479 live award deals to Manila Ninoy Aquino International (MNL). Alaska Mileage Plan leads in availability with economy awards from 37,500 miles. Most routings connect through Tokyo, Singapore, or Seoul — JAL and ANA both operate strong MNL connections.
Alaska's Japan Airlines partnership is the cleanest path to Manila. Flights route US→Tokyo Narita or Haneda→Manila, with JAL operating both legs. Economy from 37,500 miles. No fuel surcharges on JAL awards booked via Alaska. Transfer Chase or Capital One to Alaska at 1:1.
United books ANA-operated flights via Tokyo, or other Star Alliance partners connecting through Singapore or Hong Kong. Economy from 36,800 miles. Award availability on ANA routes to Manila is strong. Transfer Chase to United at 1:1.
Aeroplan covers Manila via Star Alliance carriers including ANA and Singapore Airlines. Aeroplan's stopover rules can make it worthwhile if you want to add a free Singapore stop on the routing. Transfer Chase, Amex, or Capital One to Aeroplan at 1:1.
Manila is roughly 2.5 hours from Tokyo, making the Tokyo connection the dominant routing for US-Manila award travel. Japan Airlines operates frequent NRT→MNL and HND→MNL flights, and ANA covers the route as well. Both carriers have excellent business class products on the US-Tokyo segment: JAL's Sky Suite and ANA's The Room are two of the best business class products in the world, making the US-Tokyo leg a premium experience in its own right. The Tokyo-Manila segment is typically operated by narrowbody equipment — a 2-3 hour flight in economy or business class.
Singapore Airlines also connects Manila with excellent frequencies from Changi — and the SIN hub means you can combine Manila with a Singapore stopover if you book via Aeroplan. Singapore→Manila is roughly 3.5 hours, and Changi is one of the world's best transit airports for a long layover. ANA additionally operates Osaka Kansai (KIX) to Manila, making it possible to add an Osaka connection to a Japan multi-city itinerary without backtracking.
For West Coast travelers, the routing matters: LAX or SFO to Tokyo is roughly 11 hours, then Tokyo to Manila is 2.5 hours — for a total elapsed time of around 16 hours city to city. East Coast travelers should consider routing via Seoul (ICN) or connecting through Tokyo from JFK with Japan Airlines. Always search multi-program availability when routing to Manila — Alaska and United often show different space on the same flights.
Manila functions primarily as a connecting hub for domestic Philippines destinations rather than a terminal stop. Boracay (MPH/KLO), El Nido and Puerto Princesa in Palawan (PPS), Cebu (CEB), and Siargao (IAO) are the most popular onward destinations. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific both operate domestic networks from NAIA. The combination of a trans-Pacific award flight to MNL plus a cheap domestic fare on Cebu Pacific is a common travel pattern for Philippines itineraries — domestic fares are often just $20-60 USD.
Manila itself has significant cultural and historical attractions: Intramuros (the walled city dating to Spanish colonial rule), the National Museum complex, Binondo (the world's oldest Chinatown), and the vibrant food scene in Bonifacio Global City and Makati. For travelers spending time in Manila before continuing, BGC and Makati are the modern commercial districts with international-standard hotels, restaurants, and infrastructure. Points hotels in Manila include Marriott Manila in Pasay and Marriott Bonvoy properties in BGC — both bookable with points at competitive redemption rates.