Question 1

How do I find award availability on Japan Airlines?

Accepted Answer

To search for award availability on Japan Airlines flights:1. Create a JAL Mileage Bank account if you don't already have one2. Log in to the JAL website (jal.co.jp/en)3. Click on "JAL Mileage Bank" and then "Award Ticket"4. Select "JAL International Award Ticket" for JAL-operated flights5. Enter your origin, destination, dates, and preferred cabin class6. Look for flights showing award availability in your desired cabinFor best results when searching for premium cabins:• Search exactly 360 days in advance when schedules first open• Be flexible with dates if possible• Consider alternative departure cities if available• Check both one-way and round-trip options (sometimes availability differs)You can also use third-party tools like Seats.aero to help find JAL premium cabin availability, though you should always verify on JAL's website before transferring points.

Question 2

What's special about JAL's new A350-1000 business and first class?

Accepted Answer

JAL's new Airbus A350-1000 features the airline's latest premium cabin products, representing a significant upgrade from their already excellent offerings:Business Class ("THE Suite"):• Fully enclosed private suites with doors• Direct aisle access for all seats in a 1-2-1 configuration• 48-inch seat pitch with lie-flat beds• 24-inch 4K personal entertainment screens• Enhanced privacy and storage space• Premium dining with both Japanese and Western optionsFirst Class ("THE Suite"):• Ultra-spacious private suites with doors• Only 6-8 seats in the entire cabin• Extra-wide seats that convert to double beds in center seats• 43-inch 4K personal entertainment screens• Luxury bedding and pajamas• Premium dining with on-demand serviceThese new cabins are currently available on select routes from Tokyo to New York (JFK), London (LHR), Los Angeles (LAX), and Dallas (DFW), with more destinations planned as JAL receives additional A350-1000 aircraft. Booking these premium products with miles represents exceptional value, especially with the current transfer bonus.

Question 3

How do JAL's award rates compare to other programs for flights to Japan?

Accepted Answer

JAL Mileage Bank offers competitive award rates for flights to Japan compared to other major programs, especially for premium cabins. Here's how they compare for one-way flights between North America and Japan:Economy Class:• JAL Mileage Bank: 27,000 miles (28,000 Capital One miles with bonus)• ANA Mileage Club: 35,000-43,000 miles (round-trip only)• American AAdvantage: 32,500-37,500 miles• United MileagePlus: 35,000-38,500 miles• Alaska Mileage Plan: 35,000 milesBusiness Class:• JAL Mileage Bank: 55,000-65,000 miles (57,000-67,000 Capital One miles with bonus)• ANA Mileage Club: 75,000-85,000 miles (round-trip only)• American AAdvantage: 60,000-70,000 miles• United MileagePlus: 80,000-100,000 miles• Alaska Mileage Plan: 60,000-70,000 milesFirst Class:• JAL Mileage Bank: 110,000-140,000 miles (113,000-144,000 Capital One miles with bonus)• ANA Mileage Club: 150,000-165,000 miles (round-trip only)• American AAdvantage: 80,000-120,000 miles• United MileagePlus: 110,000-130,000 miles• Alaska Mileage Plan: 70,000-75,000 milesWhile some programs like Alaska offer lower rates on paper, the key advantage of JAL Mileage Bank is superior award availability when booking JAL's own flights, especially in premium cabins. This availability advantage often makes JAL miles more valuable in practice, despite not always having the lowest headline rates.

Question 4

Can I combine the JAL transfer bonus with other promotions?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can potentially stack this transfer bonus with other promotions to maximize value:1. Capital One welcome bonuses: If you recently opened a new Capital One card, you can use the welcome bonus points for this transfer. For example, the Capital One Venture X currently offers 75,000 bonus miles after meeting spending requirements, which would convert to 73,125 JAL miles with this promotion.2. JAL seasonal award discounts: JAL occasionally offers discounted award rates for certain routes or time periods. If such a promotion coincides with this transfer bonus, you could save even more miles.3. Capital One shopping portal bonuses: Earn additional Capital One miles through the Capital One Shopping portal before transferring them to JAL with the bonus.4. Capital One dining rewards: Earn bonus miles at select restaurants through Capital One Dining before transferring to JAL.Keep in mind that while these strategies can enhance value, you should always have a specific redemption in mind before transferring points, as transfers to airline partners are irreversible.

Question 5

What happens to my JAL miles if I can't use them before they expire?

Accepted Answer

JAL Mileage Bank miles expire 36 months from the date they're earned, regardless of account activity. This is stricter than many other frequent flyer programs that allow you to reset the expiration clock with any account activity.If you're approaching the expiration date and can't use your miles for flights, consider these alternatives:1. Hotel stays: JAL partners with several hotel programs, allowing you to redeem miles for stays2. Car rentals: You can use JAL miles for rentals with partner companies3. Shopping: JAL's online shopping mall allows you to redeem miles for merchandise4. Experiences: JAL occasionally offers special events or experiences that can be booked with miles5. Mileage extension: For a fee, JAL allows you to extend miles for an additional 12 months6. Family pooling: Consider transferring miles to a family member's account who has immediate travel plansWhile these alternatives typically provide less value than premium cabin flight redemptions, they're better than letting miles expire unused. This strict expiration policy is an important consideration before transferring a large number of Capital One miles to JAL.

Question 6

Which Capital One cards earn transferable miles?

Accepted Answer

The following Capital One cards earn miles that can be transferred to airline and hotel partners, including JAL Mileage Bank during this promotion:Personal Cards:• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Premium travel card with a $395 annual fee, 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5x on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and 2x on all other purchases• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Mid-tier travel card with a $95 annual fee, 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 2x on all other purchases• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: No annual fee card offering 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 1.25x on all other purchasesBusiness Cards:• Capital One Venture X Business: Premium business travel card with a $395 annual fee, 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5x on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and 2x on all other purchases• Capital One Spark Miles for Business: Business card with a $95 annual fee (waived first year), 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 2x on all other purchases• Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business: No annual fee business card offering 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 1.5x on all other purchasesAdditionally, if you have a Capital One cash back card like the Savor or Quicksilver, you can convert your cash rewards to miles at a 1:1 ratio if you also have one of the above miles-earning cards.

Jean-Maximilien Voisine

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