JALPak

This is not for myself as I am a JGC member already. But thanks to the recent changes on the JAL Global Club program, a couple of people have asked me what the are cheapest ways to attain JGC. I am starting this thread so everyone can benefit from the discussion (and save me some time )

Below are something to consider
1. If you live in Japan, apply for JALCard so you can earn 10-20% more FOPs during the campaign period
2. No, JAL is not running (at least haven't announced) any kind of double FOPs promotion. The only bonus FOP campaigns are the JALCard one and the regular 400 FOPs bonus on certain fares.
3. The quickest way probably is to do a domestic mileage run. A short flight e.g. HND-ITM can earn as much as 1072 FOPs if you fly in Y (100% mileage rate) but this will not earn you the most miles.
4. International mileage run will give you better miles/yen but it takes a much longer time to complete and might cost more because of the hotel cost.

So here is the challenge question, how to obtain JMB Sapphire with minimum cost? Anyone?

Update: I have created a post (#4) to list the current cheapest routes. By the way, no prize for the winner

ffs852

Two Roundtrips HKG-NRT-JFK on business.

For the above itinerary:
HKG-NRT J = 3818 FOP, 2279 Miles
NRT-JFK J = 8822 FOP, 8422 Miles
JFK-NRT J = 8822 FOP, 8422 Miles
NRT-HKG J = 3818 FOP, 2279 Miles

One roundtrip yields 25280 FOPs and 42804 miles (due to double miles campaign for 2010)

Ticket costs HKD36000 tax+surcharges inclusive (~USD 4635) per trip using fare DHKPA (D Class).

So two of these round trips for USD9270 would yield a total of 50560 FOPs (JGC & Sapphire qualification) and 85608 miles.

ffs852

Alternatively, the above can be completed with two roundtrips HKG-JFK in K class (70% accrual) which costs HKD12000 (~USD1550) per ticket and two more HKG-JFK in N class (50% accrual) which costs HKD9500 (~USD1200) per ticket.

The total would yield a total of 51868 FOPs at approximately USD5500 all inclusive.

But I will feel very sorry for your friends' backside and bottom with so much longhaul Y.

JALPak

JAPAN
Osaka:
- 3x ITM-NRT-LAX roundtrips (70% miles), 1x ITM-NRT-JFK roundtrip (70% miles). 340,310 yen* / 50,604 FOPs / 69,190 miles
(by JALPak, #13; inspired by fumitani, #12)
- 50 x ITM-TJH sectors in combination of Tokubin 1 and Birthday/Sakitoku fare. 355,800-367,000 yen / 5,300 miles / 50 sectors with 15,150 FOPs (by JALPak, #7)

Nagoya
- 3x NGO-NRT-JFK-ORD-NRT-NGO (70% miles), 1x NGO-NRT-HKG-NRT-NGO (70% miles). 365,000 yen* / 50,521 FOPs / 64,385 miles (by JAL Pak, #21; remark by kojiro, #22)

ASIA
Hong Kong:
- 4x HKG-NRT-JFK roundtrips, 1 in K an 3 in N classes. USD 5,200 / 75,340 miles / 51,610 FOPs (originally by ssw207, #2; modified by JALPak #8)

* Required hotel stays which might cost more..

Wing Man

I'm going to leave the scheduling permutations/combinations and mileage calculations to the FT veterans.

Instead, I would suggest that you might try booking your travel through a Japanese travel agent and getting to know your local JAL sales representative through the agent.

Might cost you a dinner or two, but I'm sure you know some good Japanese restaurants in Los Angeles, JALPak.

JALPak

Yes, booking through a travel agent will probably lower the costs. But I found Chinese TAs have even lower price than Japanese TA's and you don't need to treat them a dinner either

But if anyone wants to introduce me some single pretty JAL female staff, I don't mind paying for dinners

JALPak

22 x ITM-TJH (TAJIMA) on Tokubin 1 fare @ 7,900 yen each

Miles = 53 * 22 * 2 (2x miles promotion) = 2,332 miles
FOPs = (53 * 120% (JALCard promotion) + 400) * 22 = 11,594 FOPs
Cost = 7,900 * 22 = 173,800 yen

28 x ITM-TJH (TAJIMA) on Birthday fare (@6,500 yen each)/Sakitoku fare (@6,900 yen each)

Miles = 53 * 28 * 2 (2x miles promotion) = 2,968 miles
FOPs = 53 * 120% (JALCard promotion) * 28 = 3,556 FOPs
Cost = 6,500 * 28 = 182,000 yen (Birthday) or 6,900 * 28 = 193,200 yen (Sakitoku)

Total Cost: 355,800 yen (with Birthday fare) or 367,000 yen (with Sakitoku fare). It can go even lower with Shareholder discount but let's not go there


Total Sectors: 50
Total FOPs: 15,150 (> min 15,000 requirement)
Total Miles: 5,300 (obviously not the best for miles per yen)

JALPak

I think 2K and 2N HKG-NRT-JFK will get you 57,756 FOPs (with JALCard promotion)

HKG-NRT in K: 1,823 * 70% * 1.5 * 120% (JALCard) + 400 = 2,697 FOPs
HKG-NRT in N: 1,823 * 50% * 1.5 * 120% (JALCard) = 1,641 FOPs
NRT-JFK in K: 6,737 * 70% * 120% (JALCard) + 400 = 6.095 FOPs
NRT-JFK in N: 6,737 * 50% * 120% (JALCard) = 4,042 FOPs

Total: 57,756 FOPs

I think it's possible to do 1 HKG-NRT-JFK roundtrip in K and 3 in N
Total FOPs: 51,610
Total Miles: 75,340
Total Cost: USD 5,200

JALPak

By the way, I just notice the JALCard mile bonuses are missing in my calculations...

ffs852

I think after the 4x HKG-NRT-JFK MR, your friend will definitely need a Wheelchair pickup at the gate...

JALPak

I actually don't know them personally. They were fellow FTers and blog readers

fumitani

Okay let me challenge JALPAK.

ITM-NRT-JFK-NRT-ITM 91070 yen per roundtrip

ITM-NRT = 280 x 2 (domestic) x 120% (JAL Card) + 400 = 1072
NRT-JFK = 6737 x .7 x120% + 400 = 6059

Total of 57048 if you do this roundtrip 4 times. ( I feel sorry for your back)

Total cost of 364280

Or if you don't get the 400 FOP bonus per sector you still come in safe.

ITM-NRT = 280 x 2 (domestic) x 120% (JAL Card) = 672
NRT-JFK = 6737 x .7 x120%= 5659

50648! JALPAK beat this.

I think your butt will like you more than flying between ITM and Tajima 50 times! You get to visit NYC four times for three days each.....

Okay I tried doing

NRT-SIN-NRT it would take 8.98 trips costing about 404000yen
ITM-NRT-SIN-NRT-ITM would take 7.23 trips costing about 404000yen

will update some other ways.

JALPak

Effective April 1, all fares that earn 70% miles qualify for the 400 bonus (with the exception of 'X' fare which is still unclear whether it will earn the bonus or not. JAL still hasn't got back to me)

I found a way to beat you

ITM-NRT-LAX is only 83,080 yen per roundtrip and will earn 12,114 FOPs plus 16,402 miles.

ITM-NRT = 280 x 2 (domestic) x 120% (JALCard) + 400 (FOPs bonus) = 6,72 FOPs
NRT-LAX = 5,458 x .7 x120% (JALCard) + 400 (FOPs bonus) = 4,985 FOPs

So

3 x ITM-NRT-LAX roundtrips = 36,342 FOPs, 49,206 miles (2x miles)
1 x ITM-NRT-JFK roundtrip = 14,262 FOPs, 19,984 miles (2x miles)

Total FOPs: 50,604
Total Miles: 69,190
Total Cost: 83,080 * 3 + 91070 * 3 = 340,310 yen

Beat my previous low by 15,490 yen! But of course you have to factor in hotel for your stays in LAX and JFK, this might end up being more expensive than my previous MR routes)

Anyone has ideas on ex-Tokyo MR?

fumitani

Let me correct you a bit.

The fare is 60000yen + 23070 taxes and surcharges so the total is not 80000yen you need to change it to 83070! that will change your cost a bit.

JALPak

My bad...I was looking at the wrong place...and forgot about the taxes I will update the info. Thanks. By the way JAL website only shows 22,970 yen as the surcharge and tax...am I missing something in the calculation? There's still a 100 yen difference