Originally Posted by Duke787

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

Originally Posted by FlightBOS

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.

Originally Posted by Thunderroad

Building on this, i just read on a blog site the other day that NH has unusually opened up some F seats for next year from ORD and IAH.

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!

Originally Posted by TIGRIS23

Hmm, that's very good to know! Yea, late Spring is way past 330 days mark. May I ask which airport you flying out of and where you did your search for the F's? Thanks!

Originally Posted by TIGRIS23

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!

Originally Posted by FlyinHawaiian

Originally Posted by FlightBOS

I was incredibly excited to find 3 F seats on the same flight...you really never see that. But NH actually had a ton of availability from ORD at the moment.

Easiest place to search is United's tool (https://www.united.com/ual/en/US/fli.../book-a-flight). Mark your dates as flexible, premium class (F / J as desired), direct flights only, and "all star alliance" flights. It'll give you the two month view and you just have to pick out where you see premium saver availability. Still seeing a ton of availability for 3F; that's the max, though. If you need 4, there are J seats available.