Why would I choose to pay more miles and taxes for the same flight?

I’m about to enter one of my most favorite phases of travel planning: finding award seats for an international trip. Yes, I love the thrill of the chase. Japan, here we come!

Picking an award flight strategy that makes sense for my family

There are five people in my family who will be going on this trip to Japan next summer (2025). Of course, it would be great to fly both ways in business class. However, that costs a lot of miles and points. Plus, award availability for nonstop flights to Japan in business class is not plentiful. I’d rather fly nonstop in economy than a much longer indirect flight in business.

If we can’t fly in business class at a decent miles cost, my goal is to get us award seats one way in premium economy. The nonstop flight from DFW to Tokyo is over 13 hours. My husband and I really enjoyed our recent premium economy experience on Iberia, and I’ve read great things about Japan Airlines premium economy seats (42″ seat pitch, 19″ seat width, priority check-in counter, airport lounge access.) With a bigger seat, smaller cabin and extra amenities, there’s a lot to like about JAL’s premium economy.

I’ve seen award availability in JAL for up to 5 seats in premium economy. The cheapest way to book these seats is 50k AA miles plus $5.60 in taxes:

Or, I could book with Alaska miles for 50k + $19 in taxes:

But even though I have some AA and Alaska miles, I’ll probably book these flights using British Airways Avios at the price of 62,000 Avios + $264 in taxes. Why would I pick the more expensive option?

Timing is everything

Most U.S. airlines release schedules ~11 months in advance. However, many international airlines release their schedules a few weeks earlier than that. 

Release dates:

Japan Airlines: 360 days in advance

Cathay Pacific: 360 days in advance

British Airways: 355 days in advance

American Airlines: 331 days in advance

Alaska Airlines: 325-331 days in advance

Booking the flight through American Airlines carries a risk that the award seat will be snatched up in the 30 days you have to wait for AA’s schedule to come out. This is more likely to happen during peak times, like summer travel. Experienced award travelers who really want that business or premium economy seat on Japan Airlines might book it using an international partner that has it available for sale first. In the case of Japan Airlines, British Airways (Avios) or Cathay Pacific (AsiaMiles) have access to Japan Airlines award seats first.

The flight from DFW to Tokyo is longer than the return flight. Plus, I don’t have enough AA and Alaska Airline miles to book my family in premium economy both ways. So, it makes sense for me to use British Airways to book our flights to Tokyo in premium economy, even though it will cost more miles and cash. (Premium economy awards are not available to book through Cathay Pacific, only business class and regular economy are available). Maybe I’ll get lucky with a transfer bonus to British Airways in May or June.

We may have to settle for regular economy on the way back. But at least it won’t cost us a fortune because we’re using miles and points!

Final Thoughts

I’d rather pay more for a premium economy award flight that I’m guaranteed to get instead of gambling that it will be available 30 days later at a lower cost. What’s that phrase? A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Author: Nancy

Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.