Award prices, routes and transfer ratios change often — search the live price before you move any points.
Los Angeles has more nonstop flights to Tokyo than any other US city. ANA, Japan Airlines and United each fly LAX to both Haneda and Narita, American and Delta fly to Haneda, and Singapore Airlines and Zipair fly to Narita. That's all three alliances and both Japanese carriers on one route, which means more award seats to choose from than anywhere else in the country — and the West Coast pricing tier on several programs.
Advertiser disclosure: we may be compensated when you're approved through our links. It doesn't affect our editorial take.
Quick answer
- Cheapest economy route: Aeroplan on ANA at 50,000 points one-way, or a dynamic United, Delta or American saver. Zipair is a cheap cash alternative.
- Best business-class value: ANA business via Virgin Atlantic Flying Club — 52,500 points one-way from the West Coast, booked by phone.
- Best program to collect: Virgin Atlantic Flying Club — Chase, Amex, Capital One, Citi and Bilt all transfer 1:1.
- Best card: Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve for Virgin and United; Citi Strata Premier if you want JAL through AAdvantage.
Nonstop flights from LAX
| Route | Airline | Alliance | Book with |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAX–Haneda, Narita | ANA | Star Alliance | Virgin, ANA, Aeroplan, United |
| LAX–Haneda, Narita | Japan Airlines | oneworld | AAdvantage, Atmos, JAL, Cathay |
| LAX–Haneda, Narita | United | Star Alliance | MileagePlus, Aeroplan, ANA |
| LAX–Haneda | American | oneworld | AAdvantage, Atmos |
| LAX–Haneda | Delta | SkyTeam | SkyMiles, Virgin, Flying Blue |
| LAX–Narita | Singapore Airlines | Star Alliance | KrisFlyer |
| LAX–Narita | Zipair | none | Cash fares |
Singapore's LAX–Narita flight is a "fifth freedom" leg of its LAX–Tokyo–Singapore service, so you get Singapore's long-haul cabin on a transpacific hop.
Best ways to book
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (on ANA)
Virgin charges 52,500 points one-way in ANA business from the West Coast, per Upgraded Points' May 2026 alert (60,000 from the East Coast). LAX is one of the gateways it named. ANA space doesn't appear on Virgin's website: find it on ANA's or United's site, then call Virgin to book. Feeds: Chase, Amex, Capital One, Citi and Bilt at 1:1.
ANA Mileage Club
ANA's seasonal chart runs 100,000 / 105,000 / 165,000 miles round-trip in business (low / regular / high season), and one-ways have been bookable at half price since June 2025. Only Amex transfers to ANA in the US, at 1:1 over 1–4 days. Details in our ANA business guide.
American AAdvantage (on JAL)
Japan sits in AAdvantage's Asia Region 1 at about 60,000 miles one-way in business on partners like JAL, per third-party charts. American's own LAX–Haneda flight is priced dynamically. Feeds: Citi ThankYou at 1:1.
Atmos Rewards (on JAL)
LAX–Tokyo is about 5,450 miles, which puts it in Atmos's 5,001–7,000-mile Asia band: 75,000 points in business, with a free stopover on every one-way partner award. AwardFares found JAL saver space scarce in July 2026. Feeds: Bilt at 1:1.
Air Canada Aeroplan
Since 1 June 2026, Pacific flights of 5,001–7,500 miles cost 85,000 in business (up from 75,000) and 50,000 in economy on partners. ANA flights carry no fuel surcharges; United's own flights are dynamic. Feeds: Chase, Amex, Capital One and Bilt at 1:1.
United MileagePlus and Delta SkyMiles
Both price their own flights dynamically. The Points Party's April 2026 snapshot put United business to Japan at roughly 80,000–120,000 miles one-way off-peak. Delta One to Haneda can price far higher on SkyMiles; Delta's flash sales are the time to look. United feeds: Chase and Bilt at 1:1. Delta feeds: Amex at 1:1.
Singapore KrisFlyer
KrisFlyer is the only program that reliably books Singapore's own LAX–Narita seats. Check the saver price live. Feeds: Chase, Amex, Capital One and Citi at 1:1.
Sweet spots from Los Angeles
- ANA business via Virgin for 52,500. The cheapest way to a Japanese business seat from LAX — and with ANA flying to both Haneda and Narita, you get two chances at space each day.
- JAL business via AAdvantage for about 60,000. The best use of Citi ThankYou points to Japan.
- Atmos on JAL with a free stopover. 75,000 in business to Tokyo, and you can stop in Tokyo on the way to another Asian city on the same award.
Which card to earn with
| Card | Points | Transfers to | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred / Reserve | Ultimate Rewards | Virgin, Aeroplan, United, Singapore | ANA via Virgin |
| Amex Gold / Platinum | Membership Rewards | ANA, Virgin, Delta, Singapore | ANA miles and Delta |
| Capital One Venture X | Capital One miles | Virgin, JAL (4:3), Cathay, Singapore | Flat 2x earning |
| Citi Strata Premier | ThankYou | AAdvantage, Virgin, Singapore | JAL via AAdvantage |
| Atmos Rewards Summit | Atmos points | Earns Atmos directly | Alaska/Hawaiian flyers booking JAL |
Bilt also feeds Atmos, JAL and Virgin at 1:1 — see our Bilt guide. Welcome offers change; check each card page for the current one.
Taxes & surcharges
Japan is cheap in cash on points. ANA awards booked through Virgin, Aeroplan or United add no fuel surcharges, and ANA's own taxes run about $250 round-trip. JAL awards through AAdvantage and Atmos carry modest taxes. Delta and United charge only government taxes on their own flights.
FAQ
What's the cheapest business-class award from LAX to Tokyo? ANA via Virgin Atlantic at 52,500 points one-way. JAL via AAdvantage at about 60,000 is next. Both depend on saver space.
Is Haneda or Narita better? Haneda is closer to central Tokyo. Narita is fine if you're connecting onward, and it's where Singapore Airlines and Zipair fly.
Can I use Chase points for JAL? No. JAL is reachable with Citi points (through AAdvantage), Capital One (JAL at 4:3, or Cathay Asia Miles at 1:1) and Bilt (Atmos or JAL at 1:1).
When should I book? ANA loads award space around 355 days out, and more can appear close to departure. Spring cherry-blossom season and autumn are hardest; set alerts on a search tool and transfer only when you see a bookable seat.
Related guides
- Fly to Asia with points
- LAX airport lounges
- Tokyo Haneda lounges · Tokyo Narita lounges
- ANA business to Japan · ANA First via Virgin
- New York to Tokyo with points
Award prices and availability change daily. Search before you transfer points — transfers are one-way.
