Bilt Rewards has added Japan Airlines as a 1:1 points transfer partner. Bilt says that most transfers will be completed within 10 minutes. Not instantaneous – but very fast.
Japan Airlines offers a strategically useful program, and they aren’t already partnered with American Express, Chase, Capital One or Citi. They are part of the Barclays transfer program for cards that are no longer available, but those transfers aren’t 1:1.
- Japan Airlines normally requires accounts to be open 60 days prior to redeeming points. Open an account now just in case you need it!
- However, this rule is relaxed for Bilt transfers. Accounts less than 60 days can use transferred points after 7 days.
JAL is devaluing its award chart next month but there are still exceptional deals. U.S. – Japan business class goes from 50,000 to 55,000 points, which is fewer points than Alaska and American charge. First class between the U.S. and Japan goes up from 70,000 – 100,000 points depending on season to 110,000 – 140,000 points which stings.
Their partner award chart is interesting. For instance,
- 4,001 – 6,000 mile roundtrip itineraries cost 60,000 points in business class
- 8,001 – 10,000 mile roundtrip itineraries cost 85,000 points in business class
- 14,001 – 20,000 mile roundtrip itineraries cost 130,000 points in business class
JAL does add fuel surcharges to awards. Note that Upgrades can be a value here.
The addition of JAL brings Bilt up to 20 transfer partners, which outpaces Chase Ultimate Rewards and Capital One:
- Star Alliance: Air Canada Aeroplan, Turkish Miles & Smiles, United Airlines MileagePlus, Avianca LifeMiles, TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go
- oneworld: Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, Iberia Plus, British Airways Club, Japan Airlines
- SkyTeam: Air France KLM Flying Blue, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Non-alliance: Emirates Skywards, Southwest Airlines, Aer Lingus Aer Club
- Hotels: World Of Hyatt, IHG One Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, Accor ALL – Accor Live Limitless
Bilt Rewards lets you earn miles paying rent with any credit card – not just the Bilt card. Soon they’ll offer points for paying mortgages, too.
Bilt Rewards is a must join program. I use it to quadruple dip on Lyft rides, it got me free airport helicopter rides this year, and my Bilt status gives me Air France Gold and Accor Platinum status.
I’ve had Alaska Airlines Gold status, and taken advantage of 150% points transfer bonuses to both Virgin Atlantic and Air France KLM. Their transfer bonuses are unrivaled. And they keep building out this program.
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