Which MasterCard to accumulate MileagePlus miles, for say１５０万円 annual spending?

[regular]

Dear Milers,

This query is about Japan issued credit cards. Now that the combined annual cost of Saison MileagePlus card and the Mile-up membership is being doubled to 14300 yen, and has effectively reached the gold card membership fee range, which gold card do you think is suitable to accumulate MileagePlus miles, for１５０万円 annual spending or more via that card?

Bonvoy card has a higher fee for my taste (I don't need to be tied to stay in Marriott group) and MileagePlus MUFG MasterCard has only 1% return rate. I will toleare higher annual fee if the MasterCard includes price protection or good travel insurance, but can’t find any. Please suggest if you know of any. I do not have access to US issued cards, so please suggest cards being issued in Japan only.

Regards

R

[RetireJapan]

Interesting question! The Saison MileagePlus cards used to be a fairly decent day back when I had one (quite a few years ago).

I'm very happy with the Marriott Amex, but out annual spend is a bit higher and I value getting Marriott Platinum through the card. I also like the Amex customer service.

Anyone with recent MP experience?

[TJKansai]

It is a good question.
I was a big fan or Saison's thanks to their mileage up system, but now with the higher annual fee (and reduction in certain category earnings) less so. Now you really need to spend over 1 million to get real value out of it.

I see JCB has one:
https://www.jcb-card.jp/united/

In the past earning miles was the way to go, but as United (and others) devalue their charts, I find the better deal is just to buy miles during sales. In particular Alaska for use on JAL, though that program has taken a hit as well lately.

Using miles makes little sense for economy tickets, and United charges so much for business now that those seat usually aren't good value either.

Miles do come in handy for oneway tickets though. And domestic flights with United miles on ANA are still a good deal.

Now I keep my spend on hotel cards, either IHG (US based) or Japan Amex Bonvoy. I agree that the Amex customer service comes out on top.

[TJKansai]

Here is a comparison I did recently for Europe to Japan, oneway, economy:

Cash price:
Hainan ¥65,000
Etihad ¥100,000

or with mileage:

Taxes/fees on some of these are out of hand. United is low but mileage requirements high:

Korean (Peak Period unfortunately) 52,500+¥40,000 (J 92,500+¥56,000)
United 60,000 + ¥10,000 (J 140,000). I think a couple months ago it was 40,000 for econ and 80,000 for J.
Delta 50,000 +¥34,000
Aegean 45,000+¥48,000
Alaska 37,500 + ¥16,000 (I bought the miles for around 2cents, sometimes less)
American 35,000+¥7,500 (J 75,000 but buying miles is expensive)

[AreTheyTheLemmings?]

Here is a comparison I did recently for Europe to Japan, oneway, economy:

Cash price:
Hainan ¥65,000
Etihad ¥100,000

or with mileage:

Taxes/fees on some of these are out of hand. United is low but mileage requirements high:

Korean (Peak Period unfortunately) 52,500+¥40,000 (J 92,500+¥56,000)
United 60,000 + ¥10,000 (J 140,000). I think a couple months ago it was 40,000 for econ and 80,000 for J.
Delta 50,000 +¥34,000
Aegean 45,000+¥48,000
Alaska 37,500 + ¥16,000 (I bought the miles for around 2cents, sometimes less)
American 35,000+¥7,500 (J 75,000 but buying miles is expensive)

What does "J" mean?

[RetireJapan]

What does "J" mean?

J is business class (there are a number of letter codes for different ticket prices, but J for business and F for first are the most commonly used ones)

[AreTheyTheLemmings?]

What does "J" mean?

J is business class (there are a number of letter codes for different ticket prices, but J for business and F for first are the most commonly used ones)

Ta.