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Japan Airlines has a partnership with Bangkok Airways and one of the longest-running award discount programs, now extended to March 31, 2016.
JAL’s awards are distance-based and one-ways are allowed. A trip of less than 1,000 miles is 5,000 miles, discounted from 15,000. The next band, up to 2,000 miles, goes for 8,000 miles, down from 20,000 and that is good enough for Bangkok – Phuket – Chiang Mai – Bangkok. Trips over 2,000 miles have minimal discount so best to break up the trip into separate tickets.
Bangkok Airways awards must be booked over the phone. JAL’s agents are helpful. For my trip, I was calling a week out and every flight I wanted had availability. Bangkok Airways has few other partners so I don’t expect awards to be in short supply. Intra-Thailand the taxes and fees are just a few dollars, with no fuel surcharges. I have not priced international.
Bangkok Airways is great for trips to Angkor Wat and also flies as far as the Maldives, see their destinations. Some are routes with tons of low-cost competitor options, others are more expensive, so compare awards to revenue ticket alternatives. Travel Codex has a good analysis and report on his experience.
How to get JAL miles other than flying? For US-based travelers, a transfer from SPG is likely the best route, just plan in advance. Here is my report on the process and timeline. JAL miles expire after 3 years if not used.
What else to do with JAL miles? See Travel is Free, Using JAL Miles with 7 Stopovers.
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Baqa – fascinating about REP, I wonder if you can book a same-day turn direct on Bangkok Airways?
Friendly agents, yes, but maybe not quite as well informed. They had no problem booking my wife and I on the first flight of the day BKK-REP and the return on the last flight of the same day. However, it wasn’t until we arrived to check in to our flight in BKK that we found out same day turns are not allowed at REP. Luckily we were pretty early to the airport and could find a JAL rep there to switch our return to the following morning – but, had we not been able to do so, we would have… Read more »
[…] Rapid Travel Chai points out that it has been extended through March […]
how easy is it to book family and friends on JAL miles, any thing like other carriers strick policy ?
@choi – I did not have the miles to complete a booking but they had no issue setting up the tickets for wife and I so I think it is better. The JAL agents are friendly and well-informed.