Japan conundrum: Book with Avios now or wait for GGL joker?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 2,442
Japan conundrum: Book with Avios now or wait for GGL joker?
Mini conundrum.
Some Avios availability has come up from London to Japan. But the return airport is HND and I was hoping for NRT. It's also a day later than planned, thus an extra hotel night's stay.
Now, I should hit GGL around a month prior to my desired travel dates, thus I'll have a joker to use, but I'm concerned there'll be no availability in First with such short notice.
I'll be using a 2-4-1 and GUF2 for great value. But I don't want the joker to go to waste (it'll have around a month of value before the next year's is available - not sure I'll have the money to book anything else!).
Oh what to do...
[I know it's oh-so-tough having lots of great options, but you lot know the drill and I appreciate the advice]
Some Avios availability has come up from London to Japan. But the return airport is HND and I was hoping for NRT. It's also a day later than planned, thus an extra hotel night's stay.
Now, I should hit GGL around a month prior to my desired travel dates, thus I'll have a joker to use, but I'm concerned there'll be no availability in First with such short notice.
I'll be using a 2-4-1 and GUF2 for great value. But I don't want the joker to go to waste (it'll have around a month of value before the next year's is available - not sure I'll have the money to book anything else!).
Oh what to do...
[I know it's oh-so-tough having lots of great options, but you lot know the drill and I appreciate the advice]
#2
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,126
Take what you can now. You can always cancel and change them to Joker if you feel so inclined later.
Why?
1) Joker requires A class availability AND fewer than 5 seats having been released for Joker purposes for the cabin. It might therefore not work. I have a very high Joker failure rate, although SIN/SYD probably don't help.
2) Some change of plans may result in your not becoming GGL
3) You may have better use for a Joker in the future.
4) You can just cancel a booking you make now for 30 if you find availability later, under a Joker or otherwise.
Why?
1) Joker requires A class availability AND fewer than 5 seats having been released for Joker purposes for the cabin. It might therefore not work. I have a very high Joker failure rate, although SIN/SYD probably don't help.
2) Some change of plans may result in your not becoming GGL
3) You may have better use for a Joker in the future.
4) You can just cancel a booking you make now for 30 if you find availability later, under a Joker or otherwise.
#4
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Gloucestershire
Programs: BA Gold (ex-GGL, maybe future Silver), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,196
#7
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Gloucestershire
Programs: BA Gold (ex-GGL, maybe future Silver), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,196
HND is closer to the centre of Tokyo,though more so by distance than time, but NRT has a 787 (better equipment) and what I would consider better timings (an early night and a lie in on local times, rather than potentially staying up until bedtime at your departure before emerging in the early morning when you land).
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 2,442
Coming into HND also arrives at 07:10, whereas NRT is 11:15, which is better arrival time to get into town and to actively check-in to a hotel.
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 2,442
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: London
Programs: plenty - ggl, ccr, etc, etc.
Posts: 1,704
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 2,442
not a bargain but simply buying two full F fares on JAL can also be v civilised: just option value and its handy to chop and change flight as your plans change - Im a big fan of fully flexible tickets. On our last Tokyo the ability to wake up and decide to linger over breakfast and just get a different flight is a joy.
#14
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,126
not a bargain but simply buying two full F fares on JAL can also be v civilised: just option value and it’s handy to chop and change flight as your plans change - I’m a big fan of fully flexible tickets. On our last Tokyo the ability to wake up and decide to linger over breakfast and just get a different flight is a joy.
Only fully flexible so far as seats are available.
Personally, I think the OP got really good value here.