JAL Japan Explore Pass - Questions

[Shan Man]

Hi All,

looking to use the below new ticket option to get down to OKA from HND in FEB and wondering if anyone had in booking these yet? 10,800Yen is pretty good!

https://www.world.jal.com/world/en/japan_explorer_pass/ar/reservation/

I've tried booking online however the "wonderful" JAL website directs me to their global site which prices out in USD (not exactly great against the AUD atm) so i have the below questions:

1) Can a TA access these fares and book them from the local market in AUD? With my arrival/dep details which I can give...
2) Can anyone confirm if these flights earn SC's. From dummy bookings i've done they book into an eligible class but would like some proof of it actually happening
3) Any lounge tips or special treatment experiences from JAL for OWE?

Thanks!

Shan

 

[smit0847]

I've booked these but went with ANA as they offer the same thing for the same price and had more suitable flight times. From memory you can only book up to 90 days in advance.
Domestic Y in Japan is very very basic- don't get too excited about it.
TAs can't book these flights, must be done online and make sure you have a copy of your intl itinerary with you for check in or they make charge you the full rev fare price.
I believe they earn SCs.
The domestic lounges in Japan are extremely basic (think tea and rice crackers. That's it).

 

[Shan Man]

Thanks smit! Everyone loves rice crackers.

 

[Shan Man]

For anyone who goes searching for info on these flights with JAL, below are some key points

• Flights can only be booked online via the HKG website (as at Jan 2015) and will charge in $HGK
• To Book via UK or US websites you must have a UK or US address
• Advanced seat selection is not avail on these tickets (Even for OW Emerald)

 

[Shan Man]

Had these flights post today and as a nice surprise it appears the book into Flexible Economy!

30scs at 11k yen to okinawa = $4.80/sc.
20scs at 11k yen to anywhere else in Japan = $7.30/sc.

* Based on current AUD-YEN exchange rate (75JPY/$AU)

 

[aussiel]

OWE will get access to the Diamond Premier lounge at HND domestic. Food is very limited, some beverages available (I seem to remember a bottle of the Yamazaki, and a beer machine), although I was there early morning. Showers were nice, and there's a 'quiet room' with massage chairs (3 or 4 in total). Also can access the first class check in counter.

Flexible economy earn of status credits with QFF.

I couldn't find any way of checking booking details after I'd booked either through QF or JAL website, and was allocated an aisle and a middle seat in row 7 of a 737 at checkin. Passport was required, however they didn't ask for proof of international ticket.

...and just saw the original post date, so you already know all of this!