Originally Posted by
maverikbc
Intresting now they serve Salon ex JFK. Or it's been always the case?
edit: I now see you were talking about return, my bad.
Ex LAX, SFO and ORD, their menus showed and confirmed with FAs that Salon was available ex JP only, though I've never departed from JFK on JL. Ex ORD in December, they served Billecart Salmon Cuvée Nicolas François 2007, ans ex LAX in June, they served Louis Roederer Cristal 2014. I think it was same in July, I guess that's why I didn't make a note.
I don't recall PDBs on any of JL flights last year. Their disposable wet towels were disappointing, they were slightly bigger than what we'd get in J 🤣, but we could get almost same thing for free from convenience stores in Japan....
I found 75k to and from SE Asia was fine, but rather forgettable experience for me. For example, the catering has been great, but they've never been better than restaurants on the ground, including inexpensive items like yakitori, noodle soups, don with kara'age, etc. Same with sushi at F lounges at TYO airports. With the new award pricing, I'll be just fine in J. I'm happy that I've been able to sample their F before deval, but there's no way I'd pay retail for it, even after winning a lottery.
I just completed a journey from LAX to HND in F connecting HND to BKK in C and must say that the service and experience for a measly 75K miles was extraordinary. Crew on both flights was fantastic. The F segment was 8/8 full and still I had what seamed liked unlimited pours of the Billecart Salmon Cuvée 2008 which was delicious. The strange thing was having selected the western meal I was served everything listed on the menu...ugh... way to much food, but thats why we play the game? I consider this a tie. I was extremely satisfied with what they served, but full to the point of not being able to enjoy desert or choco pieces after. They did offer a caviar plate later in the flight with the waffle pieces and smoked salmon w/cream cheese(?) which I actually liked better than the traditional eggy weggy sides. The lounge experience was awesome; fresh sushi and decent JAL curry followed by a trip upstairs to the JAL Salon for a glass of Yamazaki 12...yum. The onward flight was nice and trhe crew were wonderful. japanese breakfast served 2 hrs before landing was just ok, but based on my experiences on other airlines quite decent.
75K for this...yeah great value. For 100K or whatever the new price is using ASMP...well ok then, I'm in. Not happy about the price increase, but still worth it. The problem is finding availibility and with recent AS route changes, finding value in AS bookings that would create another opportunity going forward is the current challange as my home dep airport is better suited for UAL considering the US destinations I travel to.
Cheers,
-Cyborg