via Virgin guide).
Two catches. You can't see ANA seats on Virgin's website. Find the seat on ANA's or United's site, then call Virgin to book. And Virgin passes on ANA's fuel surcharges, which have run a few hundred dollars each way. That's still less than many programs charge in miles, but it isn't free.
ANA's own miles
ANA's chart is seasonal. North America to Japan business costs 50,000 / 52,500 / 82,500 miles one-way in low, regular and high season. ANA has allowed one-way awards at half the round-trip price since June 2025. ANA's site shows its own seats most reliably. Only Amex transfers to ANA in the US, at 1:1, and transfers can take several days, so confirm the seat first. ANA also passes on fuel surcharges. Full details: ANA business to Japan.
JAL: AAdvantage, Atmos and JAL Mileage Bank
AAdvantage charges 60,000 miles one-way for JAL business on JAL-only itineraries. Since about July 2026, trackers report 80,000 when an American or Alaska connection is added, so book nonstop JAL flights from Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle, Chicago, Dallas, Boston or New York. Citi ThankYou is the only bank currency that transfers to AAdvantage.
Atmos Rewards prices JAL on a distance chart: 60,000 in business up to 5,000 miles (Seattle) and 75,000 for 5,001-7,000 miles (most other gateways). Every one-way partner award includes a free stopover. Atmos adds a $20 partner award fee per person each way, waived for Atmos Rewards Summit cardholders. Bilt is the only bank currency that transfers to Atmos.
JAL Mileage Bank takes Citi and Bilt points at 1:1 and Capital One miles at 4:3 (1,000 miles become 750). Its own business awards start around 55,000 one-way.
Can I transfer Chase points to Japan Airlines?
No. Chase Ultimate Rewards doesn't transfer to JAL, AAdvantage or Atmos. Amex doesn't transfer to JAL either. If you want JAL, these are the currencies that work:
| Currency | Route to JAL |
|---|---|
| Citi ThankYou | JAL Mileage Bank 1:1, or AAdvantage 1:1 |
| Capital One miles | JAL Mileage Bank 4:3, or Cathay Asia Miles 1:1 |
| Bilt Points | JAL Mileage Bank 1:1, or Atmos 1:1 |
With Chase points, fly ANA through Virgin Atlantic or Aeroplan, or United through MileagePlus. Chase Freedom cards have to move points to a Sapphire or Ink Business Preferred account first.
Taxes and fuel surcharges
- Aeroplan on ANA: no fuel surcharges. Aeroplan adds a partner booking fee.
- AAdvantage and Atmos on JAL: low taxes. Atmos adds its $20 partner fee.
- Virgin and ANA miles on ANA: ANA's fuel surcharges apply, a few hundred dollars each way.
- United and Delta on their own flights: government taxes only.
Which cards to earn with
| Card | Points | Japan programs it reaches | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred / Reserve | Ultimate Rewards | Virgin, Aeroplan, United | ANA via Virgin |
| American Express Gold / Platinum | Membership Rewards | ANA, Virgin, Aeroplan, Delta | The only route to ANA miles |
| Citi Strata Premier | ThankYou | AAdvantage, JAL, Virgin | JAL business for 60,000 |
| Capital One Venture X | Capital One miles | Aeroplan, JAL (4:3), Cathay | Flat 2x earning |
| Bilt Palladium | Bilt Points | Atmos, JAL, Virgin, Aeroplan, United | The most Japan options in one currency |
We value Chase, Amex and Bilt points at 2.0 cents each (our valuations). A 52,500-point ANA business seat that sells for $4,000 works out to well over 6 cents per point, even after surcharges.
FAQ
What's the cheapest way to fly business class to Japan on points? ANA via Virgin Atlantic at 52,500 points from the West Coast, or JAL via AAdvantage or Atmos at 60,000. Both need saver space, which is tightest during cherry-blossom season and autumn.
How many points for a round trip to Japan? About 60,000-100,000 in economy, or 105,000-165,000 in business, depending on the program, season and your city.
Can I fly to Japan with United miles? Yes, on United or ANA, but United's dynamic prices are usually higher than Aeroplan's or Virgin's for the same seats. United cardholders get at least 10% off United-operated awards.
Haneda or Narita? Haneda is closer to central Tokyo. Price both, since award space often differs between them.
Related guides
- Fly to Asia with points
- ANA business to Japan
- ANA First via Virgin
- New York to Tokyo with points
- Los Angeles to Tokyo with points
- Seattle to Asia with points
- Transfer partners chart
- Tokyo Haneda lounges · Tokyo Narita lounges
Award prices and availability change daily. Find a bookable seat before you transfer points, because transfers can't be reversed.
