JAL and ANA to Double Fuel Surcharges
If you have plans to fly Japan Airlines (JAL) or All Nippon Airways (ANA), you should try to book before May 1, 2026. Both carriers are nearly doubling their international fuel surcharges due to rising oil prices.
Starting in May, surcharges for flights between North America and Japan will spike from roughly $160–$180 to over $350 per segment. For a round-trip journey, travelers can expect to pay over $700. Shorter regional routes, such as those to South Korea or Southeast Asia, are also seeing significant proportional increases.
The increased surcharges are for a limited time, at least for now. The airlines have said they are in effect from May 1 through June 30, 2026.
This is a major blow for those using miles. Since JAL and ANA both pass these surcharges on to award tickets, a “free” flight booked after the deadline will come with hundreds of dollars in extra out-of-pocket costs.
At least they have given advanced notice of these changes and you can still book at he lower price until April 30. Even if you aren’t traveling until later in the year, locking in your reservation now will exempt you from the May 1 hike.
 or All Nippon Airways (ANA), you should try to book before May 1, 2026. Both carriers are nearly doubling their international fuel surcharges.){kind=link}
Still cheap – I have no problem with a fuel (or tax) total charge of $500 or less each way in J to Europe or Asia. Now some are pushing $1000 each way and that is a hard no (at least for me). Also, people looking to use miles/points or credit card credit for something “free” are missing the mark. It is to offset spending you already make. For example, I don’t consider my $100 quarterly Amex Platinum Resy credit to be a “free” meal but, instead a $100 discount so I pay $200 at a great steakhouse for 2 instead of $300. Still worth it. As for award tickets you look at total cost (miles plus $), compare it against the cost if you paid cash and then decide if the overall discount is worth the miles. Simple. People that lived in the miles/points world simply for “free” are going to drop by the wayside (as they should). If you existing lifestyle doesn’t match the card or program just get a cash back card (as long as swipe rates support any benefits which will likely end at some point).
they didn’t wait until May 1. Its already in effect when I tried to book an award flight.