Originally Posted by
decillion
I also don't see the point in flying JFK-ICN to TYO on OZ because that wouldn't save any time and we don't want to go to Seoul anymore, actually. EWR is also the preferred airport for my family because it's closer than JFK since we live outside Manhattan.
Not sure I'm following that logic. You'd save loads of time if you're saying that taking the JFK-TPE-TYO route will cost you a night in Taiwan. OZ JFK-ICN links up to the night flight on OZ to Tokyo, think it's NRT, no need to visit Korea or even stay overnight short of irregular operations.
Originally Posted by
decillion
People seem to say that it's easy to get saver space later on EWR-NRT is this true even during the winter holidays?
The last 2 months I saw loads of R space on that flight, often that means some Saver Award as well, but not always. I wasn't checking for award tickets a the time. Of course next year may not look the same as this year, but historically even if you never see UA, then OZ should be available from time to time, they are fairly generous with C and F awards.
Another route to be aware of that is very frequently available within 2 weeks of departure is EWR/JFK-ZRH-NRT on LX. You won't usually find that one in advance though, it's one to possibly change to later if you book BR now.