Fly Business Class to Japan Using 100,000 Chase Points

by Krish Patel

The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card ($95 annual fee) is currently offering a hefty welcome bonus of 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $5,000 in the first three months. These credit card points can be used for Business Class travel if maximized correctly, such as booking a one-way ticket to Japan on United Airlines. Specifically, Chase points transfer to United MileagePlus at a 1:1 ratio, and one-way Polaris Business Class awards from the west coast to Tokyo can start from 85,000 miles. 

It’s worth mentioning that award availability for booking United Polaris to Japan is not consistent every day, however, there are several available days with strong redemptions. Travelers who search for flexible dates tend to find the best Business Class award availability on long-haul routes. Routes such as Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), and San Francisco (SFO) to Tokyo Haneda or Narita can start from 85,000 miles, which is a great deal considering that this one-way fare for Business Class is lower than the Sapphire Preferred’s welcome bonus. Taxes will typically begin from $5.60 for these flights.

Travelers who hold a cobranded credit card (Ex. United Club Infinite) will be able to receive several excellent deals for booking Polaris, as United discounts the award price for card members when you book through their website. 

When the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s low $95 annual fee is considered, this is a great travel deal that allows customers to maximize their Ultimate Rewards points. The 100,000-point welcome bonus is a limited time offer, so you should ideally book as soon as possible so that you can find the best award deals.