Points and miles collection in Japan for the non-Japanese.
Honorable Mentions: Other Foreign Programs With Japan‑Issued Cards or AmEx Transfers (Part 3 of 3)
The final article in the series explores non‑Japanese frequent flyer programs that Japan residents often encounter—Vietnam Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific, and various AmEx‑transferable partners. This narrative examines their strengths, limitations, and relevance to both Japanese and foreign residents, highlighting how travel patterns and home‑country ties shape which programs are genuinely useful. It’s a thoughtful, practical look at programs that can complement your strategy, even if they don’t belong in the main priority list.
Honorable Mentions
Once you’ve built your core strategy around United, Delta, and the Avios ecosystem, it’s natural to start looking at the other foreign programs that pop up in Japan. Some have Japan‑issued credit cards. Some accept AmEx Japan transfers. Some even offer unique earning features that ANA and JAL don’t.
But these programs sit in a different category. They’re not foundational. They’re the “nice to have” tools that can enhance your travel life if they match your patterns — and fall away quietly if they don’t.
And importantly, their usefulness often depends on who you are: a Japanese citizen with Japan‑centric travel habits, or a foreign resident whose travel patterns orbit a different home base.
Let’s explore them with that distinction in mind.
🇻🇳 Vietnam Airlines (Lotusmiles)
Vietnam Airlines offers a Japan‑issued credit card and its official mobile app has a pedometer feature that gives out 5 miles for walking at least 5,000 steps per day, which makes earning miles easy. For travelers who frequently visit Vietnam or Southeast Asia, Lotusmiles can be a convenient side program. But for most residents, it’s too narrow. The award chart is inconsistent, and SkyTeam access is already covered more flexibly by Delta.
Useful for:
Foreign residents who travel often to Vietnam
Japanese travelers with strong Southeast Asia ties
Not essential for most Japan‑based flyers.
🇸🇬 Singapore Airlines (KrisFlyer)
KrisFlyer is globally respected, and the Japan‑issued card makes earning miles straightforward. But the program’s strict mileage expiration and increasingly scarce saver awards make it less appealing for Japan residents. United simply offers better access to ANA flights with fewer headaches.
Useful for:
Travelers who specifically want Singapore Airlines premium cabins
Those who value Star Alliance but don’t mind expiration pressure
Still, not a priority for most Japan‑based travelers.
🇹🇭 Thai Airways (Royal Orchid Plus)
Thai Airways also has a Japan‑issued card, but the program’s relevance has declined. Miles expire, sweet spots are limited, and Thai Airways’ financial instability makes long‑term planning risky.
Useful for: Travelers who frequently fly to Thailand
But United remains the more stable Star Alliance option.
🇭🇰 Cathay Pacific (Asia Miles)
Cathay Pacific is the standout among the honorable mentions — and its usefulness varies significantly depending on whether the resident is Japanese or foreign.
Why Japanese residents benefit more from Asia Miles. For Japanese citizens, Asia Miles aligns naturally with local travel patterns:
It provides access to JAL and other oneworld partners, which fits Japan’s strong oneworld culture.
It offers Japan‑issued credit cards, making earning easy.
And uniquely, it supports Card Linked Earn, allowing any Japan‑issued Visa or Mastercard to earn Asia Miles through the Cathay Pacific app.
This passive earning feature is rare and extremely Japan‑friendly. It turns everyday spending — even at local shops — into oneworld miles.
Why foreign residents may find Delta more practical. Foreign residents often have different travel rhythms:
Many fly home to countries served by SkyTeam carriers (Korean Air, China Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Garuda, Air France, KLM).
Delta miles never expire, which suits irregular travel patterns.
Delta’s Japan‑issued cards offer stable, predictable earning without the pressure of maintaining activity.
For foreigners, SkyMiles often aligns better with their global routes and home‑country connections.
Verdict on Cathay Pacific
For Japanese residents: Asia Miles is one of the most Japan‑friendly foreign programs.
For foreign residents: Useful, but usually secondary to Delta.
Cathay Pacific is the rare program that can be both aspirational and practical — but its value depends heavily on who you are and where you fly.
💳 AmEx Japan Transfer Partners
American Express Japan quietly unlocks a wide range of foreign programs: British Airways (Avios), Delta, Emirates, Etihad, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and more.
This flexibility makes AmEx Japan an excellent supporting tool, especially for topping up Avios or SkyMiles. But it doesn’t introduce new programs that deserve to outrank the main priority list.
Think of AmEx as a bridge — not a home.
🎯 Final Thoughts: These honorable mentions all have their place, but their usefulness depends on your identity and your travel patterns.
For Japanese residents: Cathay Pacific stands out as the most relevant of the honorable mentions, thanks to its oneworld access and Card Linked Earn feature. The others are situational at best.
For foreign residents: Delta remains the more practical choice, with SkyTeam coverage and no expiration pressure. Cathay Pacific becomes a nice extra, not a core program.
Across both groups, the main priority list remains unchanged:
Your home country’s airline
United MileagePlus
Delta SkyMiles
Avios ecosystem
Everything else is optional seasoning — helpful, flavorful, but not the foundation of the dish.