#7 https://stan.store/rewardingroutes

Flying to Japan with points and miles can feel like navigating a maze but once you figure it out, it’s like unlocking a secret travel advantage that lets you go back again and again without overspending. In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly how I book flights to Japan using points the same approach that’s allowed me to make Japan travel a yearly tradition.

Before diving into all the redemptions and routes, I start with how I personally plan each trip. I always begin with the flights they shape everything else, from where I go to how long I stay. Japan travel is in high demand right now, which makes finding business class award seats tough, but not impossible. I’ll show you how I’ve found both business and economy flights using points, while keeping flexibility and value in mind.

We’ll begin with Tokyo’s two main airports Haneda (HND), my preferred choice thanks to its Edo Marketplace and proximity to central Tokyo, and Narita (NRT), which is farther out but remains a major international hub. From there, I’ll cover other airports like Osaka (KIX), Nagoya (NGO), Fukuoka (FUK), and Sapporo (CTS), plus the best ways to connect domestically using Peach, Jetstar, or even the Shinkansen.

One of the most powerful strategies I share is how to use positioning flights. These short domestic or regional hops can connect you to the best-value long-haul routes. I’ll explain how I use FlightConnections to visualize every nonstop route into Tokyo, find hidden opportunities, and plan efficient routes that save both miles and cash.

Then, I walk through the airlines and programs I’ve used or researched extensively, breaking down what actually works in practice:

• ANA (All Nippon Airways) via Amex Membership Rewards or Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
• Japan Airlines (JAL) via Bilt, Citi, Capital One, or Amex
• Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, and British Airways Avios for additional OneWorld redemptions
• Budget and alternative routes like ZIPAIR, EVA Air, Starlux, and Korean Air for creative options across Asia

Throughout the episode, I share my own redemptions from flying United Polaris business class when Japan reopened to using Air Canada Aeroplan and Virgin Atlantic for affordable economy flights. You’ll hear what worked best, what I’d do differently, and how these lessons are shaping my future trips.

To wrap up, I share the tools and resources I rely on most to search for award availability and plan smarter:

• FlightConnections
  — visualize nonstop routes and plan positioning flights
• Seats.aero
  — search award availability across airlines
• Point.Me
  — compare redemption options and transfer partners
• Thrifty Traveler Premium
  — get alerts on points deals and flight discounts
• Roame.Travel
  — live award searches with built-in transfer partner details

If keeping track of all the transfer partners sounds overwhelming, I’ve created a simple resource to make it easier. You can download my Transfer Partner Cheat Sheet directly from my Stan Store:
https://stan.store/rewardingroutes

Stan Store (Transfer Partner Cheat Sheet)
→ https://stan.store/rewardingroutes

FlightConnections
→ https://www.flightconnections.com

Seats.aero
→ https://www.seats.aero

Point.Me
→ https://www.point.me

Thrifty Traveler Premium
→ https://www.thriftytraveler.com/premium

Roame.Travel
→ https://www.roame.travel