Bilt’s newest transfer partner: How to earn and redeem miles with Japan Airlines Mileage Bank

Editor’s Note: Brian Kelly, the founder of The Points Guy, serves as an adviser and investor for Bilt.

When it comes to international airlines, many offer loyalty programs that provide significant value. One such program is Japan Airlines’ Mileage Bank, which frequently gets overlooked due to its lack of partnerships with major points transfer systems like American Express, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou rewards.

Fortunately, Bilt Rewards has recently added Mileage Bank as its latest 1:1 transfer partner, making it easier to accumulate miles for use on Japan Airlines and its affiliated carriers.

Here are some compelling reasons to explore Mileage Bank.

Related: An In-Depth Look at Japan Airlines’ A350-1000: First, Business, and More

Ways to Earn Mileage Bank Miles

There are numerous opportunities to earn Japan Airlines miles, both through travel and spending.

Accumulate Miles through Flights

Japan Airlines is part of the Oneworld alliance, alongside airlines like American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Qantas, and British Airways. They also have partnerships with various non-allied carriers such as Air France, Emirates, Korean Air, and Hawaiian Airlines.

You can earn miles by crediting your travel with Japan Airlines, Oneworld, and other partner flights to your Mileage Bank account. Look up the earnings for your airline and fare class on their partner earnings page. For example, economy fares on American Airlines typically earn between 30% and 50% of the distance flown.

If you book a lower fare and lack status with American, crediting to Japan Airlines could still be beneficial, even at the reduced earning rate.

Earn Mileage Bank Miles with Credit Cards

Bilt Rewards members can convert their Bilt Points to Japan Airlines Mileage Bank miles at a 1:1 ratio, with most transfers taking approximately 10 minutes.

Typically, Mileage Bank requires accounts to be at least 60 days old for miles to be redeemed. However, Bilt members can redeem miles within seven days post-transfer if their Mileage Bank account isn’t yet 60 days old.

Marriott points can also be transferred to Mileage Bank at a 3:1 ratio, with an added bonus of 5,000 miles for every 60,000 transferred. Accumulating Marriott points is straightforward—many credit cards offer bonus points for Marriott purchases, along with perks like elite status and annual free night awards:

Please note that details for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card were independently collected by The Points Guy and have not been reviewed by the card issuer.

Earn Mileage Bank Miles through Shopping and More

You can also accumulate Japan Airlines miles through various business collaborations, including:

• Hotel bookings at IHG, Hyatt, Marriott, and Melia through the Mileage Bank platform (opting out of earning hotel points).
• Car rentals with companies such as Avis, Budget, Dollar, and Hertz.
• Tokyo Monorail services.
• Certain parking lots.
• Japanese onsen ryokan stays.
• Japan Airlines’ luggage delivery service at the airport.
• Using WAON electronic money at participating stores like Aeon and Family Mart in Japan.

Although Mileage Bank has a shopping portal, it is exclusively for redeeming miles, not earning them.

Related: Optimal Times to Visit Japan

Pool Mileage Bank Miles

The Japan Airlines Family Club enables families—up to eight immediate family members, including parents and in-laws—to pool their miles. The membership lasts five years and must be renewed for further five-year periods.

How to Redeem Mileage Bank Miles

Japan Airlines uses multiple award charts for redemptions, varying by flights solely on Japan Airlines, single Oneworld partners, or multiple Oneworld airlines.

Japan Airlines services several U.S. gateways to Tokyo, including:

• Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
• O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
• Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA)
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• San Diego International Airport (SAN)
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

Here are some prime examples of how to redeem your Mileage Bank miles:

• Travel to Japan from North America for just 25,000 miles in economy, 32,500 miles in premium economy, or 50,000 miles in business each way, along with reasonable fees and taxes, with no peak or off-peak pricing.
• Experience Japan Airlines’ A350 first-class suite from the U.S. to Japan for 70,000 miles in low season, 85,000 in regular season, and 100,000 in high season each way (season dates available here).
• For infants, book a lap child for just 10% of the miles required for an adult ticket.
• Redeem for domestic flights within Japan starting at as little as 4,000 miles.
• Book American Airlines domestic economy flights under 1,000 miles for only 12,000 miles.
• Secure flights from Northeast U.S. to the U.K. on American Airlines or British Airways for 23,000 miles in economy, 30,000 in premium economy, or 42,000 in business class each way.
• Fly Emirates business class from JFK to Dubai International Airport (DXB) for 80,000 miles each way.
• Book flights ranging from 6,001 to 8,000 miles with a single Oneworld carrier like Cathay Pacific for 80,000 miles, covering much of the West Coast to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG).

Additionally, miles can be redeemed for non-travel products, although the value often falls short compared to travel options.

Related: Introducing Cathay Pacific’s New Business-Class ‘Aria Suite’

Be aware that starting June 10, 2025, Mileage Bank award rates for travel to Japan will increase, as follows:

• 27,000 miles in economy
• 40,000 miles in premium economy
• 55,000 miles in business
• 110,000/125,000/140,000 miles in first class (depending on the season)

The partner redemption rates will remain unchanged on this date.

Please note that Mileage Bank does not offer first-class awards on Air France, Emirates, Korean Air, or Malaysia Airlines.

Notably, Mileage Bank boasts a highly flexible stopover policy, permitting up to seven stopovers on multiple Oneworld airline trips and three on single Oneworld or partner airline flights.

The majority of Mileage Bank redemptions can conveniently be booked online.

Related: First Look at Japan Airlines’ New Premium Economy on the Airbus A350-1000

Final Thoughts

If you’re willing to delve into the various promotions, routing options, and award charts of the Mileage Bank program, you can make the most of your miles. The distance-based award chart offers numerous opportunities to create itineraries that leverage generous award rates and stopover allowances.

With the ability to transfer Bilt points to Mileage Bank, this program is definitely worth considering, especially for those planning to travel to Japan or beyond.