Best 1st Class Awards Availability to Japan is...
Aug 4, 2018, 8:29 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 248
Best 1st Class Awards Availability to Japan is...
I know it's tough in general to find awards availability for 2 J's or more to Japan (from U.S.), but just curious, has anyone ever booked 2 or more F seats from U.S. to Japan?? If so, which airline and how far off did you find availability. Any particular airlines that have the best F availability (2 or more seats) from U.S. to Japan (ok if including connections)?? Thanks!
Aug 4, 2018, 8:11 pm
#3
Moderator: Hawaii-based airlines & Hawai'i forums
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ka ʻĀpala Nui, Nuioka
Programs: NEXUS/Global Entry, Delta, United, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, and Hertz
Posts: 18,032
My vote would be for the Star Alliance with United, Air Canada, and Asiana all having decent availability and sometimes ANA will be open as well.
Aug 4, 2018, 10:33 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,375
This doesn't answer your question but, in case you're interested, JAL's YVR-NRT flight has excellent J saver award availability much of the year.
(this is using AS miles, but I presume that would also mean good availabiliity using JL/AA miles)
(this is using AS miles, but I presume that would also mean good availabiliity using JL/AA miles)
Aug 4, 2018, 11:21 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
Programs: Former UA Premex, now dirt
Posts: 6,531
I don't usually waste miles on F but have had pretty good luck finding Star Alliance awards in Business on either UA or NH. Of course, I am usually looking for singletons. Can't speak for 2 or more seats.
Aug 5, 2018, 9:44 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 248
I currently have a decent amount of UR pts, but also have some MR pts, however I'm looking to add AA miles to my porfolio but I ask mainly so to know what pts/miles I should go after next. Thanks for you input!
Aug 5, 2018, 9:48 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 248
Hmmm, so if I want to splurge for F seats (3), I could book 2 once they open up 330 days out (is this the exact number of days?), and book 1 J and if a week or so out, I can switch the J to F (is that possible)? Thanks!
Aug 5, 2018, 9:50 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 248
Thanks!
Aug 5, 2018, 9:50 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 248
Aug 6, 2018, 6:40 pm
#12
Moderator, All Nippon Airways and Japan
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: NH SFC (*G), JL JGP (OWE), AS MVP, WOH E, IHG SE
Posts: 3,908
Moving to the information desk as this is a more general “how do I use my points” question.
Regards,
armagebedar
Japan form moderator
Regards,
armagebedar
Japan form moderator
Aug 6, 2018, 8:16 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
F is pretty obtainable to/from Japan as long as you are flexible.
JL tends to release at least 2 F seats at T-330 and then starts opening it back up again sometime within T-30. They also randomly at times seem to open the floodgates (booked our 2x NRT - ORD in JL F for our upcoming honeymoon sometime around T-9 months).
NH is a little more stingy but still usually feasible with some flexibility -- they have a lot of capacity with SEA showing up frequently (though I would avoid personally since to get from SEA - RDU typically means 2 more Y flights on UA).
OZ via ICN as mentioned also comes up often on UA.com as an option with either the A380 or now A359 to JFK or the 777 to ORD.
AS is the cheapest at 70k but hardest miles to obtain these days if you don't fly them (or aren't willing to buy during their frequent sales) -- though if you have a Marriott stash you could convert a TP to them while still available
JL tends to release at least 2 F seats at T-330 and then starts opening it back up again sometime within T-30. They also randomly at times seem to open the floodgates (booked our 2x NRT - ORD in JL F for our upcoming honeymoon sometime around T-9 months).
NH is a little more stingy but still usually feasible with some flexibility -- they have a lot of capacity with SEA showing up frequently (though I would avoid personally since to get from SEA - RDU typically means 2 more Y flights on UA).
OZ via ICN as mentioned also comes up often on UA.com as an option with either the A380 or now A359 to JFK or the 777 to ORD.
AS is the cheapest at 70k but hardest miles to obtain these days if you don't fly them (or aren't willing to buy during their frequent sales) -- though if you have a Marriott stash you could convert a TP to them while still available
Aug 7, 2018, 8:41 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 24
I was actually just able to book 3 F seats, RT on NH (US-TYO) today. So availability does exist! Trip is late spring of next year, long after the 330 day mark passed (though I suppose this is more JL than NH)...just happened to be open.
Aug 8, 2018, 4:32 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,820
Beyond that, KE might be a good bet. You can build miles in their program by signing up for their business and personal credit cards (complete with initial spending bonuses) and by transferring points from Chase UR. Be aware that KE's award redemption system is more complicated than most, but it's navigable once you figure it out.
Good luck!