New JAL Japan Explorer Pass
Nov 16, 2016, 3:11 am
#16
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BER
Posts: 512
What gives, the fare is nonrefundable. Had they mentioned it somewhere, I could have used BA Avios instead. Then again, JTA B734 cannot be worse than Air Serbia/Aviolet, which felt like a (horribly tight and uncomfortable) flying museum. Also I am still hoping for a paid class J upgrade at the airport, let's see how that plays out. I guess to ISG the chances are not too great.
Nov 16, 2016, 3:17 am
#17
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,395
Correct, I assumed oneworld benefits should be sufficient What gives, the fare is nonrefundable. Had they mentioned it somewhere, I could have used BA Avios instead. Then again, JTA B734 cannot be worse than Air Serbia/Aviolet, which felt like a (horribly tight and uncomfortable) flying museum. Also I am still hoping for a paid class J upgrade at the airport, let's see how that plays out. I guess to ISG the chances are not too great.
What gives, the fare is nonrefundable. Had they mentioned it somewhere, I could have used BA Avios instead. Then again, JTA B734 cannot be worse than Air Serbia/Aviolet, which felt like a (horribly tight and uncomfortable) flying museum. Also I am still hoping for a paid class J upgrade at the airport, let's see how that plays out. I guess to ISG the chances are not too great.
Nov 16, 2016, 3:44 am
#18
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BER
Posts: 512
Who in their right mind cancels a non-refundable ticket to book a new reservation because of advance seat selection? 
Sadly, you indeed are correct again, not a guaranteed benefit. I wonder why they list it in the first place. I'm sick of reading tons of small print do determine whether some benefit is offered or not. BA, who are probably amongst the worst of all with their HBO fares and BOB (read: bring own booze) concept, are at least up front about it.
I guess I should just be glad JAL and ANA offer those great low fares for gaikokujins, have a glass of whiskey at the Diamond Premier lounge and enjoy the flight
Sadly, you indeed are correct again, not a guaranteed benefit. I wonder why they list it in the first place. I'm sick of reading tons of small print do determine whether some benefit is offered or not. BA, who are probably amongst the worst of all with their HBO fares and BOB (read: bring own booze) concept, are at least up front about it.
I guess I should just be glad JAL and ANA offer those great low fares for gaikokujins, have a glass of whiskey at the Diamond Premier lounge and enjoy the flight
Nov 16, 2016, 3:58 am
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,161
Just be ready to check in the moment OLCI opens. Usually OLCI is not used that much in Japan, and you should be able to grab decent seats.
Nov 16, 2016, 4:01 am
#20
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,395
Nov 16, 2016, 5:09 am
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,161
Nov 16, 2016, 5:25 am
#22
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,395
Nov 16, 2016, 5:28 am
#23
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BER
Posts: 512
Fare rules require that international tickets and passport stamp (visitor status) are verified at check-in so I'll need to have that ready and printed out. If OLCI isn't used much in Japan I'll hopefully still get decent seats at the airport, since I anticipate to check-in some 3 hours before the flight to visit the JAL store and the observation deck at Haneda ^
Nov 16, 2016, 7:06 am
#24
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Japan
Programs: NH Diamond, JL JGC Diamond, BA Gold Guest List(Gold for life), CX Diamond
Posts: 1,580
Unlike some other airlines, you can choose a seat at the time of booking even deep discount fare.
See.
http://faq-en.jal.co.jp/app/answers/...d/4368/kw/seat
http://www.jal.co.jp/en/dom/reservation/jizen/
Practically, no OLCI is used.
People go to the security check directly with their printed QR code/IC card/mobile phone without OLCI.
One of ineligible fare for advanced seat reservation is group fare.
IMHO, just calling JAL's domestic reservation office is worth to try.
UPDATED:
I called JAL reservation office in Japan.
You CAN'T make advanced seat reservation on this Japan Explorer Pass fare.
See.
http://faq-en.jal.co.jp/app/answers/...d/4368/kw/seat
http://www.jal.co.jp/en/dom/reservation/jizen/
Practically, no OLCI is used.
People go to the security check directly with their printed QR code/IC card/mobile phone without OLCI.
One of ineligible fare for advanced seat reservation is group fare.
IMHO, just calling JAL's domestic reservation office is worth to try.
UPDATED:
I called JAL reservation office in Japan.
You CAN'T make advanced seat reservation on this Japan Explorer Pass fare.
Last edited by Wasabi Tofu; Nov 16, 2016 at 11:16 pm
Nov 16, 2016, 4:33 pm
#25
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 230
Nov 17, 2016, 12:12 am
#26
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,395
Nov 17, 2016, 1:16 am
#27
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BER
Posts: 512
I cannot even look it up on any of the websites, as a flight number is required and there is no option to select NU as carrier, only JL. For the domestic website I'd need a 4 letter booking code, which I don't have.
Nov 23, 2016, 2:15 am
#29
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
Nov 23, 2016, 2:45 pm
#30
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336