It’s Official: Citi Adds Japan Airlines as a ThankYou Points Transfer Partner

Updated: September 20, 2026, 7:00am CDT

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JAL Mileage Bank Is Citi’s Newest Transfer Partner
Final Thoughts

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Citi ThankYou Rewards is adding Japan Airlines Mileage Bank as its newest airline transfer partner, giving cardholders another way to turn their points into flights to Japan.

Beginning today, September 20, eligible Citi cardholders can transfer ThankYou Points directly to JAL Mileage Bank. For travelers hoping to visit Japan — especially in a premium cabin — this is a pretty exciting addition.

Let’s take a look at the details.

JAL Mileage Bank Is Citi’s Newest Transfer Partner

Eligible Citi cardholders can now transfer ThankYou Points to Japan Airlines Mileage Bank, the airline’s loyalty program and Citi’s newest transfer partner.

Citi cardholders with an eligible annual-fee card can transfer points to JAL at a 1:1 ratio, meaning 1,000 ThankYou Points become 1,000 JAL miles. Eligible no-annual-fee cardholders will receive a 1:0.7 ratio, turning 1,000 points into 700 JAL miles.

We previously hinted that Citi might be preparing to add JAL Mileage Bank as a transfer partner. The partnership was only a rumor at the time, but Citi has now confirmed that transfers are officially available today, September 20.

JAL is already a transfer partner of Capital One Miles and Bilt Rewards. Adding Citi gives U.S. travelers another major transferable points currency for accessing JAL Mileage Bank redemptions.

That matters because JAL typically makes more award seats available to its own Mileage Bank members than to partner programs such as American Airlines AAdvantage and Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards. Therefore, if you’re trying to book a hard-to-find JAL business or first class award to Japan, searching through Mileage Bank could give you options that do not appear through those partner programs.

JAL IFE screen first class suite — The addition of JAL Mileage Bank as a transfer partner gives Citi cardholders more opportunities to book flights to Japan with points. Image Credit: Juan Ruiz

To celebrate the launch, Citi will offer a limited-time 30% transfer bonus through October 24. During the promotion, annual-fee cardholders will receive 1,300 JAL miles for every 1,000 points transferred, while no-annual-fee cardholders will receive 910 miles.

With Japan being such a popular destination, this new transfer partner is great news for Citi cardholders hoping to use their points to get there.

Hot Tip:

If you’re not already a JAL Mileage Bank member, consider opening an account now. JAL requires your account to be open for at least 60 days before you can redeem miles for an award, so don’t wait until you find the flight you want.

Final Thoughts

Japan Airlines is an exciting addition to Citi’s transfer partner lineup, giving ThankYou Points collectors another way to book award flights to Japan.

With Capital One, Bilt, and now Citi offering transfers to JAL Mileage Bank, U.S. travelers have more options than ever to earn JAL miles and fly to Japan using points.