Help deciphering Japan Airlines (JL) fare code DRTCEAU1

[2tall4Y]

I booked a JL business class companion fare from SYD to TXL for the family through expedia.com.au late last year. Our plans have changed since then, and we need to now also travel to London.

The fare code is DRTCEAU1, and the exact routing is SYD-HND/NRT-HEL-TXL-HEL-NRT/HND-SYD with an outbound stopover in TYO and inbound stopovers in HEL and TYO.

What I am hoping to is to add a TXL-LON sector and then change the return journey to commence from LHR as opposed to TXL. In other words, I ideally want to the itinerary changed to SYD-HND/NRT-HEL-TXL-LON-HEL-NRT/HND-SYD. However, I would settle for just changing the ticket to an 'open jaw', so SYD-HND/NRT-HEL-TXL/LHR-HEL-NRT/HND-SYD, in case adding the extra sector is too complicated.

I have a print-out of the detailed fare conditions from when I first booked the flights, and while I am able to ascertain that I can change the booking for free before departure, I am having trouble figuring the changes I am after are permitted. I rang Expedia to find out, and it was a bit of a disaster - the first rep had to put me on hold just to tell me that he has to call Japan Airlines to find out the answer, only for the call to drop out as I was on hold for a second time. When I rang back, the second agent said 'changes are permitted', but when I requested the changes, I was told I can't change the 'ultimate destination' to a port outside of Germany. I terminated the call at that stage, as I wasn't convinced the Expedia reps had understood what I was after.

I would really appreciate if anyone who is an expert in fare rules could help out.

Thank you in advance,

2tall4Y

 

[serfty]

Ha! Good luck getting a CSA for an OTA is willing and able to assist with anything other than a simple one-way or return booking.

 

[madrooster]

JL J fares only allow you to go to LHR if that is your EU entry point which means you would need to replace HEL with LHR in order to be able to have TXL on the same ticket. Otherwise, you will need to buy a separate ticket for TXL-LHR-TXL.

 

[2tall4Y]

Thank you Madrooster - so the Expedia reps were right after all (if only they managed to convey the message a bit more clearly).

I will consider changing the ticket so we enter the EU at LHR, but only if we are still able to have a stopover at HEL on the way home. If I change the outbound routing to SYD-HND/NRT-LHR-TXL, are you able to say if they would allow the inbound routing to include a stop over in HEL? The return journey I'm targeting is TXL-LHR/LHR-HEL/HEL-NRT/HND-SYD (the two stopovers at LHR and HEL may be an issue).

JL J fares only allow you to go to LHR if that is your EU entry point which means you would need to replace HEL with LHR in order to be able to have TXL on the same ticket. Otherwise, you will need to buy a separate ticket for TXL-LHR-TXL.

 

[madrooster]

Thank you Madrooster - so the Expedia reps were right after all (if only they managed to convey the message a bit more clearly).

I will consider changing the ticket so we enter the EU at LHR, but only if we are still able to have a stopover at HEL on the way home. If I change the outbound routing to SYD-HND/NRT-LHR-TXL, are you able to say if they would allow the inbound routing to include a stop over in HEL? The return journey I'm targeting is TXL-LHR/LHR-HEL/HEL-NRT/HND-SYD (the two stopovers at LHR and HEL may be an issue).

You can route SYD-TYO-LHR-TXL-HEL-TYO-SYD. That is permitted, subject to the appropriate availability on each of the flights that you want. Stops permitted at TYO, LHR, TXL, HEL and TYO again.

 

[serfty]

You can route SYD-TYO-LHR-TXL-HEL-TYO-SYD. That is permitted, subject to the appropriate availability on each of the flights that you want. Stops permitted at TYO, LHR, TXL, HEL and TYO again.

Well,at least that saves on the onerous APD ...

 

[2tall4Y]

Thank you again madrooster (and serfty for pointing out the saving on APD).

I will consider re-routing as per your suggestion, though I may just end up booking a separate TXL-LON-TXL award to avoid having to deal with Expedia

You can route SYD-TYO-LHR-TXL-HEL-TYO-SYD. That is permitted, subject to the appropriate availability on each of the flights that you want. Stops permitted at TYO, LHR, TXL, HEL and TYO again.

Well,at least that saves on the onerous APD ...

 

[docjames]

though I may just end up booking a separate TXL-LON-TXL award to avoid having to deal with Expedia

That would be my solution!