JAL will accept international booking 360 days in advance from Apr 1 2019
#1
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,384
JAL will accept international booking 360 days in advance from Apr 1 2019
I was trying to keep this on the down low when I posted this cryptic post earlier. But @CPH-Flyer did more research (and hopefully he's right), so it's safe to put this out in the open now
JAL will extend the advanced booking period from 330 days to 360 days from Apr 1 2019 (JST) for international flights. This includes cash ticket, award booking, and upgrade. So mark your calendar to get 30 days of award inventory released at once and the best part is grAAbers and grASpers won't be able to touch these inventories at all (assuming nothing changed on their end).
JAL will extend the advanced booking period from 330 days to 360 days from Apr 1 2019 (JST) for international flights. This includes cash ticket, award booking, and upgrade. So mark your calendar to get 30 days of award inventory released at once and the best part is grAAbers and grASpers won't be able to touch these inventories at all (assuming nothing changed on their end).
#2
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
Not to worry. JAL has been far more aggressive already about pulling award inventory back from partners and saving it for grJMBlers if it wasn't booked immediately (at least for F).
#3
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,384
Some people have been calling before 10am JST to ask CSR to enter all the info and refresh inventory at 10am JST sharp. Something they can no longer do after the change
#4
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Japan
Programs: NH Diamond, JL JGC Diamond, BA Gold Guest List(Gold for life), CX Diamond
Posts: 1,580
Press release in English
JAL Group - PRESS RELEASES - Reservation Start Date for International Flights to be Changed to 360 days prior to Departure
Press release in Japanese
????????360?????? ??????? JAL?????
JAL Group - PRESS RELEASES - Reservation Start Date for International Flights to be Changed to 360 days prior to Departure
Press release in Japanese
????????360?????? ??????? JAL?????
#5
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JGC premier
Posts: 348
I have mixed feeling about this. While earlier booking period is usually better, I usually redeem my miles for Golden Week and Xmas, and 360 days window means that I will have to go through the effort to compete for the space in the middle of my vacation, with different time zone and all. Not exactly how I want to spend my vacation, but I guess beggars can’t be choosers..
#6
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,384
I have mixed feeling about this. While earlier booking period is usually better, I usually redeem my miles for Golden Week and Xmas, and 360 days window means that I will have to go through the effort to compete for the space in the middle of my vacation, with different time zone and all. Not exactly how I want to spend my vacation, but I guess beggars can’t be choosers..
#7
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JGC premier
Posts: 348
Woww what a nightmare. Ascenda Loyalty, the company JL signed with, touts QR, SQ, MH, AZ amongst its clients.. not exactly great example of good FF program especially with crazy devaluation without notice from the likes of QR.. lol. So much for expertise in customer loyalty. Just another reminder to burn as fast as you earn. Having just redeemed for long haul JL J and EK F, too bad that I don’t have the use of that extra 29 days :/ happy shopping to all of you!
#8
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,384
Woww what a nightmare. Ascenda Loyalty, the company JL signed with, touts QR, SQ, MH, AZ amongst its clients.. not exactly great example of good FF program especially with crazy devaluation without notice from the likes of QR.. lol. So much for expertise in customer loyalty. Just another reminder to burn as fast as you earn. Having just redeemed for long haul JL J and EK F, too bad that I don’t have the use of that extra 29 days :/ happy shopping to all of you!
#10
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,384
what makes you think they will be releasing them as standard awards? And you don’t have to fly on JL, there are lots of options to Tokyo.
#11
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 113
Of course, but I haven't flown JAL yet so that's supposed to be another highlight of my trip (I've been to Japan multiple times). Although the olympics are obviously something different, I'd rather fly JAL than ANA RT again.
#13
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: AMS
Programs: BAEC Silver, Flying Blue Gold, TK M&S Nobody
Posts: 2,457
Try calling - I was able to book QR redemptions with Avios past the 355 days that BA release at, may be the same for JL.
#14
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
#15
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,384