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)
Jun 20, 2022, 9:44 pm
#586
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,621
Hi -
You have to find space either in E or T. The tricky thing is AS Saver space tends to open up early and go away once the lower fare buckets start to fill up. And therein lies the rub: if you book F/J 330+ days out, the connector space is available. If you book F/J close in (when airlines will sometimes release some unsold seats), you will be stuck buying a fare to get you to the gateway city. And since that will be close in, it could be expensive.
You have to find space either in E or T. The tricky thing is AS Saver space tends to open up early and go away once the lower fare buckets start to fill up. And therein lies the rub: if you book F/J 330+ days out, the connector space is available. If you book F/J close in (when airlines will sometimes release some unsold seats), you will be stuck buying a fare to get you to the gateway city. And since that will be close in, it could be expensive.
Last edited by Orwaid; Jun 21, 2022 at 4:18 am
Jun 21, 2022, 12:11 am
#587
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
Booked my first F+J ticket on JL for a couple weeks from now. First time in JL F, too.
I'm originating from YVR and need to get to SFO. What are the rules with getting to SFO on an AS connector? Understand it has to be saver lever, but how can I differentiate that from regular? Is it just the F seats for 40K (as opposed to 60K)?
I'm originating from YVR and need to get to SFO. What are the rules with getting to SFO on an AS connector? Understand it has to be saver lever, but how can I differentiate that from regular? Is it just the F seats for 40K (as opposed to 60K)?
Within each band, Main & First have a range of miles required for that redemption. The lowest of the range is Saver & the highest of the range is refundable, increments between the two are dynamic awards loosely tied to the fare in the underlying fare class the award books into.
For YVR-SEA-SFO is ~800 miles. That falls in the "Skip" band. The range of redemptions for Main cabin awards is 7,500-30,000. 7,500 is a Saver award and books into fare class T. 30,000 is a fully-refundable (kind of moot now, all awards can be cancelled without fee) and books into fare class Y. It is also a fare eligible for immediate upgrade into F if U space is available. For First class award redemptions, the range is 25,000-60,000. 25,000 is a Saver award and books into fare class E. Higher First Class award redemptions (dynamic) book into the same fare class buckets as revenue.
Only Saver Main (T) & Saver First (E) can be combined with partner awards so for YVR-SEA-SFO, you need to find awards at the 7,500 mile or 25,000 mile level.
If you find availability a day or two before your SFO-TYO-XXX, that can also be combined with the award creating a stopover in SFO. Something to consider since, for the most part, stopovers aren't possible in Japan right now. I always prefer to travel to the gateway city the day before a partner long-haul international flight.
If you can't find Saver availability, you will have to find your own way to SFO. That could be a revenue ticket or another award on AS. YVR-SEA will likely be the choke point. Saver awards on that segment are very difficult to find, especially that Covid-19 testing is no longer required in either direction.
From YVR, I wouldn't rule out looking from BLI, PAE & SEA. Driving cross-border will save a lot of fees & taxes when you take the international component out of it. Also, keep in mind that once you reach SEA, the flight to SFO (678 miles) will fall into the "HOP" band so follow the ranges therein for giudance.
Enjoy your JL F&J flights. The service should be exemplary; it has always been very consistent on my flights. The Asian meals are amazing. I would however, suggest a thin T-shirt for sleeping. JL does keep the cabin very warm. Save the PJs for a cool dreary YVR day.
I would also call AS and ask them to check for you from the suggested cities. Their query is pretty quick and may offer other routings less direct. There are a few anomalies, or maybe specials, from time to time also. I have seen some summer Saver space from the Islands at 10K miles. Those are "Leap" awards and should price at 15K. I have also flown PHX-SEA-MSY on a 7,500 mile redemption.
James
Jun 21, 2022, 8:33 am
#588
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: YVR/YYZ
Programs: AC50K, *A Gold, Marriott Titanium (LGE), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 376
AS awards are distance based and grouped into 4 bands. They are "Hop," (<700 miles) "Skip," (701-1400 miles) "Jump" (1401-2100 miles) and "Leap." (>=2101 miles) Graphic at the bottom.
Within each band, Main & First have a range of miles required for that redemption. The lowest of the range is Saver & the highest of the range is refundable, increments between the two are dynamic awards loosely tied to the fare in the underlying fare class the award books into.
For YVR-SEA-SFO is ~800 miles. That falls in the "Skip" band. The range of redemptions for Main cabin awards is 7,500-30,000. 7,500 is a Saver award and books into fare class T. 30,000 is a fully-refundable (kind of moot now, all awards can be cancelled without fee) and books into fare class Y. It is also a fare eligible for immediate upgrade into F if U space is available. For First class award redemptions, the range is 25,000-60,000. 25,000 is a Saver award and books into fare class E. Higher First Class award redemptions (dynamic) book into the same fare class buckets as revenue.
Only Saver Main (T) & Saver First (E) can be combined with partner awards so for YVR-SEA-SFO, you need to find awards at the 7,500 mile or 25,000 mile level.
If you find availability a day or two before your SFO-TYO-XXX, that can also be combined with the award creating a stopover in SFO. Something to consider since, for the most part, stopovers aren't possible in Japan right now. I always prefer to travel to the gateway city the day before a partner long-haul international flight.
If you can't find Saver availability, you will have to find your own way to SFO. That could be a revenue ticket or another award on AS. YVR-SEA will likely be the choke point. Saver awards on that segment are very difficult to find, especially that Covid-19 testing is no longer required in either direction.
From YVR, I wouldn't rule out looking from BLI, PAE & SEA. Driving cross-border will save a lot of fees & taxes when you take the international component out of it. Also, keep in mind that once you reach SEA, the flight to SFO (678 miles) will fall into the "HOP" band so follow the ranges therein for giudance.
Enjoy your JL F&J flights. The service should be exemplary; it has always been very consistent on my flights. The Asian meals are amazing. I would however, suggest a thin T-shirt for sleeping. JL does keep the cabin very warm. Save the PJs for a cool dreary YVR day.
I would also call AS and ask them to check for you from the suggested cities. Their query is pretty quick and may offer other routings less direct. There are a few anomalies, or maybe specials, from time to time also. I have seen some summer Saver space from the Islands at 10K miles. Those are "Leap" awards and should price at 15K. I have also flown PHX-SEA-MSY on a 7,500 mile redemption.
James
Within each band, Main & First have a range of miles required for that redemption. The lowest of the range is Saver & the highest of the range is refundable, increments between the two are dynamic awards loosely tied to the fare in the underlying fare class the award books into.
For YVR-SEA-SFO is ~800 miles. That falls in the "Skip" band. The range of redemptions for Main cabin awards is 7,500-30,000. 7,500 is a Saver award and books into fare class T. 30,000 is a fully-refundable (kind of moot now, all awards can be cancelled without fee) and books into fare class Y. It is also a fare eligible for immediate upgrade into F if U space is available. For First class award redemptions, the range is 25,000-60,000. 25,000 is a Saver award and books into fare class E. Higher First Class award redemptions (dynamic) book into the same fare class buckets as revenue.
Only Saver Main (T) & Saver First (E) can be combined with partner awards so for YVR-SEA-SFO, you need to find awards at the 7,500 mile or 25,000 mile level.
If you find availability a day or two before your SFO-TYO-XXX, that can also be combined with the award creating a stopover in SFO. Something to consider since, for the most part, stopovers aren't possible in Japan right now. I always prefer to travel to the gateway city the day before a partner long-haul international flight.
If you can't find Saver availability, you will have to find your own way to SFO. That could be a revenue ticket or another award on AS. YVR-SEA will likely be the choke point. Saver awards on that segment are very difficult to find, especially that Covid-19 testing is no longer required in either direction.
From YVR, I wouldn't rule out looking from BLI, PAE & SEA. Driving cross-border will save a lot of fees & taxes when you take the international component out of it. Also, keep in mind that once you reach SEA, the flight to SFO (678 miles) will fall into the "HOP" band so follow the ranges therein for giudance.
Enjoy your JL F&J flights. The service should be exemplary; it has always been very consistent on my flights. The Asian meals are amazing. I would however, suggest a thin T-shirt for sleeping. JL does keep the cabin very warm. Save the PJs for a cool dreary YVR day.
I would also call AS and ask them to check for you from the suggested cities. Their query is pretty quick and may offer other routings less direct. There are a few anomalies, or maybe specials, from time to time also. I have seen some summer Saver space from the Islands at 10K miles. Those are "Leap" awards and should price at 15K. I have also flown PHX-SEA-MSY on a 7,500 mile redemption.
James
If I were to do a stopover in TYO (let's assume Japan is open), how long could my layover be in the gateway city (SFO)? Is it 12 or 24 hours?
Thanks a lot!
Jun 21, 2022, 12:58 pm
#589
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
The stopover benefit is an amazing feature of Mileage Plan redemptions. While most will appreciate it for an opportunity to visit the gateway city, the stopover can be any length within the ticket validity; 5 days, 5 weeks, 5 months or more. That flexibility allows for nested awards, or revenue flights to visit other countries during the stopover.
James
Jun 21, 2022, 1:45 pm
#590
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,301
As long as you depart within 24 hours, you are good to go. Beyond 24 hours, you are on a stopover.
The stopover benefit is an amazing feature of Mileage Plan redemptions. While most will appreciate it for an opportunity to visit the gateway city, the stopover can be any length within the ticket validity; 5 days, 5 weeks, 5 months or more. That flexibility allows for nested awards, or revenue flights to visit other countries during the stopover.
James
The stopover benefit is an amazing feature of Mileage Plan redemptions. While most will appreciate it for an opportunity to visit the gateway city, the stopover can be any length within the ticket validity; 5 days, 5 weeks, 5 months or more. That flexibility allows for nested awards, or revenue flights to visit other countries during the stopover.
James
Jun 21, 2022, 3:04 pm
#591
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA, AS
Posts: 2,393
Booked my first F+J ticket on JL for a couple weeks from now. First time in JL F, too.
I'm originating from YVR and need to get to SFO. What are the rules with getting to SFO on an AS connector? Understand it has to be saver lever, but how can I differentiate that from regular? Is it just the F seats for 40K (as opposed to 60K)?
I'm originating from YVR and need to get to SFO. What are the rules with getting to SFO on an AS connector? Understand it has to be saver lever, but how can I differentiate that from regular? Is it just the F seats for 40K (as opposed to 60K)?
Jun 23, 2022, 3:21 pm
#592
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 112
I just booked SNA-SFO-SGN on one ticket where SNA is on Y with Alaska Air and SFO-SGN is on J with Japan Air. Does anyone know if I get the international business class baggage allowance when I start out my flight at SNA on Y? Or I'm pretty much SOL and get domestic Y allowance? TIA!
Jun 23, 2022, 4:48 pm
#593
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 561
I just booked SNA-SFO-SGN on one ticket where SNA is on Y with Alaska Air and SFO-SGN is on J with Japan Air. Does anyone know if I get the international business class baggage allowance when I start out my flight at SNA on Y? Or I'm pretty much SOL and get domestic Y allowance? TIA!
Jun 24, 2022, 12:22 am
#594
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
Until covid rears its head and throws everything into chaos. Think I lost out on something- or a few...
Congrats on JL F. I was able to get a few seats to/from TYO for next year too. Hope I can go, and we can get into Japan!
Congrats on JL F. I was able to get a few seats to/from TYO for next year too. Hope I can go, and we can get into Japan!
Jun 29, 2022, 5:03 pm
#595
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: SAN, BOS
Programs: AS MVPG100K, BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Plat,
Posts: 2,282
Is there something funny with EOS AS JAL awards? There’s plenty of space on BA but when you put in the dates on AS it’s erroring out. It seems funny because on the weekly view the days before and after show the 35k+ meaning AS is seeing at least Econ space but when you click on the date it’s completely full.
Jun 29, 2022, 6:34 pm
#596
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: Alaska
Posts: 2,188
Is there something funny with EOS AS JAL awards? There’s plenty of space on BA but when you put in the dates on AS it’s erroring out. It seems funny because on the weekly view the days before and after show the 35k+ meaning AS is seeing at least Econ space but when you click on the date it’s completely full.
Jun 29, 2022, 7:53 pm
#597
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA, AS
Posts: 2,393
It probably would be more helpful if you also mentioned a possible workaround.
Posters here claim that a workaround (if there is award space available as confirmed by other partner programs) is to initially book another date that AS shows with award availability (since the date you need is not showing at the end of the calendar on AS you book another date that is available), I would suggest in the same class of service so the miles stay the same, after the booking is ticketed you retrieve your booking on the AS website and use Alaska's online change flight tool to select the day you really want. What previous posters have said is that the change flight tool is not broken like the basic search is and you will be able to rebook to a day at the end of schedule so long as award space really is available on that day.
Is there something funny with EOS AS JAL awards? There’s plenty of space on BA but when you put in the dates on AS it’s erroring out. It seems funny because on the weekly view the days before and after show the 35k+ meaning AS is seeing at least Econ space but when you click on the date it’s completely full.
Jun 30, 2022, 1:42 am
#598
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: Alaska
Posts: 2,188
It probably would be more helpful if you also mentioned a possible workaround.
Posters here claim that a workaround (if there is award space available as confirmed by other partner programs) is to initially book another date that AS shows with award availability (since the date you need is not showing at the end of the calendar on AS you book another date that is available), I would suggest in the same class of service so the miles stay the same, after the booking is ticketed you retrieve your booking on the AS website and use Alaska's online change flight tool to select the day you really want. What previous posters have said is that the change flight tool is not broken like the basic search is and you will be able to rebook to a day at the end of schedule so long as award space really is available on that day.
Posters here claim that a workaround (if there is award space available as confirmed by other partner programs) is to initially book another date that AS shows with award availability (since the date you need is not showing at the end of the calendar on AS you book another date that is available), I would suggest in the same class of service so the miles stay the same, after the booking is ticketed you retrieve your booking on the AS website and use Alaska's online change flight tool to select the day you really want. What previous posters have said is that the change flight tool is not broken like the basic search is and you will be able to rebook to a day at the end of schedule so long as award space really is available on that day.
Jun 30, 2022, 12:51 pm
#599
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 178
Anyone having difficulty getitng the manage booking component of JAL's website to work? I have a few bookings (finally got F...) but none of them will load on the JAL website. And yes - triple checked date / name / using JAL record locator. Would love to select a seat for the F flight.
Jul 1, 2022, 1:22 am
#600
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: YVR
Programs: DL Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, Best Western Diamond Selec
Posts: 539
Anyone having difficulty getitng the manage booking component of JAL's website to work? I have a few bookings (finally got F...) but none of them will load on the JAL website. And yes - triple checked date / name / using JAL record locator. Would love to select a seat for the F flight.
Not a big deal, but my meal selection intra Asia isn't sticking: let me select it, but not showing what I selected.