Japan then Bali - Where to Fly In & Out?
Sep 29th, 2016, 01:55 AM
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Japan then Bali - Where to Fly In & Out?
This is question #1 for trip to Japan in June.
We will fly from California to Japan (first timers) and spend 2-3 weeks. Big cities, hot springs and bird-watching will be the focus.
Then to Bali for a week.
Using frequent flyer miles, so need to book asap-- before we've really made itinerary decisions.
Any thoughts on the best city to fly into from SFO (United and partners) and best city to fly out of, to Bali. Would hope that city has good offering of flights so we can get the best price... as we will pay cash for the Japan-Bali leg. .
Your thoughts are welcome. I know it's a super broad question. Can be specific after we have our flights nailed down. Have enjoyed many of your posts and trip reports.
We will fly from California to Japan (first timers) and spend 2-3 weeks. Big cities, hot springs and bird-watching will be the focus.
Then to Bali for a week.
Using frequent flyer miles, so need to book asap-- before we've really made itinerary decisions.
Any thoughts on the best city to fly into from SFO (United and partners) and best city to fly out of, to Bali. Would hope that city has good offering of flights so we can get the best price... as we will pay cash for the Japan-Bali leg. .
Your thoughts are welcome. I know it's a super broad question. Can be specific after we have our flights nailed down. Have enjoyed many of your posts and trip reports.
Sep 29th, 2016, 08:26 AM
#2
>>as we will pay cash for the Japan-Bali leg.
Why would you do that? What FF program are you using? Most programs allow an enroute stopover and an open-jaw. Japan would be your stopover.
For example, I used American Airlines FF miles to fly USA to Bali as my destination with a stopover in Tokyo. I spent 10 days or so in Japan and then went to Bali for a week. I also used an award ticket with an open-jaw to fly Tokyo- Sapporo- Hiroshima, where Hiroshima-Tokyo was the open jaw.
You can fly SFO to Tokyo or Osaka. I had always thought that an open jaw had to be at the origin or destination of a trip. For example, SFO to JFK returning to LAX, or SFO to BOS returning from JFK. An option for you, as an example, would be SFO to Bali, returning from Singapore, with a stopover in Japan (in one direction or the other) and you pay for DPS-SIN.
But, flyertalkers seem to be saying that the open jaw can be at your stopover. If your FF program allows it then you could for example, fly SFO to Osaka, then Tokyo to Bali, Bali to SFO. Your stopover would be Japan and the open jaw would be Osaka-Tokyo. This would be equivalent to having Japan as your destination with an open jaw and Bali as the stopover. The reason I doubt that this would be allowed is because the stopover is (usually) required to be enroute to or from your destination - and nobody flies from Japan to SFO via Bali.
But the simple case, SFO to Bali and return with an enroute stopover in Japan at Tokyo (or maybe Osaka), all on one award, is probably something you can do.
Why would you do that? What FF program are you using? Most programs allow an enroute stopover and an open-jaw. Japan would be your stopover.
For example, I used American Airlines FF miles to fly USA to Bali as my destination with a stopover in Tokyo. I spent 10 days or so in Japan and then went to Bali for a week. I also used an award ticket with an open-jaw to fly Tokyo- Sapporo- Hiroshima, where Hiroshima-Tokyo was the open jaw.
You can fly SFO to Tokyo or Osaka. I had always thought that an open jaw had to be at the origin or destination of a trip. For example, SFO to JFK returning to LAX, or SFO to BOS returning from JFK. An option for you, as an example, would be SFO to Bali, returning from Singapore, with a stopover in Japan (in one direction or the other) and you pay for DPS-SIN.
But, flyertalkers seem to be saying that the open jaw can be at your stopover. If your FF program allows it then you could for example, fly SFO to Osaka, then Tokyo to Bali, Bali to SFO. Your stopover would be Japan and the open jaw would be Osaka-Tokyo. This would be equivalent to having Japan as your destination with an open jaw and Bali as the stopover. The reason I doubt that this would be allowed is because the stopover is (usually) required to be enroute to or from your destination - and nobody flies from Japan to SFO via Bali.
But the simple case, SFO to Bali and return with an enroute stopover in Japan at Tokyo (or maybe Osaka), all on one award, is probably something you can do.
Sep 29th, 2016, 08:45 AM
#3
Oh, you said United. Their partner, ANA, has nonstops to Bali from both Tokyo and Osaka, but they are operated by Garuda Airlines, so I don't think you can fly those on an award.
Am having trouble finding a Star Alliance carrier that goes Tokyo to Bali. Singapore Airlines probably does and multiple *A carriers can get you to SIN.
Am having trouble finding a Star Alliance carrier that goes Tokyo to Bali. Singapore Airlines probably does and multiple *A carriers can get you to SIN.
Sep 29th, 2016, 09:18 AM
#4
I just did a search for United awards. Tokyo (TYO) to Bali (DPS) would go via Bangkok or Taipei. The Taipei stopover is over 10 hours. Singapore to Bali via Bangkok! The Singapore Airlines flights aren't appearing in the online award search.
Maybe you can get an award that includes Singapore Airlines by calling Mileage Plus - at least for the SIN-DPS part.
You probably understand that a connection doesn't count as a stopover. What you might not be aware of is that a connection on international fights can be up to 24 hours.
Maybe you can get an award that includes Singapore Airlines by calling Mileage Plus - at least for the SIN-DPS part.
You probably understand that a connection doesn't count as a stopover. What you might not be aware of is that a connection on international fights can be up to 24 hours.
Sep 29th, 2016, 09:22 AM
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We did a similar trip two summers ago.
We flew JFK to Tokyo through Seoul,since we flew Asiana. Our itinerary included Tokyo, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Kyoto in that order. So after 5 days in Kyoto, we flew one way from Osaka to Bali on Garuda. We then flew back to Seoul to connect back to JFK.
Bali was lovely after Japan, but we stayed 8 nights and were dreaming of more. I am sure after just staying a week, you will feel the same way!
Good luck with your flights.
We flew JFK to Tokyo through Seoul,since we flew Asiana. Our itinerary included Tokyo, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Kyoto in that order. So after 5 days in Kyoto, we flew one way from Osaka to Bali on Garuda. We then flew back to Seoul to connect back to JFK.
Bali was lovely after Japan, but we stayed 8 nights and were dreaming of more. I am sure after just staying a week, you will feel the same way!
Good luck with your flights.
Sep 29th, 2016, 11:27 AM
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mrwunrfl, how long ago did you fly on a One World Award? To the best of my knowledge, stopovers are no longer allowed, at least those any longer than 24 hours. I use AA miles quite frequently, and it was just a few years back that they changed the policy.
Sep 29th, 2016, 03:08 PM
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mrwunrfi -- thanks so much for all the effort in your answers... and thanks to others.
it is my understanding that united allows one to have EITHER a stopover OR an open jaw, but not both. maybe this has changed in the years since i last checked... so first on the list will be to check again.
i do definitely want to go to bali at the end of the trip, not the beginning.
Lolazahra... you're probably right. maybe we need to figure out how to stay in bali longer... though it will be late june by the time we get there and maybe not optimal.
it is my understanding that united allows one to have EITHER a stopover OR an open jaw, but not both. maybe this has changed in the years since i last checked... so first on the list will be to check again.
i do definitely want to go to bali at the end of the trip, not the beginning.
Lolazahra... you're probably right. maybe we need to figure out how to stay in bali longer... though it will be late june by the time we get there and maybe not optimal.
Sep 29th, 2016, 03:31 PM
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i'm thinking that the big first question here might be... which end-city (meaning at the top end of our trip, or the bottom end of our trip) in japan has the quickest/cheapest flights to bali... ??
Sep 29th, 2016, 04:32 PM
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If you can, fly into Narita (or other Tokyo airport) and out of Kansai (or other airport near Kyoto); it will maximize your time on the ground in Japan.
If you have any flexibility, I would opt for 3 weeks in Japan -- with only 2 weeks, you will have to make some very difficult choices. (Actually, you'll have to make some difficult choices with even 3 weeks, but not quite so many really tough ones.)
And, depending on what you want to do, 1 week may seem very short for Bali. i just filed a trip report on my 9 nights there; you might find some helpful information in it.
Good luck!
If you have any flexibility, I would opt for 3 weeks in Japan -- with only 2 weeks, you will have to make some very difficult choices. (Actually, you'll have to make some difficult choices with even 3 weeks, but not quite so many really tough ones.)
And, depending on what you want to do, 1 week may seem very short for Bali. i just filed a trip report on my 9 nights there; you might find some helpful information in it.
Good luck!
Sep 29th, 2016, 06:27 PM
#11
CaliforniaLady, that is a good question. It was several years ago.
United's policy has changed, but the free stopover can still work.
I did a search for a multicity award: LAX-NRT-SIN-LAX and it was priced in miles:
20K LAX-NRT
20K NRT-SIN
40K SIN-LAX
===
80,000 for an economy saver. That is the same cost as LAX-SIN-LAX and only 10,000 miles more than LAX-NRT-LAX
Booked as three one-ways, it would be:
35K LAX-NRT
22.5K NRT-SIN
40K SIN-LAX
===
97,500 miles
I tried LAX-NRT, open jaw, Osaka-DPS-LAX but it gave me an error, so I GUESS that open jaw is not allowed. But you could do that trip for 97,500. In fact, you could fly LAX- anywhere Japan, anywhere Japan- DPS, DPS-LAX for that amount. It is more miles but you can get what you want and maybe save a shinkansen fare.
United's policy has changed, but the free stopover can still work.
I did a search for a multicity award: LAX-NRT-SIN-LAX and it was priced in miles:
20K LAX-NRT
20K NRT-SIN
40K SIN-LAX
===
80,000 for an economy saver. That is the same cost as LAX-SIN-LAX and only 10,000 miles more than LAX-NRT-LAX
Booked as three one-ways, it would be:
35K LAX-NRT
22.5K NRT-SIN
40K SIN-LAX
===
97,500 miles
I tried LAX-NRT, open jaw, Osaka-DPS-LAX but it gave me an error, so I GUESS that open jaw is not allowed. But you could do that trip for 97,500. In fact, you could fly LAX- anywhere Japan, anywhere Japan- DPS, DPS-LAX for that amount. It is more miles but you can get what you want and maybe save a shinkansen fare.
Sep 30th, 2016, 12:52 AM
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When I tried to book my flights to Indonesia, I started by trying to force a stop in Japan. The prices, and timings, were dreadful! Once I quit trying to force my flight through Japan, I ended up with some truly affordable options. Doesn't matter if you are committed to including both destinations in the same trip, but just in case it helps....
Sep 30th, 2016, 03:54 PM
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@ mrwunrfl: I can't imagine why not!
BTW, its seems that my last sentence could be read in at least two ways. What I meant was: If you are committed to including both Japan and Bali in the same trip, then it probably would not help to check options that didn't force your itinerary to include both, but I mentioned it just in case.
BTW, its seems that my last sentence could be read in at least two ways. What I meant was: If you are committed to including both Japan and Bali in the same trip, then it probably would not help to check options that didn't force your itinerary to include both, but I mentioned it just in case.
Sep 30th, 2016, 06:04 PM
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yes... i see now that flying japan to bali will have to include a LONG stopover... most likely in kuala lumpur. (that seems the most frequent). yeeeeek. we are actually thinking now of just passing on bali this trip. the ONLY nonstop i see is over $1,000.
am going to give it a few days to let this settle in... and think about any other major spot i'd like to visit after japan... one that's easier and cheaper to get to....
thanks for all this. still processing...
am going to give it a few days to let this settle in... and think about any other major spot i'd like to visit after japan... one that's easier and cheaper to get to....
thanks for all this. still processing...
Sep 30th, 2016, 09:28 PM
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As you consider your options, keep in mind that a 3- or 4-week visit to Japan (and just Japan) could be wonderful. I gave it only 3 weeks for my first visit, but only because my work schedule allowed no more. I would have loved an extra week!
Good luck with your planning.
Good luck with your planning.
Oct 1st, 2016, 01:54 AM
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Are you looking for a roundtrip Japan-Bali-Japan or do you plan to fly home to San Francisco from Bali?
Garuda has a daily non-stop Narita to Denpasar. The cheapest fare is around USD500 roundtrip, but I'm sure there are restrictions.
If you can get yourself to Singapore using your United miles, then you can take AirAsia Singapore-Bali for about USD200 roundtrip.
The Islamic holidays following Ramadan will take place beginning around June 23-24, 2017 and continuing into early July. Although Bali isn't directly affected, it does get a heavy influx of travelers from Java and Malaysia during this period.
Garuda has a daily non-stop Narita to Denpasar. The cheapest fare is around USD500 roundtrip, but I'm sure there are restrictions.
If you can get yourself to Singapore using your United miles, then you can take AirAsia Singapore-Bali for about USD200 roundtrip.
The Islamic holidays following Ramadan will take place beginning around June 23-24, 2017 and continuing into early July. Although Bali isn't directly affected, it does get a heavy influx of travelers from Java and Malaysia during this period.
Oct 1st, 2016, 03:51 AM
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Hi. marmot found a cheaper ticket then I did when we flew non-stop from Osaka. I just checked my ticket and it was $786.10 on Garuda. So $500 is nicely priced if it's in your budget. We chose to depart out of Osaka as Kyoto was our last stop in Japan, but you can easily plan your cities around a Tokyo departure if you continue to plan a Bali culmination.
While our eight day trip was not as long as I would've liked, it was still wonderful and I am glad we went. I had wanted to experience Bali for years and it really was a nice respite after touring Japan. And because it was so lovely, I will definitely go back. For our eight nights, we spent three nights Ubud and five nights Seminyak. If I did it again, I think I would have given four nights to both. But it was a nice mix of cultural exploring and lazy beach time. We used a popular guide from this forum who did a great job ensuring we were able to see all of our chosen sights. There are some excellent Bali trip reports on this forum.
mrwunrfl, I did not use FF miles. I bought my tickets and upgraded a few of them with points.
kawh, good luck and happy planning whatever you decide!
While our eight day trip was not as long as I would've liked, it was still wonderful and I am glad we went. I had wanted to experience Bali for years and it really was a nice respite after touring Japan. And because it was so lovely, I will definitely go back. For our eight nights, we spent three nights Ubud and five nights Seminyak. If I did it again, I think I would have given four nights to both. But it was a nice mix of cultural exploring and lazy beach time. We used a popular guide from this forum who did a great job ensuring we were able to see all of our chosen sights. There are some excellent Bali trip reports on this forum.
mrwunrfl, I did not use FF miles. I bought my tickets and upgraded a few of them with points.
kawh, good luck and happy planning whatever you decide!
Oct 1st, 2016, 08:13 AM
#20
Did anyone mention that June is a rainy time in Japan?
kja, your post was clear to me and it showed the value of the free stopover on an FF award. The OP's stopover in Japan would be free. Almost free - there would be maybe fifty bucks of additional airport taxes.
Only problem is the timing - the United online award search doesn't show any Singapore Airlines flights and it doesn't show the ANA operated by Garuda nonsgtops.
kja, your post was clear to me and it showed the value of the free stopover on an FF award. The OP's stopover in Japan would be free. Almost free - there would be maybe fifty bucks of additional airport taxes.
Only problem is the timing - the United online award search doesn't show any Singapore Airlines flights and it doesn't show the ANA operated by Garuda nonsgtops.
