Have always just kept it simple with a modest but solid rotation of cash back credit cards (Amex BCP for groceries, a few others for rotating/specific retail categories and Citi Double Cash as a catch all). However , recently started going down the YouTube rabbit hole about credit card strategies and it might have opened my eyes a bit about how using points for travel is optimal, if done right.
Most importantly, I would really only be motivated to switch from cash back cards if there was a solid strategy to redeem points for booking flights on both Starlux and Japan Airlines as we love to travel from the US to Asia from time to time. It seems like the primary viable option for those transfer partners would either be a Bilt or Atmos card. Have watched some videos on the Bilt Paladium for this and have mixed thoughts.
Also, this potentially being my first experience with trying to transfer credit card points into airline miles, I don't know what I don't know. For example, how much of a hassle is it to try to go about this all when it's time to redeem points vs simply booking a ticket normally on the airline's website? Anything we might miss out on seatwise vs a normal booking? Is there really enough potential meaningful value add here to justify switching from my cash back setup? Etc., etc.
Any advice from those with experience using credit cards to book these specific airlines (or just airlines, in general) would be much appreciated. Thank you!
We like to travel to Asia w/ Starlux and Japan Airlines. Any advice about credit card strategy?
byu/712Jefferson inCreditCards
Posted by 712Jefferson
1 Comment
been down this exact path and the points game is definitely worth it if you’re flying to asia regularly. those flights are expensive enough that even one redemption can justify switching from cashback
for starlux and jal specifically, you’re right that bilt is probably your best bet since they transfer to both airlines’ programs. the transfer process itself isn’t too complicated – usually takes 1-3 days and you just log into your credit card portal, select the airline, and transfer points. booking award flights can be trickier though since availability changes constantly and you need to be flexible with dates
one thing i learned the hard way is that award seats don’t always have same seat selection options as paid tickets. sometimes you get stuck in middle sections until closer to departure when more seats open up. also some airlines charge fees for award bookings that can add up
the math really depends on how often you fly those routes. if you’re doing us-asia roundtrip even once per year, points will probably save you more than what you’d earn in cashback. just make sure to check award availability on your target routes before committing to any specific card strategy since some airlines are stingier with releasing award space than others