British airways is the best way to book. frequently 30-40% transfer bonus and the dates open up WAY in advance typically with 1 First class and 2 business class seats per flight
I wish I saw this about a month ago!! Going to SE Asia next week and was hoping to stop in Japan for 24-48 hrs. But found reward flights on Air Canada (with Singapore Air) via JFK-SIN. Thanks for the video!
JAL is notorious for posting phantom award fares fyi. Its best to call reservations to verify before you transfer miles and/or put a hold on a ticket to have time to transfer points.
Such a helpful video. J is on my bucket list, looking to get direct from SD. Random q, where do you get your haircut? Lookin sharp need to find a good barber in SD
It's always impossible to book JAL business seats with Alaska miles assuming those seats were taken by people with Cathay or BA. If someone has Cathay miles or BA Avios to spare, is it possible to book business seats first with either Cathay or BA, returns those seats once they become bookable with Alaska, then book them with Alaska. If this method works, it can be repeated using the same refunded Cathay miles or BA Avios for another JAL flight. It might cost some cancellation fee, but it would save a few hundred of charge fees (from booking with Cathay or BA) and earn some Alaska loyalty miles towards status.
There are no guarantees that the award space will return to inventory when it is canceled. I recently canceled a JAL flight booked through British Airways. I consistently searched for the same award I canceled over the next four days out of curiosity, but it never reappeared.
I flew my family RT in biz and first SFO-HND last July and August, and I found SFO to have the most availability for multiple seats in biz and first. But SEA, LAX and DFW weren’t too bad either. Note that JAL doesn’t offer first class out of Seattle, only biz.
Similar process for first class. For four business class seats you’ll need to keep a lookout for award dumps from JAL. I booked four seats in business class for a family trip on JAL twice from random JAL award dumps
T-14. I had 2x J seats on JAL booked to Japan and back, and in the week or two before each flight, I was able to change both to first class. On the flight out, one of the other two people in F had also booked with miles, so at least 3 seats were available for that flight at some point.
@@MaxMilesPoints By the way, what did you mean by 'the backdoor' with alaska airlines and it likely is going away? JAL was bookable with Alaska before the merger, not sure why it would go away because of that.
You can also book JAL by using any oneworld alliance FFPs from IB AY Pre 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine S7 MENA market RJ QR AT FFPs and in the oceanic region QF North America AA
Came back from Japan earlier this month. Flew with JAL on the 787-9 economy and returned on the A350-1000 in Business both to and from Haneda. Looking to do it again but with points this time. Was looking for awards on AA, Alaska, and Cathay. Couldn't find slots available for either mid August or late December because a specific event is happening around those times that I want to go to.
Good timing! I just flew Japan Airlines business class today booked with Alaska miles transferred from American Express
British airways is the best way to book. frequently 30-40% transfer bonus and the dates open up WAY in advance typically with 1 First class and 2 business class seats per flight
Alway good tip. Thank you, Max.
From us to tokyo in first and return in business! this will be the best vacation ever!
Booking strategy looking like my dating strategy
😂😂😂
I wish I saw this about a month ago!! Going to SE Asia next week and was hoping to stop in Japan for 24-48 hrs. But found reward flights on Air Canada (with Singapore Air) via JFK-SIN. Thanks for the video!
Thank you for this video! Booking our 2nd trip back to japan !
Awesome! Glad you found it helpful.
is there a way to upgrade through the same method after you already booked economy on JAL?
JAL is notorious for posting phantom award fares fyi. Its best to call reservations to verify before you transfer miles and/or put a hold on a ticket to have time to transfer points.
Im going to Japan end of March from LAX. Any suggestions on where to find best redemptions?
Such a helpful video. J is on my bucket list, looking to get direct from SD.
Random q, where do you get your haircut? Lookin sharp need to find a good barber in SD
haha I just go to a cheap barber, I'm too cheap to go to one of those fancy places that are $30+ for a haircut
Just booked JAL first class for this summer but only got a one seat. Probably gonna let it go since I need two more for P2 and P3 😢
Can you book JAL flight that has a layover (not a direct flight) via BA? I see them on AA but not on BA
Where do you buy your phone so that you can use the airolo???
Any unlocked phone that has eSIM capabilities works with Airalo
It's always impossible to book JAL business seats with Alaska miles assuming those seats were taken by people with Cathay or BA. If someone has Cathay miles or BA Avios to spare, is it possible to book business seats first with either Cathay or BA, returns those seats once they become bookable with Alaska, then book them with Alaska. If this method works, it can be repeated using the same refunded Cathay miles or BA Avios for another JAL flight. It might cost some cancellation fee, but it would save a few hundred of charge fees (from booking with Cathay or BA) and earn some Alaska loyalty miles towards status.
There are no guarantees that the award space will return to inventory when it is canceled. I recently canceled a JAL flight booked through British Airways. I consistently searched for the same award I canceled over the next four days out of curiosity, but it never reappeared.
@ Thanks for the data point! That’s what I was wondering too. Always enjoy watching your videos!
What city/state is best to fly out FROM to Japan? SFO? Seattle?
I flew my family RT in biz and first SFO-HND last July and August, and I found SFO to have the most availability for multiple seats in biz and first. But SEA, LAX and DFW weren’t too bad either. Note that JAL doesn’t offer first class out of Seattle, only biz.
Ord to tokyo has first class jal via aa miles
Right now, DFW and NYC, since those cities have the a350.
I can find two business class tickets or 1 first class easily. Is there a way to find 2 first class or 4 business class?
Similar process for first class. For four business class seats you’ll need to keep a lookout for award dumps from JAL. I booked four seats in business class for a family trip on JAL twice from random JAL award dumps
T-14. I had 2x J seats on JAL booked to Japan and back, and in the week or two before each flight, I was able to change both to first class. On the flight out, one of the other two people in F had also booked with miles, so at least 3 seats were available for that flight at some point.
@@doublesidedtape1000 Did you upgrade with points or money!
@MaxMilesPoints How do you find award dumps? Just keep checking?
@@richardshack8246 I canceled my J bookings (60k AA) and booked F (80k AA)
Dang it max, I was hoping no one would make vids on this because I don’t need more people to compete with 😂
😬sowwwieeee 😆
@@MaxMilesPoints By the way, what did you mean by 'the backdoor' with alaska airlines and it likely is going away? JAL was bookable with Alaska before the merger, not sure why it would go away because of that.
@@stanlygomes1236 The transferability of Amex points to Hawaiian, and then from Hawaiian to Alaska is what is likely to go away
The real trick is to use AY to book 361 days in advance for J
And what about ANA?
great video Max!!! learned something new every time I watched your video!!!
Glad you found it helpful!
You can also book JAL by using any oneworld alliance FFPs from IB AY Pre 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine S7 MENA market RJ QR AT FFPs and in the oceanic region QF North America AA
FIRST!!!
🎉 🎉🙌👏
We used airlo and it's great!
Glad to hear you like using airalo!
Came back from Japan earlier this month. Flew with JAL on the 787-9 economy and returned on the A350-1000 in Business both to and from Haneda. Looking to do it again but with points this time. Was looking for awards on AA, Alaska, and Cathay. Couldn't find slots available for either mid August or late December because a specific event is happening around those times that I want to go to.
Do business class to India next!
surely it will be really helpful
I appreciate your sarcasm and sense of humor