What Are the Downsides of Japan Airlines Mileage Bank?

In this episode, we'll talk about how Citi is showering us with transfer bonuses, then we'll talk about the incredible uses for Japan Airlines miles. Now that Capital One is making transfers available to Japan Airlines (in addition to Bilt, which has already been offering this), it's worth talking about what you can do with those miles!

Giant Mailbag

(01:42) - "I'm a YUGE fan of ya'll. I'm an Army National Guard member that puts in just enough active duty time to get Servicemembers Civil Relief Act benefits (waived annual fees). So I have so many luxury cards I get FAR more value from the cards than I do from my Guard paycheck.Ya'll have been a key factor in deciding to stay in the National Guard, so 'Thank You For Your Service'."

100K Vacay Challenge Update

(04:06) - By the time this airs, Greg will be heading to his destination for his Benchmark Trip. As a reminder, he's setting the bar for the rest of the challengers with a trip showcasing how far 100K Chase Ultimate Rewards points can go. (Once he's back, Tim, Nick, and Stephen will attempt to match or outdo his trip with alternate transferable points currencies.) Read more about that here!

Card News

(09:34) - Spirit Travel More credit card holders now get 2 free checked bags (Read more about this update here)

(11:11) - Amex will exclude gift cards from Hilton credits starting in 2026

(12:28) - Southwest debit card (Read more about the Southwest debit card here)

Read the View from the Wing article here.

Awards, Points, and More

(14:42) - Air France / KLM Promo: Earn 10,000 bonus Flying Blue miles when flying from the US to any destination served by Air France or KLM.

(18:16) - Avianca LifeMiles Award Sale

(20:19) - Transfer bonuses

(24:50) - Rove Miles transfer bonus (Use our referral link here.)

(27:25) - Capital One added transfer partners and also has some transfer bonuses

Main Event: Sweet-spot awards courtesy of Japan Airlines

(30:18) - How to get JAL miles

Learn more about the Best Uses of Japan Airlines Mileage Bank Miles here

(32:01) - The Bad News

(33:05) - Japan Airlines Mileage Bank 36-month hard expiration policy

(34:30) - Family restrictions on award redemption

(35:58) - Carrier-imposed surcharges

(36:19) - JAL Mileage Bank awards can not be changed (but they can be cancelled for a reasonable fee)

(36:56) - Best uses of Japan Airlines Mileage Bank

(42:54) - Japan Airlines partner awards

Question of the Week

(1:10:20) - Buying points isn't usually a good value unless you have a specific redemption in mind, but what about Atmos for 1.66 cents per point? (Especially with Rove miles?)

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Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder