Airfares and other travesties

[rkold]

So I'm attempting to figure out the best airfare and plan for Japan and I'm being cruelly teased. I keep seeing an airfare I want on the website but I can't ACTUALLY book this fare because when I go to book it announces the fare is wrong. ~.~ Now on one hand it makes sense since the fare is $150 more on the ANA website, but it is damn frustrating since I want this fare.

Assuming I can't get it, my other options are: NY to San Fran to Narita and then coming back Narita direct to NY or I can do NY direct to Narita and then Osaka to SanFran to NY.

There are distinct pluses and minuses to them all. If I end at Narita, I need a 2 week rail pass as Volks has not said when the Sato event is and I suspect it will be Friday, which is around $180 more than 1 week. However it also means I can pretty much go anywhere and don't have to worry about fares. The other pluses are I can stay in Japan until Friday, I actually get in 1 hour before I leave, all my flights are 777s. (777s have MUCH better economy seats while 747s have much better Business Class seats) I also much prefer transferring through San Francisco going to Japan (when one doesn't need to go through Customs) as SanFran's security is a pain in the ass when you have to go back through after you get your suitcases in Customs. (The reason being security in NY clearly sees that all your items fit in your 2 allowed carry-ons and lets you remove your laptop and toiletries before you reach the actual physical check point with conveyor belt, while SF insists you must have everything in 2 bags until you reach the actual physical conveyor belt, so then I have to take out my doll bag to get to my laptop. ~.~ )

The pluses of going through KIX is it might be a little cheaper since I don't necessarily need a 2 week pass, but it also means I can't leave Tokyo until Thursday since I will just have a 1 week pass.

Both the connecting flight and the direct reach Tokyo about the same time because the connecting flight leaves from NY super early.

I also wish United would make up their mind on whether I am Premier Exec or Premier. My newly arrived materials say just Premier but the website says Premier Exec.

Ah the vagaries of flying. ~.~

Comments

[kellyhime.livejournal.com]

Ugh! We're going through the same thing now. We haven't really priced airfare for two years and it's totally blowing us away. My husband asked me last night if I really think that we can go. Well, I know that I'll be able to go, because I'm better at saving than he is, but I'm still not happy about paying $800+ for a ticket. Still, we have until March or so to book our flight and hopefully either the fuel surcharges will come down again or we'll be able to find a better deal than what we're seeing on JTB. If you have any tips, I'd love to hear them!

[rkold.livejournal.com]

I'm looking at about $1100 for my fare. I think I did a little bit better in January. It is a bit galling that the actual airfare is around $600 and I am paying $500 in taxes and fees.

But yeah, that is one reason I am going without Kennis, (and he can't get off) It is much much cheaper going by myself and he's not that fond of travel.

I had heard they were cutting some fees in January but that does not appear to be the case. I don't know which airline had the $800 fare but you can go to their site direct and see if they have a lower fare? Lately I've been getting better fares from the actual airlines than JTB since they tend to charge at least $80+ in taxes.

Do you have miles with any of the airlines? Maybe you can get a ticket for free that way? I need to spend my miles on a ticket for Kennis to go to his sister's wedding I think >>;

I just wish the UAL site would not list fares at such and such price and then when you go to click it is not available, they should just not list it! ;;_;;

[kellyhime.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the tip! The fare is actually about $50 cheaper directly on the Northwest site and I'm trying to figure out now if we have enough frequent flyer miles to do anything with them. Hopefully, fares or surcharges will go down in the next month or so though.

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Some airlines allow you to use miles to get discounts on fares vs paying for a whole ticket. I don't use Northwest ever so I don't know their procedure.

It's really hard because the dollar is so weak so hotels and trains are so much more money! I can book a single for like 8500 yen which use to seem so cheap and now is not lol

The prob is the surcharges really need to go down because the fares are about as low as they ever get when you look at the breakdown. *sighs*

[spazzygirl19.livejournal.com]

Don't know if this will help - but sometimes you can get a cheaper fare from an airline by actually calling an 800# and talking to a live person (and it helps to have that airline's website/page up on the computer while you do so). Also, sometimes having a really good travel agent that has 'ins' that typical lay people do.

I ended up booking my flight to Paris last summer thru a travel agent. She ended up getting me the best, reliable fare. Vayama.com was cheaper - but I've heard too many stories of people being screwed with totally no recourse in any money back.

[rkold.livejournal.com]

I might try calling tomorrow. I've been looking at the official UAL site (and official ANA site) so I know no matter what the tickets will be valid. Lately I've gotten better fares booking directly with the airline. I use to use JTB a lot for Japan trips and before that Amnet but lately they've just not been as low.

The prob is I think the fare isn't real because it doesn't make sense for an ANA flight to be cheaper booked through United vs. ANA. I will have to contact United no matter what as I can't book seats for the ANA portion via United's web site o_O;

At the moment, I think I am going to do the connection going out and the direct coming back, I realized if I have a 2 week pass I can go back to Mito and Kanazawa and maybe Ise (and I want to go to Takamatsu and there are a few other places I am thinking back) Mito's plum blossoms are supposed to last until the end of March so if I went on Mon the 16th they should still be doing well.

But *hugs* thanks for the suggestion!

BTW I got the TEA!!!!!

[rkold.livejournal.com]

YES! ;;_;; But I really want to go to Japan to try to sell at Haru! ;;_;;

I'm hoping to see some sakura and/or ume. I'm planning a trip to Mito on Monday I think.