Upgrade for One World Elites?
Feb 8, 2009, 4:50 am
#16
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Singapore
Programs: AA Gold, IHG & Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,024
If you're JMB Diamond (or even lower), and you have an economy class ticket, you have a very high chance of getting to sit in business class seating on Seoul-Tokyo. Often on these routes JAL will operate long haul aircraft but will not sell all the business class seats as business class. They'll divide business class, allowing elites to sit in the economy service/business class seating section.
It's a nice benefit.
It's a nice benefit.
Aug 6, 2009, 8:30 pm
#17
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Seattle, Seoul, temporarily Shanghai
Programs: UA, AA, KE, OZ Hyatt Platinum, Int Ambassador,
Posts: 215
Dont mean to stear away from the topic, but any comment on ICN-NRT route between OZ and JL? I have choice between the two and cant decide which one to take. Both on C.
Aug 19, 2009, 8:54 pm
#18
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: OW Sapphire - CX MPC Gold, *A GOLD Turkish, IHG Platinum, Hilton Gold, Marriot/SPG Gold, BW Diamond
Posts: 251
Hi ya'll, going to KIX am booked on JL-652 AUG 25th it looks like its pretty full, I have 2 questions:
1. i'm an OW Sapphire, how easy is it to get a seat in a full flight?
2. if i do get a seat what are the chances of an op-up?
Thanks to you all!
b950022
1. i'm an OW Sapphire, how easy is it to get a seat in a full flight?
2. if i do get a seat what are the chances of an op-up?
Thanks to you all!
b950022
Aug 24, 2009, 5:41 pm
#19
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: JFK
Programs: AA LT Plat
Posts: 453
I have flown about 20 JL segments in the last three years. In those 3 years, I was op-up to J with Y service in a 3 class plane from ICN-NRT once.. so I wouldnt keep my hopes up in terms of an op-up.
Aug 25, 2009, 8:37 pm
#20
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: OW Sapphire - CX MPC Gold, *A GOLD Turkish, IHG Platinum, Hilton Gold, Marriot/SPG Gold, BW Diamond
Posts: 251
Just an update, my seat was cleared and luckily i got and upgrade as well, so thank you JAL... i love Japanese Meals.
Fingers crossed for an op-up on my return flight, JA-651 on Aug. 30.
Aug 25, 2009, 8:39 pm
#21
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,385
Feb 16, 2013, 2:42 pm
#22
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,086
I'll be interested on what happens for my wife (AA PLT) and I (AA EXP) on a upcoming trip to/from NRT/SIN. I have been upgraded exactly once about 4 years ago so not expecting much but Y is looking to be quite full on both flights and there are quite a few J seats available, especially on the return flight. Will report back.
Feb 16, 2013, 11:37 pm
#23
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP >3 Million miles,HH Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 2,887
Same situation here. Husband is exp I'm plat. Flying hkg to nrt last week increased n class AA code share so couldnt even advance selects seats. When we checked in they had allocated bulkhead coach probably bests seats in coach but no upgrade. Both cabins were fairly empty. Several years ago we were upgraded on a nrt to icn flight but no dice this time around.
Feb 19, 2013, 7:50 am
#24
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Scarsdale, NY USA; LT PLT AA; AA 3 mm (4 mm will never happen); Hilton Diamond, Marriott Silver, AA is clueless why I fly
Posts: 754
Pay at gate for upgrade?
Has anyone had the experience where JAL has seats in Business and will offer at the gate to upgrade OW Elites (or anyone for that matter) for a reduced cost?
Feb 19, 2013, 8:13 am
#25
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,385
Mar 1, 2013, 6:23 pm
#27
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA PLT 2MM
Posts: 473
One should never expect, but one never knows. This did actually happen to me, way back in 2000, I think - Discounted Y ticket on AA ORD-NRT, upgraded to J with miles (and I think this might have been before the co-pays came in). Chaos at ORD due to a blizzard led to further upgrade to F on JAL. 
Mar 1, 2013, 10:46 pm
#28
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SJC/PIT
Programs: AA EXP, AS 75K, TK Elite
Posts: 519
Just got an op-up on NRT-ICN (AA Emerald, Y fare). Sure it's a short flight but enjoyed the wider seat and decent sushi.
The availability a few days out was very limited in both cabins (something like C1 Y5 etc) although the seat map was wide open. They probably oversold Y quite a bit by cheap coach tickets expecting to op-up elites and higher fares. I was booted from my exit row seat a day before the flight and AA couldn't check me in, so I kind of knew I had been op-upped.
The availability a few days out was very limited in both cabins (something like C1 Y5 etc) although the seat map was wide open. They probably oversold Y quite a bit by cheap coach tickets expecting to op-up elites and higher fares. I was booted from my exit row seat a day before the flight and AA couldn't check me in, so I kind of knew I had been op-upped.
Mar 2, 2013, 9:27 am
#29
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,086
I'll be interested on what happens for my wife (AA PLT) and I (AA EXP) on a upcoming trip to/from NRT/SIN. I have been upgraded exactly once about 4 years ago so not expecting much but Y is looking to be quite full on both flights and there are quite a few J seats available, especially on the return flight. Will report back.
Mar 16, 2013, 4:40 am
#30
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Here and there
Programs: Hyatt Globalist,
Posts: 318
Just got an op-up on NRT-ICN (AA Emerald, Y fare). Sure it's a short flight but enjoyed the wider seat and decent sushi.
The availability a few days out was very limited in both cabins (something like C1 Y5 etc) although the seat map was wide open. They probably oversold Y quite a bit by cheap coach tickets expecting to op-up elites and higher fares. I was booted from my exit row seat a day before the flight and AA couldn't check me in, so I kind of knew I had been op-upped.
The availability a few days out was very limited in both cabins (something like C1 Y5 etc) although the seat map was wide open. They probably oversold Y quite a bit by cheap coach tickets expecting to op-up elites and higher fares. I was booted from my exit row seat a day before the flight and AA couldn't check me in, so I kind of knew I had been op-upped.