JAL Airport Upgrade experiences?
May 12, 2017, 12:30 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: AA PP, OZ *G, Hyatt Expl, Marriott Gold, Lots of Ex-statuses
Posts: 318
JAL Airport Upgrade experiences?
Hello,
I tried searching for this but couldn't find any anec-data.
JAL has an airport upgrade offering, listed at https://www.jal.co.jp/en/jalmile/jal_up_today.html#info.
You can pay fewer miles to upgrade day of flight instead of earlier. The savings vary.
Has anyone tried to get one, and has it succeeded? Would love info on routes/experiences. Thanks!
I tried searching for this but couldn't find any anec-data.
JAL has an airport upgrade offering, listed at https://www.jal.co.jp/en/jalmile/jal_up_today.html#info.
This service is to apply for JAL International Upgrade Award upon check-in at the airport on the day of departure. This service can be used when a seat is available in the next higher class of service than that of the purchased ticket.
Has anyone tried to get one, and has it succeeded? Would love info on routes/experiences. Thanks!
May 12, 2017, 12:54 pm
#2
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,394
What exactly were you looking for? This is as simple as if seats and meals are available, and your ticket is upgradable then you can pay fewer miles to upgrade. It's just the same as same-day upgrade at the airport we had before but you pay less miles now.
May 12, 2017, 1:31 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: AA PP, OZ *G, Hyatt Expl, Marriott Gold, Lots of Ex-statuses
Posts: 318
I had a few specific questions:
1. Do you need availability in an "upgrade fare class", or is it any biz seat or first class seat that's on the plane. Assuming you have an eligible fare.
2. Is it worth the risk i.e. does it generally clear at airport, or should you apply way in advance? Just looking for some data here.
Thanks.
1. Do you need availability in an "upgrade fare class", or is it any biz seat or first class seat that's on the plane. Assuming you have an eligible fare.
2. Is it worth the risk i.e. does it generally clear at airport, or should you apply way in advance? Just looking for some data here.
Thanks.
May 22, 2017, 6:08 pm
#4
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,394
I did it just now just for fun. I had no intention of upgrading to the crappy sS2 before and obviously I am left with crappy center seats. From what I can tell, they seem to use a different bucket. At least my boarding class subclass is different from the normal mile upgrade ones.
May 22, 2017, 11:04 pm
#5
Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
I had a few specific questions:
1. Do you need availability in an "upgrade fare class", or is it any biz seat or first class seat that's on the plane. Assuming you have an eligible fare.
2. Is it worth the risk i.e. does it generally clear at airport, or should you apply way in advance? Just looking for some data here.
Thanks.
1. Do you need availability in an "upgrade fare class", or is it any biz seat or first class seat that's on the plane. Assuming you have an eligible fare.
2. Is it worth the risk i.e. does it generally clear at airport, or should you apply way in advance? Just looking for some data here.
Thanks.
but when i last floew to FRA in F, it was 2/8 and we were given 2 seats; to sleep and to "lounge".
May 23, 2017, 10:34 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Japan
Programs: NH Diamond, JL JGC Diamond, BA Gold Guest List(Gold for life), CX Diamond
Posts: 1,580
I had a few specific questions:
1. Do you need availability in an "upgrade fare class", or is it any biz seat or first class seat that's on the plane. Assuming you have an eligible fare.
2. Is it worth the risk i.e. does it generally clear at airport, or should you apply way in advance? Just looking for some data here.
Thanks.
1. Do you need availability in an "upgrade fare class", or is it any biz seat or first class seat that's on the plane. Assuming you have an eligible fare.
2. Is it worth the risk i.e. does it generally clear at airport, or should you apply way in advance? Just looking for some data here.
Thanks.
I booked PE by miles.
At the airport, I asked C availability.
An agent said 'Only aisle seat is available.'
Difference of PE award and C award (20,000miles) was deducted.
For Q1, it seems that you can grab any seat.
(About priority, not clear. Some Japanese blog says first come first service. However, JMB desk says Diamond may have priority. JMB desk agent seems not to know real airport operation/procedure)
For Q2, You can only apply at the airport.
Jun 17, 2017, 11:51 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: East Coast US
Programs: Hyatt: Diamond. Marriott: Platinum. AA: EXP 1MM. Delta: Silver. Etihad: Silver. Emirates Silver
Posts: 387
Can you pay with a credit card to upgrade to the next class up? Some airlines have the option (like for example Etihad does) where on check in if seats are availble then you can upgrade to J on payment of a discounted amount. Does JAL have this option?
Jun 18, 2017, 1:00 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,153
You can pay to upgrade from economy to premium economy, but upgrades from economy to business can only be arranged with JMB miles. (or paying the full fare difference and change fee)
Jun 18, 2017, 4:20 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: East Coast US
Programs: Hyatt: Diamond. Marriott: Platinum. AA: EXP 1MM. Delta: Silver. Etihad: Silver. Emirates Silver
Posts: 387
Thanks for the response. I would imagine that offering upgrades for cash at the airport for Y to J would be beneficial for airlines on flights where loads in J are light, Etihad and a few other airlines do this and J ends up being quite full with pax paying last minute to upgrade, this way the airline is able to squeeze some more revenue out.
Jun 18, 2017, 5:06 pm
#10
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Thanks for the response. I would imagine that offering upgrades for cash at the airport for Y to J would be beneficial for airlines on flights where loads in J are light, Etihad and a few other airlines do this and J ends up being quite full with pax paying last minute to upgrade, this way the airline is able to squeeze some more revenue out.
Jun 19, 2017, 1:38 am
#12
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Jun 19, 2017, 11:10 am
#13
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Jun 19, 2017, 5:01 pm
#14
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