Award travel ex-NRT in August? Nothing available???

[rant]

I'm trying to book an award ticket for my sister & for the entire month of August, there's NO inventory available on any SkyTeam or NW partner. I had them check on JAL, DL, CO, NW, & KE and nothing! I'm looking for a return from NRT anytime between Aug 13-23 specifically, but may be able to adjust dates if something comes up.

[/rant]

Although more inconvenient, how about MH from NRT-KUL-USA?

Otherwise, perhaps utilize the 20k award within Asia and get a ticket from NRT to somewhere that has availability back to the US?

I see some BF returns NRT-IAH-DCA on CO on 8/17

I also see a NRT-LAX return in Y on NW on 8/24. You'll have to cobble together some way to get LAX-WAS on DL/CO/NW/AS.

Correct me If I am wrong, but I thought award JAL flights were only for domestic flights within Japan.

You're right - but the agent didn't mention that to me when I asked - from NWA.com:

Redeeming Miles
WorldPerks members may redeem WorldPerks miles for award travel on JAL domestic Japan flights operated by Japan Airlines (excludes JAL partner flights: JEX/JTA/J-AIR/JAC/HAC).

Thanks - I'll check this out!

Thanks Channa! I booked her on 8/3 out & 8/24 return using 60K DL miles (she's ex-NYC) LGA-MSP-NRT-LAX-JFK

I've got an award on NW on hold for 8/3-8/17 for EWR-MSP-NRT in NW Y & NRT-IAH-DTW-EWR on CO/NW BF/F for 90K - I hope she doesn't want this award as I don't want to blow 90K right now!

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

I had been monitoring availability for the past 60 days for the transpacific West Coast to NRT routes and found several releasing of perksaver seats. These releases of seats seem to occur randomly but I've seen more frequencies on routes between NRT and SFO, and also on the newly added flights between NRT and SEA (Saturday from SEA or Sunday from NRT). Also NW seem to be releasing additional perksaver seats within 30 days of travel.

Granted it's hard, and infrequent but I found several perksaver options recently flying back from NRT in August. If you are stuck on your dates, try SEA flight from NRT on August 20, or SFO on August 23. They seem to have more frequent releases.

Also consider flight combinations, where they pull in inventory of other skymiles carriers. I've frequently found availability on CO from Nagoya (NGO) to Honolulu, and connect to a NW flight from Honolulu. It's a different airport in Japan but the availability for award seats on this CO flight is generally good.

Jiburi

Jiburi

I have booked JEX Award travel as recently as June, and had no problems-- for what its worth.