JAL award availability
Feb 23, 2018, 11:16 am
#526
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, BW DE (lifetime), HH DE, Marriott PE (lifetime), National Emerald Executive
Posts: 7,204
re: ticketing deadlines
12:00 (departure city time), 4 days prior to the departure of the first flight sector (not including the day of departure)
24 hours (departure city time) prior to the departure of the first flight sector
- *If the above deadlines fall outside the operating hours of the Call Center or JAL Office, the deadline will be the previous business day.
Within 7 days prior to the departure of the first flight sector Waitlisting is not permitted
Feb 23, 2018, 4:25 pm
#527
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Planet Earth
Programs: IHG Diamond Amb, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Gold, Hertz PC, AA Plat Pro
Posts: 149
https://www.jal.co.jp/en/jalmile/use...tion.html#tabs
re: ticketing deadlines
Though by phone (if you call Japan, as US call center is very limited hours, and wait times are often an hour +) it is:
and also keep in mind re: waitlisting
Availability usually comes open at 7 days or less prior to flight, if there's only a few seats left. That you cannot waitlist, and it's also hard if not impossible to book it with JL itself due to the ticketing deadlines.
re: ticketing deadlines
Though by phone (if you call Japan, as US call center is very limited hours, and wait times are often an hour +) it is:
and also keep in mind re: waitlisting
Availability usually comes open at 7 days or less prior to flight, if there's only a few seats left. That you cannot waitlist, and it's also hard if not impossible to book it with JL itself due to the ticketing deadlines.
Feb 23, 2018, 5:40 pm
#528
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, BW DE (lifetime), HH DE, Marriott PE (lifetime), National Emerald Executive
Posts: 7,204
But still beats coach.
(off topic, sorry)
Mar 5, 2018, 6:37 am
#529
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: Jeff is Deaf
Posts: 541
I don't think it's blocked. Just booked. From my experience, many JAL flights will get booked within a few minutes (sometimes seconds) of being released at 330 days out. If you want a specific flight on a specific date, you have to book at 330 days out 10am JST and be quick about it. That is especially so during popular travel times. (So now is the time to book for December...the time to book for September has long ago passed.)
There can be more availability opened up as existing bookings get canceled (not sure does it always go back into inventory, but most of the time it probably does). Best way to get that is to waitlist. Also closer in more tends to be released, like a month, two weeks, one week in, depending on how full (or not) the flight is, more tends to be released closer in.
It's advantageous to use JAL JMB to book further out and waitlist. For very close in bookings you actually cannot book it with JAL, as they restrict it. Close in bookings for the next day or thereabouts you can only book with other programs. (I know, not logical...but that's the way it is.)
There can be more availability opened up as existing bookings get canceled (not sure does it always go back into inventory, but most of the time it probably does). Best way to get that is to waitlist. Also closer in more tends to be released, like a month, two weeks, one week in, depending on how full (or not) the flight is, more tends to be released closer in.
It's advantageous to use JAL JMB to book further out and waitlist. For very close in bookings you actually cannot book it with JAL, as they restrict it. Close in bookings for the next day or thereabouts you can only book with other programs. (I know, not logical...but that's the way it is.)
Mar 7, 2018, 9:08 pm
#530
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Chicago
Posts: 17
I've been monitoring JAL F award closely for about 2 months. In the past usually availability was pretty good T-14. But since about this week, I noticed there's almost 0 F availability all the way to T-14 (from today to Mar 21st for example only one day has F available). I verified using BA site and Alaska site. Has anyone noticed the same? I suspect JAL is blocking or refusing to release F award for mid-late march because of the cherry blossom. I also noticed the business class has been consistently full (or close to full) coming in to mid-late march. Could that be the reason as well?
I currently have 2 J awards ticketed, hoping to upgrade to F. I will keep checking but would appreciate any insights!
I currently have 2 J awards ticketed, hoping to upgrade to F. I will keep checking but would appreciate any insights!
Mar 7, 2018, 11:08 pm
#531
Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
I've been monitoring JAL F award closely for about 2 months. In the past usually availability was pretty good T-14. But since about this week, I noticed there's almost 0 F availability all the way to T-14 (from today to Mar 21st for example only one day has F available). I verified using BA site and Alaska site. Has anyone noticed the same? I suspect JAL is blocking or refusing to release F award for mid-late march because of the cherry blossom. I also noticed the business class has been consistently full (or close to full) coming in to mid-late march. Could that be the reason as well?
I currently have 2 J awards ticketed, hoping to upgrade to F. I will keep checking but would appreciate any insights!
I currently have 2 J awards ticketed, hoping to upgrade to F. I will keep checking but would appreciate any insights!
they need to leave some seats for high CIV people.
Mar 8, 2018, 1:03 am
#532
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,112
I've been monitoring JAL F award closely for about 2 months. In the past usually availability was pretty good T-14. But since about this week, I noticed there's almost 0 F availability all the way to T-14 (from today to Mar 21st for example only one day has F available). I verified using BA site and Alaska site. Has anyone noticed the same? I suspect JAL is blocking or refusing to release F award for mid-late march because of the cherry blossom. I also noticed the business class has been consistently full (or close to full) coming in to mid-late march. Could that be the reason as well?
I currently have 2 J awards ticketed, hoping to upgrade to F. I will keep checking but would appreciate any insights!
I currently have 2 J awards ticketed, hoping to upgrade to F. I will keep checking but would appreciate any insights!
But I don't have any statistics to back up my guess.
Mar 8, 2018, 3:17 am
#533
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Tokyo
Programs: Marriott Plat, HH G,Hyatt E,*A Gold, OW Emerald.
Posts: 3,023
The financial year in Japan ends in March and begins in April. March is the busy spring holiday (for families) and moving season for expats. Don’t expect any new award space during this season. Any openings are the exception rather than the norm.
Mar 8, 2018, 2:15 pm
#534
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Aspen, CO
Posts: 792
Consider connecting through SFO. My father and I are booked in F (not award) are the only people booked in the cabin (SFO HND 3/11, HND SFO 3/24). Not sure about other dates but there seems to be a ton of space open in F on this route.
Last edited by Gino Troian; Mar 8, 2018 at 7:03 pm
Mar 8, 2018, 5:00 pm
#535
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 159
Question about JMB Award.
I have found availability on a HND-KIX 13:00 flight in July on BA Avios for 2 seats, but i need a third (1 adult, 2 children). I was going to transfer some SPG for the 3rd.
Q1: It looks like I can only book about 3 months ahead of time for domestic flights. Is this correct? Are there any tricks to booking flights?
Q2: Can I book a 8-year old on their own itinerary? ( Book 2 flights with Avios, 1 with JMB ). They'd be flying together, but on a separate ticket.
Q3: Any tricks to guaranteeing getting that specific July flight? What time to they release award availability (Domestically).
I have found availability on a HND-KIX 13:00 flight in July on BA Avios for 2 seats, but i need a third (1 adult, 2 children). I was going to transfer some SPG for the 3rd.
Q1: It looks like I can only book about 3 months ahead of time for domestic flights. Is this correct? Are there any tricks to booking flights?
Q2: Can I book a 8-year old on their own itinerary? ( Book 2 flights with Avios, 1 with JMB ). They'd be flying together, but on a separate ticket.
Q3: Any tricks to guaranteeing getting that specific July flight? What time to they release award availability (Domestically).
Mar 9, 2018, 2:11 am
#537
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Japan
Programs: NH Diamond, JL JGC Diamond, BA Gold Guest List(Gold for life), CX Diamond
Posts: 1,580
So, If the system permits, basically no problem. Seating selection may be an issue (how to sit together with separate bookings.)
Alternatively, you may consider child fare (half price of adult non restricted normal fare).
BTW,
6 to 7 years old children may travel alone when JAL's KIDS support service is used.
5 or less old children can't travel alone.
Mar 10, 2018, 1:04 am
#538
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Tokyo
Programs: Marriott Plat, HH G,Hyatt E,*A Gold, OW Emerald.
Posts: 3,023
Question about JMB Award.
I have found availability on a HND-KIX 13:00 flight in July on BA Avios for 2 seats, but i need a third (1 adult, 2 children). I was going to transfer some SPG for the 3rd. Q1: It looks like I can only book about 3 months ahead of time for domestic flights. Is this correct? Are there any tricks to booking flights?
I have found availability on a HND-KIX 13:00 flight in July on BA Avios for 2 seats, but i need a third (1 adult, 2 children). I was going to transfer some SPG for the 3rd. Q1: It looks like I can only book about 3 months ahead of time for domestic flights. Is this correct? Are there any tricks to booking flights?
But, If you see 3 Avios award seats on any other flight that day (only 3 flights a day) , I suggest you book them. Or, just wait till the booking opens in May and buy a cash ticket.
Nope. 60 days out. It is a minor glitch with JAL, in that awards beyond the 60 day window are available to JAL partners but not to its own JAL JMB members.
Mar 11, 2018, 4:17 pm
#539
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 49
In addition to all the other problems with JAL phone reps (simply too many to list), has anyone else had trouble with them seeing EK award availability? Looking for a round trip in August; Qantas website showing two seats in F almost every day from DXB to JFK. JAL rep told me today that there was no availability at all in F from DXB to JFK during the month of August. Of course I'll call back and try a different rep, but was wondering if this (1) typical inflexibility/unwillingness on part of JAL reps or (2) if somehow EK isn't releasing as many award seats to JAL?
Mar 12, 2018, 10:23 am
#540
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Chicago
Posts: 17
Another interesting note regarding JAL availability in late March. I just got a notification today (I have alarms set for less than 4 F or A fare) so I went into experflyer and checked my flight (JL009 ORD-NRT on Mar 28) and the entire inventory for any class is 0. I checked the seatmap and only business class seem to be sold out. I also tried google the flight and they're not selling any tickets on this particular flight. Could the plane be sold out but just not reflected on seatmap? I don't think JAL will cancel this flight, but it's just a bit bizarre that the whole inventory turns 0 overnight.