In a game-changing move for award travel enthusiasts and renters alike, Bilt Rewards adds Japan Airlines as a transfer partner, allowing members to transfer Bilt Rewards points to Japan Airlines Mileage Bank at a 1:1 ratio. 

This new partnership opens the door to premium travel experiences across Japan and the broader Asia-Pacific region – simply by paying rent.

This marks a first-of-its-kind partnership between a U.S. rewards platform and Japan Airlines, and it positions Bilt as the only program in North America with a 1:1 transfer partnership to JAL. 

It also deepens the overall Bilt value proposition, offering members yet another powerful way to stretch points into high-value rewards.

Why This Partnership Matters

For Bilt Rewards members, this new partnership is a big deal. 

Rent is the largest monthly expense for most people. With Bilt, members already earn points on rent payments with no fees. Now, those points can take them across the Pacific, into the luxury cabins of Japan Airlines flagship airline.

Japan Airlines is known for its award-winning service, modern cabins, and membership in the oneworld alliance. With the ability to transfer Bilt Rewards points directly to JAL at a 1:1 ratio, members now gain access to one of the most respected and valuable frequent flyer programs in the world.

This is also the first 1:1 JAL transfer partner in the U.S., highlighting the strategic importance of the American rewards market – and the growing influence of Bilt Rewards within it.

“We’re always working to ensure we offer nothing less than exceptional service quality to our members, so welcoming Japan Airlines as our latest travel partner was a no-brainer,” said Ankur Jain, Founder and CEO at Bilt. “This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission to provide the most valuable and flexible rewards for our members. Now, your housing payment that was once just a monthly expense can unlock premium travel experiences with one of Asia’s most respected airlines, giving our members access to Japan and beyond through JAL’s extensive network and oneworld Alliance partnerships.”

What You Can Book With JAL Mileage Bank Miles

Japan Airlines offers a distance-based award chart, which means travelers can build creative, multi-city itineraries with great value. Here are just a few examples of how Bilt Rewards points can unlock premium travel:

• Book Japan Airlines Business Class from New York to Tokyo for as few as 50,000 miles one-way. (This will increase to 55,000 miles after June 10, 2025.)
• Experience the new Japan Airlines A350-1000 with updated JAL Suite First Class and private Business Class suites.
• Use miles on partner airlines in the oneworld alliance – including American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, British Airways, and more.
• Enjoy generous stopover policies: up to 3 stopovers on partner awards and up to 7 on oneworld redemptions.

These options offer a major advantage for travelers looking to maximize points through flexible routing and aspirational travel experiences.

How To Transfer Points To Japan Airlines

Transferring Bilt Rewards points to Japan Airlines is easy and fast. 

Members just need to:

• Log in to the Bilt app or website.
• Navigate to the “Rewards” section and select “Transfer.”
• Choose “Japan Airlines Mileage Bank.”
• Link their JAL Mileage Bank account.
• Enter the number of points to transfer.
• Confirm the transfer.

Most transfers complete within 24 hours – and many process in as little as 10 minutes. 

However, if your JAL Mileage Bank account is less than 60 days old, you may need to wait up to seven days to redeem miles after the transfer.

TPA Pro Tip: We encourage all Bilt Rewards members to immediately enroll in JAL Mileage Bank whether they have impending plans to transfer to JAL Mileage Bank or not in order to start their 60 day account aging and not have to wait up to 7 days after transferring for redemption eligibility.

Tips to Maximize Value

• Open a JAL Mileage Bank account early. You need to have an account open for 60 days to redeem miles instantly. Otherwise, expect a short wait.
• Book before June 10, 2025. Award prices on some JAL routes, including Business Class from the U.S. to Japan, are increasing slightly.
• Build creative itineraries. Use the generous Japan Airlines stopover rules to visit multiple cities in Asia on one award ticket.
• Watch for Rent Day promotions. Bilt often runs bonus transfer offers and new partner bonuses around the first of the month.

Why Bilt Rewards Continues To Stand Out

With this partnership, Bilt now offers transfer access to all three major airline alliances: oneworld, Star Alliance, and SkyTeam. It joins a small circle of programs that include partners like Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Air France-KLM, Emirates, and now Japan Airlines.

More importantly, Bilt is still the only program that lets you earn transferable points on rent – with no fees. 

And those points are not just for flights. 

You can also redeem for hotel stays, down payments, fitness classes, and even student loan payments.

Final Thoughts

The new Bilt Rewards – Japan Airlines partnership gives members a direct path to luxury travel, all from the foundation of something as simple as a rent payment. 

With fast transfers, great redemption opportunities, and award-winning airline service, this collaboration adds serious power to the already flexible Bilt rewards system.

For renters who dream of international travel, this is the moment to take action. Sign up for Bilt, open a JAL Mileage Bank account, and start turning rent into reward flights across Asia and beyond.

Want to start booking your dream trip? 

Head to bilt.com/p/jal and begin your transfer today.

Kevin Zanes