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American Airlines raised AAdvantage partner award prices on certain mixed-airline flights to Asia in July 2026. The increase targets itineraries that pair Japan Airlines flights with American or Alaska connections. If you plan to fly to Japan or South Korea on American AAdvantage miles, some routes now cost up to 20,000 more miles each way.
In this article, we lay out the new award prices, explain which bookings the change affects, and show how to sidestep the higher rates. The good news: direct Japan Airlines flights and a strong Alaska Airlines alternative can still get you to Asia at the old price. For more ways to earn transferable miles, see our guide to the best credit cards.
American raised the partner award price for mixed-carrier trips to Asia Region 1, which covers Japan and South Korea from North America. The increase applies when you combine a Japan Airlines long-haul segment with an American or Alaska connection on the same award. Single-airline itineraries and direct Japan Airlines flights kept their old prices, so the change is narrower than it first appears.
American did not publish a specific effective date, but the new rates showed up in early July 2026. Because the hike hits connecting itineraries hardest, travelers who rely on a feeder flight to reach a Japan Airlines gateway feel it the most. Below, we break down the exact numbers.
Here is the old versus new one-way pricing for mixed Japan Airlines awards to Asia Region 1. Premium economy held steady, while economy, business, and first class all climbed.
The business class jump from 60,000 to 80,000 miles stings the most, since that cabin drives most premium redemptions. For a round trip in business, you now pay 160,000 miles instead of 120,000, a 40,000-mile difference for the same seats.
The increase applies only to specific itinerary types. Understanding the difference helps you book around it. These bookings now cost more.
On the other hand, several award types kept their old prices. Focus on these to protect your miles.
You have a few ways to reach Asia without paying the new AAdvantage rate. The simplest is to change how you route the trip.
To rebuild your AAdvantage balance after a redemption, a co-branded card helps you earn miles on everyday spend and adds perks like free checked bags and priority boarding. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® and the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® are two common picks for regular American flyers.
Transferable points also help here. Programs that move to several airlines give you room to book with Alaska or another partner when AAdvantage prices climb. Compare your options in our best American AAdvantage credit cards and best airline credit cards guides.
American’s partner award increase makes mixed Japan Airlines trips to Asia more expensive, with business class up 20,000 miles each way. However, the change spares direct Japan Airlines flights and single-carrier itineraries, so smart routing still gets you there at the old rate. When a connection is unavoidable, Alaska Airlines often matches the pre-increase price.
Before you transfer miles, price the same route across two or three programs. A few minutes of comparison can save 20,000 to 40,000 miles on a round trip. To stay ahead of award chart changes and card offers, subscribe to our newsletter.
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