Tips for AA's US - CGK Flight from hell
Dec 7, 2016, 2:58 pm
#16
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: NYC
Programs: AA PLat
Posts: 212
Exercise definitely helps recover from / prepare for long-hauls. Wish airports had workout facilities like they do places to eat/drink
I just always forgot to book the Changi transit hotel more than a few days ahead , so I always ended up waiting a bit to get room
Dec 8, 2016, 9:12 am
#17
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Marriot Plat, SPG Plat, AS MVP 75k Gold, Wyndham Diamon, Caesar's Diamond,
Posts: 77
Any suggestions for getting the return trip boarding pass? I get in at midnight and leave at 9pm. Its driving me crazy. Booked as AA flight number operated by JAL.
Dec 8, 2016, 9:18 am
#18
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: AA EXP, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,017
With the 2100 departure--assuming JL726--just get the BPs from the JAL counter at CGK; they will give you both. Counter opens about 1830. Also, ask the agent about Prem Econ upgrade if interested; they will write out a receipt and send you with another agent to the Garuda counter nearby to pay the upgrade fee (Visa/MC only--no AmEx).
Dec 8, 2016, 9:25 am
#19
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Marriot Plat, SPG Plat, AS MVP 75k Gold, Wyndham Diamon, Caesar's Diamond,
Posts: 77
With the 2100 departure--assuming JL726--just get the BPs from the JAL counter at CGK; they will give you both. Counter opens about 1830. Also, ask the agent about Prem Econ upgrade if interested; they will write out a receipt and send you with another agent to the Garuda counter nearby to pay the upgrade fee (Visa/MC only--no AmEx).
Dec 8, 2016, 9:31 am
#20
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA EXP, SPG PLT, Carlson/HHonors GLD, National Ex, Hertz Gld, AMEX Plat
Posts: 344
Okay, so CGK....
I've done this one a few times in recent history, my last one with a nested separate ticket to and from KUL, so I have some info on trying to get through that airport without paying the visa.
The short story is that if you're sufficiently stubborn, and well prepared, you can get through as a 'transfer.' It's true that when your arriving at midnight on that JAL flight, the airport will be deserted, as well as the 'transfer desk' which is literally just a run down 8ft counter with broken chairs at it.
My last experience:
Stopped at the 'transfer desk' instead of going to customs, with the print out of my next flight I brought with me in anticipation of this moment. Tried to explain to the minimally-english-speaking airport employee that we only had a few hours, and did not want to leave the airport, and needed our next BP.
Confusion, insistence on both sides, and an even more confused JL agent trying to help, also with minimal english all followed. Eventually the person helping us got on the walkie-talkie and started muttering to someone on the frequency. He then asked to see our passports and the print out of the onward itinerary again. More muttering over the radio. One more time of asking us to go and buy a visa. One more polite refusal.
Then he wandered off, still muttering....with our passports.
Cue 20 anxious minutes of waiting alone at 2am at the 'transfer desk,' which now was 'sealed off' by the cunning placement of two rolling chairs at either side.
Eventually, he comes back, hands the passports back, and motions us to follow. We think we're going to actually get BPs, but no... he just sends us up an escalator to the departures level. No BP, no security.
We spend the next 3 hrs before the lounge opens at a 24 hr restaurant in the terminal. We eventually get our BPs from the gate agent operating our flight, who was actually quite helpful.
This is where I, and my other mileage run friends coined the phrase, "At least it's not Jakarta" for kerfluffles at all other airports.
If you have a daytime connection though, with enough time, I'd just go to the Sheraton by the airport and get a massage at the spa for cheap. Besides the name of their bar is "Some Place Else" which is kinda amazing, if you ask me.
This run is also good because every time I do the return flight to NRT that JL flight is empty. The first time I did it I swear there were like 40 people total on the plane, and it was a new 777-300 with the new interior. We all had ghetto business class and slept great.
That all said, the CGK run is a killer deal, and I'll probably do it again.
I've done this one a few times in recent history, my last one with a nested separate ticket to and from KUL, so I have some info on trying to get through that airport without paying the visa.
The short story is that if you're sufficiently stubborn, and well prepared, you can get through as a 'transfer.' It's true that when your arriving at midnight on that JAL flight, the airport will be deserted, as well as the 'transfer desk' which is literally just a run down 8ft counter with broken chairs at it.
My last experience:
Stopped at the 'transfer desk' instead of going to customs, with the print out of my next flight I brought with me in anticipation of this moment. Tried to explain to the minimally-english-speaking airport employee that we only had a few hours, and did not want to leave the airport, and needed our next BP.
Confusion, insistence on both sides, and an even more confused JL agent trying to help, also with minimal english all followed. Eventually the person helping us got on the walkie-talkie and started muttering to someone on the frequency. He then asked to see our passports and the print out of the onward itinerary again. More muttering over the radio. One more time of asking us to go and buy a visa. One more polite refusal.
Then he wandered off, still muttering....with our passports.
Cue 20 anxious minutes of waiting alone at 2am at the 'transfer desk,' which now was 'sealed off' by the cunning placement of two rolling chairs at either side.
Eventually, he comes back, hands the passports back, and motions us to follow. We think we're going to actually get BPs, but no... he just sends us up an escalator to the departures level. No BP, no security.
We spend the next 3 hrs before the lounge opens at a 24 hr restaurant in the terminal. We eventually get our BPs from the gate agent operating our flight, who was actually quite helpful.
This is where I, and my other mileage run friends coined the phrase, "At least it's not Jakarta" for kerfluffles at all other airports.
If you have a daytime connection though, with enough time, I'd just go to the Sheraton by the airport and get a massage at the spa for cheap. Besides the name of their bar is "Some Place Else" which is kinda amazing, if you ask me.
This run is also good because every time I do the return flight to NRT that JL flight is empty. The first time I did it I swear there were like 40 people total on the plane, and it was a new 777-300 with the new interior. We all had ghetto business class and slept great.
That all said, the CGK run is a killer deal, and I'll probably do it again.
Dec 8, 2016, 9:33 am
#21
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: AA EXP, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,017
Last time I just waited. This time I just want to make sure I don't end up waiting. I didn't realize the counter didn't open until that late. And believe me it was painful just sitting there waiting until they opened about half hour late. Not going to bother with PE. Thank you though.
With the long layover in Jakarta, if you are getting a hotel, the downtown area is pretty cool to sightsee what there is in Jakarta. Keraton @ The Plaza is nice. 12K SPG pts/nt. Walking distance to MONAS, Pasar Baru, and the Skye Bar.
What dates are you out there? I'm on JL726 on 11 Dec.
Dec 8, 2016, 9:45 am
#22
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Marriot Plat, SPG Plat, AS MVP 75k Gold, Wyndham Diamon, Caesar's Diamond,
Posts: 77
There is the landside Saphire Lounge if you find yourself waiting and have Priority Pass access.
With the long layover in Jakarta, if you are getting a hotel, the downtown area is pretty cool to sightsee what there is in Jakarta. Keraton @ The Plaza is nice. 12K SPG pts/nt. Walking distance to MONAS, Pasar Baru, and the Skye Bar.
What dates are you out there? I'm on JL726 on 11 Dec.
With the long layover in Jakarta, if you are getting a hotel, the downtown area is pretty cool to sightsee what there is in Jakarta. Keraton @ The Plaza is nice. 12K SPG pts/nt. Walking distance to MONAS, Pasar Baru, and the Skye Bar.
What dates are you out there? I'm on JL726 on 11 Dec.
Dec 8, 2016, 1:20 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Marriot Plat, SPG Plat, AS MVP 75k Gold, Wyndham Diamon, Caesar's Diamond,
Posts: 77
Okay, so update on my double LGA-CGK run.
LGA-DFW Great.
DFW-NRT - Delayed 1.5 hours mechanical and catering = missed connection in NRT. Caught before we left the gate I called AA to see about protecting me on another flight out of NRT to CGK. I was told to de-board and they'd reroute me. Now, I'll arrive into CGK 13 hours later than planned but at least I'll arrive there. This isn't the end of the world; however, what is the proper compensation for this?
I now am going DFW-LAX-HKG-CGK. Seat options are so-so.
LGA-DFW Great.
DFW-NRT - Delayed 1.5 hours mechanical and catering = missed connection in NRT. Caught before we left the gate I called AA to see about protecting me on another flight out of NRT to CGK. I was told to de-board and they'd reroute me. Now, I'll arrive into CGK 13 hours later than planned but at least I'll arrive there. This isn't the end of the world; however, what is the proper compensation for this?
I now am going DFW-LAX-HKG-CGK. Seat options are so-so.
Dec 10, 2016, 5:24 am
#25
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Marriot Plat, SPG Plat, AS MVP 75k Gold, Wyndham Diamon, Caesar's Diamond,
Posts: 77
Dec 12, 2016, 9:12 pm
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: OKC
Programs: AAdvantage EXP, Marriott Rewards Gold, Hilton Honors Diamond, TK M&S Elite
Posts: 290
So thoughts on my journey:
Leg 1: PHX - LAX (AA5923) in F - This was a 9:40am departure that ended up cutting things too close for comfort for the next flight. Luckily there was an AA escort waiting for us to get us to our next flight in time.
Leg 2: LAX - NRT (AA169) in C - This was easy. Great service and great crew. My big regret was not getting any sleep on this leg. Huge strategic error which I would regret later
NRT - after clearing security went to the Sakura Lounge. Decent food and enjoyed the beer dispensers. Short amount of time still. I did not feel like I would be able to get in a shower even if I had found the Admirals Club.
Leg 3: NRT - CKG (JL726) in Y. The beginning of the hellish portion of the trip. Was in 15C (bulkhead aisle) and was told that I could move into the empty center section of row 15. Great. Dinner served. Got ready to sleep. I pull out my CPAP and was approached by FA inquiring if that was a CPAP. I said yes and she said she would have to get authorization for me to use it!!
She took the model name and number and took a picture of the device with her cell phone camera. FOUR HOURS LATER she proudly comes back to me to say that my device is approved. :woot:woot: By the time I got it setup and ready to use we began our decent. And the cabin was HOT. So I said screw it--no sleep for me!
CGK - Somehow I made it through the airport customs and security without paying any fees. Was simply asked who I voted for (swear to god) Trump or Clinton. I said "Johnson" - which had him flummoxed. I explained to him that there were choices besides Clinton or Trump. Apparently my quick civics lesson saved me $25. Stumbled to the airport hotel around 1:15am local time. Checked in to the hotel and showed to room 59. The bellman tried to get my air conditioner running and eventually it gasped to life but was putting out no AC. Once I tipped the bellman with $5 of my newfound riches. I climbed up to the air conditioner unit and, as I suspected, the wire mesh air fliters were completely blocked with dust. I took the air filters out and the A/C ran great...when I left the next morning I simply put the filters back in. Spent the rest of the night arguing with the front desk who kept insisting that they were going to make sure I was out checked out by 4:45am since I was flying JL720. I gave up and had an hour of fitful sleep.
Leg 4: CGK - NRT (JL720) Wake up call was at 4:45am and said good riddance to hotel at 4:45am. Cleared customs again without paying $ or Indonesian currency. I went to the lounge Priority Pass lounge and grabbed some food and a soda. Boarding was in gate D3 and it was my first and only chance to see any of the beauty of Indonesia as the sun was rising. Was again in row 15 and apparently JL thought that having really tall people in row 15 was a good idea - I was the shortest of the three at 6'3" and we were all broad shouldered. Us sitting together for an 8 hour flight was simply not going to work. We agreed that once the seatbelt sign was off we would take turns standing - relieving the pressure off the other two. Again the cabin was HOT and sleep was out of the question - in retrospect I should have taken the aisle seat they offered me in row 60.
NRT - Stumbled of the plane, cleared security, and immediately boarded AA170 no time for Admirals Club or any club for that matter.
Leg 5: NRT-LAX (AA170) in Y (MCE) was 11 out of 17 on the upgrade list with the first five clearing. Row 26 has some of the best seats in the economy cabin and the AAngels who were the FAs on this flight were fantastic. I was on fumes having been awake over 35 of the last 36 hours and I was barely making sense. I ate right away and then put on my Cathay Pacific pajamas, put on my ridiculous CPAP, and had seven beautiful hours of sleep.
LAX - Woke up on approach, changing out of the pajamas, taking apart the CPAP and making a beeline for the Admirals Club for a shower. The trip back to Phoenix was uneventful.
The biggest recommendation I could make is if you are tall try to take the JL flights to CGK that have Premium Economy. I have no idea how I did not have to pay a penny for entry or departure from CGK obviously this was an outlier. The hotel was worn but was clean and served its purpose for a few hours. The big thing is I survived and will have EXP next year.
Leg 1: PHX - LAX (AA5923) in F - This was a 9:40am departure that ended up cutting things too close for comfort for the next flight. Luckily there was an AA escort waiting for us to get us to our next flight in time.
Leg 2: LAX - NRT (AA169) in C - This was easy. Great service and great crew. My big regret was not getting any sleep on this leg. Huge strategic error which I would regret later
NRT - after clearing security went to the Sakura Lounge. Decent food and enjoyed the beer dispensers. Short amount of time still. I did not feel like I would be able to get in a shower even if I had found the Admirals Club.
Leg 3: NRT - CKG (JL726) in Y. The beginning of the hellish portion of the trip. Was in 15C (bulkhead aisle) and was told that I could move into the empty center section of row 15. Great. Dinner served. Got ready to sleep. I pull out my CPAP and was approached by FA inquiring if that was a CPAP. I said yes and she said she would have to get authorization for me to use it!!
She took the model name and number and took a picture of the device with her cell phone camera. FOUR HOURS LATER she proudly comes back to me to say that my device is approved. :woot:woot: By the time I got it setup and ready to use we began our decent. And the cabin was HOT. So I said screw it--no sleep for me!CGK - Somehow I made it through the airport customs and security without paying any fees. Was simply asked who I voted for (swear to god) Trump or Clinton. I said "Johnson" - which had him flummoxed. I explained to him that there were choices besides Clinton or Trump. Apparently my quick civics lesson saved me $25.
Stumbled to the airport hotel around 1:15am local time. Checked in to the hotel and showed to room 59. The bellman tried to get my air conditioner running and eventually it gasped to life but was putting out no AC. Once I tipped the bellman with $5 of my newfound riches. I climbed up to the air conditioner unit and, as I suspected, the wire mesh air fliters were completely blocked with dust. I took the air filters out and the A/C ran great...when I left the next morning I simply put the filters back in. Spent the rest of the night arguing with the front desk who kept insisting that they were going to make sure I was out checked out by 4:45am since I was flying JL720. I gave up and had an hour of fitful sleep.Leg 4: CGK - NRT (JL720) Wake up call was at 4:45am and said good riddance to hotel at 4:45am. Cleared customs again without paying $ or Indonesian currency. I went to the lounge Priority Pass lounge and grabbed some food and a soda. Boarding was in gate D3 and it was my first and only chance to see any of the beauty of Indonesia as the sun was rising. Was again in row 15 and apparently JL thought that having really tall people in row 15 was a good idea - I was the shortest of the three at 6'3" and we were all broad shouldered. Us sitting together for an 8 hour flight was simply not going to work. We agreed that once the seatbelt sign was off we would take turns standing - relieving the pressure off the other two. Again the cabin was HOT and sleep was out of the question - in retrospect I should have taken the aisle seat they offered me in row 60.
NRT - Stumbled of the plane, cleared security, and immediately boarded AA170 no time for Admirals Club or any club for that matter.
Leg 5: NRT-LAX (AA170) in Y (MCE) was 11 out of 17 on the upgrade list with the first five clearing. Row 26 has some of the best seats in the economy cabin and the AAngels who were the FAs on this flight were fantastic. I was on fumes having been awake over 35 of the last 36 hours and I was barely making sense. I ate right away and then put on my Cathay Pacific pajamas, put on my ridiculous CPAP, and had seven beautiful hours of sleep.
LAX - Woke up on approach, changing out of the pajamas, taking apart the CPAP and making a beeline for the Admirals Club for a shower. The trip back to Phoenix was uneventful.
The biggest recommendation I could make is if you are tall try to take the JL flights to CGK that have Premium Economy. I have no idea how I did not have to pay a penny for entry or departure from CGK obviously this was an outlier. The hotel was worn but was clean and served its purpose for a few hours. The big thing is I survived and will have EXP next year.
Dec 13, 2016, 8:19 am
#27
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: AA EXP, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,017
So thoughts on my journey:
Leg 1: PHX - LAX (AA5923) in F - This was a 9:40am departure that ended up cutting things too close for comfort for the next flight. Luckily there was an AA escort waiting for us to get us to our next flight in time.
Leg 2: LAX - NRT (AA169) in C - This was easy. Great service and great crew. My big regret was not getting any sleep on this leg. Huge strategic error which I would regret later
NRT - after clearing security went to the Sakura Lounge. Decent food and enjoyed the beer dispensers. Short amount of time still. I did not feel like I would be able to get in a shower even if I had found the Admirals Club.
Leg 3: NRT - CKG (JL726) in Y. The beginning of the hellish portion of the trip. Was in 15C (bulkhead aisle) and was told that I could move into the empty center section of row 15. Great. Dinner served. Got ready to sleep. I pull out my CPAP and was approached by FA inquiring if that was a CPAP. I said yes and she said she would have to get authorization for me to use it!! She took the model name and number and took a picture of the device with her cell phone camera. FOUR HOURS LATER she proudly comes back to me to say that my device is approved. :woot:woot: By the time I got it setup and ready to use we began our decent. And the cabin was HOT. So I said screw it--no sleep for me!
CGK - Somehow I made it through the airport customs and security without paying any fees. Was simply asked who I voted for (swear to god) Trump or Clinton. I said "Johnson" - which had him flummoxed. I explained to him that there were choices besides Clinton or Trump. Apparently my quick civics lesson saved me $25. Stumbled to the airport hotel around 1:15am local time. Checked in to the hotel and showed to room 59. The bellman tried to get my air conditioner running and eventually it gasped to life but was putting out no AC. Once I tipped the bellman with $5 of my newfound riches. I climbed up to the air conditioner unit and, as I suspected, the wire mesh air fliters were completely blocked with dust. I took the air filters out and the A/C ran great...when I left the next morning I simply put the filters back in. Spent the rest of the night arguing with the front desk who kept insisting that they were going to make sure I was out checked out by 4:45am since I was flying JL720. I gave up and had an hour of fitful sleep.
Leg 4: CGK - NRT (JL720) Wake up call was at 4:45am and said good riddance to hotel at 4:45am. Cleared customs again without paying $ or Indonesian currency. I went to the lounge Priority Pass lounge and grabbed some food and a soda. Boarding was in gate D3 and it was my first and only chance to see any of the beauty of Indonesia as the sun was rising. Was again in row 15 and apparently JL thought that having really tall people in row 15 was a good idea - I was the shortest of the three at 6'3" and we were all broad shouldered. Us sitting together for an 8 hour flight was simply not going to work. We agreed that once the seatbelt sign was off we would take turns standing - relieving the pressure off the other two. Again the cabin was HOT and sleep was out of the question - in retrospect I should have taken the aisle seat they offered me in row 60.
NRT - Stumbled of the plane, cleared security, and immediately boarded AA170 no time for Admirals Club or any club for that matter.
Leg 5: NRT-LAX (AA170) in Y (MCE) was 11 out of 17 on the upgrade list with the first five clearing. Row 26 has some of the best seats in the economy cabin and the AAngels who were the FAs on this flight were fantastic. I was on fumes having been awake over 35 of the last 36 hours and I was barely making sense. I ate right away and then put on my Cathay Pacific pajamas, put on my ridiculous CPAP, and had seven beautiful hours of sleep.
LAX - Woke up on approach, changing out of the pajamas, taking apart the CPAP and making a beeline for the Admirals Club for a shower. The trip back to Phoenix was uneventful.
The biggest recommendation I could make is if you are tall try to take the JL flights to CGK that have Premium Economy. I have no idea how I did not have to pay a penny for entry or departure from CGK obviously this was an outlier. The hotel was worn but was clean and served its purpose for a few hours. The big thing is I survived and will have EXP next year.
Leg 1: PHX - LAX (AA5923) in F - This was a 9:40am departure that ended up cutting things too close for comfort for the next flight. Luckily there was an AA escort waiting for us to get us to our next flight in time.
Leg 2: LAX - NRT (AA169) in C - This was easy. Great service and great crew. My big regret was not getting any sleep on this leg. Huge strategic error which I would regret later
NRT - after clearing security went to the Sakura Lounge. Decent food and enjoyed the beer dispensers. Short amount of time still. I did not feel like I would be able to get in a shower even if I had found the Admirals Club.
Leg 3: NRT - CKG (JL726) in Y. The beginning of the hellish portion of the trip. Was in 15C (bulkhead aisle) and was told that I could move into the empty center section of row 15. Great. Dinner served. Got ready to sleep. I pull out my CPAP and was approached by FA inquiring if that was a CPAP. I said yes and she said she would have to get authorization for me to use it!!
She took the model name and number and took a picture of the device with her cell phone camera. FOUR HOURS LATER she proudly comes back to me to say that my device is approved. :woot:woot: By the time I got it setup and ready to use we began our decent. And the cabin was HOT. So I said screw it--no sleep for me!CGK - Somehow I made it through the airport customs and security without paying any fees. Was simply asked who I voted for (swear to god) Trump or Clinton. I said "Johnson" - which had him flummoxed. I explained to him that there were choices besides Clinton or Trump. Apparently my quick civics lesson saved me $25.
Stumbled to the airport hotel around 1:15am local time. Checked in to the hotel and showed to room 59. The bellman tried to get my air conditioner running and eventually it gasped to life but was putting out no AC. Once I tipped the bellman with $5 of my newfound riches. I climbed up to the air conditioner unit and, as I suspected, the wire mesh air fliters were completely blocked with dust. I took the air filters out and the A/C ran great...when I left the next morning I simply put the filters back in. Spent the rest of the night arguing with the front desk who kept insisting that they were going to make sure I was out checked out by 4:45am since I was flying JL720. I gave up and had an hour of fitful sleep.Leg 4: CGK - NRT (JL720) Wake up call was at 4:45am and said good riddance to hotel at 4:45am. Cleared customs again without paying $ or Indonesian currency. I went to the lounge Priority Pass lounge and grabbed some food and a soda. Boarding was in gate D3 and it was my first and only chance to see any of the beauty of Indonesia as the sun was rising. Was again in row 15 and apparently JL thought that having really tall people in row 15 was a good idea - I was the shortest of the three at 6'3" and we were all broad shouldered. Us sitting together for an 8 hour flight was simply not going to work. We agreed that once the seatbelt sign was off we would take turns standing - relieving the pressure off the other two. Again the cabin was HOT and sleep was out of the question - in retrospect I should have taken the aisle seat they offered me in row 60.
NRT - Stumbled of the plane, cleared security, and immediately boarded AA170 no time for Admirals Club or any club for that matter.
Leg 5: NRT-LAX (AA170) in Y (MCE) was 11 out of 17 on the upgrade list with the first five clearing. Row 26 has some of the best seats in the economy cabin and the AAngels who were the FAs on this flight were fantastic. I was on fumes having been awake over 35 of the last 36 hours and I was barely making sense. I ate right away and then put on my Cathay Pacific pajamas, put on my ridiculous CPAP, and had seven beautiful hours of sleep.
LAX - Woke up on approach, changing out of the pajamas, taking apart the CPAP and making a beeline for the Admirals Club for a shower. The trip back to Phoenix was uneventful.
The biggest recommendation I could make is if you are tall try to take the JL flights to CGK that have Premium Economy. I have no idea how I did not have to pay a penny for entry or departure from CGK obviously this was an outlier. The hotel was worn but was clean and served its purpose for a few hours. The big thing is I survived and will have EXP next year.
First, taking the 2125 return on JL726 from CGK--and choosing a decent hotel--affords full recovery time in Jakarta, regardless of the hardships of the outbound journey; a full nights sleep, proper healthy meals, gym facilities, resort pool, spa (can't beat 60min massages for US$30), and plenty of time in country to see a few landmarks. Also, to your point--JL726 offers Premium Econ.
Second, by doing the above, you now have 12hrs in Tokyo on the return, which is actually a LOT of time to get out and about. JL726 lands at 0635, and I had luggage stowed and was in line for SkyLiner tickets before they opened at 0700. After visiting Shibuya Crossing & area, Senso-Ji temple & area, SkyTree, and then Narita City, I still had a couple hours back at NRT to shower and rest before the return.
Granted, my version means an add'l time away/off/work, and does add some cost (airport transfer, hotel, etc.), but, in addition to the above reasons, it also provides a shock-absorber for irrops.