oneworld - A Bit of a Conundrum with JAL

Let me preface my narrative by saying I've been wanting to go to Bangkok for years. All attempts to book award flights through the SkyTeam Alliance or the OneWorld Consortium have been futile. However, tonight I was able to assemble what I think is a pretty good itinerary using OneWorld. It goes like this: 1-28-10 SAN-LAX-SFO (AE&AA);1-29-10 SFO-NRT-BKK (JAL) all Business; five nights in Bangkok at the Westin; 2-4-10 BKK-NRT-LAX (JAL) all Business; 2-4-10 LAX-SAN (AE). Other than having to overnight in San Francisco where my son can accommodate dear old dad, the connections are excellent. My "conundrum" is this: What happens if JAL goes bankrupt or completely ceases operations? Would AA be able to find me a substitute airline to get me to BKK? Would AA simply cancel the itinerary and refund my miles? If SkyTeam takes over JAL, is there a chance SkyTeam would come to my rescue? Am I worrying about nothing? Do I need to increase my anti-anxiety medication? I've never had this many miles riding on one award ticket and, in fact, am thinking of bumping it up to all First Class as I must say JAL's first looks very appealing, it is available on all legs, and I do have the necessary miles. I'd appreciate the sage advice from any of my comrades out there. Thank you!

I'd say you're worrying about nothing.

The Japanese Government won't let JAL go out of business. Right now they are discussing whether to go into some form of bankruptcy protection or not, along with AA or Delta investing.

There won't be any move to SkyTeam for months after a decision is made, so that's a non event also.

So I'd go ahead and book it - JAL aren't going anywhere.

http://www.sqtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?p=113595#post113595

It will be at least until march before anything is known about the direction of the brankcrupcy proceedings. In the meantime, those who can enjoy JAL international should do so while its good.

There won't be any move to SkyTeam for months after a decision is made, so that's a non event also.

Plus, typically, even after an alliance change, already-ticketed award tickets are honored as issued. So, I think your only possible worry is if JAL stops operating altogether (or, if as some propose, they stop operating internationally and leave that to ANA). I just wouldn't worry about it too much - airlines have been known to go out of business, change schedules, drop certain routes, and so on without notice, and you'd worry yourself silly if you tried to plan for all contingencies. If you really wanted to be paranoid, consider making sure that your hotel isn't non-refundable and canceleable up to a few days before arrival.

Thank you everyone. I appreciate your feedback. Looks like I'll be getting there - one way or another.

According to this article (http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=comm&id=news/JAL12319.xml&headline=JAL%20May%20Drop%20International%20Routes )JAL may give up it's international route operations and hand them over to ANA. I don't know if I would feel so comfortable about booking international segments with them.