Best Oneworld Alliance Programs for JAL Awards to Japan

If you’re planning to use miles or points for a flight to Japan with Japan Airlines, it’s important to explore multiple Oneworld alliance programs, as pricing and availability can vary significantly. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, and selecting the best option requires thorough research. Much like redeeming miles for ANA flights to Japan, booking either 360 days in advance or within 14 days of departure tends to offer the best availability.

JAL A350-900 @ CTS

First, let’s look at when each program is able to book a JAL flight.

Some notes based on my experience in February 2025:

• JAL flights are released to CX (Cathay)/QR (Qatar) originating in other time zones will always release 360 days out at 00:00 local time (e.g. 12:00am EST for JFK)
• 4PM PST (9AM JST) for NRT-SAN 361 Days out as Japan is a day ahead
• 12AM PT SAN-NRT is released at midnight 360 Days out
• JAL only releases 2 Business Class and 1 First Class seats per flight

JAL A350-900 @ HND

Now, let’s look at how many miles and taxes are needed with each program to book a JAL flight.

Table Key:

 Best value when booking at schedule release (355-360 days out)

Gaining access 5 days earlier is worth the extra taxes/fees to secure a seat on popular routes

 Rare to Find, Book immediately if found

Route				British Airways	Cathay Pacific	Qatar Airways	American Airlines	Alaska Airlines
SAN	<->	NRT	First Class	-	-	-	-	-
			Business Class	92,750 + $260	89,000 + $260	92.750 + $???	60,000 + $5.60	75,000 + $18.10
LAX	<->	HND	First Class	103,000 + $200	135,000 + $200	103,000 + $450	80,000 + $5.60	110,000 + $18.10 **
			Business Class	77,250 + $260	89,000 + $260	77,250 + $???	60,000 + $5.60	75,000 + $18.10
SEA	<->	NRT	First Class	-	-	-	-	-
			Business Class	77,250 + $200	63,000 + $200	77,250 + $???	60,000 + $5.60	60,000 + $18.10
HNL	<->	NGO	First Class	-	-	-	-	-
			Business Class	77,250 + $130	63,000 + $130	77,250 + $???	52,500 + $5.60	60,000 + $18.10
HNL	<->	HND	First Class	-	-	-	-	-
			Business Class	62,000 + $190	63,000 +$190	62,000 + $???	52,500 + $5.60	60,000 + $18.10
ORD	<->	HND	First Class	123,750 + $260	135,000 + $260	123,750 + $???	80,000 + $5.60	110,000 + $18.10 **
			Business Class	92,750 + $260	89,000 + $260	92,750 + $???	60,000 + $5.60	75,000 + $18.10
JFK	<->	HND	First Class	144,250 + $260	135,000 + $260	144,250 + $???	80,000 + $5.60	110,000 + $18.10 **
			Business Class	108,250 + $260	89,000 + $260	108,250 + $???	60,000 + $5.60	75,000 + $18.10
LHR	<->	HND	First Class	123,750 + $515	135,000 + $515	123,750 + $???	90,000 + $320	110,000 + $330 **
			Business Class	92,750 + $515	89,000 + $515	92,750 + $???	75,000 + $320	75,000 + $330

** I’m unable to find any First Class availability on Alaska whereas all of the other programs can see availability

“-” = 2 Class Plane, First Class Not Offered

$??? = Taxes/fees unknown until you contact Qatar Airways and I didn’t contact them for all options

Some notes based on my experience in February 2025:

• Both American and Alaska typically have married segment requirements for US flights so you need to connect to/from a domestic JAL flight to see availability (NGO, ITM, FUK, CTS, etc.)
• There are no Premium Economy awards available while using Cathay miles, only British Airways sees them at schedule release
• Flight distance impacts the cost even if they seem so close such as LAX and SAN. SAN is 57 miles further than LAX from NRT.

Oneworld Fast Track @ NRT

Conclusion:

Use Cathay Pacific or Qatar Airways miles to book JAL flights at 360 days out. Capital One, Citi and American Express points are transferrable to Cathay Pacific. All of those banks plus Chase transfer to British Airways which can be moved to Qatar Airways online as they both are Avios miles.

Use American Airlines miles to book if it’s less than 331 days prior to departure. There unfortunately aren’t any banks that transfer to American Airlines so you’ll need to earn American miles via their credit cards.

Which program do you use to book JAL flights? Comment below.

JAL 787-8 and 767-300ER (Disney 100th Anniversary Livery) @ HND