sschwenk -- you don't need to convince me of that. Tomorrow, we leave on a 3-week cruise to Asia, with a few days in Tokyo tacked on to the end.

Since we booked cruise-only, I spent numerous days trying to find the cheapest way home. We all know how expensive flights are to/from Japan. Simply stated, one-way Tokyo to either SF or LAX (on United) was about $1200 coach, $3200 business, and $5200 First Class. I was able to find a special, flying Tokyo to Seoul to LA at $2600 business.

Then, the United agent said "Too bad you are not coming home from Taipei." Fares Taipei to SF/LAX are $800 coach, $1200 business, and $1900 First Class. So, when we leave, we got cheap air Tokyo to Taipei, spending the night in the Taipei airport ($78/night for a double room, a transit hotel run by EVA Air, we never have to collect bags or even go thru customs/immigration), then flying from Taipei to LA (WHICH FLIGHT GOES THRU TOKYO AND CONNECTS TO THE SAME ONE WITH THE EXPENSIVE FARES ABOVE!!!!!), and we are saving several thousands of dollars!

Again.....go figure!