brabb12

Hello I have a question, and maybe need some help with a award booking. I am planning on using qantas points to book a one way to Japan. Specifically, Okayama in business class for next year in summer.

The preferred routing I would like to go is LAX-TYO-OKJ. My question though is when I tried to look up award tickets from LAX-TYO (either NRT or HND) then to OKJ, the cost was 100,000 Qantas points, but when I looked up a routing of LAX-SFO-HND-OKJ it said it would be 98,000 points. Can someone please explain to me why it costs more to go direct then have me go through SFO?

I was not able to find any LAX-TYO-OKJ routing for next year, so far. Only looking at a flight like this for next week, just to see the amount of points required.

I am new to qantas frequent flyer program, so please forgive if I don't understand something the first time.

Thank you for your help.

minz56

Yes this is strange. Without knowing your dates it is not easy to replicate your dilemma. I am not seeing any J availability on JL over the next week or so.

A trip LAX/TYO/OKJ is 5982 miles and therefore theoretically, according to current QFF redemption charts for partner airlines, should cost you 104,500 points in J. If you go via SFO (on AA?) then it might be more due to the combination of carriers, but I am not sure on this one. However, there is no reason why it should be less.

If you can book it for 100,000 or 98,000 miles then it looks like you are getting a good deal.

Anyone else - am I missing something here?

susanne1

Interestingly I have found the same thing happen on other routes. It appears that if there is the added inconvenience of stopovers and an increase in travelling time then the route can have a point variation where it is cheaper than if more direct. I can't be sure this is the answer but I have certainly found this is the case in many incidences.

nancypants

Given that I just got quoted over 100000 points to update MEL-CBR from Y to J that looks like an absolute bargain either way