The ETC Mileage Service is Japan's free highway points system that gives you up to 10%+ cashback on toll fees! Combined with the "Weekday Morning/Evening Discount," you can get up to 50% back! If you have an ETC card and haven't registered, you're losing money.
📌 What is the ETC Mileage Service?
The ETC Mileage Service is a free point cashback system jointly operated by NEXCO East, Central, and West Japan, along with the Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Expressway Company.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration & Annual Fee | Completely FREE |
| Point Reward Rate | Approximately 10% of toll fees (varies by operator) |
| Point Credit Date | 20th of the following month |
| Point Validity | Until end of following fiscal year (max ~2 years) |
| Reward Credit Validity | No expiration (registration canceled after 730 days of inactivity) |
💡 Recommended For:
- Anyone who uses expressways at least a few times per year
- Commuters who use highways regularly
- People who take long drives for trips or visiting family
- Frequent late-night highway users (especially important for future changes!)
📊 Point Rates by Road Operator
Point accumulation and exchange rates differ by road operator.
🚗 Point Rates for Major Road Operators
| Road Operator | Point Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NEXCO East/Central/West Miyagi Expressway Corp. |
¥10 → 1 point | Points can be combined |
| Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Expressway | ¥10 → 1 point | - |
| Aichi Road Concession | ¥100 → 1 point + α | Bonus points based on monthly usage |
| Hiroshima Expressway Corp. | ¥100 → 1 point + α | Bonus points based on monthly usage |
| Fukuoka-Kitakyushu Expressway Corp. | ¥100 → 1 point + α | Bonus points based on monthly usage |
⚠️ Roads NOT Covered
The following roads are NOT eligible for ETC Mileage points:
- Metropolitan Expressway (Shuto Expressway)
- Hanshin Expressway (ended March 2021)
- Kobe City Road Corp. (ended March 31, 2025)
💰 Point Exchange Rates (NEXCO, etc.)
| Points to Exchange | Reward Amount | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 points | ¥500 | 5% |
| 3,000 points | ¥2,500 | ~8.3% |
| 5,000 points | ¥5,000 | 10% (Best Value!) |
💡 Money-Saving Tip
Save up to 5,000 points before exchanging to get the best rate (10%). Set up the automatic exchange service, and it will automatically convert when you hit 5,000 points!
🌟 Two Powerful Discount Programs
🌅 Weekday Morning/Evening Discount (Requires ETC Mileage Registration)
Valid Hours: Weekdays 6:00-9:00 AM & 5:00-8:00 PM
Valid Roads: NEXCO-managed regional expressways (Tokyo/Osaka metro areas excluded)
| Monthly Usage | Cashback Rate |
|---|---|
| 5-9 times | 30% |
| 10+ times | 50% |
※ Up to 100km of tolls eligible. Reward credited on the 20th of the following month.
📊 How the Discount Time Window Works:
▲ Discount applies if you enter or exit during the valid time window
📊 When Entering from NEXCO Roads (1 Hour Extension):
▲ When entering from NEXCO roads, the valid time window is extended by 1 hour
🌙 Late-Night Discount Changes Coming
Current System: 30% discount on entire trip if traveling between 0:00-4:00 AM (instant)
After Changes (Expected FY2026+):
- Hours expanded to 10:00 PM - 5:00 AM
- 30% cashback ONLY on distance traveled during those hours
- ETC Mileage Service registration REQUIRED (switching to delayed rebate system)
- 10-11 PM: 20% cashback (transition measure)
🚨 About the Late-Night Discount Changes (October 2025 Update)
The late-night discount system changes originally scheduled for July 2025 have been postponed due to the April 2025 ETC system failure at NEXCO Central Japan.
According to the October 29, 2025 announcement from NEXCO (East/Central/West), system preparation work has resumed, and implementation is expected in FY2026 (April 2026) or later. The specific start date will be announced when confirmed.
After the change, you won't receive late-night discounts without ETC Mileage registration. We strongly recommend registering now!
📝 What You Need to Register
| Required | Where to Find |
|---|---|
| ETC Card Number (16 digits) | Front of your ETC card |
| ETC Card Expiration Date | Front of your ETC card |
| On-Board Unit Management Number (19 digits) | Setup certificate or unit body |
| Vehicle Number (4 digits from license plate) | Your license plate |
| Email Address | For point notifications, etc. |
🔧 Registration Steps
Go to ETC Mileage Service and click "新規登録" (New Registration)
Enter your email for temporary registration. You'll receive a confirmation email.
Fill in your name, address, ETC card number, unit management number, and vehicle number
Check "希望する" (Yes) for the automatic reward service—very convenient!
You'll receive your Mileage ID by email. Points start accumulating from the same day you complete registration.
⚠️ Important Notes & FAQ
❓ How long are points valid?
Points are valid until the end of the fiscal year following the year they were earned. Example: Points earned in August 2025 are valid until March 2027. Check regularly to avoid expiration.
❓ Do reward credits expire?
Once converted to credits, there is no expiration. However, if points and credits don't change for 730 days (~2 years), your registration is automatically canceled.
❓ Can I register multiple ETC cards?
Yes, you can register up to 4 cards per on-board unit. However, points cannot be combined between cards.
❓ Can I earn points with rental cars?
If you use your own registered ETC card, you can earn points even in a different vehicle.
❓ Can I double-dip with credit card points?
Yes! You can earn both ETC Mileage points AND credit card points. Using a high-reward credit card for your ETC makes it even more worthwhile.
⚠️ Beware of Phishing Scams
Phishing emails impersonating the ETC Mileage Service are increasing. The official service will NEVER send payment request emails. Don't click links in suspicious emails.
📱 Checking & Exchanging Points
How to Check Points
- Online: Log in to your My Page
- Automated Phone: 045-477-3793 (9:00 AM - 6:00 PM)
- Customer Service: 045-477-3793 (avoid busy times)
How to Exchange Points
- Automatic Exchange: Auto-converts at 5,000 points (Recommended!)
- My Page: Manual exchange in 1,000/3,000/5,000 point increments
- Automated Phone: Phone-based exchange process
- Customer Service: Operator-assisted exchange
📊 Usage & Reward Flow (Example)
Rewards are calculated based on your monthly usage count for the weekday morning/evening discount, then credited on the 20th of the following month.
▲ Reward amount is determined by monthly usage count and credited on the 20th
📌 Postal Notification Service Ending
The postal "Point Balance Notification" service will end in FY2025 (new terms of service take effect June 1, 2026). Please use email notifications or check your My Page going forward.
⚠️ If you have points expiring on March 31, 2026, please check and exchange them online as soon as possible!
📋 Summary
✅ Benefits of ETC Mileage Service
- Free registration with no annual fee
- Up to 10% cashback on toll fees
- Weekday morning/evening discount offers up to 50% back
- Future late-night discount requires registration
- Double-dip with credit card points
If you have an ETC card and haven't registered,
you're leaving money on the table!
It only takes about 10 minutes to register. Try it today!