Aug 5, 2016, 8:34 pm
Last edit by: rustykettel
For Award Tickets, please see Consolidated JL award thread: Definitive Booking JL using AS Miles Thread [All Cabins]
It is possible to earn miles on JL now.
Awards are live, as of Dec. 6th, 2016 (not visible in the iOS app, but using the website at the moment). US/Canada to Asia and intra-Asia only. DEL is considered part of Asia. Stopovers are being allowed at the moment on intra-Asia flights involving TYO (NRT or HND) when pricing using the AS website. KIX stopovers or through routings do not seem to be allowed intra-Asia. KIX stopovers DO seem to work for ex-North America flights.
Flights to/from Hawaii can apparently be booked, but are not (yet) displayed on the award chart. Mileage costs are the same as those from the Continental U.S.
CGK is the only intra-Asia JL destination with F, if you are looking to "maximize" the award. JL has a number of 788 planes with slanty seat, last generation J, some of which fly from US destinations like YVR. You might wish to avoid those flights if you are "maximizing" your award.
Post #300 by yaychemistry has useful information on how the JL award booking process works.
It is possible to earn miles on JL now.
Awards are live, as of Dec. 6th, 2016 (not visible in the iOS app, but using the website at the moment). US/Canada to Asia and intra-Asia only. DEL is considered part of Asia. Stopovers are being allowed at the moment on intra-Asia flights involving TYO (NRT or HND) when pricing using the AS website. KIX stopovers or through routings do not seem to be allowed intra-Asia. KIX stopovers DO seem to work for ex-North America flights.
Flights to/from Hawaii can apparently be booked, but are not (yet) displayed on the award chart. Mileage costs are the same as those from the Continental U.S.
CGK is the only intra-Asia JL destination with F, if you are looking to "maximize" the award. JL has a number of 788 planes with slanty seat, last generation J, some of which fly from US destinations like YVR. You might wish to avoid those flights if you are "maximizing" your award.
Post #300 by yaychemistry has useful information on how the JL award booking process works.
Alaska Air Welcomes Japan Airlines (JL) as a Partner
Jun 9, 2016, 10:05 pm
#91
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Sunny Seattle
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, HH Diamond
Posts: 539
Jun 9, 2016, 10:30 pm
#92
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,721
Jun 9, 2016, 11:06 pm
#93
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,381
I'd probably do the HKG-TPE on CX as an Avios award (7.5k in coach, or just buy a cheap ticket), then use AS for the stretch home (and you could get a stop in NRT).
Jun 10, 2016, 5:29 am
#94
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
Its unknown at this time what regions will be included. Were still waiting to Australia to be added to AA awards. If OZ is included it will likely be one award. However these agreements are individually negotiated so anything is possible. Its not uncommon for only part of a partners network to be included. Example is EK which does not allow US-Australia award.
Jun 10, 2016, 6:34 am
#95
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: YYZ, HKG, MFM
Programs: AC35K, AS MVP, WS Gold, ITA EP, Marriott Plat, Hyatt-Explorist, IHG Diamond
Posts: 2,019
Jun 10, 2016, 9:34 am
#96
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: North Sentinel Island
Programs: UA Gold, BONVOY TIT
Posts: 777
I've found JL to be a bit stingier than CX in opening award space up front, but that is just anecdata, YMMV. Still a great partner.
QF search calendar is also a good way to look for OW airline availability.
QF search calendar is also a good way to look for OW airline availability.
Jun 11, 2016, 2:00 am
#97
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,953
I got lucky earlier this year by waiting. Hope this continues (was within 10 days IIRC)
Jun 16, 2016, 7:10 pm
#98
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: AS MVPG, HHonors Gold VIP, Marriott Rewards Gold
Posts: 245
Has anyone had any luck in getting your AS MileagePlan number put in your reservation via the JL website or call center? Just made a booking today via the JL website and no pull down option for Alaska for frequent flyer information. I called the US call center and they tried twice and no help. The agent even asked if Alaska was a partner! I guess I'll have to send in my boarding passes for credit.
Jun 16, 2016, 8:51 pm
#99
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
Has anyone had any luck in getting your AS MileagePlan number put in your reservation via the JL website or call center? Just made a booking today via the JL website and no pull down option for Alaska for frequent flyer information. I called the US call center and they tried twice and no help. The agent even asked if Alaska was a partner! I guess I'll have to send in my boarding passes for credit.
Jun 16, 2016, 10:03 pm
#100
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
Jun 20, 2016, 6:20 am
#102
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS
Posts: 15,027
Jun 24, 2016, 11:23 am
#103
Join Date: May 2003
Location: PDX USA
Programs: AS MVPG, AA, BA, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Platinum, IHG, Hertz 5*
Posts: 690
Use Mileage Plan miles to visit Tokyo, Japan via new airline partner Japan Airlines, starting June 29, 2016...
Did anybody else notice or catch this?
Jun 25, 2016, 7:47 am
#104
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: ANC
Programs: AS; Hyatt; Bonvoy
Posts: 1,718
Use Mileage Plan miles to visit Tokyo, Japan via new airline partner Japan Airlines, starting June 29, 2016...
Did anybody else notice or catch this?
It certainly looks like a PR/Communications error. If I recall correctly, there are usually gaps (typically spans of many months) between a new partner announcement, the ability to earn miles on the partner carrier, and finally being able to use miles for travel on the partner.
Currently the AS Japan Airlines web page does state "Earning on Japan Airlines: For flights taken on or after June 29, 2016 ... "
The same page also has a sidebar on the right, "Award travel on Japan Airlines: We will launch award travel on Japan Airlines later in 2016."
I am far more inclined to believe what's on the website rather than what is written in the glossy inflight magazine filled with advertorials.