Sorry for getting off topic....thanks for the advice everyone - will definitely stop by the Japanese Embassy and try to get a 3rd opinion on this before booking.....
As for the tickets to Seoul....my 950 a/i is gone, but there are plenty of 1200 a/i's....try dates May 26-May 29....it's 1200 a/i and I moved dates around from the CZ site it took me to for booking and there is LOTS of availability then....looks like the rate goes into April but not March...
Not sure about mileage accrual though...probably 25% or 50% since its a discount fare