The "how do I book a J any seat award at classic award points level" thread.

[markis10]

I have had the odd request from various members about how to book a ASA and use points + cash to bring it down to classic award levels (not to be confused with the points + pay option through the normal booking process that is poor value IMHO). So here is the process with pictures.

Firstly you need to log into your account:



Then select the award flight options on the bottom right of the home page, note you will need to select award flights then any seat awards before putting in the details:

In this case we are going for the best value JASA in terms of SCs and points earned for a domestic flight as we head up to Ozfest:



Then select your flight and press the review button, note the full cost is displayed at this stage:



Then you get the slider that allows you to pay cash for the points in excess of the classic award level:



The rest of the process is the same as if buying a ticket etc.

Then you can sit back and enjoy the prospect of some good points and SCs at a reasonable cost:

[anat0l]

Good thread, markis10.

Note that this thread can be adapted to book any class of Any Seat Award at Classic points level. There is no trick in the technique per se, just in luck of finding such a fare.

It should be noted that in order to be ready for this kind of thing, one must be able to calculate the Classic points cost of a routing and class before they arrive. The "minimum" as stated on the flight selection page (written in red) is only the minimum points (Classic cost) for the cheapest award (i.e. the most direct option in Red e-Deal Economy).

In order to determine the Classic award cost, one can pretend to book a Classic award, find the same routing / class, select it to get the cost, and then go back and proceed to book the ASA. It should be noted that not all Classic routings shown will appear on in the ASA selection and vv. Don't ask why - I don't know.

As for the cash cost after you reduce an ASA from 100% points to minimum points + cash, that will represent one or two things:

1. The taxes/fees/surcharges levied for the award (i.e. just as if you had booked a Classic award), and
2. (possibly) a "supplement" which is due to the fare bucket of the seat which you are purchasing as an ASA.
   For example, for Red e-Deal, there are fare buckets O, N and Q, and as they are stated that is in increasing order of price. If you get the cheapest Red e-Deal as an ASA, you'll pay the smallest cash contribution possible (which should match that of a Classic Award). If not, you'll pay a bit more if it's a higher fare bucket.
   
   In cases where you have to pay a fare bucket "supplement", you'll need to rationalise and decide whether it's still worth paying it in addition to the regular taxes/fees/surcharges.
   
   Note that for Economy ASAs, you'll need to pick the cheapest fare bucket (e.g. Sale, Red e-Deal, or perhaps different if international market) to have any chance of getting a Classic priced award.
   
   The same can apply for Business, except Business typically has fewer buckets so not as variable. In addition, for Business or First awards, especially international, the fare bucket with reasonable (Classic) prices is usually Business Saver or First Saver (not full Business or full First) - these typically have cancellation policies and they will not necessarily be the lowest bucket in their fare type anyway. However, in most cases they can still be great value!

[Princess Fiona]

Just booked my first ever JASA, SYD-PER-MEL-SYD thanks to this thread. 72000 points ( Classic Award levels), $218 cash, 200SC, happy days ! Could have taken a more indirect route for same cost but my itinerary in PER is tight for that weekend
Thanks

[medhead]

(which should match that of a Classic Award). If not, you'll pay a bit more if it's a higher fare bucket.

Admittedly, I've only done half a dozen ASAs. But I always check both classic and ASA and I'm yet to see one where the ASA cash cost is the same as the classic cash cost. With both awards available, at the same fare class and points cost the same. IMO the cash cost of an ASA will always be more than the classic cash cost, at the minimum points level, even if it is only marginally more.

[casanovawa]

Any tips on how to find cheap JASA's? Is that JASA price of 32k points (the same as one of the red edeal options beneath) so cheap just because all the other fare classes are booked out for that flight? Its only a search for a month ahead so is searching further ahead or closer to the date the best way to chance getting a cheap JASA or is it all just luck and sifting through dates?

[markis10]

Admittedly, I've only done half a dozen ASAs. But I always check both classic and ASA and I'm yet to see one where the ASA cash cost is the same as the classic cash cost. With both awards available, at the same fare class and points cost the same. IMO the cash cost of an ASA will always be more than the classic cash cost, at the minimum points level, even if it is only marginally more.

Try my example in post1 using the same flights as classic Y award.

[oz_mark]

Admittedly, I've only done half a dozen ASAs. But I always check both classic and ASA and I'm yet to see one where the ASA cash cost is the same as the classic cash cost. With both awards available, at the same fare class and points cost the same. IMO the cash cost of an ASA will always be more than the classic cash cost, at the minimum points level, even if it is only marginally more.

On a direct point to point flight I would agree with you. However, I have seen some interesting results where there are connections involved.

[dfcatch]

Markis - great thread from the JASA master.

But you're meant to be on vacation and should take a day off

[cove]

Markis10 you had a dash on each of Pay and Eat so everyone's account is so different!
Those account snapshots are outside my computer skills for posting so let me say they are very helpful.

[medhead]

Try my example in post1 using the same flights as classic Y award.

On a direct point to point flight I would agree with you. However, I have seen some interesting results where there are connections involved.

Yes well, I've only looked at point to point in any detail. Well besides a CNS-ADL, but that is a bit different to post 1. Anyway, my comments are only about point to point.