Citi Adds Japan Airlines as Its Newest Transfer Partner

However, these factors do not influence our editors' opinions or ratings, which are based on independent research and analysis. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews. Here is a list of our partners. Plus, get a 30% bonus when you transfer from to Citi to JAL through Oct. 24. Meghan CoyleEditor/Content Strategist & Smart Travel Podcast Host Published Sep 20, 2026Fact CheckedHow is this page expert verified?NerdWallet's content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and editors to ensure the information is as clear and complete as possible.More on our editorial rigorAddas a preferred source on Google NerdWallet is committed to editorial integrity.Helpful ResourcesThe Best Travel Credit Card Welcome Offers Right Now11 Credit Cards That Provide Travel InsuranceChase Sapphire Preferred Review: Strong Option for Travel RewardsThere’s a new way to get Japan Airlines Mileage Bank miles: transferring Citi ThankYou® points.As of Sept. 20, 2026, you can transfer Citi ThankYou points to JAL Mileage Bank at a 1:1 or 1:0.7 ratio, depending on which Citi card you hold. Cards with an annual fee, such as the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card or the Citi Strata Premier® Card, have the more favorable 1:1 transfer ratio.Through Oct. 24, 2026, Citi is offering a 30% bonus when you transfer your points to JAL. With the bonus, eligible Citi ThankYou cards with an annual fee have an even better 1:1.3 transfer ratio, and eligible $0-annual-fee cards have a decent 1:0.9 transfer ratio. It’s best practice to transfer your points only if you have found the award availability for a specific redemption.That makes Citi ThankYou the latest in a growing string of flexible currencies that have brought the Japanese airline’s loyalty program onboard as a transfer partner, including Capital One in September 2025 and Bilt Rewards in May 2025. Capital One transfers at a 4:3 ratio, while Bilt Points transfer at a 1:1 ratio.The influx of travelers transferring points to JAL, especially with the introductory transfer bonuses, has caused some complaints about the increasing difficulty of finding specific redemptions, such as business and first class flights to Japan.What to know about Citi’s newest transfer partnerJAL Mileage Bank offers a versatile currency that you can use to book flights on Japan Airlines itself or one of its numerous partners, which include both Oneworld alliance partners and non-alliance partners like Air France and KLM.The standard transfer ratio for Citi to Japan Airlines is either 1:1 or 1:0.7, depending on which Citi card you hold. Generally, if your Citi card earns ThankYou points and has an annual fee, you’ll receive the higher ratio. If it doesn’t, you’ll get the lower one.Keep in mind that JAL miles expire after 36 months. There isn’t a way to extend that expiration date.If you do plan on redeeming JAL miles, you’ll want to create a JAL Mileage Bank account sooner rather than later. Typically, new members have to wait a maximum of 60 days before they can start redeeming their points.However, we’ve seen that wait time be reduced to up to seven days when transferring other currencies to JAL. While that’s a shorter requirement, new members shouldn’t expect to transfer their points and immediately redeem them.Should you transfer your Citi ThankYou points to JAL?Transferring your Citi ThankYou points to Japan Airlines can offer exceptional value — assuming you can find the award availability (and navigate the clunky booking platform).For example, I was able to redeem 55,000 miles last year on a Japan Airlines business class flight from New York to Tokyo. I had to pay taxes and fees (expect around $360 worth), but that’s a flight that would normally cost thousands of dollars.🤓Nerdy TipTo find the best availability for Japan Airlines flights, you often need to book when the calendar first opens at 360 days before departure.However, as a rule of thumb, you should transfer your points only if you have a specific redemption in mind. Speculative transfers can backfire, especially if the carrier devalues its points or removes an airline partner that you might have been eyeing.» Learn more: What to know before you transfer your points to Japan Airlines Plus, because JAL miles expire after three years, you don’t want to lose them just because the right redemption never came along.How to maximize your rewardsYou want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:li>ol]:pl-4 [&>li>ul]:pl-4 [&>li]:mt-2">Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardNo annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardBonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve® Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit CardExplore more onTravelAddas a preferred source on Google NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539NMLS Consumer Access |Licenses and Disclosures California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #60DBO-74812 Insurance Services offered through NerdWallet Insurance Services, Inc. (CA resident license no.OK92033) Insurance Licenses California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #603L288 You also can open a Cash Account offered by Atomic Brokerage which allows you to earn interest on your cash through a cash sweep program. View Important Cash Account Disclosures. Neither Atomic Invest nor Atomic Brokerage, nor any of their affiliates is a bank. Investments in securities: Not FDIC Insured, Not Bank Guaranteed, May Lose Value. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Before investing, consider your investment objectives and the fees and expenses charged. NerdWallet™ | 4150 N Drinkwater Blvd, Suite 200, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

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