Intra-Japan BA avios awards
Jun 26, 2018, 3:21 am
#61
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 12
As you mentioned before, fares for residents in Japan are superexpensive so I am thinking booking an intraJapan flight with avios for me (resident in Europe) and my friend (resident in Japan). Do you think I can just book 2 tickets together via BA web site? Are those tickets good either for residents and tourists?
Jun 26, 2018, 3:25 am
#62
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Sapporo, Japan
Programs: Junior Jet Club, Nando's Card 1 Red Chilli, Tesco Clubcard, BAEC Gold, TK M&S Elite
Posts: 520
They're not that expensive if purchased ahead and, in JAL's case, directly on their website. They don't release all fares to the bargain websites. 
In answer to your question though, you can buy them on the BA website and they are good for anyone.
In answer to your question though, you can buy them on the BA website and they are good for anyone.
Jun 26, 2018, 10:01 pm
#64
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 373
I’m currently in Japan and have a lot of Avios to use. Using them intra-Japan has been well worth it. I’ve also booked an Experience Japan fare on ANA to Okinawa for £99 return. The ANA Experience Japan and JAL Explorer Pass fares are very good rates for anyone with an international ticket starting outside Japan. Every domestic flight so far has been on a JAL 777-200 and -300, too. I’m hoping my Okinawa ANA flight will be on one of their 777 Star Wars livery aircraft. And finally, for plane spotters, Japan has pretty good observation decks at most airports.
Jun 26, 2018, 10:12 pm
#65
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Programs: ANA SFC (*G)
Posts: 530
Another Japan-related BA avios question:
In BA website, when I try to look for award flights, there is no way I can get the system to recognize Gimpo AIrport. The thing is JAL flies from Haneda to that airport and I always wanted to get an award on this route, but online it doesn't work (it shows Incheon though, but JAL doesn't fly Incheon).
What is the problem?
In BA website, when I try to look for award flights, there is no way I can get the system to recognize Gimpo AIrport. The thing is JAL flies from Haneda to that airport and I always wanted to get an award on this route, but online it doesn't work (it shows Incheon though, but JAL doesn't fly Incheon).
What is the problem?
Jun 26, 2018, 10:50 pm
#66
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Sapporo, Japan
Programs: Junior Jet Club, Nando's Card 1 Red Chilli, Tesco Clubcard, BAEC Gold, TK M&S Elite
Posts: 520
Not all routes have awards. There are a number of JAL routes that I can't use Avios for, departing from here (Sapporo).
Jun 26, 2018, 11:21 pm
#67
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Programs: ANA SFC (*G)
Posts: 530
Jun 27, 2018, 12:34 am
#69
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 43,035
Another Japan-related BA avios question:
In BA website, when I try to look for award flights, there is no way I can get the system to recognize Gimpo AIrport. The thing is JAL flies from Haneda to that airport and I always wanted to get an award on this route, but online it doesn't work (it shows Incheon though, but JAL doesn't fly Incheon).
What is the problem?
In BA website, when I try to look for award flights, there is no way I can get the system to recognize Gimpo AIrport. The thing is JAL flies from Haneda to that airport and I always wanted to get an award on this route, but online it doesn't work (it shows Incheon though, but JAL doesn't fly Incheon).
What is the problem?
Jun 27, 2018, 1:33 am
#71
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Programs: ANA SFC (*G)
Posts: 530
For some reason I can only find business class awards but that is a start...
Jul 30, 2018, 3:25 am
#72
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 1,177
Hi - am planning a trip to Japan in November and planning on using Avios to book some JAL flights:
- Take it that you are still not able to book Domestic flights until 2 months before departure? Slightly worried as no availability showing at the mo!
- Despite it apparently not being a bookable route using Avios, has anyone used Avios to book a flight from Seoul to Tokyo and slightly ot Shanghai to Seoul?
Many thanks!
- Take it that you are still not able to book Domestic flights until 2 months before departure? Slightly worried as no availability showing at the mo!
- Despite it apparently not being a bookable route using Avios, has anyone used Avios to book a flight from Seoul to Tokyo and slightly ot Shanghai to Seoul?
Many thanks!
Jul 30, 2018, 3:48 am
#73
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 43,035
Hi - am planning a trip to Japan in November and planning on using Avios to book some JAL flights:
- Take it that you are still not able to book Domestic flights until 2 months before departure? Slightly worried as no availability showing at the mo!
- Despite it apparently not being a bookable route using Avios, has anyone used Avios to book a flight from Seoul to Tokyo and slightly ot Shanghai to Seoul?
Many thanks!
- Take it that you are still not able to book Domestic flights until 2 months before departure? Slightly worried as no availability showing at the mo!
- Despite it apparently not being a bookable route using Avios, has anyone used Avios to book a flight from Seoul to Tokyo and slightly ot Shanghai to Seoul?
Many thanks!
Why do you think Seoul-Tokyo is not bookable with avios? I have booked that route before going in the other direction with no problems - search for the GMP-HND in book with avios, GMP won't auto-complete but just leave it as GMP and it will work. I tried a few days and there was availability and it does seem bookable more than two months out. Same for Shanghai to Tokyo, search for PVG-TYO will bring up the PVG-HND and PVG-NRT flights. Also bookable more than two months out.
Jul 30, 2018, 4:50 am
#74
Join Date: May 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA (Gold)
Posts: 54
Hi - am planning a trip to Japan in November and planning on using Avios to book some JAL flights:
- Take it that you are still not able to book Domestic flights until 2 months before departure? Slightly worried as no availability showing at the mo!
- Despite it apparently not being a bookable route using Avios, has anyone used Avios to book a flight from Seoul to Tokyo and slightly ot Shanghai to Seoul?
Many thanks!
- Take it that you are still not able to book Domestic flights until 2 months before departure? Slightly worried as no availability showing at the mo!
- Despite it apparently not being a bookable route using Avios, has anyone used Avios to book a flight from Seoul to Tokyo and slightly ot Shanghai to Seoul?
Many thanks!
This may be obvious but make sure you are using Search and Book (partner availability - JAL, CX etc) rather than Reward Finder (which only shows BA award availability). Airport codes sometimes work better than auto complete for some reason, as others have said. Seoul (GMP) - TYO/HND/NRT should be possible with avios. No experience of Seoul to Shanghai though.
Regards
PR