Possible to get 6 F seats without paying for any?
Feb 8, 2014, 10:33 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: SFO and SNA/LAX
Programs: JL JMB Diamond 1.4 MM, UA 1P 1.2 MM
Posts: 238
Possible to get 6 F seats without paying for any?
So I'm taking the kids to Japan for the very first time pretty soon and I timed it to coincide with when my parents will be coming back too. So I need 6 seats. 2 parents, wife and I, and our 2 kids. I know it's not impossible, and I know it has a lot to do with luck, but what do you think the chances are of getting 6 F seats NRT-LAX without actually paying for any of them? Basically using only miles for 5 and upgrading 1 (mine).
Feb 9, 2014, 1:44 am
#2
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,394
So I'm taking the kids to Japan for the very first time pretty soon and I timed it to coincide with when my parents will be coming back too. So I need 6 seats. 2 parents, wife and I, and our 2 kids. I know it's not impossible, and I know it has a lot to do with luck, but what do you think the chances are of getting 6 F seats NRT-LAX without actually paying for any of them? Basically using only miles for 5 and upgrading 1 (mine).
Feb 9, 2014, 9:09 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: SFO and SNA/LAX
Programs: JL JMB Diamond 1.4 MM, UA 1P 1.2 MM
Posts: 238
So far I have 2 seats for my parents already in F using AA miles. 2 more seats in J for my wife and one kid using Avios (easy to cancel and rebook using AA miles if F opens up). Also bought a J seat and waitlisted for upgrade for myself (I can't see how my upgrade won't clear). And lastly waitlisted the other kid for an F seat. Flight is showing F6 still.
Feb 9, 2014, 9:33 am
#4
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,394
I guess I can use that as a last resort. Thanks for the great idea. That diamond benefit didn't really cross my mind.
So far I have 2 seats for my parents already in F using AA miles. 2 more seats in J for my wife and one kid using Avios (easy to cancel and rebook using AA miles if F opens up). Also bought a J seat and waitlisted for upgrade for myself (I can't see how my upgrade won't clear). And lastly waitlisted the other kid for an F seat. Flight is showing F6 still.
So far I have 2 seats for my parents already in F using AA miles. 2 more seats in J for my wife and one kid using Avios (easy to cancel and rebook using AA miles if F opens up). Also bought a J seat and waitlisted for upgrade for myself (I can't see how my upgrade won't clear). And lastly waitlisted the other kid for an F seat. Flight is showing F6 still.
Feb 10, 2014, 12:27 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: SFO and SNA/LAX
Programs: JL JMB Diamond 1.4 MM, UA 1P 1.2 MM
Posts: 238
I was just reviewing the JMB Diamond award policies and The Diamond award excludes intl F redemptions. So I'll just have to go back to hoping for good luck.
Feb 10, 2014, 12:29 pm
#6
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,394
Good thing is C isn't that bad with the JAL Sky Suite. Get row 5 so you are just one row behind
Feb 10, 2014, 2:37 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: SFO and SNA/LAX
Programs: JL JMB Diamond 1.4 MM, UA 1P 1.2 MM
Posts: 238
My kids don't have to fly F, but if JL is willing to give the F cabin away to "Americans" and I can afford it with miles, why not? JL does give the F cabin away at times. For example, there are 4 F seats on JL62 (NRT-LAX) on 2.13.14 available for anyone with the miles. If that's not giving away all but one seat, I don't know what is.
And, btw, I do have status. So does my wife.
And, btw, I do have status. So does my wife.
Apr 4, 2014, 9:15 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: SFO and SNA/LAX
Programs: JL JMB Diamond 1.4 MM, UA 1P 1.2 MM
Posts: 238
So I'm taking the kids to Japan for the very first time pretty soon and I timed it to coincide with when my parents will be coming back too. So I need 6 seats. 2 parents, wife and I, and our 2 kids. I know it's not impossible, and I know it has a lot to do with luck, but what do you think the chances are of getting 6 F seats NRT-LAX without actually paying for any of them? Basically using only miles for 5 and upgrading 1 (mine).
Apr 4, 2014, 9:26 pm
#10
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,394
Just to close the loop, it is possible to get 6 F seats. In theory I guess its possible to get up to 7 since they won't give away the last seat expect for paid F. I ended up being upgraded from J and had 4 F seats and 2 J seats all the way up to 2 days before our flight. Fare bucket was showing F1, but 2 pax cancelled and I switched 2 J seats booked through BA Avios to 2 F seats using AA miles the day before the flight. Obviously you need to get lucky, but at least I know it can be done in theory.
Apr 10, 2014, 4:12 am
#12
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,394
Apr 10, 2014, 2:47 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: SFO and SNA/LAX
Programs: JL JMB Diamond 1.4 MM, UA 1P 1.2 MM
Posts: 238
Your JMB status has nothing to do with booking an award ticket with AA miles. Like JALPAK said, AA award rules would apply when using AA miles.
Apr 11, 2014, 1:11 pm
#14
Join Date: Oct 2007
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It is possible, but you would most likely need to redeposit miles and consequently pay US$150 unless you are AA explat then its free