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Jizzo T. Clown

What's the best way to go? The last time I went to Japan I had NOVA book my ticket. This time, I'm having to start from scratch. Places like travelocity and orbitz are a joke. Any good advice?

abufletcher · Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2005 3:58 pm Post subject:

Last June when my boys (paying full adult fare) came for a visit flying LAX to KIX I paid $995 per ticket on JAL and that was the cheapest I could find anywhere and hundreds less than the prices listed on the usual "discount airfare" websites. I just got in touch with a local (in Southern Cal) travel agent and had them book it. From Kansai to LA, Thai Airways always seems to be the cheapest. So on when I returned to LA "with the boys" they were in fact 30 minutes behind me in the air as it would have cost me several hundred extra dollars to return with them on JAL.

The best strategy on buying air tickets is to always have a pretty good idea of what the flight should really cost at the time you're going to fly. For example, I know that low-season from KIX to LAX should run me about 75,000 yen (including all the taxes and surcharges). High-season (end of July) it should cost about 20,000-30,000 more.

From the US I'd say you should still be able to get a summer-time ticket for around a $1000 and a low-season fare of about $600-700. Of course I'm talking round-trip tickets here. One way tickets typically cost 80-90% of round trip because there are no discounts on one-way tickets.

OaklandZoo · Joined: 13 Jun 2005 Posts: 30

You are right, the typical online travel sites are a joke, but probably because they don't specialize in transpacific flights. Their main strength is US domestic flights I'm guessing. As for Japan-US flights, I've always used IACE Travel. Google it and you'll find the contact info.

mrjohndub · Joined: 19 Sep 2005 Posts: 198 Location: Saitama, Japan

What about flights from North America to Japan and back? I'm trying to find a good deal for a friend to fly from New York to Tokyo and back. Do the discounters who advertise flights out of Japan also book good fares to and then from Japan?

abufletcher · Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 6:37 am Post subject:

OaklandZoo · Joined: 13 Jun 2005 Posts: 30

When I was in the US, the travel agents would have "Satogaeri" tickets, which are flights originating in America. They also had "Yobiyose" tickets, which are for Japan to US flights, for when you want to bring your family, relatives, friends or whatever. Not sure if they still do that, or if travel agents in Japan do that at all. It just might be easier to have your friend book his/her own flight in my opinion.

Jizzo T. Clown · Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 4:39 pm Post subject:

Ok, so from what I'm reading so far, my best bet to fly from Dallas/Fort Worth to Narita is to book with IACE America?

Seeker of truth · Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Posts: 146

I recommend:

www.flycheapabroad.com
www.cheapflights.com

Please let us know if you find something better than these.

bailey35mm · Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 10:41 am Post subject:

Since you are flying from Dallas to Tokyo, American Airlines is a good place to start. After finding their price, then contact IACE or H.I.S Travel and get their fare. Between the airline and the travel agency, you likely won`t find a better deal. Avoid Golden Week, Oban, Christmas and New Years for the cheapest fare.

macondo · Joined: 12 Nov 2005 Posts: 40 Location: Gifu-ken

It's going to depend on when you get the tickets for. Out of JFK I've seen tickets for under $700 to Tokyo between December and April.
I just looked on American Airline's site, and a ticket for travel within February is $574 nonstop. Before taxes, etc., so you're looking at about $600. Japan Airlines is a partner of American, so their fares are comparable and their service is many times linked to American (buy American, fly Japan).

After April it's usually around $1000. I've been looking for myself, on AA's site, to leave at the end of March and return in the summer, and I've found no less than $1000.

I'm trying to go through American to get frequent flier miles, because I'm not sure that I can get them through other avenues (consolidators, etc.). Any insight, anyone?

bailey35mm · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 7:47 am Post subject:

adventurous · Joined: 11 Jan 2006 Posts: 5

You can also bargain with a travel agent, because their prices are not set in stone. Tell them that you were quoted a fare of $--- (be realistic) from a Japanese travel agent, but would feel more comfortable with an American travel agent. So, if they can match that price, you'll choose them.

fingerpanit · Joined: 01 Aug 2005 Posts: 21 Location: Nevada

Last month I bought a one way ticket (Leaving Las Vegas, NV and arriving in Nagoya, JPN) for $375. I will be heading to Japan via Northwest Airlines on March 2 to teach in Okazaki for a year.

www.studentuniverse.com

Enjoy.

tripper · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 29 Location: Osaka

Have a look on Northwest Airline`s website-they were doing special flights when I checked last week-for example Orlando to KIX was $540 return including tax. I think you have to book in January though and can use the flight up until the end of March.

Good luck!

takamatsudaiki · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 6:38 am Post subject:

I've heard from various people that Korean Air and Thai air have much cheaper rates than JAL or ANA (or any American carriers for that matter). See if you can find the costs on those airlines while you are looking at others.