The Appeal of Airline Credit Cards in Japan
Traveling has become an indispensable part of modern life. Whether it’s for business, leisure, or even a mix of both, the ability to traverse the globe has never been more accessible.
The best part of Japanese airplane credit card is: you are likely to be an international traveler and it is so easy to accumulate miles!
From accumulating miles with every purchase to enjoying exclusive lounge access at bustling airports, airline credit cards offer numerous advantages. For many, the allure of redeeming accumulated miles for free flights or upgrades is a game-changer, turning everyday expenses into potential travel opportunities.
But with a myriad of options available in the market, how does one choose the best fit? This article delves into the top airline credit cards in Japan, guiding you towards making an informed decision for your travel needs.
The Appeal of Airline Credit Cards in Japan
Traveling has become an indispensable part of modern life. Whether it’s for business, leisure, or even a mix of both, the ability to traverse the globe has never been more accessible.
The best part of Japanese airplane credit card is: you are likely to be an international traveler and it is so easy to accumulate miles!
From accumulating miles with every purchase to enjoying exclusive lounge access at bustling airports, airline credit cards offer numerous advantages. For many, the allure of redeeming accumulated miles for free flights or upgrades is a game-changer, turning everyday expenses into potential travel opportunities.
But with a myriad of options available in the market, how does one choose the best fit? This article delves into the top airline credit cards in Japan, guiding you towards making an informed decision for your travel needs.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Airline Credit Card
Earning Potential
Check how many miles you earn per yen spent. Entry level cards earn less and platinum card earns way more but cost is high.
Redemption Value
Ensure good value when converting miles to flights or upgrades.
Partnerships
Look for cards tied to multiple airlines or travel partners. The best card for you is not only a high mile converging credit card, but also a daily spending card. Many airline credit cards give you huge cash back from McDonalds or Starbucks in Japan.
Added Perks
Prioritize cards with benefits like free baggage or lounge access.
Fees
Consider annual fees and ensure the benefits outweigh the costs.
- Fee: 7975
- Cashback: 3.0% (high end)
- This card offers a variety of benefits within the ANA Group.
- Fee: free
- Cashback: 1.5% (high end)
- This is an ANA JCB card with no joining fee or annual fee, available for a limited period of five years.
- Fee: 15400
- Cashback: 3.0% (high end)
- This is an ANA VISA card that offers a high exchange rate from points to miles.
- Fee: 88000
- Cashback: 4.5% (high end)
- The ANA Platinum Card automatically comes with travel insurance up to 100 million yen and makes it easy to earn miles.
- Fee: 16500
- Cashback: 3.0% (high end)
- This is an ANA VISA Gold Card that offers exclusive and priority services.
- Fee: 2200
- Cashback: 3.0% (high end)
- This is a standard VISA card for those who want to collect ANA miles.
Cash Back
Notice cash back is a non existent concept in Japan, while all cash back are translated into.
Top Airline Credit Cards in Japan (2024 Edition)
ANA
Check how many miles you earn per yen spent. Entry level cards earn less and platinum card earns way more but cost is high.
- Fee: 88000
- Cashback: 4.5% (high end)
- The ANA Platinum Card automatically comes with travel insurance up to 100 million yen and makes it easy to earn miles.
- Fee: 16500
- Cashback: 3.0% (high end)
- This is an ANA VISA Gold Card that offers exclusive and priority services.
- Fee: 2200
- Cashback: 3.0% (high end)
- This is a standard VISA card for those who want to collect ANA miles.
- Fee: 2200
- Cashback: 3.0% (high end)
- This is a credit card that combines ANA card and Suica functions.
- Fee: 16500
- Cashback: 3.0% (high end)
- This is the ANA JCB Gold Card, which offers exclusive and priority services.
- Fee: 88000
- Cashback: 4.5% (high end)
- This card offers a wide range of high-quality benefits that only a platinum card can offer, and it also makes it easy to accumulate miles.
JAL
Ensure good value when converting miles to flights or upgrades.
- Fee: 11000
- Cashback: 1.0% (high end)
- This is a JAL card that allows you to earn more miles when flying than a regular card.
- Fee: 11000
- Cashback: 1.0% (high end)
- This card allows you to earn not only JAL miles but also JRE POINTS.
- Fee: 20900
- Cashback: 3.0% (high end)
- This is a gold card exclusively for people in their 20s that allows you to accumulate JAL miles and JRE POINTS.
- Fee: 2200
- Cashback: 2.0% (high end)
- This card is available only to people in their 20s and adds special services to the regular JAL card.
- Fee: 2200
- Cashback: 1.0% (high end)
- In addition to the basic functions of the JAL Card, this card also allows you to use Tokyu Group services.
- Fee: 34100
- Cashback: 3.0% (high end)
- This card offers JAL CLUB EST services as well as Platinum member benefits.
- Fee: 17600
- Cashback: 2.0% (high end)
- This card offers the functions of a CLUB-A Gold Card and allows you to use Tokyu Group services.
- Fee: 2200
- Cashback: 1.0% (high end)
- In addition to the basic functions of a JAL card, this card also allows you to accumulate Odakyu points.
Others
Look for cards tied to multiple airlines or travel partners. The best card for you is not only a high mile converging credit card, but also a daily spending card. Many airline credit cards give you huge cash back from McDonalds or Starbucks in Japan.
Maximizing the Benefits of Your Airline Credit Card
Let us demonstrate the situation with a flight from Tokyo to Sapporo. The official miles to be recorded is 510 miles, and both way will be 1020 miles.
Of course, you make sure you enroll in the mileage program offered by each airlines. Obviously, they are all free and you can record your past mileage form the system. (Add Link)
If you spend 300,000 per month which is the average salary in Japan.
You get 3000 mile per month just for the normal expense, not even adding on the original benefits.
A usual both way ticket from Tokyo to Sapporo costs around 50,000 yen, so when you purchase ANA ticket, the JCB Gold card gives you 2mile for 100 yen you spend, which is 1000 extras mile!
On top of everything above you are also awarded a multiplier when you purchase your plane ticket. The gold ANA card rewards you 1.25x the amount of the mile. Therefore, with using gold ANA card, you are rewarded an extra 1020 miles x 0.25 is 254 miles.
At the end of the day you get 1020 254 1000
Potential Pitfalls to Watch Out For
High-interest rates and the importance of buying your home country, this rule applies everywhere, so make sure you can afford what you spend.
Understanding blackout dates and redemption restrictions: Japanese cad companies give out lots of rewards of using cards, but they mostly are full of conditions like time restrictions, maximum limits and so on.
Being aware of annual fees and evaluating if the card’s benefits justify the cost: American Express cards are a status symbol in Japan as well, but they do cost a lot to apply. If you are not a huge fine dinning or luxury travel type of person, you are unlike to justify your cost in the year.
Conclusion
In the dynamic world of travel, having the right airline credit card can make all the difference. Japan is hub for many international flights across the Pacific Ocean and the entire Asia land. By understanding your travel habits and preferences, you can select a card that offers the most value and benefits. Japan’s airline credit card landscape offers many options, ensuring there’s a perfect match for every traveler.
FAQs
In the dynamic world of travel, having the right airline credit card can make all the difference. Japan is hub for many international flights across the Pacific Ocean and the entire Asia land. By understanding your travel habits and preferences, you can select a card that offers the most value and benefits. Japan’s airline credit card landscape offers many options, ensuring there’s a perfect match for every traveler.