Using Qantas points for JAL domestic business

[Oubline]

On the Qantas website, you can book classic awards with Japan’s Airlines on domestic routes (e.g. HND-CTS), which gives heaps of availability in both economy and what is marked ‘business’.

The same flights, when sold as revenue fares on the Japan Airlines website are marketed as having three classes: Economy, ‘Class J’ and First Class.

Does anyone have any experience about which cabin you end up flying in, if you book a business classic award using Qantas points, i.e. will it be ‘Class J’ or First Class?

 

[drron]

On domestic flights certainly in our experience not worth it.First class is proper J but all you get is the seat.Food or lack of it was the same throughout the plane.
Business class is the first few rows of economy.The front row on their 772's has the most leg room of any row-Row 15.
Our first experience here.

Bass Strait to the Black Sea.

Sunday night and we say good bye to the Living Room staff.They show us the program for the 2012 SGS staff day out.Run on several days so all staff get to go.Explains why the service is always good-the staff are genuinely happy working here.Off to bed early as it is an 0500 wake up call and off...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Last year we flew KIX-OHA-HND on JAL.We paid less for business class than the economy fare.So just go to the JAL site and check fares.Personally I would not redeem on JAL domestic.

 

[sudoer]

if you book a business classic award using Qantas points, i.e. will it be ‘Class J’ or First Class?

It will be Class J

First class is proper J but all you get is the seat.Food or lack of it was the same throughout the plane.

Domestic First Class does get food - which was quite respectable for a 1.5 hour flight. Alcohol was also available. More info here: Meals and beverages (JAL First Class) - JAL Domestic Flights



Class J does not get food, just a drinks service (no alcohol).

First gets dedicated check-in zone, priority boarding and Diamond Premier lounge access, Class J does not get any of these.

Business class is the first few rows of economy.The front row on their 772's has the most leg room of any row-Row 15.

Class J isn't just the 'first few rows of economy', the seats are quite a bit wider (closer to QF 737 J seats than Y seats). The 777 config is 10 across in economy but only 8 across in Class J.

I agree it's poor value for award redemptions though.

OP, for domestic JAL flights I'd suggest looking at the JAL Explorer pass instead (which credits to QF as Flex Y) and if you want to try Class J, ask if there are any available seats at the airport - it's possible to upgrade at check-in for 1000 yen.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

sbor90 is spot on. 'Class J' is more like a premium economy - bigger seat, but with standard economy service. First class is a true First class. 'Class J' upgrades are really cheap, Y8000 on any fare.

 

[Oubline]

Thank you everyone! That’s really helpful.

It sounds like an average experience... although better than economy for sure. It would be part of a Oneworld 280k/318k J award, so I may still include it as it won’t cost me extra but definitely not worth the extra points over Y otherwise!

 

[Oubline]

I have just called to try and actually add these flights to my OneWorld bookings, and three people from Qantas are adamant that they can't see any award availability in any class for HND-CTS (on 10 October). When I do a search on Qantas' own website it shows heaps of availability.

Does anyone have any idea why the agents cant see the availability? Am I missing anything?

 

[xhiver]

OP, for domestic JAL flights I'd suggest looking at the JAL Explorer pass instead (which credits to QF as Flex Y) and if you want to try Class J, ask if there are any available seats at the airport - it's possible to upgrade at check-in for 1000 yen.

Can I confirm if this is still valid (JAL Explorer --> QF Flex Y)?

I'm planning to book my HND-CTS return ticket using the JAL Japan Explorer Pass, however the fare is categorised as G fare which doesn't seem to be in the Qantas earning table in JAL domestic flight. It'll be nice if I can get 40 SC for this return flight or better if I can upgrade to F class on the spot.

 

[sudoer]

Can I confirm if this is still valid (JAL Explorer --> QF Flex Y)?

I'm planning to book my HND-CTS return ticket using the JAL Japan Explorer Pass, however the fare is categorised as G fare which doesn't seem to be in the Qantas earning table in JAL domestic flight. It'll be nice if I can get 40 SC for this return flight or better if I can upgrade to F class on the spot.

Yes, as of early Sep the Explorer fare was still crediting as Flex Economy, and JAL Explorer + Class J upgrade at check-in was crediting as Premium Economy.

 

[V Singh]

On the Qantas website, you can book classic awards with Japan’s Airlines on domestic routes (e.g. HND-CTS), which gives heaps of availability in both economy and what is marked ‘business’.

The same flights, when sold as revenue fares on the Japan Airlines website are marketed as having three classes: Economy, ‘Class J’ and First Class.

Does anyone have any experience about which cabin you end up flying in, if you book a business classic award using Qantas points, i.e. will it be ‘Class J’ or First Class?

Thanks for the tip on buying JAL Domestic Flight seats using QF points. Planing on exploring Japan mid 2020..v

 

[sudoer]

Thanks for the tip on buying JAL Domestic Flight seats using QF points.

In most cases it's a poor use of points. JAL domestic flights can be purchased cash for ~$150 and earn points + SC.

 

[xhiver]

Thanks sbor90, you're a legend!

It's a pity those J class seats earn the same SC as flexible Y. Would've been a great way to do some status runs.

 

[sudoer]

It's a pity those J class seats earn the same SC as flexible Y. Would've been a great way to do some status runs.

Alas, it once was - JAL's Class J was my gateway to AFF / status runs after accidentally reaching gold..

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

Hello all - long time lurker, first time poster. Discovered these neat fares on a recent trip to Japan. JAL offers 'Class J' on most domestic routes which is closer to a PE in product (no lounge, no food service, etc) but earns QFF status credits at full Business class rates. A couple of short...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[V Singh]

In most cases it's a poor use of points. JAL domestic flights can be purchased cash for ~$150 and earn points + SC.

Thanks sbor90. Will explore all options..v