Award prices, routes and transfer ratios change often — search the live price before you move any points.
New York has five nonstop routes to Tokyo: ANA, Japan Airlines and American fly JFK–Haneda, and United flies Newark to both Haneda and Narita. That gives you both Japanese carriers — two of the best business cabins across the Pacific — plus a Star Alliance option and a oneworld option. The flight is about 14 hours, so this is the route where a business-class award earns its keep.
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Quick answer
- Cheapest economy route: Aeroplan on ANA or United at 50,000 points one-way, or a dynamic United or American saver when one appears.
- Best business-class value: ANA business via Virgin Atlantic Flying Club — 60,000 points one-way from the East 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, or Amex Gold or Platinum (Amex also unlocks ANA's own program).
Nonstop flights from JFK and EWR
| Route | Airline | Alliance | Book with |
|---|---|---|---|
| JFK–Tokyo Haneda | ANA | Star Alliance | Virgin, ANA, Aeroplan, United |
| JFK–Tokyo Haneda | Japan Airlines | oneworld | AAdvantage, Atmos, JAL, Cathay |
| JFK–Tokyo Haneda | American | oneworld | AAdvantage, Atmos, Avios |
| EWR–Tokyo Haneda | United | Star Alliance | MileagePlus, Aeroplan, ANA |
| EWR–Tokyo Narita | United | Star Alliance | MileagePlus, Aeroplan, ANA |
Haneda is the closer airport to central Tokyo. If award space is thin from New York, the West Coast has far more Tokyo flights — see Los Angeles to Tokyo with points.
Best ways to book
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (on ANA)
Virgin charges 60,000 points one-way in ANA business from the East Coast (52,500 from the West Coast), per Upgraded Points' May 2026 alert. You can't see or book ANA space on Virgin's website — find the seat first (ANA's or United's site will show partner space), then call Virgin. Taxes are low. Feeds: Chase, Amex, Capital One, Citi and Bilt at 1:1.
ANA Mileage Club
ANA's own chart is seasonal: Japan–North America business is 100,000 / 105,000 / 165,000 miles round-trip in low, regular and high season, and since June 2025 you can book one-ways at half that. ANA's site shows its own space most reliably. Only Amex transfers to ANA in the US, at 1:1, and it takes 1–4 days. More detail in our ANA business guide.
Air Canada Aeroplan
The June 2026 chart raised North America–Pacific business for 5,001–7,500 miles from 75,000 to 85,000 points one-way; economy in that band stays at 50,000. JFK–Haneda falls in that band. ANA and other partners carry no fuel surcharges. United's own flights are dynamic in Aeroplan. Feeds: Chase, Amex, Capital One and Bilt at 1:1.
American AAdvantage (on JAL)
AAdvantage prices Japan in its Asia Region 1 at about 60,000 miles one-way in business on partners like JAL, per third-party charts. American's own JFK–Haneda flight is priced dynamically. Feeds: Citi ThankYou at 1:1.
Atmos Rewards (on JAL)
Alaska and Hawaiian's program prices partners by distance. JFK–Haneda (about 6,700 miles) should fall in the 5,001–7,000-mile Asia band at 75,000 points in business, and every one-way partner award includes a free stopover. JAL saver space is the constraint. Feeds: Bilt at 1:1 is the only bank transfer.
United MileagePlus
United's own Newark flights are dynamic — The Points Party's April 2026 snapshot put business at roughly 80,000–120,000 miles one-way off-peak and far more at peak. No fuel surcharges, free changes, and a 10–15% discount for United cardholders. Feeds: Chase and Bilt at 1:1.
Sweet spots from New York
- ANA business via Virgin for 60,000. The cheapest way into a Japanese business seat from the East Coast, if you're willing to call. See our ANA First via Virgin guide for the First-class version.
- JAL business via AAdvantage for about 60,000. The best use of Citi points to Japan.
- ANA one-ways on ANA miles. At regular season, 52,500 one-way in business — competitive with Virgin and bookable online, but Amex-only.
Which card to earn with
| Card | Points | Transfers to | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred / Reserve | Ultimate Rewards | Virgin, Aeroplan, United | ANA via Virgin, United saver |
| Amex Gold / Platinum | Membership Rewards | ANA, Virgin, Aeroplan, Delta | The only bank route to ANA miles |
| Capital One Venture X | Capital One miles | Virgin, Aeroplan, JAL (4:3) | Flat 2x earning |
| Citi Strata Premier | ThankYou | AAdvantage, Virgin | JAL via AAdvantage |
| Bilt (see our Bilt guide) | Bilt Points | Atmos, JAL, Virgin, Aeroplan, United | The only bank route to Atmos |
Welcome offers change; check each card page for the current one.
Taxes & surcharges
Japan is a low-fee destination on points. ANA awards through Virgin, Aeroplan or United add no fuel surcharges, and ANA's own taxes on its flights run about $250 round-trip. JAL awards through AAdvantage or Atmos carry modest taxes. The programs that add big carrier fees elsewhere (BA, Emirates) don't matter on this route.
FAQ
What's the cheapest way to fly business from New York to Tokyo on points? ANA business via Virgin Atlantic at 60,000 points one-way, or JAL via AAdvantage at about 60,000 miles. Both need saver space; ANA loads award seats around 355 days out, and more sometimes appear close to departure.
Haneda or Narita? Haneda — it's much closer to central Tokyo, and four of New York's five Tokyo nonstops use it. United's Newark–Narita flight is useful for connections on ANA or United to other Asian cities.
Why did Aeroplan get more expensive to Japan? The 1 June 2026 chart update raised business for 5,001–7,500 miles from 75,000 to 85,000. Aeroplan is still useful for economy (50,000) and for its free-changes flexibility, but Virgin and AAdvantage now beat it in business.
Can I book JAL with Chase or Amex points? Not directly. JAL's partners need Citi points (via AAdvantage), Bilt (via Atmos or JAL Mileage Bank) or Capital One (to JAL at 4:3 or Cathay at 1:1).
Related guides
- Fly to Asia with points
- Tokyo Haneda lounges · Tokyo Narita lounges
- JFK airport lounges · Newark airport lounges
- ANA business to Japan · Best sweet spots
Award prices and availability change daily. Search before you transfer points — transfers are one-way.
