On May 7, 2025, Bilt Rewards—best known for letting you earn points on rent payments—added Japan Airlines (JAL) Mileage Bank as its latest transfer partner. This marks the first major expansion of Bilt’s airline portfolio since launching in 2021, bringing the total number of airline partners to seven. While the Pointshound and TPG article covered the basics, here’s a deeper dive into how this partnership works, why it matters, and how you can make the most of Bilt → JAL transfers.
Why Japan Airlines Matters for Bilt Members
- Expand Your OneWorld Options:
JAL is a founding member of oneworld, giving you access to award space on American Airlines, British Airways, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, and more. Bilt’s existing partners (AeroMexico, Air France/KLM, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, United) lacked a direct oneworld link—until now. - Unique Award Sweet Spots:
- Japan Domestic Flights: JAL charges just 5,000 miles one-way for flights under 600 miles—perfect for hopping between Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, or Okinawa.
- Transpacific Awards: 60,000 miles one-way in economy between North America and Japan during off-peak season, or 75,000 in business.
- Partner Redemptions: Use JAL miles to book premium cabins on British Airways short-haul flights (just 13,000 miles one-way in Club Europe) or American Airlines first class between New York and LA.
- Award Availability and Quality:
JAL is known for releasing generous saver award space on its own routes if you search early—especially transpacific business flights on its flagship Boeing 787 and Airbus 350 products.
Understanding the Bilt → JAL Transfer Mechanics
- Transfer Ratio: 1 Bilt point → 1 JAL mile. This parity is industry-leading—many transferable programs offer 1:1.25 or worse.
- Minimum Transfer: 2,000 Bilt points (i.e., 2,000 miles).
- Processing Time: Transfers generally post within 1–3 business days, though during peak periods it can take up to a week. Plan award searches with this in mind.
- Monthly Transfer Cap: 100,000 Bilt points into JAL Mileage Bank per calendar month.
- Transfer Bonuses: Bilt occasionally runs 20% transfer bonuses to select partners—watch your dashboard for a potential 20% bonus on JAL transfers, turning 2,000 points into 2,400 miles.
How to Transfer: Step by Step
- Link Your JAL Account:
- In the Bilt app or online portal, navigate to “Rewards → Transfer Partners,” select Japan Airlines, and enter your 7-digit JAL Mileage Bank number and membership name.
- Initiate a Transfer:
- Specify the number of points (must be in multiples of 2,000).
- Confirm the transfer; watch your email for confirmation.
- Check Your Mileage Bank:
- Log in to your JAL account 1–3 days later to verify miles have arrived.
- Book Awards:
- Use JAL’s website or call center to search for award space. For partner flights, you may need to call the JAL U.S. booking line.
Maximizing Value: Top Use Cases
- Short Domestic Hops:
If you have 10,000 Bilt points, you can fly one-way between Tokyo and Sapporo or Fukuoka in economy—an easy weekend escape. - Business Class Transpacific:
Transferring 75,000 Bilt points nets a true lie-flat seat between Los Angeles and Tokyo on JAL’s Dreamliner—often priced over $5,000 cash. - Onward Connections with OneWorld:
After landing in Japan, book a one-way short-haul with Cathay Pacific in business for 26,000 miles, getting you to Hong Kong effortlessly.
What the Source Missed
- Fuel Surcharges:
JAL does not collect hefty carrier-imposed surcharges on its own award tickets—an advantage over British Airways and Lufthansa. - Award Change Fees:
Changes to JAL awards cost just 3,000 miles (within 24 hours of departure) plus any fare difference. Most other programs charge $75–$150. - Family Pooling:
JAL Mileage Bank allows points pooling across up to 10 family members, making it easier to consolidate transfers for a big redemption. - Expedite Upgrades with Miles:
If you hold a paid economy ticket, you can use JAL miles for upgrades into premium economy or business—a cheaper alternative than booking awards outright in a tight market. - Elite Qualifying Value:
While JAL miles aren’t elite-qualifying, you can earn status credits on revenue tickets, and elite members get complimentary upgrades when awards are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s the best time to search for JAL award space?
A: For JAL flights, check 355 days in advance up to 24 hours before departure; your sweet spot is 10–12 months out for transpacific and 3–4 months out for domestic.
Q: Can U.S. bank points transfer instantly to JAL?
A: No—only via transferable programs like Bilt. Direct bank transfers (Chase, Citi) don’t include JAL, so Bilt fills a key gap.
Q: Do JAL miles expire?
A: Yes—36 months from the month of issuance. Family pooling can help you spend miles sooner.
Q: Are there blackout dates?
A: JAL uses a dynamic saver/standard model. Seats at the lowest levels (Saver) are limited but released regularly; holidays may require more miles.
Q: Can I earn Bilt points on rent and transfer them to JAL in one shot?
A: Absolutely—rent payments earn up to 100,000 points per year. Combine rent, card spend, and transfer to JAL for award bookings.
Q: What if I need to cancel an award?
A: You’ll get back all miles minus a 3,000-mile cancellation fee. Taxes and fees are refundable if canceled before ticketing.
Q: How do points post during promotions?
A: Promotional bonuses post as separate line items—so a 20% bonus on a 10,000-point transfer shows as 12,000 miles in total.
Q: Is there a minimum balance to keep in JAL Mileage Bank?
A: No—your account never closes for inactivity, but miles expire after 36 months without activity.
Q: Can I transfer JAL miles back to Bilt?
A: No—transfers are one-way and final. Always transfer only what you plan to use.
Q: Where can I learn about JAL’s partner award chart?
A: The JAL Mileage Bank guide on JAL’s website lists partner award rates, with occasional web-only promotions.
Sources The Points Guy
