How to transfer credit card points to JAL Mileage Bank

Last updated October 20, 2026 · By Kyle Burrows

JAL Mileage Bank is Japan Airlines' program. You can use it on JAL's own flights and on partners such as American Airlines, British Airways, Qantas and Cathay Pacific.

For a long time almost no US bank transferred to JAL. Now three do, so it's worth knowing how it works. Two things to know first: JAL awards are only for you and close family, and partner awards are priced by the total distance you fly.

Which bank points transfer to JAL

Bank points	Ratio	How long it takes
Bilt Points	1:1	Usually instant. Bilt says allow up to 48 hours.
Citi ThankYou	1:1 on some cards, 1,000 to 700 on others (see below)	Often within a day, but it can take a few business days.
Capital One Miles	1,000 to 750	Usually quick

Amex, Chase and Wells Fargo don't transfer to JAL.

Citi cards. The Citi Strata Premier, Strata Elite, Prestige and AT&T Access More transfer to JAL at 1:1. Most other Citi cards get 1,000 to 700, so combine your points in one ThankYou account with a full-ratio card first if you have one. JAL is a new Citi partner, so check the ratio on screen before you submit.

Banks sometimes run transfer bonuses to JAL. Check the transfer screen on the day you move points.

Before you move any points

Open a free JAL Mileage Bank account at jal.co.jp as early as you can. JAL says new members in the US can't redeem miles for up to 60 days after joining. Bilt says that if your account is less than 60 days old, you may have to wait up to seven days after a Bilt transfer before you can book. Citi and Capital One are reported to work the same way, but don't count on booking the same day with a new account.
Make the names match on your bank account, JAL account and passport.
Check who can fly. JAL awards can be used by you, your spouse and relatives within the second degree, such as parents, children, siblings and grandparents. JAL may ask for proof of the relationship. Friends can't use your miles.
Find the flight first. Search jal.co.jp while logged in and price the whole trip before you transfer. Transfers can't be undone.

How to transfer from each bank

Bilt. In the app, go to Rewards, then Travel rewards, and tap Transfer. Choose Japan Airlines and link your number. Blue status members have a 2,000-point minimum.

Citi. Sign in at thankyou.com, find Points Transfer (it has been under More Ways to Redeem), and choose Japan Airlines Mileage Bank. Transfers start at 1,000 points.

Capital One. Sign in, open your rewards, and choose the option to transfer your miles, then Japan Airlines Mileage Bank. Your Capital One name has to match the JAL account. The minimum is 1,000 miles, which becomes 750 JAL miles.

Check that the miles arrived

Log in at jal.co.jp and check the mileage balance in your JAL Mileage Bank account. If nothing shows after the usual time, check your bank's transfer history for the number and name you used. Don't send a second transfer.

How to book the award on jal.co.jp

There's no hold. All miles must be in your account before you book.

Log in to JAL Mileage Bank at jal.co.jp.
Go to the award booking area. JAL's own international flights and partner airline awards have separate options.
Enter your airports, dates, cabin and travelers.
Pick your flights. Check the operating airline on every leg.
Check the cabin on every leg. If a partner award mixes cabins, JAL charges the miles for the higher one.
Enter each traveler's name, date of birth and gender exactly as on the passport.
Pay the taxes, fees and any surcharges by card.
Save the booking reference and ticket number, then check the trip on the operating airline's website.

Partner awards can be booked on jal.co.jp up to 48 hours before the first flight. After that, the website won't take the booking.

How partner awards are priced. On partner awards, JAL adds up the distance of every flight in the trip and charges based on the total. You can have up to six flights and up to three stopovers. A stopover on the way doesn't cost extra by itself, but any detour adds distance and can push the price into a higher band.

Changes and cancellations

Partner awards. You can change the flight number or date before you travel, within the ticket's validity. Online, the change has to be made at least 48 hours before the first flight. You can't change the name, airline, route or class.
JAL's own international awards. Plan to cancel and rebook rather than change.
Refunds. You can cancel a completely unused award for JPY 3,100 per passenger, paid by card. Partner awards can be cancelled until the end of the day before you travel. Taxes are refunded. Once travel has started, nothing comes back.
No-show. If you miss a flight without cancelling, you lose that award.
Expiry still counts. Miles that expired while they were on the ticket may not be put back.

Do JAL miles expire?

Yes. JAL miles are valid until the end of the 36th month after the month you earn them. Transfer when you're ready to book, not before.

Mistakes I see most

Transferring to book a friend. JAL won't allow it.
Adding an extra stop on a partner award without checking what it does to the total distance.
Using a no-fee Citi card at the lower ratio when a full-ratio card is in the household.

Sources I checked

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