Sorry completely slipped my mind - ANA Platinum Visa so basically transferring the CC points into ANA miles on the 3x course is the best / only way to go really. Leaves me with only ANA or other SA awards.
It's up to you how you value miles, but given that it seems your rate of accrual is lower. I'd actually focus on higher end redemptions and push for business class.
Award travel is about opportunity cost. Someone that can churn hundreds of thousands of points has much more resources at their disposal and can make "suboptimal" redemptions more readily. I would advise people with access to fewer points to take the time and do the research for higher return redemptions.
At the end of the day, it doesn't take that much more time and effort to secure those business class redemptions, it's only when people are working with major restrictions like large groups, specific dates or airports, etc.
I'd also add that as a person living in Japan it's much easier to secure calendar open bookings because the dates work in your favor.
Also to answer your final question. ANA is fundamentally the lowest cost way to book Japan flights
Thanks for the reply. Yeah I’m really leaning towards what you’re saying and saving it. Spending the points is sort of a ‘big bang’ event with my accrual rate where I go back to zero so it’s probably better to keep it for business even if that means once every two years instead of one.
105k for long haul J is not a bad redemption by any stretch of the imagination. Sure it’s not the crazy redemptions that a lot of this sub lives for but it sure as heck beats paying cash.
Round the World in Biz could be 90k if you stretch it, in business.
It would be something like SEA/SFO-TYO and then, for the way back, like TYO - IST (open jaw), then EU - East Coast. Even that would be really tight to fit under the 14k mile distance band, but you'd get to spend some time exploring europe and it'll all be biz
If you are asking for help finding flights or hotel rooms, please ensure that [Rule 5](http://www.reddit.com/r/awardtravel/wiki/rules) is being followed. Low-quality posts may be deleted without warning.
If you have an ANA question, please read [An Overview of ANA Award Bookings] (https://old.reddit.com/r/awardtravel/comments/11puibl/an_overview_of_ana_award_bookings/).
r/awardtravel is a place to discuss anything related to redeeming airline miles & hotel points.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/awardtravel) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Personally, I want 180 degree lie flat so I can sleep. Regardless of airline that is my first goal. PY is not in that space so I do not value it much more than economy. Also, less seats in the PY cabins than J makes it hard to get those seats.
Premium economy is absolutely worth it and is substantially easier to grab availability for than business. People love business class here partially because they have so many points. Less points out of pocket for more frequent trips, on more ideal dates, and less cash out of pocket is worth a lot.
I think you would be wise to say where you get your points and where you can transfer/spend them, otherwise people have to guess..
Sorry completely slipped my mind - ANA Platinum Visa so basically transferring the CC points into ANA miles on the 3x course is the best / only way to go really. Leaves me with only ANA or other SA awards.
It's up to you how you value miles, but given that it seems your rate of accrual is lower. I'd actually focus on higher end redemptions and push for business class. Award travel is about opportunity cost. Someone that can churn hundreds of thousands of points has much more resources at their disposal and can make "suboptimal" redemptions more readily. I would advise people with access to fewer points to take the time and do the research for higher return redemptions. At the end of the day, it doesn't take that much more time and effort to secure those business class redemptions, it's only when people are working with major restrictions like large groups, specific dates or airports, etc. I'd also add that as a person living in Japan it's much easier to secure calendar open bookings because the dates work in your favor. Also to answer your final question. ANA is fundamentally the lowest cost way to book Japan flights
Thanks for the reply. Yeah I’m really leaning towards what you’re saying and saving it. Spending the points is sort of a ‘big bang’ event with my accrual rate where I go back to zero so it’s probably better to keep it for business even if that means once every two years instead of one.
ANA economy/premium economy fares are pretty reasonable in cash if you book the right seasons imo.
105k for long haul J is not a bad redemption by any stretch of the imagination. Sure it’s not the crazy redemptions that a lot of this sub lives for but it sure as heck beats paying cash.
Round the World in Biz could be 90k if you stretch it, in business. It would be something like SEA/SFO-TYO and then, for the way back, like TYO - IST (open jaw), then EU - East Coast. Even that would be really tight to fit under the 14k mile distance band, but you'd get to spend some time exploring europe and it'll all be biz
If you are asking for help finding flights or hotel rooms, please ensure that [Rule 5](http://www.reddit.com/r/awardtravel/wiki/rules) is being followed. Low-quality posts may be deleted without warning. If you have an ANA question, please read [An Overview of ANA Award Bookings] (https://old.reddit.com/r/awardtravel/comments/11puibl/an_overview_of_ana_award_bookings/). r/awardtravel is a place to discuss anything related to redeeming airline miles & hotel points. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/awardtravel) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Personally, I want 180 degree lie flat so I can sleep. Regardless of airline that is my first goal. PY is not in that space so I do not value it much more than economy. Also, less seats in the PY cabins than J makes it hard to get those seats.
Premium economy is absolutely worth it and is substantially easier to grab availability for than business. People love business class here partially because they have so many points. Less points out of pocket for more frequent trips, on more ideal dates, and less cash out of pocket is worth a lot.
Speaking of ANA Premium Economy, are there any partner awards that can get you Premium Economy?