Originally Posted by
shosana
Hi, I am very new to this sub and been reading pages after pages how to book JAL with AS miles. and to my understanding is that, the the first 5 days of JAL releasing the award seats (330 days) AS wont be able to see the availability. So if I can hold the award with AA miles and then drop it after 5 days, will it go back to the inventory and Alaska can see or I should just call Alaska and politely mention the direct access manual booking to look for the award?
Sorry if this question has been raised and I am trying to learn the rope.
Thank you in advance.
It is a bit more involved. You can use the calendar workaround to get J availability through +328 days. From the homepage select advanced search and do a calendar search then you should be able to see J availability through +328 days, or at least that's what I am seeing right now. F does not show up until closer in even with the calendar workaround and by then the seats are usually taken. Selecting the calendar after doing a simple date search will not show J through +328, you must start with a calendar search.
F is different. Evidence in the past showed JAL removing F availability for most days of the week after a couple of days so if holding F with another program for more than a day or two seats may not be released back into inventory when cancelled, and of less concern JL members who waitlist will get seats before they return to inventory but I would think waitlists are not common at schedule open. I am not sure if JL removing inventory applies to J as well. It used to be JL would not take back F seats on Tuesday or Wednesday IIRC but I do not know if that still holds.
A direct access booking might be a workaround if you can convince an agent to do it. Please report back if you have success with this.