In an earlier post, I shared how to book Emirates Business Class flights using Qantas Points for fewer miles. But if you’re based in the U.S., there’s now an even better way to do it — thanks to some exciting updates from Bilt and Capital One that make Japan Airlines miles far more accessible than ever before.
The Big News: JAL Miles Are Now Easier to Earn
Until recently, Japan Airlines (JAL) Mileage Bank was one of those programs that looked great on paper but was practically out of reach for most U.S. travelers. There was simply no easy way to earn JAL miles unless you were flying JAL itself.
That changed in mid-2025, when Bilt announced a new 1:1 transfer partnership with Japan Airlines. Not long after, Capital One followed with its own 1:0.75 transfer rate to JAL — instantly opening up incredible new redemption opportunities.
And one of the best (and most underrated) ways to use those JAL miles?
👉 Booking Emirates Business Class for way fewer miles than what Emirates charges through its own Skywards program.
Why Use Japan Airlines Miles to Book Emirates
If you’ve ever looked up Emirates Business Class awards on Skywards, you probably know they don’t come cheap. A typical one-way flight from New York (JFK) to Dubai (DXB) can easily run 136,000 Emirates Skywards miles + ~$835 in taxes and fees.
But if you book the exact same flight through Japan Airlines Mileage Bank, you’ll only pay 80,000 JAL miles + ~$835 in taxes.
That’s a massive 40% savings in miles for the exact same seat.
And if you’re flying one of Emirates’ famous “fifth-freedom” routes — like JFK–Milan (MXP) or Newark–Athens (ATH) — it gets even better.
| Route | Program | Miles (Round-Trip) | Taxes & Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| JFK–Milan | Emirates Skywards | 108,000 miles | ~$900 |
| JFK–Milan | Japan Airlines | 85,000 miles | ~$250 |
That’s right — you can fly Emirates Business Class to Europe for just 85,000 miles round-trip, saving you both points and cash compared to booking directly with Emirates (or competitors like Air France, KLM, or Aeroplan).
Step-by-Step: How to Find and Book Emirates Business Class Flights with Japan Airlines Miles
Booking through JAL isn’t as plug-and-play as with other programs, but here’s the exact process I use 👇
Step 1: Use Seats.aero to Find Emirates Flights
Since Japan Airlines doesn’t have a searchable award calendar, finding available seats can be tricky.
Here’s the hack — head over to Seats.aero and use the Explore Qantas feature.
Why Qantas? Because if an Emirates flight is bookable using Qantas Points, chances are it’s also bookable using Japan Airlines miles (since both are Emirates partners).
Step 2: Verify the Same Flight on Japan Airlines
Once you find a flight with Qantas availability, hop over to the Japan Airlines Mileage Bank site and search the same date and route.
If you see the seat there — jackpot 💥 — it’s bookable via JAL miles.
Step 3: Transfer Your Points
- From Bilt → 1:1 transfer to Japan Airlines
- From Capital One → 1:0.75 transfer to Japan Airlines
Even if you’re using Capital One, the math still works beautifully:
You’d need around 113,000 Capital One miles for a round-trip Emirates Business Class flight to Europe — still cheaper than most other options for a superior product.
Why This Is Such an Incredible Sweet Spot
Let’s put this in context, here are some other options to fly to Europe using points, round trip in business class :
- Air France/KLM Flying Blue – ~120,000 miles + $600 taxes
- Aeroplan (Lufthansa, Turkish, SWISS) – ~120,000 miles + $150–200 taxes
- Japan Airlines (on Emirates) – 85,000 miles + $250 taxes
Not only is the redemption rate lower, but you’re also flying Emirates Business Class, one of the most luxurious cabins in the sky — complete with lie-flat seats, onboard bar, and top-tier service.
So whether you’re transferring Bilt points 1:1 or Capital One miles at 0.75:1, you’re unlocking one of the best-value redemptions to Europe or Dubai in the points and miles world right now.
Final Thoughts
The new JAL partnerships with Bilt and Capital One have opened a door that was previously locked for U.S.-based travelers. And if you’ve ever dreamed of sipping champagne at 40,000 feet aboard Emirates Business Class — this is your chance to do it for a fraction of the miles.
✅ Best for: U.S.-based travelers with Bilt or Capital One points
✅ Sweet Spot: Emirates Business Class to Europe or Dubai
✅ Transfer Partners: Bilt (1:1), Capital One (1:0.75)
So the next time you’re planning a trip to Dubai or Milan, don’t rush to redeem through Emirates Skywards.
Instead, take the JAL detour — your points balance (and your comfort) will thank you.
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