Best Way To Buy Weird Ticket Requirements?

[whereishome]

Okay - here's the scenario :

GF will fly from NRT to BNE or OOL , departing on Dec 18, arriving Dec 19.

We will both fly SYD-NRT, departing on Jan 1 (we'll be doing Sydney Harbour NYE).

I will return to Australia on Jan 13-14.

What's the easiest way to get this combination considerfing the following :

• We want to fly direct where possible
• Her departure date in Dec may change
• We don't mind flying JQ but DO NOT WANT to fly JL at all if possible
• I'm paying but will be going back to full-time study next year so can't afford to pay insane pricing
• No China, Tiger, Vietnam, etc Airways - I like thrill rides, but not where you actually COULD die

I've been looking and considering and it may be easiest to buy me a return, her a one way on the 1st and wait until close to the time to book her a JQ, NRT-OOL.

Thoughts?

 

[hardya]

I think JQ would be your best bet for flexibility with one-way tickets.

I note that the JL Australia website had return tickets itemised as one-way fares so perhaps they can do something similar, though you do not wish to use JL.

With the dates that you are unsure of, If you are not going to book now, keep an eye out on the fares on the various dates from time to time. The reason I say this is that the period around Xmas/NewYear is usually quite busy and I know in previous years, it is not unusual for JQ flights (to/from Osaka) to be fully booked out for a number of consecutive days. ie: don't want to see you missing out altogether or paying an exorbitant fare.

Note that when JQ do have discounted fares (probably not an issue for December) advertised in Australia, these only apply to return fares AU-JP-AU or one-way fares AU-JP. If you put in a one-way fare request from JP-AU (even from the English Australian website), the fare will be calculated in JPY and Australian-advertised promotions do not apply.

How much baggage will you both have?

JQ strictly enforce 20kg limit for checked baggage. However they do give the offer of pre-paid excess baggage at a discounted rate when you book or if you call them before you fly ($AUD60 for an extra 5kg, $AUD120 for an extra 10kg).

 

[fortymilliondaggers]

Just curious to ask what's wrong with JL ?

 

[whereishome]

Just curious to ask what's wrong with JL ?

Neither she nor I are particular fans of JL service, which the last time I flew was at JQ levels but QF prices.

Being Japanese herself, she finds the cabin crew to be pretty rude - which is saying something given the high levels of customer service you generally experience in Japan. I find the cabin crew to be pretty non-responsive at the best of times, and downright dismissive at the worst (and I can speak Japanese pretty well).

The food is pretty weak (even for airline food), last time the entertainment system was not working, the rear toilets stopped working 1/3 into the flight, the seat width is slightly narrower than other airlines (although I've lost a bit of weight since then so it may not be as much of an issue).

Admittedly, this is all in whY but if I had the money for J I'd be flying the Red Kangaroo or SQ.

Unfortunately, it looks like we'll be on JL this time for the trip over together, with JQ fares either side. At least we'll be able to cough about it together, and hopefully will be so tired from NYE at the harbour that we'll sleep all the way to NRT.

 

[hardya]

It's ashame JL has gone downhill so much.

Back in the 90's their service was up there with SQ/CX and far exceeeded QF.

Have you noticed that many of their flights are now operated by JO (JALways) crew, based in Thailand? with the odd Japanese ring-in.

They go to all lengths to pretend they are Japanese crew with the typical hairstyles and the likes.

JQ aint the best but if you want to save a few dollars and can keep the baggage down then go for it.

Have an Asahi and some yakitori for me, will ya?

 

[whereishome]

I just got back from Japan last week - I did enjoy more than my fair share of beer and pub food, especially since it was summer.

Bought tickets today on JL for 2 SYD-NRT, one of which is a return to BNE for me.

When her work details get sorted I'll get her a JQ fare to OOL.

Fun times. Still, this was the cheapest option and we are departing in the AM arriving in Tokyo in the PM. I suppose we won't care too much since we'll be going straight from the NYE fun to the airport, so we'll just sleep all the way to Tokyo.