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It’s true that American Airlines’ AAdvantage program has officially changed with award prices and, like cash prices, average flight award prices have been rising in recent years.
However, there are still good deals. For example, how would it feel to fly in a recliner to Tokyo during cherry blossom season next year?
Right now, you can book great deals for up to 60,000 American Airlines AAdvantage or Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles for three seats in business class on Japan Airlines. These flights are available on Japan Airlines from various major cities (San Francisco, Dallas and Chicago for example) as well as on various Oneworld partner airlines connecting airports such as Alaska and the United States.
Related: Japan Airlines Business Class TPG Flight Review
Airlines: Japan Airlines and other Oneworld carriers.
Ways: From Boston, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and more to Tokyo.
How to order: Book with the Oneworld partner you want to use the miles for; With American Airlines, you book on the American website.
Travel Dates: January to April 2024.
Book by: asap
Related: These are the best credit cards for earning airline miles.
How to book business class awards for Japan
As you can see by running a flexible-date search, there is ample availability per person from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Tokyo area airports (represented by the TYO code) in February and March.
However, this isn’t just a deal for solo travelers (or just from California). Those same flights were available for three passengers, but when you add more passengers to the search, availability isn’t as widespread.
Note that the booking calendar is open until mid-March 2024 with American Airlines, but if you want to book through British Airways, it’s already open until April 2024.
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Costs for mileage and taxes and fees are higher with British Airways, but you have the option of transferring points to British Airways from most major credit card points programs. This makes it a great option if you don’t have American or Alaska miles ready.
For this trip from San Francisco, using American Airlines to book a travel lesson on Japan Airlines, the total would be 120,000 American miles and $52.65. This is a fantastic deal for a seat that costs thousands of dollars.
As you can see, availability (as of this writing) is much better than usual.
Located in the New York City area
I booked tickets from the New York City area to Tokyo for 120,000 American Advantage miles.
In my case, I got availability from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). I’d end up paying the same mileage to get 60,000 miles each way – as if I were booked direct from the West Coast to start in New York and meet in California.
I fly from Newark to Alaska to San Francisco before connecting to Haneda Airport (HND) in business class on Japan Airlines. This is one of the best values I’ve found for American Airlines miles in a long time.
Probably the best deal I’ve come across since flying Japan Airlines in Business and First Class in 2017.
On the way back, I fly Japan Airlines to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) before connecting with American Airlines to LaGuardia Airport (LGA). In total, I spent 120,000 American Airlines miles and only $58.25 in taxes and fees.
An example from the Boston area
You can get the same turnaround from Boston. In this case, return via Chicago to Tokyo via San Francisco. Again, for only 120,000 miles and $58.25 in taxes and fees.
Flying from Los Angeles via Alaska Miles
As mentioned, you can earn these trips using Alaska Mileage Plan miles. Availability doesn’t appear to be widespread through Alaska, but I was able to find flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Tokyo for $81 plus taxes and fees for 120,000 Alaska miles.
Again, that’s routing through San Francisco. A note of caution: Alaska shows a lot of availability for mixed-cabin redemptions, so make sure you’re seated in business class on all legs. Sometimes Alaska shows you first class on the short-haul leg and not on the long-haul leg where it matters most.
If you see a small business-class-seat icon on the award price, know that it means long legs in coach. If the shadow box does not show a small sign, both legs are in business (primary domestic).
at last
This is a wonderful opportunity to reach Tokyo in comfort or travel to far-flung destinations in Asia once in Japan. We don’t see opportunities for business-class travel at these award prices, so if Japan is on your wish list, we recommend jumping in as soon as possible.
To give you a taste of how sweet this deal is, the cash value of that Boston-Tokyo round trip is over $18,000 in cash.
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