A smarter way to plan (and save on) your next trip to Japan

Planning a trip to Japan usually means comparing prices across multiple sites and wondering whether you’re actually getting a good deal. We’d also normally use frequent flyer points for flights – and have done so on many occasions, such as in Japan Airlines First Class, ANA Business Class, JAL Business Class and Qantas Business Class.

But right now, we’re saving our frequent flyer points for a bigger trip down the track. We also wanted to try something different – booking the entire trip through Travel Booking via the CommBank app. It’s easy to lock in flights, hotels and car rentals in one place, with real savings if you time it right.

Here’s our actual experience researching, paying for and going on a holiday booked through Travel Booking via the CommBank app.

Locking in flights (with a safety net)

Flights are usually the most stressful part to book, even without the pressure of finding reward seats. Prices move constantly, and timing your booking to get a good price can feel like a gamble. Travel Booking, provided by Hopper, can help by suggesting whether it’s a good time to book or if you should wait.

If you’re not ready to book just yet, you can add your flight to your ‘Watched Trips’. Travel Booking will then monitor it around the clock and let you know when it’s the best time to book.

Going back to my trip, while Scoot was the cheapest (A$943 return), seat selection and luggage would add hundreds of dollars on top of that. I opted to book the next-cheapest – a Qantas/JAL fare, which came to A$1,376, including everything. (As a Qantas Platinum member, it also meant I would enjoy First Class benefits in Singapore and Tokyo).

Using Travel Booking, I locked in my flights with 10 days of Auto Price Drop automatically included. That meant if the fare dropped within 10 days of booking, I would get up to A$50 back in travel credits. However, in my case, airfares only rose, so I didn’t qualify for any travel credits.

It’s a small feature, but it gives you peace of mind. Instead of waiting and worrying about missing out, you can book with a bit more confidence and move on with planning the rest of your trip. Auto Price Drop is complimentary when fares are regarded as ‘Great’ or ‘Good’ on Travel Booking. The website will clearly let you know when it’s included.

A hotel deal that beat booking direct

Accommodation is where things got interesting. As a CommBank Yello Plus eligible customer, I earned 5% back in travel credits on hotel bookings. But on top of that, the property I chose to start with in Tokyo was already 23% off at the time of booking, thanks to a Japan-wide sale running at the time.

Even after a quick comparison, it was cheaper than booking directly with Lyf Shibuya or any of the usual online travel sites. That’s not always the case with third-party platforms, so it was a pleasant surprise, and a reminder that it’s worth checking Travel Booking first.

Of course, there were some destinations where it made sense to book elsewhere, such as on Airbnb for a smaller town. I also wanted to use my Accor+ Stay Plus free night for my last two nights in Tokyo.

But I made sure to check with Travel Booking first and see if there were any sales. I also explored what my travel credits could get me as an eligible CommBank Yello customer, to see the potential savings I could get on my next trip if I booked with Travel Booking.

My time in Tokyo and Kamakura

Having been to Tokyo many times over the years, I’m going for a slower-paced trip this time. Toby and I meet up and hit some of the best free activities in the city – including a visit to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for the free observation deck.

We line up around 6pm and wait 30 minutes, but our patience is rewarded. As the elevator doors glide open, Mt Fuji appears in the distance, flanked by the beautiful colours of sunset. It’s worth the wait.

Moving back to paid activities, Teamlabs Planets is also high on my list. It’s even more interactive than Teamlabs Borderless, which I’ve visited previously, with one highlight being a section of rooms and hallways filled with water and light. There’s also a chance to test out your reflexes at the Athletics Forest.

Looking to escape the big city for a while? Kamakura should be high on your list. While it’s an easy day trip from Tokyo, staying a night or two is the best way to explore the seaside region. Apart from quiet bamboo groves and bustling mountainside temples, you’ll also experience the iconic local trains.

Our verdict: Travel Booking via the CommBank app

One of the biggest advantages of using Travel Booking is simplicity. Flights, hotels and even car hire can all be booked in the same place, with your itinerary easy to manage via the CommBank app. There’s no need to dig through emails or remember which site you used for each part of your trip.

For Points Hacks readers saving their frequent flyer points for a future trip, it’s still worth considering non-direct booking options in the meantime – especially if you can find ways to save.

Travel Booking doesn’t lock you into a single airline or hotel chain. You can book any flight, hotel or car rental available through the platform. You can still earn rewards from airline and some hotel loyalty programs, depending on the terms and conditions imposed by the airline or hotel on your reservation. Just make sure your loyalty number is on the booking.

Between occasional discounts that make it cheaper than booking directly, travel credits for eligible CommBank Yello customers, and AI-powered smarts such as Watched Trips, Auto Price Drop, and more, Travel Booking via the CommBank app should be one of the first tools in your trip planning.