2023 Japan Do discussion
Jan 19, 2023, 7:18 pm
#46
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Community Buzz and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 150km from MAN
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My apologies - it turns out it's APA hotels (still a Japanese brand) that are affiliated with Coast Hotels! 
Close but not the same. It was the IHG reference that had me look again, that definitely felt off. https://www.coasthotels.com/partners-affiliates Still, I can earn points with APA, sadly no redeeming - I ended up with quite a few during covid years.
Close but not the same. It was the IHG reference that had me look again, that definitely felt off. https://www.coasthotels.com/partners-affiliates Still, I can earn points with APA, sadly no redeeming - I ended up with quite a few during covid years.Cheap hotel for a short layover in Tokyo? Cheap eats and what to do?
Solid but inexpensive hotels in Tokyo (post 28)
The itinerary, however loose, looks great. I love the idea of a waterbus, didn't realize that was a thing in Tokyo!
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20500728-post975.html
Jan 21, 2023, 7:53 pm
#48
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
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Posts: 5,209
I believe ANA hotels were started by the airline but are now part of IHG which is the primary shareholder.
In 2020 I had booked 12 nights at Hilton hotels in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka at the total cost of a little under US $2,500 or $200 per night at today's exchange rate. I checked the price of the same Hilton hotels for the same period/dates for this year and the total will be a little over US $4,000! I only booked these stays a little over a month in advance in 2020!
In 2020 I had booked 12 nights at Hilton hotels in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka at the total cost of a little under US $2,500 or $200 per night at today's exchange rate. I checked the price of the same Hilton hotels for the same period/dates for this year and the total will be a little over US $4,000! I only booked these stays a little over a month in advance in 2020!
Jan 24, 2023, 3:33 am
#49
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: STR
Programs: LH Sen, UA 1K, BA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, IHG Platin Ambassador
Posts: 271
I received a flight cancellation in my award booking and tried to find a good solution for rebooking with UA.
They weren't flexible at all. So the only connections I could get, was flying one day later.
Unfortunately now I will arrive late Saturday evening at NRT and the only day I could attend Japan Do 2023 will probably be Sunday.
I'm still trying to find another way to get to Tokio earlier. Maybe award space will open up on short notice, maybe I will buy a oneway ticket with LO.
They weren't flexible at all. So the only connections I could get, was flying one day later.
Unfortunately now I will arrive late Saturday evening at NRT and the only day I could attend Japan Do 2023 will probably be Sunday.
I'm still trying to find another way to get to Tokio earlier. Maybe award space will open up on short notice, maybe I will buy a oneway ticket with LO.
Jan 24, 2023, 6:38 pm
#50
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Community Buzz and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 150km from MAN
Programs: LH SEN** HH Diamond
Posts: 29,518
I received a flight cancellation in my award booking and tried to find a good solution for rebooking with UA.
They weren't flexible at all. So the only connections I could get, was flying one day later.
Unfortunately now I will arrive late Saturday evening at NRT and the only day I could attend Japan Do 2023 will probably be Sunday.
I'm still trying to find another way to get to Tokio earlier. Maybe award space will open up on short notice, maybe I will buy a oneway ticket with LO.
They weren't flexible at all. So the only connections I could get, was flying one day later.
Unfortunately now I will arrive late Saturday evening at NRT and the only day I could attend Japan Do 2023 will probably be Sunday.
I'm still trying to find another way to get to Tokio earlier. Maybe award space will open up on short notice, maybe I will buy a oneway ticket with LO.
Hope you will find an alternative way to get there.
Jan 25, 2023, 2:01 pm
#51
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Chicago, IL., U.S.A.
Programs: Global Entry · WN, UA, AS, DL, NH; IHG, Wyndham, Hilton, Best Value Inn, Marriott, Starwood, Ramada
Posts: 513
Flexible
I can suffice with either Nagoya or Tokyo. I've begun looking at neighborhoods in Nagoya [Aichi Prefecture] to appraise where we might be concentrated | orbiting.
The main difference between the two cities is whether I would need to buy the J.R. Pass {which I have never done previously - despite 14 trips there}. The pass would be bought for Nagoya. It would also influence where I would stay in Tokyo (| Yokohama) from 11-17 April.
My travel bot is looking at ORD-TYO flights on 4-18 April.
The main difference between the two cities is whether I would need to buy the J.R. Pass {which I have never done previously - despite 14 trips there}. The pass would be bought for Nagoya. It would also influence where I would stay in Tokyo (| Yokohama) from 11-17 April.
My travel bot is looking at ORD-TYO flights on 4-18 April.
Jan 25, 2023, 3:02 pm
#53
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Community Buzz and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 150km from MAN
Programs: LH SEN** HH Diamond
Posts: 29,518
The main difference between the two cities is whether I would need to buy the J.R. Pass {which I have never done previously - despite 14 trips there}. The pass would be bought for Nagoya. It would also influence where I would stay in Tokyo (| Yokohama) from 11-17 April.
Jan 25, 2023, 5:02 pm
#54
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Northern California
Programs: AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Aeroplan 25K, UA Silver
Posts: 494
Just came across this and have never been to Japan. I can swing the tickets, but feel completely lost on where to stay, whether it's easy to get around to meet up for the Do (I get lost so much that I generally add an extra hour for travel), and know so little, I'm not sure what to ask.
I'd obviously, prefer to see Tokyo to get my feet wet, but understand that others may have different preferences and perspectives.
I'd obviously, prefer to see Tokyo to get my feet wet, but understand that others may have different preferences and perspectives.
Jan 25, 2023, 5:17 pm
#55
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Northern California
Programs: AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Aeroplan 25K, UA Silver
Posts: 494
Unfortunately, too late to the party. The award tickets disappeared, so it looks like I'll have to try for a later Do.
At least I'll have time to do more research so I can jump on things faster. Have fun everyone!
At least I'll have time to do more research so I can jump on things faster. Have fun everyone!
Jan 25, 2023, 5:21 pm
#56
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Okinawa
Posts: 2,611
Jan 25, 2023, 5:30 pm
#57
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Virtuoso Travel Agent, Commercial Pilot
Posts: 2,117
Award space to/from Japan has been super plentiful lately. If you’re a little bit patient you shouldn’t have any trouble finding something that will get you to the DO.
Jan 28, 2023, 7:36 pm
#58
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,070
I was able to find an outbound segment! Now I just need a flight home. I'm looking for hotels in both Nagoya and Tokyo, depending on the Do itinerary.
Jan 31, 2023, 12:34 am
#59
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Seoul, Korea
Programs: Asiana Diamond, Marriott Plat/Gold
Posts: 171
Random, but my parents are trying to fly to Seoul to visit me, and I suggested flying into Tokyo to expand award options. I've been out of the award game for a really long time (2013-16 I used to open CC's and take them all the time). Can y'all recommend some good tools to search for flights to minimize the crazy mile prices I've been seeing (I know all the rates are higher now and nothing like the 35,000 round trip + open jaws in economy I used to take on United 😢
. My dad is insisting on J, and my mom says cash isn't an option if you're gonna be like that then.
. My dad is insisting on J, and my mom says cash isn't an option if you're gonna be like that then.
Jan 31, 2023, 1:11 am
#60
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,070
Have we decided whether we're visiting Tokyo or Nagoya?