Going to Japan? Book some domestic 'Class J' for cheap ($1.36!) QFF SCs

[gogo419]

Yes, used to do it annually before JQ Japan commenced. Always was only Y1,000 at checkin counter - not online and attracted J SC's.
At Asahikawa, we were first in line for the remaining two ClassJ seats. So, it's a bit of a gamble with the AirPass.
I wasn't aware you could book ClassJ online with an Advance Purchase Fare - might have to try that. JAL MB members probably grab most ClassJ online before departure day.

No. Still cant book class J online. Just was wondering if SC treatment is the same for online booking and uograde at airport

 

[sudoer]

No. Still cant book class J online. Just was wondering if SC treatment is the same for online booking and uograde at airport

I think he's referring to the Sakitoku Advanced Purchase Fare - which you can indeed book Class J online for 1000 yen on top of Y fares.

 

[Dino84]

Get an OKA-ISG return in there if you can! Ishigaki isn't too bad a destination either

I'll be traveling to TPE afterwards on Peach, means that I get to Taiwan from Tokyo for a little over $250 while earning 60SC. If I didn't have my partner and bub with me I would definitely be fitting in some more domestic runs!

Scott.

 

[Melburnian1]

I am surprised on some of these routes why anyone would fly in cramped conditions when with a Japan Rail first class green pass one can enjoy the wonderful, fast, punctual, safe and beautifully appointed Shinkansens or other excellent Japanese trains.

 

[sudoer]

I am surprised on some of these routes why anyone would fly in cramped conditions when with a Japan Rail first class green pass one can enjoy the wonderful, fast, punctual, safe and beautifully appointed Shinkansens or other excellent Japanese trains.

The only two routes which would be quicker on rail are HND-ITM and HND-NGO, and these would have a high % of pax connecting to/from international at HND.

Don't forget JR Passes are only available to those on tourist visas also. Japanese nationals and those on business/educational visas have to pay full price. (Tokyo-Shinosaka is 19750 yen in Nozomi Green)

 

[Gold Member]

Ah, the eternal quest for status credits. The Shinkansen is far better if not hunting status though.

 

[Buzzard]

Hello Japan Status Run!

Might have to put a team together

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Ah, the eternal quest for status credits. The Shinkansen is far better if not hunting status though.

The Shinkansen makes a nation like Germany look totally inefficient

For many domestic sectors it would be quicker & cheaper ( but only with a JR pass ) to use the Shinkansen over flying.

Although I must admit, i do love the odd flight on JAL domestically, by booking the Advance J class fares.... Some great value SC's can be had around $3 per SC .

 

[serfty]

I had a shinkansen from Fukuoka to Kumamoto actually run 30 minutes late a few weeks ago.:shock:

But, it's not always about the efficiency - I flew each way on Jetstar Japan between NRT and cough for ~AUD95 return, including Plus pack (no checked luggage) and would have happily travelled ClassJ.

The return from NRT using the Shinkansen would have needed a JQ rail pass $326($436 "green"), or ~AUD330(~AUD430 "Green") for outright return.

 

[sudoer]

Might have to put a team together

Hoping to crack (or get close to) SG over Dec/Jan if anyone is around then.

Booked SYD-CNS-NRT in JQ Business Max and NRT-MEL-SYD in Starter Plus last night for $1970 (200SC total). Given the dates (16/12-5/1) I thought this was a pretty sweet deal.

Will definitely do HND-ITM-OKA-MMY-ISG-OKA-ITM-HND over the course of two weeks for 260SC then time-permitting we'll fit in a HND-CTS-cough-HND for another 140.

Status will come in handy for a planned RTW later in 2016/early 2017.

 

[ALH]

Might have to put a team together

Keep us in mind

 

[Deleted member]

Might have to put a team together [/

Frankly a week long status and saki run could be fun.

 

[gogo419]

Might have to put a team together [/

Frankly a week long status and saki run could be fun.

Do it in march! Then i can regain platinum for two years!

 

[mms498]

I am in for any Jan runs

 

[Kangol]

Wow. Excellent thread. May try and make the most of this next year. Thanks!

 

[Dino84]

I've been looking at doing a few domestic flights in late August but there seems to be very little J Class availability. Are they showing up for anybody else?

Scott.

 

[teamhamsandwich]

I've been looking at doing a few domestic flights in late August but there seems to be very little J Class availability. Are they showing up for anybody else?

I just booked a Haneda>Okinawa return flight no worries for late august.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I've been looking at doing a few domestic flights in late August but there seems to be very little J Class availability. Are they showing up for anybody else?

Scott.

Isn't the main booking window for domestic flights is 2 months out. Before that, there are some limited flights, but they really open up (full schedule) less than two months out. Tokyo-Nagasaki for example shows two flights a day outside the window, but 6 flights a day inside.

So for late august, wait until late June.

 

[Dino84]

Isn't the main booking window for domestic flights is 2 months out. Before that, there are some limited flights, but they really open up (full schedule) less than two months out. Tokyo-Nagasaki for example shows two flights a day outside the window, but 6 flights a day inside.

So for late august, wait until late June.

That makes sense, knew there was a limited booking window but I thought it was for 3 months out.

Scott.

 

[sudoer]

This morning JAL opened bookings on Ultra Saitoku fares for 25Oct-26Mar, for those who may be heading to Japan over Christmas/New Year. Despite the AUD losing 10% of its value vs JPY since I first posted, these fares still represent really good value SC earns. You also don't need to pay for the tickets until Oct (for Dec departures) so you could book now and gamble on the AUD improving..

Booked the following for myself..

Date	Class	Route	#	Cost	SC	Yen/SC
17 Dec	J	HND-ITM	JAL101	9990	40	250
18 Dec	J	ITM-MMY	JAL2087/JTA571	16600	80	208
23 Dec	J	MMY-NGO	JTA552/JTA042	18410	80	230
24 Dec	J	NGO-CTS	JAL3107	1101	40	275
27 Dec	Y	CTS-SDJ	JAL2900	17600	20	880
30 Dec	Y	SDJ-ITM	JAL2206	20300	20	1015
04 Jan	J	NGO-NRT	JAL3082	?	40	?

Unfortunately flights in and out of SDJ are Y only, hence the coughpy SC earn

I can't also book 4 Jan NGO-NRT just yet... not sure why :/ Could be booking engine problems... Will check again in a few hours.