I signed up for the BILT Palladium and with the great transfer bonus to JAL and the theoretical cheaper J flights from the US to Europe (AA, BA), I was thinking of speculatively transferring my 90K BILT points. I know JAL miles expire within 36 months (with no if ands or buts!), but I am confident we will be going to Europe at least once (if not twice) in the next couple years (which with the bonus, assuming worst case this will only be enough for 2 one-way saver/lower cost tickets).

AA is our main airline (ORD hub), and I typically use Alaska to book domestic flights as it's so much cheaper than AA itself, and then AA points for international (more availability - e.x. was able to score 3 J awards at 55K points from ORD-FCO non-stop, then another 4 J flights from JFK - FCO non stop at 85K points each).

Our Europe trips are either Air France (limited award availability at 60K points), AA or BA. So while the general rule of thumb is not to transfer speculatively, I'm strongly considering it for the BILT bonus. I just signed up for a new account so unable to see general award availability, and seats dot aero (pro account) doesn't support JAL (I don't think?).

So just wondering if using the general guidelines (i.e. booking either far in advance when awards are released, or near the actual flight date, being flexible with dates, etc.) if you all have found partner awards on JAL (using saver rates or cheap-ish rates) pretty good for AA/BA flights? Or even Air France flights since JAL also partners with them?

Hyatt now is about to suck wind with the changes (and I already have 400K chase points), and I also have a ton of Alaska points (600K), otherwise would just generally use the BILT points for that!

thanks!