RetireJapan

Occasionally points and miles come up for credit cards here in Japan. I came across this article about the ANA SFC credit card.

https://loyaltylobby.com/2021/08/04/rea ... -campaign/

Getting the SFC card and the accompanying Star Alliance Gold for half the normal cost is a pretty amazing deal. I also did not know that if you add a family member (ie spouse) as an authorized user, they also are getting Star Alliance Gold.

That seems pretty incredible. Almost wish I had known about this campaign sooner.

I will add another link to a blog from a foreigner here in Japan who was able to get the SFC and their experience.

https://dylanlau.io/life/ana-super-flyers-card/

It is a good deal once you have the card, IF you travel a lot and make use of the lounge and aren't already flying business class. The extra baggage might be useful for some in economy, but normally the international flight allowance for economy is 2 bags plus carryon, and that is more than enough for me.

The guy who did it for 1/2 price still took 18 flights and spent ¥300,000. That is a lot of time and money for "free" lounge access in the future. The card costs ¥11,000 which isn't too bad given you earn ANA points. My problem with ANA is the 36 month expiration on earnings.

If you get the points on your company's dime, of course it is a different story.

I did this a few years ago (deliberately got SFC and the JAL version: JGC).

Semi-relevant post from the blog: https://www.retirejapan.com/blog/travel ... to-europe/

I have ANA cards for me, my wife, and my children. Makes flying much more enjoyable (business check in is wonderful, the lounges can be good, occasionally get an upgrade, bonus miles). I have JAL cards for me and my wife (JAL cards are more expensive).

It was worth it when we could travel, less worth it now.

The nice thing is that once you qualify, you can keep the status for as long as you keep paying the fee for the card.

RetireJapan wrote: ↑Mon Sep 20, 2021 3:56 am I did this a few years ago (deliberately got SFC and the JAL version: JGC).

Semi-relevant post from the blog: https://www.retirejapan.com/blog/travel ... to-europe/

I have ANA cards for me, my wife, and my children. Makes flying much more enjoyable (business check in is wonderful, the lounges can be good, occasionally get an upgrade, bonus miles). I have JAL cards for me and my wife (JAL cards are more expensive).

It was worth it when we could travel, less worth it now.

The nice thing is that once you qualify, you can keep the status for as long as you keep paying the fee for the card.

I too am a travel hacker and churn US credit cards for generous bonuses. I also buy points when they are really cheap.

Did you spend extra money (they are saying ¥300,000-¥600,000) to qualify for them, or did qualification come easily due to preplanned travel?

I have really have mixed feelings about mileage runs just to earn status (time and CO2 emissions).

TJKansai wrote: ↑Tue Sep 21, 2021 3:53 am Did you spend extra money (they are saying ¥300,000-¥600,000) to qualify for them, or did qualification come easily due to preplanned travel?

I have really have mixed feelings about mileage runs just to earn status (time and CO2 emissions).

I had to do some extra flights to top it up (on top of an unusually 'good' year with a couple of international trips. I think I flew to Osaka four times in one day (to get the birthday bonus fares). I had the same flight attendants, which made them think I was a lunatic. "Do you like flying?" one of them asked me in a pitying way

I got SFC one year and JGC the next. I wouldn't do it now, but I was really into miles and points at the time.

TJKansai wrote: ↑Tue Sep 21, 2021 3:53 am I too am a travel hacker and churn US credit cards for generous bonuses. I also buy points when they are really cheap.

If I had access to US credit cards I wouldn't have bothered with the Japanese cards. Who needs status when you have a first-class award ticket?

TJKansai wrote: ↑Tue Sep 21, 2021 3:53 amI also buy points when they are really cheap.

Sorry to butt in. Can you tell me a bit more about this? Or point me in the direction of some information?
Is this something I can do with my Japanese credit card affiliated with United's milage system (and Star Alliance)?

AreTheyTheLemmings? wrote: ↑Wed Sep 22, 2021 3:09 am

TJKansai wrote: ↑Tue Sep 21, 2021 3:53 amI also buy points when they are really cheap.

Sorry to butt in. Can you tell me a bit more about this? Or point me in the direction of some information?
Is this something I can do with my Japanese credit card affiliated with United's milage system (and Star Alliance)?

Most of the airlines and hotel chains sell miles and points. At certain times of the year they have sales, and you can get the miles and points cheaper.

Depending on the program, it can make sense to buy miles in order to get an award ticket, especially if you want a business or first class ticket, or you want to book at short notice, or you want to fly an unusual route.

It can be frustrating to try to book with miles though, so that is something else to take into consideration. But if you understand the system you can save a lot of money by playing the miles&points game.

AreTheyTheLemmings? wrote: ↑Wed Sep 22, 2021 3:09 am

TJKansai wrote: ↑Tue Sep 21, 2021 3:53 amI also buy points when they are really cheap.

Sorry to butt in. Can you tell me a bit more about this? Or point me in the direction of some information?
Is this something I can do with my Japanese credit card affiliated with United's milage system (and Star Alliance)?

My Japanese Saison credit card earns 15 United miles for each ¥1,000, and those can allow me to book Star Alliance. Good value if business class or during high seasons (need to book far in advance though).

Offers to buy come up via the airline websites and emails. I also subscribe (free) to Loyalty Lobby (it is both good and bad, depending on who writes the article). Flyertalk it the place all information is exchanged, though there is so much it can be intimidating.

Buying Alaska miles on sale and using them for business class on JAL is a winner. You might pay $1500 for what would normally be a $3000 roundtrip.

UA for ANA is also good.