Originally Posted by
Exleftseat
The fare difference was over $ 400.00 each way on the RT, but more important the GPU was waitlisted only on both legs. Booking ex LAX cleared upon booking. Same on the return, NRT-LAX upon booking, waitlisted NRT-LAX-PHX.
Not surprised. LAX-TYO is a highly competitive market, with JL, SQ, AA, and DL competing against UA and NH. It's almost always cheaper than SFO-TYO, where the only competition is a single JL flight.
Note that if you had booked PHX-NRT, the upgrade would have cleared on LAX-NRT and waitlisted just for the PHX-LAX segment.