JAL award availability
Jan 18, 2018, 1:52 pm
#511
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 159
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.)
I checked on JMB account and availability is identical, so that's something. There's some attractive redemptions like KIX-HNL which I also might look into.
Jan 18, 2018, 1:57 pm
#512
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,394
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.)
Jan 18, 2018, 3:00 pm
#513
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, BW DE (lifetime), HH DE, Marriott PE (lifetime), National Emerald Executive
Posts: 7,205
Of course I'm sure it varies route by route. What I was saying was based on these mid-haul flights. That is, I was just speaking based on direct experience. (Though from my experience also connecting flights like NRT - N. Asia or S. Asia are hard to get and the waitlists often never clear, even if entered right at 330 days.)
Jan 18, 2018, 3:09 pm
#514
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 159
I have a question about the Promotino for International Award Tickets for Limited Days of the Week. It would appear, for example, if I fly on certain days of the week, I only need 20,000 JMB miles ( per direction YVR-Japan for example ).
I see the black out dates for August, but how does that work? i've checked out dates but it only shows up as 25k. Anyone know how these are booked? Is there a time frame you need to book them in? I LOOKS like it starts January 25th, if I'm not mistaken... but I'm not sure of that. I don't want to transfer SPG points to JMB without knowing if it's worth it to try. I'll be buying 4 tickets to Japan for Mid-july two will return in August, two in September.
Here's the page: http://www.jal.co.jp/en/121campaign/weekly_discount/
I see the black out dates for August, but how does that work? i've checked out dates but it only shows up as 25k. Anyone know how these are booked? Is there a time frame you need to book them in? I LOOKS like it starts January 25th, if I'm not mistaken... but I'm not sure of that. I don't want to transfer SPG points to JMB without knowing if it's worth it to try. I'll be buying 4 tickets to Japan for Mid-july two will return in August, two in September.
Here's the page: http://www.jal.co.jp/en/121campaign/weekly_discount/
Jan 18, 2018, 3:10 pm
#515
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,394
That is how it is for HNL-KIX/NGO/NRT/HND. Within a few minutes to few hours of release usually the J awards are gone, and do not re-appear until very close in, if ever. Occasionally availability does reappear (briefly, for a few minutes or hours) within the first few days of release, but that is it normally. Occasionally some dates at 320, 310, may be even 300 days out are available - but it's an exception rather than the rule.
Of course I'm sure it varies route by route. What I was saying was based on these mid-haul flights. That is, I was just speaking based on direct experience. (Though from my experience also connecting flights like NRT - N. Asia or S. Asia are hard to get and the waitlists often never clear, even if entered right at 330 days.)
Of course I'm sure it varies route by route. What I was saying was based on these mid-haul flights. That is, I was just speaking based on direct experience. (Though from my experience also connecting flights like NRT - N. Asia or S. Asia are hard to get and the waitlists often never clear, even if entered right at 330 days.)
Jan 18, 2018, 3:16 pm
#516
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, BW DE (lifetime), HH DE, Marriott PE (lifetime), National Emerald Executive
Posts: 7,205
Yes, that is long-haul vs mid-haul flight. But it's still Japan-US/Canada, so the same greater/general market, just longer distance and crossing a whole of an ocean vs. just 1/2. And typically longer haul flights have lesser availability (are sooner redeemed). But of course, each route has different traffic drivers, booking timelines by customers, etc. YVR is likely a less popular destination, so it may very well have better availability - as it does, if still dates such as Sept 7 are open.
Jan 18, 2018, 6:06 pm
#517
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 159
Yes, that is long-haul vs mid-haul flight. But it's still Japan-US/Canada, so the same greater/general market, just longer distance and crossing a whole of an ocean vs. just 1/2. And typically longer haul flights have lesser availability (are sooner redeemed). But of course, each route has different traffic drivers, booking timelines by customers, etc. YVR is likely a less popular destination, so it may very well have better availability - as it does, if still dates such as Sept 7 are open.
YVR-NRT traffic is driven more by Vancouver traffic as NRT provides access to Asia.
The September 7th date is interesting to me. I wouldn't be surprised at all if JAL releases the bare minimum in the summer peak season, until they know what plane loads will be.
Jan 19, 2018, 9:28 am
#518
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Tokyo
Programs: Marriott Plat, HH G,Hyatt E,*A Gold, OW Emerald.
Posts: 3,023
Hawaii is popular with the jmb members, and sells out fast. Did anyone notice that JAL announced limited summer 777 swap to HNL, yet no F seats ever showed up? Those awards literally sold out in minutes!
staying on topic, the Melbourne route seems to have gained popularity as C award space is rarer now.
staying on topic, the Melbourne route seems to have gained popularity as C award space is rarer now.
Jan 28, 2018, 10:15 pm
#519
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Programs: Hyatt LT Globalist, Marriot LT Titanium, UA 2.4MM, HH Gold, AS MVPG
Posts: 3,400
Hawaii is popular with the jmb members, and sells out fast. Did anyone notice that JAL announced limited summer 777 swap to HNL, yet no F seats ever showed up? Those awards literally sold out in minutes!
staying on topic, the Melbourne route seems to have gained popularity as C award space is rarer now.
staying on topic, the Melbourne route seems to have gained popularity as C award space is rarer now.
Jan 29, 2018, 1:05 am
#520
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Japan
Programs: NH Diamond, JL JGC Diamond, BA Gold Guest List(Gold for life), CX Diamond
Posts: 1,580
10Aug2018 Fri JL782 NRT HNL 2200 1030 77W F8A4
11Aug2018 Sat JL782 NRT HNL 2200 1030 77W F6A3
12Aug2018 Sun JL782 NRT HNL 2200 1030 77W F8A0
...
17Aug2018 Fri JL782 NRT HNL 2200 1030 77W F7A6
So, only 8 days for Japanese Obon days.
11Aug2018 Sat JL782 NRT HNL 2200 1030 77W F6A3
12Aug2018 Sun JL782 NRT HNL 2200 1030 77W F8A0
...
17Aug2018 Fri JL782 NRT HNL 2200 1030 77W F7A6
So, only 8 days for Japanese Obon days.
Feb 23, 2018, 8:37 am
#522
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Planet Earth
Programs: IHG Diamond Amb, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Gold, Hertz PC, AA Plat Pro
Posts: 149
Greetings all. I have a trip coming up in 2 weeks, have all my other flights ticketed except my LAX-DEL leg. I've waitlisted pretty much all North American flights to DEL via NRT from JAL, but none have cleared as of yet. On expert flyer it shows the cabin is about 75% full in J for the LAX-NRT (my preferred route) leg of the trip. At this point would it be safe to assume seats will not open up?
Feb 23, 2018, 10:32 am
#524
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, BW DE (lifetime), HH DE, Marriott PE (lifetime), National Emerald Executive
Posts: 7,205
Greetings all. I have a trip coming up in 2 weeks, have all my other flights ticketed except my LAX-DEL leg. I've waitlisted pretty much all North American flights to DEL via NRT from JAL, but none have cleared as of yet. On expert flyer it shows the cabin is about 75% full in J for the LAX-NRT (my preferred route) leg of the trip. At this point would it be safe to assume seats will not open up?
Feb 23, 2018, 10:43 am
#525
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Planet Earth
Programs: IHG Diamond Amb, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Gold, Hertz PC, AA Plat Pro
Posts: 149