Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - AM redemption, JL domestic

Hi, I'm looking forward to soon try out the OW counterparts of J class. BA and JL (The more worthy Js on my routes I'd say aside from CX?) However, for an ITM-HND sector there is no J available. I know it's a short flight, but I'd rather hop off the plane earlier. and 2/5/2 or 3/4/3 at the back is a bit uh.....

Q1. Anyone knows if J-class (literally...) for JL domestic flights ever open up to redemption? Or they generally keep it for the 1000yen paid upgrade during check in?

Q2. CX506 arrives KIX at 1445, what are the typical times of going thru immigration and customs with checked baggage? I'm wondering the possibility of catching the LEX train at 1545 and getting into Kyoto at 1700. If we can't get the JR pass in HK we'll need to get it at the airport, if that adds onto the time I get through the whole process. (I think usually getting on the Limo bus at 1600 isnt a problem... but I cant remember about 1545, and at the train station) If this is strictly impossible I might just get the 1stop flight.

Q1. Anyone knows if J-class (literally...) for JL domestic flights ever open up to redemption? Or they generally keep it for the 1000yen paid upgrade during check in?

Not sure about using AM. But I did a quick random check using JMB and J class award is available on most of the flights from ITM to HND on 8/1.

Q1. Anyone knows if J-class (literally...) for JL domestic flights ever open up to redemption? Or they generally keep it for the 1000yen paid upgrade during check in?


I called AM before for my CTS --> HND J-class redemption for my HKG --> CTS --> HND // NRT --> HKG booking and the answer is NO, JAL don't have Domestic J award seats for Asiamiles member

For the 1000 Yen thing, I will try on 19 Jul 2009 at airport

Cheers!

Q2. CX506 arrives KIX at 1445, what are the typical times of going thru immigration and customs with checked baggage? I'm wondering the possibility of catching the LEX train at 1545 and getting into Kyoto at 1700. If we can't get the JR pass in HK we'll need to get it at the airport, if that adds onto the time I get through the whole process. (I think usually getting on the Limo bus at 1600 isnt a problem... but I cant remember about 1545, and at the train station) If this is strictly impossible I might just get the 1stop flight.

The one time I took CX506, it was super fast through immigration. I seem to recall I was at the train within 20 minutes, with bags. Not exactly a large sample size, but you should be OK.

I called AM before for my CTS --> HND J-class redemption for my HKG --> CTS --> HND // NRT --> HKG booking and the answer is NO, JAL don't have Domestic J award seats for Asiamiles member

For the 1000 Yen thing, I will try on 19 Jul 2009 at airport

Cheers!

Just a quick report on old thread : Yes you can pay upgrade at the airport for the domestic J from award Y.

However it is subject to availability as always. The 1000 Yen is well spent for sure!!! (I flew 747-300 today and there's no PTY at Y !!!)

Just a quick report on old thread : Yes you can pay upgrade at the airport for the domestic J from award Y.

However it is subject to availability as always. The 1000 Yen is well spent for sure!!! (I flew 747-300 today and there's no PTY at Y !!!)

Thanks for this! However I am wondering cuz my flight is hardly an hour. (ITM-HND) although 2000 Yen is next to nothing in the grand scheme of things in japan...(And the redemption ticket). I get off earlier, and that's about it...

Thanks for this! However I am wondering cuz my flight is hardly an hour. (ITM-HND) although 2000 Yen is next to nothing in the grand scheme of things in japan...(And the redemption ticket). I get off earlier, and that's about it...

Ya ... for ITM it's nothing to write home .. for Sapporo / Okinawa that's big one LOL

For Domestic J you have way more leg room to sketch your legs, so I think it worth it ..

Q2. CX506 arrives KIX at 1445, what are the typical times of going thru immigration and customs with checked baggage? I'm wondering the possibility of catching the LEX train at 1545 and getting into Kyoto at 1700. If we can't get the JR pass in HK we'll need to get it at the airport, if that adds onto the time I get through the whole process. (I think usually getting on the Limo bus at 1600 isnt a problem... but I cant remember about 1545, and at the train station) If this is strictly impossible I might just get the 1stop flight.

KIX customs and immigration are pretty reasonable. However, you may still be in a rush depending on when you luggage arrives.

What JR Pass are you getting? If it's the JR Pass for the entire Japan, remember you have to buy the exchange voucher outside Japan.

KIX customs and immigration are pretty reasonable. However, you may still be in a rush depending on when you luggage arrives.

What JR Pass are you getting? If it's the JR Pass for the entire Japan, remember you have to buy the exchange voucher outside Japan.

JR West (basically for KIX-Kyoto on Haruka). I was searching, but I cant figure out if I need to buy it in HK or I can do it in KIX?

JR West (basically for KIX-Kyoto on Haruka). I was searching, but I cant figure out if I need to buy it in HK or I can do it in KIX?

If you goto Kyoto, you can buy the JR West Pass upon arrival (JR green windows @ airport). Note that it is only valid for the local version and not valid on the shikensen version

For more information, read http://www.westjr.co.jp/english/travel/jrp/index.html

If you goto Kyoto, you can buy the JR West Pass upon arrival (JR green windows @ airport). Note that it is only valid for the local version and not valid on the shikensen version

For more information, read http://www.westjr.co.jp/english/travel/jrp/index.html

thanks a lot!