Dec 30, 2019, 1:03 pm
Last edit by: Quail
Wiki for using AS (Alaska) Miles on JL (Japan Airlines)
All awards for domestic Japan will default to Economy (including international F or J award with domestic segments).
However, these can often be upgraded at reasonable cost at the ticket counter in the Japan connecting airport
Award Chart
If not listed it's not available - EXCEPTION: Hawaii-Asia awards are bookable, not yet on the chart, at the same prices as Continental U.S.-Asia
(As of March 2017, Premium Economy is no longer available)
(As of October 2019, stopovers are no longer allowed on intra Asia awards)
For 2021:
F awards are available again to book directly on AS website (no need to book J then try to change segment) as of June 12, 2021.
Class of Service One-way Round-trip:
U.S./Canada to Asia
Coach 35,000 70,000
Premium 40,000 80,000
Business 60,000 120,000
First 70,000 140,000
U.S./Canada to Southeast Asia
Coach 40,000 80,000
Premium 45,000 90,000
Business 65,000 130,000
First 75,000 150,000
Intra Asia
Coach 15,000 30,000
Premium 17,500 35,000
Business 25,000 50,000
First 30,000 60,000
International gateways
All AS valid destinations from Tokyo (HND/NRT), Osaka (KIX) or Nagoya (NGO).
PUS, GMP, ICN, DLC, PVG, SHA, PEK, TSA, TPE, KHH, CAN, HKG, MNL, HAN, SGN, BKK, SIN, KUL, CGK, DEL, HNL, KOA, YVR, SFO, SEA, LAX, SAN, ORD, DFW, BOS, JFK
USA
Boston - BOS
Chicago - ORD
Dallas - DFW
Honolulu - HNL
Kona -KOA
Los Angeles - LAX
New York - JFK
San Diego - SAN
San Francisco - SFO
Seattle - SEA
Canada
Vancouver - YVR
Asia
Delhi - DEL
Tokyo - HND & NRT
Osaka - KIX
Nagoya - NGO
Busan - PUS
Seoul - Gimpo GMP
Seoul - Incheon ICN
Southeast Asia (or listed as SE based on how awards are pricing)
Bangkok - BKK
Beijing - PEK
Dalian - DLC
Guangzhou - CAN
Hanoi - HAN
Ho Chi Minh City - SGN
Hong Kong - HKG
Jakarta - CGK
Kaohsiung - KHH
Kuala Lumpur - KUL
Manila - MNL
Shanghai - Hongqiao - SHA
Shanghai - Pudong - PVG
Singapore - SIN
Taipei - TPE
Taipei - Songshan - TSA
Tianjin - TSN (only from Nagoya, not very useful....)
All awards for domestic Japan will default to Economy (including international F or J award with domestic segments).
However, these can often be upgraded at reasonable cost at the ticket counter in the Japan connecting airport
Award Chart
If not listed it's not available - EXCEPTION: Hawaii-Asia awards are bookable, not yet on the chart, at the same prices as Continental U.S.-Asia
(As of March 2017, Premium Economy is no longer available)
(As of October 2019, stopovers are no longer allowed on intra Asia awards)
For 2021:
F awards are available again to book directly on AS website (no need to book J then try to change segment) as of June 12, 2021.
Class of Service One-way Round-trip:
U.S./Canada to Asia
Coach 35,000 70,000
Premium 40,000 80,000
Business 60,000 120,000
First 70,000 140,000
U.S./Canada to Southeast Asia
Coach 40,000 80,000
Premium 45,000 90,000
Business 65,000 130,000
First 75,000 150,000
Intra Asia
Coach 15,000 30,000
Premium 17,500 35,000
Business 25,000 50,000
First 30,000 60,000
International gateways
All AS valid destinations from Tokyo (HND/NRT), Osaka (KIX) or Nagoya (NGO).
PUS, GMP, ICN, DLC, PVG, SHA, PEK, TSA, TPE, KHH, CAN, HKG, MNL, HAN, SGN, BKK, SIN, KUL, CGK, DEL, HNL, KOA, YVR, SFO, SEA, LAX, SAN, ORD, DFW, BOS, JFK
USA
Boston - BOS
Chicago - ORD
Dallas - DFW
Honolulu - HNL
Kona -KOA
Los Angeles - LAX
New York - JFK
San Diego - SAN
San Francisco - SFO
Seattle - SEA
Canada
Vancouver - YVR
Asia
Delhi - DEL
Tokyo - HND & NRT
Osaka - KIX
Nagoya - NGO
Busan - PUS
Seoul - Gimpo GMP
Seoul - Incheon ICN
Southeast Asia (or listed as SE based on how awards are pricing)
Bangkok - BKK
Beijing - PEK
Dalian - DLC
Guangzhou - CAN
Hanoi - HAN
Ho Chi Minh City - SGN
Hong Kong - HKG
Jakarta - CGK
Kaohsiung - KHH
Kuala Lumpur - KUL
Manila - MNL
Shanghai - Hongqiao - SHA
Shanghai - Pudong - PVG
Singapore - SIN
Taipei - TPE
Taipei - Songshan - TSA
Tianjin - TSN (only from Nagoya, not very useful....)
Definitive "Booking Japan Airlines (JL) Using AS Miles" Thread (2020-2022)
Apr 2, 2022, 11:55 pm
#496
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: krisflyer
Posts: 135
Hi all, couple of questions I was hoping to get some clarity please.
1. How often does Alaska carry out the sales for buying miles?
2. I'm thinking of doing SIN - KIX and HND - SIN. Is there any way to add in a stopover / free domestic connection in between (remember years back there was, unless I recalled wrongly) or will the easiest way to just book 2 separate 1 way for 25k miles each leg?
3. Am I right to say tickets are not cancellable / changeable? Seeing it here where there is an exclusion for award tickets. https://www.jal.co.jp/th/en/info/travelalerts/200423/
1. How often does Alaska carry out the sales for buying miles?
2. I'm thinking of doing SIN - KIX and HND - SIN. Is there any way to add in a stopover / free domestic connection in between (remember years back there was, unless I recalled wrongly) or will the easiest way to just book 2 separate 1 way for 25k miles each leg?
3. Am I right to say tickets are not cancellable / changeable? Seeing it here where there is an exclusion for award tickets. https://www.jal.co.jp/th/en/info/travelalerts/200423/
Apr 3, 2022, 12:29 am
#497
Join Date: Oct 2020
Programs: AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 154
Hi all, couple of questions I was hoping to get some clarity please.
1. How often does Alaska carry out the sales for buying miles?
2. I'm thinking of doing SIN - KIX and HND - SIN. Is there any way to add in a stopover / free domestic connection in between (remember years back there was, unless I recalled wrongly) or will the easiest way to just book 2 separate 1 way for 25k miles each leg?
3. Am I right to say tickets are not cancellable / changeable? Seeing it here where there is an exclusion for award tickets. https://www.jal.co.jp/th/en/info/travelalerts/200423/
1. How often does Alaska carry out the sales for buying miles?
2. I'm thinking of doing SIN - KIX and HND - SIN. Is there any way to add in a stopover / free domestic connection in between (remember years back there was, unless I recalled wrongly) or will the easiest way to just book 2 separate 1 way for 25k miles each leg?
3. Am I right to say tickets are not cancellable / changeable? Seeing it here where there is an exclusion for award tickets. https://www.jal.co.jp/th/en/info/travelalerts/200423/
1. Every 2-3 months I think...but you can only buy 150k miles per year (unless you are AS elites)
2. No more intra-asia stopover allowed. So yes, you have to book 2 one-way award
3. Award tickets are changeable and cancellable (except the $12.5 partner award booking fee)
Apr 3, 2022, 12:58 am
#498
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: krisflyer
Posts: 135
1. Every 2-3 months I think...but you can only buy 150k miles per year (unless you are AS elites)
2. No more intra-asia stopover allowed. So yes, you have to book 2 one-way award
3. Award tickets are changeable and cancellable (except the $12.5 partner award booking fee)
2. No more intra-asia stopover allowed. So yes, you have to book 2 one-way award
3. Award tickets are changeable and cancellable (except the $12.5 partner award booking fee)
On the award tickets changes, do you have a link to the wording? Been trying to find but to no avail. Thanks!
Apr 3, 2022, 9:15 am
#499
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,397
Literally two posts before your first post in this thread.
Apr 12, 2022, 6:56 am
#502
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: PHX
Programs: AA, SPG, UR
Posts: 329
How late can I cancel JAL award and get all miles back minus the 12.50? Is 2 weeks before the first leg ok? Booked an alternate on SQ with better dates and routing.
Apr 12, 2022, 9:50 am
#503
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,445
I've cancelled an award the night before an AM departure while in Tokyo after deciding to take a flight on a different partner to stay longer and still got all my miles back.. Two weeks before is more than enough time.
Apr 12, 2022, 10:28 am
#504
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 1
Unable to retrieve flight booking on JAL website
I recently booked economy class from BKK -NRT and first class from NRT-JFK through Alaska mileage plan. When I try to put flight number and booking info into JAL website, it shows a message about unable to retrieve booking. May I ask is it a normal situation? Thanks
Apr 12, 2022, 11:07 am
#505
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: bay area, ca
Programs: UA plat, , aa plat, marriott LT titanium
Posts: 4,833
I recently booked economy class from BKK -NRT and first class from NRT-JFK through Alaska mileage plan. When I try to put flight number and booking info into JAL website, it shows a message about unable to retrieve booking. May I ask is it a normal situation? Thanks
Apr 12, 2022, 5:57 pm
#506
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: DTW
Programs: Marriott Platinum, SPG Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 394
Apr 15, 2022, 4:16 pm
#507
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Chicago
Programs: US, AA, UR, MR
Posts: 27
I've been following this thread for a while, esp regarding mixed J/F cabin award (e.g., add a J segment to an existing F award). Most responses here have suggested calling in. I'm here to offer a new data point.
Like many others in this thread, I have an existing TYO-USA in F (70k), and want to add an SE Asia-TYO segment in J, which should only cost me 5k more.
I tried calling but the wait time was atrocious, so I decided to chat instead. Wait time was around 30 minutes. The chat agent seemed knowledgeable and helpful. He said it could definitely be done, but since chat agents aren't able to handle payments, I'd have to either call in or make the change online myself.
Wait, what?
I asked if he could walk me through, and he gladly obliged: Sign in to your AS account, go into "Trips," pull up the reservation in question, and hit "Change." Then comes the nerve-racking part: Hit "Cancel this trip and use value toward a new trip." I expressed my concern but he assured me that doing so wouldn't relinquish my current F award seat. I hesitated for a minute, but decided to have a leap of faith. Next, select "Multi-city" and enter both segments and dates. Select "First/Business" cabin option. Then "Continue."
The rest...was magical. My original F seat was still there, with an added J segment now added to it, and an extra 5k miles now required. Same record locator. Proceed to pay the extra miles and fees and you're golden.
Like many others in this thread, I have an existing TYO-USA in F (70k), and want to add an SE Asia-TYO segment in J, which should only cost me 5k more.
I tried calling but the wait time was atrocious, so I decided to chat instead. Wait time was around 30 minutes. The chat agent seemed knowledgeable and helpful. He said it could definitely be done, but since chat agents aren't able to handle payments, I'd have to either call in or make the change online myself.
Wait, what?
I asked if he could walk me through, and he gladly obliged: Sign in to your AS account, go into "Trips," pull up the reservation in question, and hit "Change." Then comes the nerve-racking part: Hit "Cancel this trip and use value toward a new trip." I expressed my concern but he assured me that doing so wouldn't relinquish my current F award seat. I hesitated for a minute, but decided to have a leap of faith. Next, select "Multi-city" and enter both segments and dates. Select "First/Business" cabin option. Then "Continue."
The rest...was magical. My original F seat was still there, with an added J segment now added to it, and an extra 5k miles now required. Same record locator. Proceed to pay the extra miles and fees and you're golden.
Apr 15, 2022, 10:46 pm
#508
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: bay area, ca
Programs: UA plat, , aa plat, marriott LT titanium
Posts: 4,833
this important and if I'm brave I'll try it 
It is VERY strange since if you try to book multi city w/o a reservation there is no "first/business" class option that I've seen. So there must be a major programming issue - which somehow get resolved (works) by doing what you've described! A major contribution by you!!!
Especially with the incredible wait times now - I called AA yesterday to change an award and almost fainted when my call was answered immediately! I was conditioned to expect a loooong wait by AS
It is VERY strange since if you try to book multi city w/o a reservation there is no "first/business" class option that I've seen. So there must be a major programming issue - which somehow get resolved (works) by doing what you've described! A major contribution by you!!! Especially with the incredible wait times now - I called AA yesterday to change an award and almost fainted when my call was answered immediately! I was conditioned to expect a loooong wait by AS
I've been following this thread for a while, esp regarding mixed J/F cabin award (e.g., add a J segment to an existing F award). Most responses here have suggested calling in. I'm here to offer a new data point.
Like many others in this thread, I have an existing TYO-USA in F (70k), and want to add an SE Asia-TYO segment in J, which should only cost me 5k more.
I tried calling but the wait time was atrocious, so I decided to chat instead. Wait time was around 30 minutes. The chat agent seemed knowledgeable and helpful. He said it could definitely be done, but since chat agents aren't able to handle payments, I'd have to either call in or make the change online myself.
Wait, what?
I asked if he could walk me through, and he gladly obliged: Sign in to your AS account, go into "Trips," pull up the reservation in question, and hit "Change." Then comes the nerve-racking part: Hit "Cancel this trip and use value toward a new trip." I expressed my concern but he assured me that doing so wouldn't relinquish my current F award seat. I hesitated for a minute, but decided to have a leap of faith. Next, select "Multi-city" and enter both segments and dates. Select "First/Business" cabin option. Then "Continue."
The rest...was magical. My original F seat was still there, with an added J segment now added to it, and an extra 5k miles now required. Same record locator. Proceed to pay the extra miles and fees and you're golden.
Like many others in this thread, I have an existing TYO-USA in F (70k), and want to add an SE Asia-TYO segment in J, which should only cost me 5k more.
I tried calling but the wait time was atrocious, so I decided to chat instead. Wait time was around 30 minutes. The chat agent seemed knowledgeable and helpful. He said it could definitely be done, but since chat agents aren't able to handle payments, I'd have to either call in or make the change online myself.
Wait, what?
I asked if he could walk me through, and he gladly obliged: Sign in to your AS account, go into "Trips," pull up the reservation in question, and hit "Change." Then comes the nerve-racking part: Hit "Cancel this trip and use value toward a new trip." I expressed my concern but he assured me that doing so wouldn't relinquish my current F award seat. I hesitated for a minute, but decided to have a leap of faith. Next, select "Multi-city" and enter both segments and dates. Select "First/Business" cabin option. Then "Continue."
The rest...was magical. My original F seat was still there, with an added J segment now added to it, and an extra 5k miles now required. Same record locator. Proceed to pay the extra miles and fees and you're golden.
Apr 16, 2022, 1:23 pm
#509
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA, AS
Posts: 2,393
I've been following this thread for a while, esp regarding mixed J/F cabin award (e.g., add a J segment to an existing F award). Most responses here have suggested calling in. I'm here to offer a new data point.
Like many others in this thread, I have an existing TYO-USA in F (70k), and want to add an SE Asia-TYO segment in J, which should only cost me 5k more.
I tried calling but the wait time was atrocious, so I decided to chat instead. Wait time was around 30 minutes. The chat agent seemed knowledgeable and helpful. He said it could definitely be done, but since chat agents aren't able to handle payments, I'd have to either call in or make the change online myself.
Wait, what?
I asked if he could walk me through, and he gladly obliged: Sign in to your AS account, go into "Trips," pull up the reservation in question, and hit "Change." Then comes the nerve-racking part: Hit "Cancel this trip and use value toward a new trip." I expressed my concern but he assured me that doing so wouldn't relinquish my current F award seat. I hesitated for a minute, but decided to have a leap of faith. Next, select "Multi-city" and enter both segments and dates. Select "First/Business" cabin option. Then "Continue."
The rest...was magical. My original F seat was still there, with an added J segment now added to it, and an extra 5k miles now required. Same record locator. Proceed to pay the extra miles and fees and you're golden.
Like many others in this thread, I have an existing TYO-USA in F (70k), and want to add an SE Asia-TYO segment in J, which should only cost me 5k more.
I tried calling but the wait time was atrocious, so I decided to chat instead. Wait time was around 30 minutes. The chat agent seemed knowledgeable and helpful. He said it could definitely be done, but since chat agents aren't able to handle payments, I'd have to either call in or make the change online myself.
Wait, what?
I asked if he could walk me through, and he gladly obliged: Sign in to your AS account, go into "Trips," pull up the reservation in question, and hit "Change." Then comes the nerve-racking part: Hit "Cancel this trip and use value toward a new trip." I expressed my concern but he assured me that doing so wouldn't relinquish my current F award seat. I hesitated for a minute, but decided to have a leap of faith. Next, select "Multi-city" and enter both segments and dates. Select "First/Business" cabin option. Then "Continue."
The rest...was magical. My original F seat was still there, with an added J segment now added to it, and an extra 5k miles now required. Same record locator. Proceed to pay the extra miles and fees and you're golden.
Did you check F availability before you tried (was there an additional F award available before you changed)?
Were you booking with a stopover?
Apr 16, 2022, 3:59 pm
#510
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Chicago
Programs: US, AA, UR, MR
Posts: 27
That would scare me too! Could you provide a little additional information that may help give some insight into what the conditions are that allow this to workaround the booking bug?
Did you check F availability before you tried (was there an additional F award available before you changed)?
Were you booking with a stopover?
Did you check F availability before you tried (was there an additional F award available before you changed)?
Were you booking with a stopover?
I was indeed monitoring availability of both segments multiple times a day, up until my chat session. About a week ago, I grabbed the lone F seat (TYO-USA), and since then none had been available.
As for the SE Asia leg, I actually called it in a day or two after I booked my F seat, and the (supposedly inexperienced?) agent advised me that mixed cabin couldn't be done, and I'd have to book separate awards. While I didn't believe him, I didn't want to chance it so decided to spend the 25k AS to book a J seat. I figured with no cancellation/redeposit fees, it's a low-risk move.
Fast forward to yesterday. Right before my chat session started, I checked again and it was still showing zero availability for the 77w F. There was, of course, an additional J seat available for the first segment (it's a 788), despite having already grabbed one a few days prior.
Through the years I've made a false move or two, and I know what it's like to lose a precious F seat. During the "moment of truth" yesterday, I kept picturing that chat agent on the other end, half expecting that he was just messing with me, and half formulating in my head what poetic expletives I'd type into the chat if I did end up losing that F seat. But in the end, I figured if it didn't work out, it's worth a try, and who knows, maybe it would lead me to other opportunities (and routes).
But boy was I a happy lamb at the end of the chat.