Budget Travel - Cheap flights to Japan??

First off I don't even know what I cheap flight really is as far as going to Japan..:confused:I've looked all over the internet, the cheapest I found (including taxes and fees) was about $1300.00 per person. I googled ATI International and found that. I'm not sure how reputable they are. It will be 4 adults and one 1 year old to Tokyo, specifiacally Narita International Airport on July 28th from Las Vegas (home) or LA (we'll drive if is a big price difference) Coming back August 4 or 10th. Any advice? Should we wait until it gets closer to July? I just don't want to prices to go higher.:rolleyes: I tried JAL airlines and I just don't understand their website. Newbie international traveler needs advice!! :D

I wanted to add I'm not looking for anyone to look up fares for me, Just wondering about the questions I asked and if they are some sites out there other than the obvious that offer good rates from the states to Japan. Thank you sooooo much!!

airfare to Asia is expensive during the summer. Don't be surprised to pay $1000 or more. try checking with an actual travel agent. Especially those that specialize specifically for travel to japan. They sometimes have negotiated fares with the airlines directly that are typically cheaper. How much cheaper? It really depends..from 50 bucks to 200 bucks.

most of the asian carriers are quite pricey-Japan AIrlines, Singapore. The cheapest one would be Korean. They have a non-stop from LAX- NRT.

Welcome to Flyertalk Robin67 !

Just looked, and WOW, the fares ARE expensive. Then again, I don't look unless I get an alert about a fare sale, so my vision may be a little skewed.

As aaron1262 pointed out, look to "ethnic" travel agencies, they can get you fares cheaper than listed. I only did it once, using an agency that specializes in travel to Taiwan, to travel to BKK. The reason I went with them is because I wanted to fly on EVA Air, which is based in Taiwan @:-)

Got a price about $200 less than the lowest published price :) And flew in Economy Premium for a little more than that :D

EmailKid

There is an active thread about how to find cheap US to Tokyo flights in the Japan forum
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japan/924721-airfares-tokyo-us.html

Depends where and when you want to go. Tokyo is the cheapest destination, Osaka the most expensive. Spring and autumn the most expensive times to fly. I travel to Japan several times a year, I always look at every travel and comparison website and go with the cheapest there. You really need to decide when you want to go first. Indirect flights are a pain, a 12 hour flight can become a 24 hour one. Remember you always need a return ticket when entering Japan....

Tokyo is the cheapest destination, Osaka the most expensive.
Whereas from Europe/Middle East, it often seems to be the reverse (with occasional bargain flights to NGO thrown in)

I'd urge again anyone looking into this question seriously to check the thread in the Japan Forum as an FTer has kindly provided a link to a good deal from New York for summer flights.

I've always found KIX priced the same as NRT! Curious.

And one can never repeat too often: don't take booking engines as gospel. The majority of tix to Asia from the US are consolidator tix, usually sold by an ethnic community travel agency.