Business Class through JAL

[Einherjar]

Hi all,

I've never bothered to work out all the myriad of award schemes and their redemptions until recently.
With the changes in Asia Miles, SPG etc, I was always looking at different CCards for convenient earn rates but although QFF have the worst redemption, it's easy to get points via welcome bonuses etc.

I was looking at surprising my partner on our anniversary with Business class ticket(s) to Japan and I'm hoping someone who is experienced with the award schemes (and sales) would help me out with the ideal option (assuming sales are active):

If I were to looking at JAL Business SYD-NRT which on the website ends up being $4000 AUD and considered the following options:

* buying AAdvantage miles during sales period and purchasing partner JAL Business seats (including the discount miles sales)
If I were to buy 80000 AAdvantage that ends up being ~ $2700 AUD?
Although if I bought for 2 seats (160000 AA) then with the current sale it's around $4150 (or $2075pp)

* buying SPG during sales period and converting to JAL Mileage for Business seats (including the discount miles sales)
If I were to buy 80000 SPG miles (over time) that ends up being ~ $2500 AUD?
Although on discount when it's 70000 JAL Mileage it may be equivalent to $2150 AUD?

$2075pp with AA for Return Business as opposed to JAL's website of $4000 is crazy
Are my calculations correct or I'm completely missing something here?

I've left out Ccard redemptions because the only bonuses are welcome bonuses and with the AMEX MR to SPG it's a terrible conversion from August onwards. I have been looking at CBA's new airline partners and saw JAL had a conversion of 4 CBA points to 1 JAL mile.

Would love to learn from those who know how to maximise the benefits with trips to Japan (or Asia or anywhere but let me get my head around JP first)...

Thanks

 

[Mattg]

You're not missing anything regarding buying AA miles - you can get some great deals by buying the miles on sale and redeeming them for high-value flights such as the ones you're looking at. The main catch is that you'll need to find award availability on the flights you want to book. (That shouldn't be too hard if you're booking ~11 months out and are flexible with dates. But you won't see the seats on the AA website.) Note that you'll also need to pay taxes when redeeming the AA miles, although they won't be that high for JL redemptions.

 

[Einherjar]

You're not missing anything regarding buying AA miles - you can get some great deals by buying the miles on sale and redeeming them for high-value flights such as the ones you're looking at. The main catch is that you'll need to find award availability on the flights you want to book. (That shouldn't be too hard if you're booking ~11 months out and are flexible with dates. But you won't see the seats on the AA website.) Note that you'll also need to pay taxes when redeeming the AA miles, although they won't be that high for JL redemptions.

I feel like I'm going down a Wikipedia clicking marathon because now I'll add Alaska Miles Reward to my list, although it's not related to the Original post, it's worth keeping that bookmarked

 

[Einherjar]

But you won't see the seats on the AA website.)

Thanks!
So buy AA, redeem early but check the startin either on Qantas or BA website; them call up and take the phone reservation charge?