 Poster: A snowHead
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I'm planning on going next year for the first time and am wondering if anyone has any deep thoughts or good advice about when to buy? Skyscanner says ~£1200 at the moment which looking at the old threads on here is very high!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I'd say that as a general rule, I'm finding long-haul eastbound flights are about 50% more expensive than pre-COVID (and immediately post-COVID when there were some massive discounts). Capacity hasn't returned as fast as demand. I haven't looked at Japan specifically, but I tend to visit SE Asia a few times a year, and this year is much pricier.
Starting from outside the UK can sometimes make it cheaper. E.g. Oslo, Amsterdam or Paris. But clearly you have to get there first which has its own cost in time, money, and missed "connection" risk.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I think the flight routes to Japan need to avoid Russian airspace which adds a few hours and costs, so that probably doesn't help in terms of airfares either.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@snowdave, agreed, others have told me that they managed return flights to Hokkaido inc. baggage for ~£700 which is amazingly cheap. I had considered going via Geneva/Paris but the cost there is similar.
@marcs44, ah I see that would explain the increase as well then.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Avios is your friend.
We bagged Business Class both ways, used our 2-4-1 voucher, a ton load of avios points & about £700 each in taxes.
You could wait for a Sale? BA have one on atm.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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What's the best way to gain Avios other than flying?
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@eightbobnote, If you know you are going to buy something big like a laptop etc etc and you will be paying it via EG a debit card then then you should get an America Express card. Buy the goods, get 60,000 sign up bonus and use that to get a flight for. £800
What are your dates. I used to fly to Asia ever month on BA for 4 years so I know some tricks.
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Here is an avios example
So your sign up bonus for most cards (typically 30k) will allow you to save £600 each.
Last edited by After all it is free  on Tue 14-03-23 13:02; edited 1 time in total
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@GlasgowCyclops, just had a look: it's max 30,000 avios now if you spend £5,000 in the first three months. That would be OK except for the £250 annual fee! What do you think?
Probably after Christmas then back at the end of February. I've wanted to go for years so it's a big trip this time.
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A route I used to Japan a lot was UK to Hong Kong (or Seoul)then back direct from tokyo. This can be about £700
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@eightbobnote, I don't think it's worth it.
1) There's the fee... which also has to be compared to the fact that you might get 1% cashback on another card, so that's another £50 you're giving up - a net £300.
2) You're then reliant on Avios availability which might be there now, and might all have gone by the time you want to book (i.e. in X months time, when you've actually got the Avios).
It might be worth considering the Amex preferred rewards gold card instead - Amex rewards convert to Avios at 1:1. No fee for first year, 20k signup bonus after £3k spend in 3 months - easier all round. That way, if you don't get the flights you want, you've lost very little.
All the options are here...
https://www.headforpoints.com/best-uk-avios-airline-hotel-credit-cards/
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@eightbobnote, there are a few here
https://www.headforpoints.com/avios-promos/
One thing to remember that Gored did was use points and a 2-4-1 voucher. You basically book one avios flight for 17,000 + £600 and get a flight for free. I've done San diego for £1,200 for 2 in biz for this.
Also Lufthansa and Swiss have the famous BOGOF (only Business) which I did with my wife to Hong Kong for £970 upstairs on the 747 with a bed 
Are you going solo? The AMEX gold is free for the firs year. Get it, get the bonus avios then cancel. Also note with AMEX you get travel insurance etc for free.
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@snowdave, beat me to it
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You know it makes sense.
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@GlasgowCyclops, 
Maybe our paths will cross at Heathrow one day!
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| eightbobnote wrote: |
@GlasgowCyclops, just had a look: it's max 30,000 avios now if you spend £5,000 in the first three months. That would be OK except for the £250 annual fee! What do you think?
Probably after Christmas then back at the end of February. I've wanted to go for years so it's a big trip this time. |
the fee is prorated, so you can cancel anytime & get the fee remaining fee back.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| GlasgowCyclops wrote: |
@eightbobnote, there are a few here
https://www.headforpoints.com/avios-promos/
One thing to remember that Gored did was use points and a 2-4-1 voucher. You basically book one avios flight for 17,000 + £600 and get a flight for free. I've done San diego for £1,200 for 2 in biz for this.
Also Lufthansa and Swiss have the famous BOGOF (only Business) which I did with my wife to Hong Kong for £970 upstairs on the 747 with a bed
Are you going solo? The AMEX gold is free for the firs year. Get it, get the bonus avios then cancel. Also note with AMEX you get travel insurance etc for free. |
If going Solo, then Barclay card Avios or a Barclays account may be an alternative.
Cant remember which, but one gives a free upgrade.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Quote: |
One thing to remember that Gored did was use points and a 2-4-1 voucher. You basically book one avios flight for 17,000 + £600 and get a flight for free. I've done San diego for £1,200 for 2 in biz for this.
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You can use the companion vouchers for ha 50% discount on the avios price now I believe if you are traveling solo.
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I'd say that as a general rule, I'm finding long-haul eastbound flights are about 50% more expensive than pre-COVID (and immediately post-COVID when there were some massive discounts).
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I too am finding flights in general about 50% more expensive both LH and SH.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Flew out on 31 Dec
Flew back on 28 Feb
London to Chitose and back
£1000
Have gone for as little as £450 for the same dates and duration
If you can get anything under £900 go for it
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I'm tempted to take the current offer which is £1,100 and be done with it: any chance of lower prices in November which is when (I think) BA do their Far East sale or at least they used to?
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Sat 18-03-23 0:06; edited 1 time in total
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Mike Pow, how did you manage £1k?
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@snowdave, so Avios can't be used on any flight as a simple alternative to cash?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| eightbobnote wrote: |
| @snowdave, so Avios can't be used on any flight as a simple alternative to cash? |
They can but it’s a really inefficient use of avios.
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| eightbobnote wrote: |
| @Mike Pow, how did you manage £1k? |
Booking.com
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Does anybody have any knowledge/guesses regarding upcoming sales on flights UK to Tokyo for after Christmas (probably around 28th Dec -13th Jan) or have I left it too late? I Had hoped there might be some sales in September but haven't seen anything yet and the best I can currently see is around £1k with reasonable durations (skyscanner). It was closer to £750 back in July, any chance of it going down or only up from here?
Thanks.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@Chris_R,
Sale is on now https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/destinations/far-east-and-australia/japan
I think BA have reduced flights/capacity as the planes that fly route are going through the cabin upgrades.
My flight for Jan was cancelled (BA005 outbound) & I was put on the earlier flight. Only the one flight a day now with BA until the first Saturday of February.
You could try ANA & JAL
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I've been looking too on those dates. Cathay remains silly prices; KLM best currently in the £800s... hard to know whether to stick or twist on this. I've got the added complication of out via CTS too.
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You know it makes sense.
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If you see anything under 1k then buy
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@Chris_R, look at a multi trip with a pit stop in Seoul or a flight to KIX. Rather than TYO (NRT and HND).
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Poster: A snowHead
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Thanks for the replies everyone. I'll take a look at those options.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Etihad are doing London to Tokyo in Jan 2024 for under US$1k / £700-800.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Finnair now charging £110 for ski bags to Japan (new BS rules since June). That's just lost them my booking. Etihad have few decent returns - most over 30hrs... Kix wrong way for all the skiing
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@wiigman,
Thank you for your information. 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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FAQ
Did not dare to book before they where out of Chapter 11.
US Department of Justice had some objections reported today! 