glorialf

I'm in the process of planning my next trip for next Jan/Feb. In the past, I've always gotten by business or first class frequent flyer ticket the day they become available --about 11 months in advancer class. However, this time I need more time to get the miles. I'd like to do Japan Air with ANA a second choice. How far in advance do I need to get these tickets? I can be somewhat flexible on dates. Do you think I'd be able to get tickets if I wait until June or July?

Thanks

mrwunrfl

I used American Airlines miles for a first class ticket on JAL from D.C. to Bali with an outbound stopover in Tokyo. Made the first reservation at the end of February and had a good long time (10 to 14 days, not sure) to think it over. Made a change and got more time to think it over. Finally pulled the trigger about March 12 for departure on May 25.

I couldn't the return date I wanted and took June 16. There were no seats available (in March) for return June 11 to 15, inclusive. Also, no seat was available outbound on the 27th. The trip was IAD- JFK- NRT- DPS and back. I think that the difficulty/limitation was in getting an NRT-JFK seat (my impression was that FC seats were just never available on a couple of the days that I checked). The DPS-NRT seats were easy to get.

Yesterday, I returned home from Tokyo on ANA. I used USAir miles to fly first class IAD- NRT- BKK and back with a stopover in Tokyo on return. It was ANA between IAD and NRT and Thai Airways between NRT and BKK.

The outbound trip started Dec. 25. I made the reservations on October 6 and got the tickets within 3 days. My original reservation was to leave Dec. 26 with routing via ORD and PEK, which I learned on Dec. 18-19 required a visa. On Dec. 20, I changed the departure day to a day earlier, Dec. 25, and routing to be via NRT. The change did not cost $.

I called a few times before I was able to get the original travel dates.

Sounds like you might be using cc miles instead of airline miles like I did, so YMMV. I think you stand a good chance of getting the tix you want in June.

laurie_ann

Depending how close you are, you might consider buying miles or taking advantage of other promotions for new products or services with mileage bonus (long distance service, credit cards, etc.) It's still a cheap (although not free) way to get a business class seat.

rhkkmk

i tried for 11 months last year to get business class seats on N/W FF...i was never able to get them....one of the main issues for my tickets is always nrt-bkk even in coach...

Craig

Being flexible on dates helps. We've always done business class on United, sometimes upgrading, sometimes not. The more legs to your itinerary, the more difficult it is. For example, we fly Hartford, Ct to Chicago to Tokyo to Bangkok. If one of those 3 legs is unavailable it kind of defeats the purpose of using the miles. Good luck.

orgy7

getting a tick too bkk using NWA is a pain since they share the same flight with delta and continentla FF members.. thats why I stoped earning miles with delta and am considering using ONEWORLD members more often.

glorialf

I do everything in my power to use asian rather than american airlines. I just think the service and level of comfort is about 100% better. I've never had problems getting Japan in the past but, as I said, I booked early.

I do plan on buying some miles and I think I can what I need by early spring so maybe by being flexible I'll be ok.