You can now redeem Qantas points for JAL domestic First Class

[Mattg]

This notice was in today's Qantas Platinum newsletter:



I hadn't really noticed before that you couldn't previously use Qantas points on JAL domestic routes in premium cabins. But it's also quite possible that I just never looked into it. Is this a new thing?

FWIW I'm currently *only* seeing JL F avialability on the HND-ITM route.

 

[exceladdict]

Very interesting, I missed this in the newsletter. In the past I had to tag a JL dom Y flight onto an intl J because there was no J or F available.

 

[knightfall88]

Have noticed this is well but I question whether the overall experience is better then a shinkansen when on holiday. Sure plane is overall faster but personally its just not as enjoyable as a bullet train (even if it is several trains and 5hrs+)

 

[encryptededdy]

Have noticed this is well but I question whether the overall experience is better then a shinkansen when on holiday. Sure plane is overall faster but personally its just not as enjoyable as a bullet train (even if it is several trains and 5hrs+)

I would say it depends where you're going. For instance, the airport at Fukuoka is really central and accessible and so I would say flying from Haneda to Fukuoka is preferred to taking the Shinkansen. Oftentimes cheaper too.

Also the service in F is nicer than the highest class of Shinkansen service (Green Car) on that route.

 

[HirafuHeartAttack]

Been there for at least 10 months! Was coming up in searches I did last year for a trip I took in Dec/Jan.

Also available on the worlds busiest domestic route

 

[elanshin]

Have noticed this is well but I question whether the overall experience is better then a shinkansen when on holiday. Sure plane is overall faster but personally its just not as enjoyable as a bullet train (even if it is several trains and 5hrs+)

It really depends on the trip.

If for example you end at say Osaka and you're going straight home, it'd make perfect sense to fly then transit at airport then fly again.

If you're at city centre and you want to have a nice relaxing ride without the whole airport dance by all means take the Shinkansen.

 

[sudoer]

I'm not so sure these redemptions are a particularly great deal.

In the case of @Mattg 's screenshot above, the same date & departure is 26010 JPY or AU$277 cash.



So at 29k points you're getting less than 1 cent per QFF point in redemption value.

It's no wonder QFF is spruiking these redemptions - it would be a relatively cheap way to reduce their liabilities while frequent flyers think they're getting that coveted premium cabin experience (without realising these can be quite affordable when purchased for cash)

 

[Mr H]

I'm not so sure these redemptions are a particularly great deal.

In the case of @Mattg 's screenshot above, the same date & departure is 26010 JPY or AU$277 cash.

View attachment 339469

So at 29k points you're getting less than 1 cent per QFF point in redemption value.

It's no wonder QFF is spruiking these redemptions - it would be a relatively cheap way to reduce their liabilities while frequent flyers think they're getting that coveted premium cabin experience (without realising these can quite affordable when purchased for cash)

It's basically a premium Y (or low end of J) experience - paid with F points.

 

[HirafuHeartAttack]

I'm not so sure these redemptions are a particularly great deal.

In the case of @Mattg 's screenshot above, the same date & departure is 26010 JPY or AU$277 cash.

View attachment 339469

So at 29k points you're getting less than 1 cent per QFF point in redemption value.

It's no wonder QFF is spruiking these redemptions - it would be a relatively cheap way to reduce their liabilities while frequent flyers think they're getting that coveted premium cabin experience (without realising these can quite affordable when purchased for cash)

Agree with this too! It's also a fairly limited 'premium cabin' experience. There's no guaranteed direct aisle access (2x2x2 or 2 x1x2 layout), limited lounge amenities in domestic lounges (albeit beautifully styled) short flight times and only recliner seats meaning they're pretty average redemptions...

 

[exceladdict]

It's basically a premium Y (or low end of J) experience - paid with F points.

but Y SCs if paid with cash...

 

[Mr H]

but Y SCs if paid with cash...

There would be some fantastic MR opportunities available if you could pay what are basically Y fares and get F status credits in a DSC promotion.

 

[sudoer]

It's basically a premium Y (or low end of J) experience - paid with F points.

You may be thinking of Class J?

JAL domestic First Class is not far off Qantas domestic J. You get a proper meal, alcohol, lounge access, dedicated F check-in suite with its own security, etc. The seats are better than QF 737 J, and service is obviously miles ahead of Qantas in quality and consistency (not a high bar..)

It is not at all a bad product for the money, I just think it's a waste of points given the low cash price.

The weak point would be JAL domestic F lounges which are nice in aesthetics and drink options (tap beer) but no substantial food selection

 

[Mr H]

You may be thinking of Class J?

JAL domestic First Class is not far off Qantas domestic J. You get a proper meal, alcohol, lounge access, dedicated F check-in suite with its own security, etc. The seats are better than QF 737 J, and service is obviously miles ahead of Qantas in quality and consistency (not a high bar..)

It is not at all a bad product for the money, I just think it's a waste of points given the low cash price.

The weak point would be JAL domestic F lounges which are nice in aesthetics and drink options (tap beer) but no substantial food selection

Class J looks very Y to me.

I was, admittedly, judging by international W and J standards rather than domestic. So recliner seats in a 2x2x2 with minimal legroom looks W to me. The food offering looks on the cusp of W and J. The lounges look very disappointing - but probably on a par with the pre-Covid VA domestic lounges. You can never be quite definitive given the wide range of standards around the globe, but I would value the offering pretty much as they price it - expensive Y (=W).

 

[sudoer]

Class J looks very Y to me.

Class J is basically a W seat with zero additional service/benefits above Y. It was previously sold as a $10 on departure upgrade, although that's changed recently and the prices are now up to $30 more. You get what you pay for.

First Class is a significant step up.

 

[elanshin]

Also from SC point of view JL dom F should translate to QF J right? Where as dom J is just flex Y?

That's also a consideration given it should have more favourable SC/$ earnings too.

 

[sudoer]

Also from SC point of view JL dom F should translate to QF J right? Where as dom J is just flex Y?

That's also a consideration given it should have more favourable SC/$ earnings too.

The QFF earn categories for all domestic JAL bookings are in disarray at the moment, and I can't recommend assuming a specific earn category.

I think @encryptededdy has documented some recent first-person experiences in another thread.

 

[encryptededdy]

Also from SC point of view JL dom F should translate to QF J right? Where as dom J is just flex Y?

That's also a consideration given it should have more favourable SC/$ earnings too.

I've never had JL F (both cash F bookings and also cash Y and JEP Y + upgrade at check-in) earn above Flex Y before FWIW.

 

[Matt_01]

but Y SCs if paid with cash...

Also from SC point of view JL dom F should translate to QF J right? Where as dom J is just flex Y?

That's also a consideration given it should have more favourable SC/$ earnings too.

IME if you have revenue seats keep your Class J boarding pass and send a copy of it to QF they may up the SC's and points to partner J rates 40SC's and 825 points. Class J are booked into J,C,D,I and I have done this and was successful. F earns at partner F rates 60SCs and 925 points. The SC and points rates above are from the flights we took HND-CTS.

 

[trendwhore]

Hmm with Shinkansen pass being crazy price now this could be a nice option

 

[Peso]

Yeah, JAL used to specifically state on its website that First Class isn't available as a reward/free ticket. Which is why I was surprised when I noticed award availability SIN-HND-ITM last month for Sep/Oct as there were some availability in first AND business (dubbed Class J).