JAL Business Class, Up to 4 Seats (Summer 2024)
At one point, you could count on Japan Airlines to release business class award space for multiple people. However, that's not longer the case which is why I wanted to flag some space for 2 people next summer.
Yes, I'm really hammering on the idea of booking for next summer. If you can book now, it'll prevent a lot of stress early next year when everyone else books.
Chicago will be your best bet but you can also found outbound space from Dallas and return space to San Francisco.
Don't forget, you can earn $10 per referral to STTP Premium! Just log into your account to get your referral link and share with friends.
Now, let's get into the details!
|
|
|
Straight To The Points:
Routes: ORD/DFW/SFO-HND
Operating airline: Japan Airlines
Class of service: Business class
Dates: June - July 2024
Seats available: Up to 4
Cabin layout: 2-2-2 (787); 2-3-2 (777)
Book with (per person, one-way):
Most award space is available 331+ days from departure. You can use the following programs to book this space.
- Asia Miles:
- DFW/ORD/SFO: 75,000 miles
- British Airways Executive Club:
- SFO: 77,250 Avios
- DFW/ORD: 92,750 Avios
- JAL Mileage Bank: 50,000 miles
- Qantas Frequent Flyer:
- SFO: 90,000 points
- DFW/ORD: 104,500 points
The following programs can't book until later:
- *Alaska Mileage Plan:
- West Coast: 60,000 miles
- Midwest/East Coast: 80,000 miles
- 330 days from departure
- *American AAdvantage: 60,000 miles
- Emirates Skywards:
- SFO: 88,000 miles
- DFW/ORD: 100,000 miles
- 330 days from departure
*No surcharges
Taxes/fees (per person):
- From US: $5.60
- From Tokyo: ~$50
- Surcharges:
- From US: ~$252.60
- From Tokyo: ~$240.40
Alaska adds a $12.50 partner award booking fee.
Bank transfer partners:
- Alaska: Marriott
- American: Bilt, Marriott
- Asia Miles: Amex, Bilt, Citi, Capital One
- British Airways: Amex, Capital One, Chase, Marriott
- Amex 30% transfer bonus
- Combine Avios from Qatar Airways (Citi partner)
- Emirates: Amex, Bilt, Chase, Citi, Capital One, Marriott
- Flying Blue: Amex, Bilt, Chase, Citi, Capital One, Marriott
- Japan Airlines: Marriott
- Qantas: Amex, Citi, Marriott
Bookmark this page to stay up to date on current transfer bonuses.
Let me know if you book!
|
|
Available Dates
ORD-HND
June: 11-28
July: 1-6
HND-ORD
June: 8, 11, 12, 17, 19, 20, 24, 25, 27, 30
July: 1-5
DFW-HND
June: 8, 12, 15, 16-20, 22-26, 30
July: 1-3, 5, 6
HND-SFO
June: 6, 9-11, 13, 16, 17, 20-26
|
|
Flight Experience
Japan Airlines has a reputation for great service so a business class flight should be more than enjoyable. The biggest thing to keep in mind is that JAL operates different aircraft to/from North America.
On the 777-300, you'll find find a business class cabin arranged in a 2-3-2 layout with Apex Suites. While a 2-3-2 layout might seem like a nightmare, each seat is lie-flat and has direct aisle access. Breathe easy. The window seats provide a ton of privacy and are preferred by many.
On the 787-9, you'll find a 2-2-2 layout. Again, each seat is lie-flat and has direct aisle access. Window seats are a favorite.
|
|
Best Ways To Book
Regardless of the program you use to book, remember that connections to other parts of Asia (particularly Southeast Asia) could increase the award rate.
Cathay Pacific: Easy To Earn, More Available Dates
If you have Bilt, Capital One, or Citi points, 75,000 Asia Miles is the way to go. With Citi's 15% transfer bonus, you'd only need to transfer 66,000 points.
Please keep in mind that Asia Miles uses a different award chart if you fly on more than one partner airline which means non-stops are likely your best bet.
You can book up to 360 days from departure.
British Airways: Amex Transfer Bonus, More Available Dates
With the Amex 30% transfer bonus, British Airways could be your best option if you're booking a flight 331+ days from departure. Please keep in mind, BA's award rate is calculated per segment so connections will increase the rate.
With the Amex 30% transfer bonus:
- SFO: 60,000 Amex points = 77,250 Avios
- DFW/ORD: 72,000 Amex points = 92,750 Avios
You can book up to 355 days from departure.
Japan Airlines: Great Rate, Very Tough To Earn
JAL Mileage Bank allows you to book a one-way award for 50,000 miles but they're just so hard to earn unless you have a ton of Marriott points lying around waiting to be transferred.
American: Great Rate, No Surcharges, Transfer from Bilt
If you want to keep the cash cost of your ticket to a minimum, 60,000 AA miles is a great choice. Plus, you can transfer Bilt or Marriott points and put an award ticket on hold for up to 5 days.
You can include a domestic connection on American or Alaska if you don't live near one of these airports for no extra AA miles.
Please note that you can only book up to 331 days from departure.
Alaska: Great Rate, No Surcharges, Free Stopover, Tough To Earn
You could also book with 60,000 Alaska miles one-way. On the plus side, you can include a stopover on a one-way award ticket. Alaska only allows you to include one partner on an award so you can only connect on Alaska.
Your only transfer option is Marriott so it's tough to earn the miles you need. Similar to American, you can only book awards flights up to 330 days from departure.
|
|
How To Book
Beyond 331 days of departure, I suggest using Cathay Pacific to search.
- Select Return or One way
- Select From/Going to cities
- Select Cabin class
- Select number of passengers
- Select Dates
Within 331 days of departure, you can search with American Airlines.
- Go to AA's site
- Select Advanced / Multi-city search (just click this link)
- Select Redeem miles
- Select One way or Round trip
- Enter From & To cities
- Select departure date(s)
- Choose the number of passengers
- Select Class as Business/First
- Click Search
- If you're searching for a nonstop, select Calendar then sort by nonstop.
- Once you know which dates have JAL space, you can run a search from your home airport if you're not booking nonstop
If you're not booking with American miles, you can run a search with the program you're using once you find a date you want to book.
If you want to use Asia Miles and include a connection on American, you'll need to call (866-892-2598) to complete the booking.
To book with Emirates, you can call 800-777-3999.
|
|
Final Thoughts
It's hard not to love Japan. From the food to the bullet trains to the natural beauty, there's something for everyone. I also highly recommend checking out a baseball game. It's a totally different experience from the US.
Whether it's a quick trip to try some great food or you want to spend a couple of weeks exploring, I think you'll have a great time.
Happy booking!
|
|
|
|
