JAL Miles and redeeming award tickets questions

Hi everyone,

I am interested in flying JAL’s SYD to NRT route. (In business class)
I would like to know the cheapest way to purchase JAL miles.
(Via Avios, Starwood Points, or AA Miles etc ?)

Also, i could not find JAL business class availability for the whole of 2016
on the AA website. Has anyone encountered this problem ??
Is it better to look for JAL availability on other airlines’ websites ?( BA, CX etc)

Finally, does the SYD - NRT RT business class flight cost 80K Miles ? (Or is it 80k Miles for OW only ?)

Thanks !

The only way to “purchase” JAL miles is through purchasing SPG points and convert to JAL miles. They are having a sale at present at 25% discount so it’s the best time to buy. Please note each account can only purchase a maximum of 20000 points per year, so you need to register 4 family members, and purchase 20000 miles each and transfer to your SPG account. But note that you get bonus 5000 points each time you transfer 20000.

But you can also purchase AA miles. When you use AA miles, you don’t look at JAL’s award chart, but on AA’s award chart. Currently it’s 45k one way to Japan. So I would advice you to wait until Mar 22 next year as AA will “devalue” their chart and AUS to Japan becomes 40k one way, or 80k return.

AA search engine doesn’t show JAL award space. To find it, you need to check it with JAL’s own website or through BA’s website. Both require you to have membership. It’s free to join, except for BA you’ll need a non Australian address (just use your friends or relatives overseas). If you can see award space on those 2 sites, you can call AA and book them.

You can use Qantas points, Asia miles points, or any one world currency to book JAL seat if available, but each program has different award chart and will cost differently.

Hope that helps.

Thanks a lot for a most detailed reply Michael :slight_smile:
Yup, I have already sign up my entire family to take advantage of Starwood’s family pooling option. (I just hope Marriott does not get rid of the SPG program !)

Just one more question :
If i have to call up AA, do they have an Australian number or i have to call up the US number ?

Thank you.