JetBlue expands partnership with Japan Airlines, boosting flexibility for award bookings

Currently, credit cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Citi Strata Premier, and Chase Sapphire Reserve offer valuable welcome bonuses, which can help build points for a flight to Japan. JetBlue also provides cobranded credit cards with welcome bonuses to enhance your points balance.

According to The Points Guy, the added ability to book JAL flights using TrueBlue points presents a "new favorite sweet spot" considering the difficulty of earning Japan Airlines Mileage Bank miles. Besides JetBlue, award flights on JAL can also be booked through other Oneworld partners like American Airlines AAdvantage and Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan.

For instance, a nonstop economy flight from Boston to Tokyo costs 34,500 TrueBlue points and $205 in taxes and fees. This equates to 3.19 cents per TrueBlue point, significantly above the April 2025 valuation of 1.35 cents each by The Points Guy. "This nonstop flight in economy from Boston to Tokyo will only set you back 34,500 TrueBlue points plus $205 in taxes and fees," noted The Points Guy.

A business-class flight from San Diego to Tokyo is priced at 59,000 TrueBlue points plus $205 in taxes and fees, with the same rate applicable to flights from specific destinations like Seattle, San Francisco, and Honolulu. Such options provide compelling point valuations, even though taxes and fees are higher when booking via JetBlue compared to other partners.

Despite higher fees, booking via JetBlue might still save on points. The Points Guy notes, "You'll pay more in taxes and fees when booking Japan Airlines flights through JetBlue TrueBlue compared to some of JAL's other partners." However, not all bookings offer superior value, such as a premium economy fare from Los Angeles to Kansai International Airport, which may be better pursued through other partners.

JetBlue's partnership with most major credit card rewards programs facilitates booking JAL flights by transferring points. However, transferring points requires careful consideration of award availability, as such transfers cannot be reversed.

Overall, JetBlue's expanded partnership with Japan Airlines broadens options for travelers planning a budget-friendly trip to Japan. The opportunity for those holding credit card with large sign-up bonuses, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, can enable potential travelers to secure coveted lie-flat business-class seats.