The Overseas Ticketing Guide to Affordable Japan Travel

How to Save More When you Travel To Japan with ANA

First, here’s some tips on how to save money when traveling to Japan with ANA. This is highly recommended for budget travelers looking for budget airlines when visiting Japan. When booking your flight, Usually you choose your starting point (like Vancouver) and your destination (like Tokyo).

This will result in your ticket costing:

This is the standard way to book tickets, but it actually results in higher ticket prices.

Here are some suggestions to help reduce your expenses:

This time, set your final destination to Manila, Philippines, instead of Tokyo. On the reservation screen, you can use the following flights or travel route.

Vancouver to Japan, Japan to the Philippines, and the Philippines back to Vancouver.

Booking a non-stop flight from Vancouver to the Philippines might cost less. However, you may have to switch your ticket in Japan during your layover. This experience could be inconvenient for some. Therefore, if you are traveling with family or friends, the above method is the best option.

Buy Mileage Scheme

Another method is to actually purchase miles and use those miles to book award tickets. Booking ANA award tickets can be hard, but it’s easier to book with airlines like United or Air Canada. You can save money by buying miles from websites listed below and using them to book cheap tickets to Japan.

For example, if miles cost $0.025 each, and you need 100,000 miles for a round-trip business class ticket between Tokyo and Los Angeles on ANA. A round-trip ticket between Japan and Los Angeles can cost approximately $2,500.

You can also buy miles from websites and services at a lower price. This means you could potentially fly business class for cheaper than an economy class ticket.

ZIPAIR Tokyo:

ZIPAIR is a “A New Basic” low-cost airline owned by Japan Airlines. They offer direct flights from certain US to Japan flights (NRT) without any extra amenities. Their basic fares are incredibly competitive, focusing on cost savings for essential travel needs.

ZIPAIR, a new international medium-to-long-haul LCC wholly owned by JAL, is the airline everyone’s discussing. With its slogan “Fly Once, Fly Again,” ZIPAIR is gaining popularity for its comfortable flights and affordable fares.

Large aircraft for a comfortable journey

ZIPAIR uses Boeing 787 Dreamliners. These planes have spacious cabins and higher humidity levels. This helps make flights more comfortable by reducing dry air.

Inflight Free WiFi

While most international airlines charge for in-flight Wi-Fi, ZIPAIR offers it for free. Passengers can easily browse the web, check emails, and send messages throughout their flight.

Cost-effective with minimal in-flight services

ZIPAIR keeps fares low by offering meals, amenities, and seat assignments as optional paid services. Passengers like this option because they can pick the services they want and only pay for what they use.

Bonus Tip 1: U6 Fare for Children

The U6 fare is a special flat rate for children under 6 years old. It comes with a seat for the child, free seat selection, and a guaranteed seat next to a parent or guardian.

Bonus Tip 2: Upgrade Your Seat After Takeoff

Some airlines charge a fee for seat upgrades at check-in. However, ZIPAIR allows passengers to upgrade to a fully flat seat after takeoff. This is only possible if there are available seats. You can easily do this through the in-flight self-order system.

Scoot

Owned by Singapore Airlines, Scoot offers affordable long-haul flights. This includes US cities to Tokyo and Osaka (KIX) via Singapore. Their tickets may include a stop in Singapore. This can be a great chance to explore a new destination while traveling.

Peach Aviation

Peach offers Japan cheap flights that flies within the country and to cities in Asia like Seoul, Taipei, and Hong Kong. This can be a great option if you’re planning a multi-city trip and want to add Japan to your travel plan.

Jetstar Japan

Another Japanese low-cost airline, Jetstar offers domestic flights as well as connections to destinations in Asia. Customers know them for their occasional sales and promotions, which allow them to offer even cheaper fares.

Overseas Ticketing

What is “Overseas Ticketing” and How to Book Wisely?

Overseas ticketing literally means starting your flight from a country or region outside Japan.

Example 1. You can choose to fly from Seoul to Tokyo one way, or from Los Angeles to Singapore round-trip with a layover in Tokyo. The first option is a one-way ticket from Seoul to Tokyo. The second option is a round-trip ticket from Los Angeles to Singapore with a layover in Tokyo.

Example 2. A flight from New York to Paris is also an example of overseas ticketing.

If you live in the U.S. and plan to travel to Japan, consider booking a flight that includes layovers in other countries. This could potentially save you money on your airfare as flights with layovers are often cheaper than direct flights.

Research different flight options to find a good deal for your trip. like Manila or Kuala Lumpur, rather than booking a direct ticket to Japan.

Japan is a wealthy country in the G7 group. As a result, ticket prices are usually higher in Japan compared to other countries. However, by setting Southeast Asia as your final destination, the actual airline costs are lower. By utilizing this strategy, you can significantly save on your flight costs.

Nearly 200 countries exist in the world, along with countless cities and many airports. Airline ticket prices differ worldwide based on country policies, purchasing power, and departure city.

Airline tickets are a service that is hard to compare, similar to parallel imports that use exchange rate differences. The official route may be more costly.

Benefits of Overseas Ticketing

Cost Savings

The main advantage of overseas ticketing is its cost-effectiveness. Japan used to be the second-largest economy in the world, but now it is not as wealthy as countries like Singapore or China. In comparison, airline tickets from other countries are generally cheaper, making overseas ticketing a beneficial option.

I am comparing prices for premium economy round-trip tickets from Japan to Sydney and Sydney to Japan. The comparison is for a round-trip ticket in premium economy class. The comparison is between the prices for the two destinations.

Overseas Ticketing from Sydney

Comparing E class round-trip tickets, Japan costs 240,000 yen and Sydney costs 150,000 yen, making Sydney about 90,000 yen cheaper. If you frequently travel to Sydney, you can reduce costs by utilizing overseas ticketing from Sydney.

Lower Fees for Reservation Changes and Cancellations

Buying tickets from overseas can be cheaper and more flexible than buying them in Japan. For example, you cannot change cheap economy tickets from Japan and may incur a cancellation fee of 30,000 yen.

International tickets have lower fees for changing or canceling flights, which makes it easier to adjust your travel plans. This is in contrast to domestic tickets, which have higher fees for changes and cancellations. Overall, international tickets offer more flexibility for adjusting your schedule.

Possibility of Stopovers in Japan

Overseas ticketing often allows for stopovers (stays of more than 24 hours) in Japan. This can be particularly useful if you live in Japan but travel to a final destination abroad. Instead of flying directly to your destination, consider stopping in Japan on the way to break up your trip.

For example, you could come back to Tokyo from Europe in early May, then go to Sydney the next Friday. This breaks up the trip and avoids the need for a long holiday.

Flexibility for Short-Term Stays

Cheap tickets from Japan often have restrictions on the length of your stay at your destination. These restrictions usually require a minimum stay of 2 to 3 days. This means you need at least a long weekend or more. However, overseas ticketing counts the days separately, so there are no such restrictions.

Some people fly to Japan and immediately fly back, without leaving the airport. In the mileage hobby world, enthusiasts refer to this as “touch.” Although some carriers do not allow this, ANA and JAL do permit short stays like this.

Upgrading to Business Class for a Fraction of the Cost

Buying tickets from another country offers the benefit of obtaining cheaper prices. You can then use miles to upgrade to business class. This allows you to enjoy a more comfortable flight experience.

Compared to tickets issued from Japan, fares eligible for business class upgrades are cheaper. With miles, you can fly business class for just a few tens of thousands of yen. This is a significant draw for using overseas ticketing.

Cities with Cheap Overseas Ticketing

Cities where overseas ticketing offers advantages (i.e., cheaper fares) include:

• Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Bangkok, Colombo
• Budapest, Madrid, Barcelona, Oslo, Paris, Brussels

These cities often provide cheaper routes across all alliances and classes, making them attractive options. Additionally, selecting the right airline is crucial. However, this list is just an example, and you can find cheap cities scattered worldwide. Any city can become an affordable overseas ticketing destination during promotional periods.

Airlines with Cheap Overseas Ticketing

Let’s look at some airlines, focusing on those with cheap business class and premium economy fares. This is for comfortable travel and mileage collection.

Star Alliance

Singapore Airlines

Among Star Alliance carriers, Singapore Airlines stands out for its excellent service. Despite its premium image, it can be quite affordable depending on the ticketing location.

It frequently offers limited-time promotions, making it a cost-effective choice. Regions like Hong Kong, Manila, and various cities in India are particularly cheap. Hong Kong often offers competitive fares to rival Cathay Pacific. though recent events like protests and COVID-19 have reduced these promotions.

Air China

Air China is versatile, offering affordable fares from Seoul and various European cities. Also for relatively cheap for tickets issued from Japan, making it a popular choice for mileage runs. Japanese People may debate the service quality, but it efficiently earns status points, especially in business class. However, be mindful of risks related to pandemics like SARS and COVID-19.

LOT Polish Airlines

LOT Polish Airlines offers affordable fares from Seoul to various European cities to Japan and east asia. They operate direct flights from Seoul to Budapest, a city known for cheap tickets across various carriers. All while making it ideal for combining flights within limited time frames.

Turkish Airlines

With the most extensive global network, Turkish Airlines connects almost every destination through Istanbul, except for Antarctica and Australia. It offers affordable fares for transatlantic and trans-Eurasian flights. Although the mileage collection rate for business class is modest at 100%, there are many affordable routes to leverage.

ANA

While overseas airlines seem cheaper, ANA also offers affordable fares for overseas ticketing. Kuala Lumpur is notably inexpensive for economy, premium economy, and business classes. Sydney is another affordable location for a premium economy, with valuable options for round trips to Japan via Europe.

For European routes, economy fares from various cities (like Paris or Brussels) are cheap. while business class fares, though higher, are better when upgrading from economy or premium economy using miles.

Oneworld

Although Oneworld has fewer airlines compared to other alliances, some still offer cheap overseas ticketing comparable to Star Alliance.

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways is renowned for its service, rivaling Singapore Airlines. Especially in business class, it offers the world-renowned QSuite, a fully private suite available on many routes. Flying in a QSuite alone can be a valuable travel experience. Qatar Airways flies through Doha, which can add to travel time compared to other airline’s direct flights.

However, leveraging local resources, Qatar Airways has acquired luxurious equipment and uses savvy marketing to attract customers from direct flight carriers. Actually, their slogan could be “Make Long Flights Comfortable and Affordable.” Qatar Airways offers affordable flight deals from East Asia (including Japan) to Europe and North America. Business class fares are among the cheapest in the world when purchasing airline tickets.

Malaysia Airlines

Malaysia Airlines operates primarily in Asia and Oceania, with Kuala Lumpur as its hub. Although it previously served Europe, America, and South Africa, repeated tragedies have reduced its European routes to just London.

Malaysia Airlines’ true strength lies in ticketing from East Asia. This includes (Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei) to Southeast Asian cities (Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, Manila). Flying south to Kuala Lumpur before heading north increases the total flight distance, making it ideal for mileage runs.

SriLankan Airlines

SriLankan Airlines is an Asia-centric carrier with Colombo, the primary city of Sri Lanka, as its hub. In addition to Narita, it also flies to Shanghai, where sometimes you can find cheap business class tickets. As mentioned earlier, Colombo is a city known for cheap overseas ticketing, making it useful for accessing those deals. Dubai routes are often cheap too, so it’s worth checking regularly.

JAL (Japan Airlines)

JAL offers many affordable options for overseas ticketing. Tickets from Kuala Lumpur or North America are often inexpensive, providing many choices. Notably, JAL offers some of the cheapest premium economy and business class tickets for routes starting in Seoul. This transits through Tokyo, and heading to Southeast Asia.

Although ANA previously offered similar routes, they no longer do, making JAL a strong contender for this travel plan. From a mileage run perspective, ANA offers many economy and premium economy tickets eligible for business class upgrades. Japan Airlines offers inherently cheaper business class fares compared to other airlines.

SkyTeam

SkyTeam has low recognition in Japan since they lack Japanese members. But, steadily it has increased its capabilities as an alliance.

Here are some affordable carriers within SkyTeam:

China Eastern Airlines

Based at Shanghai Pudong Airport, is one of China’s Big Three airlines, alongside Air China and China Southern Airlines. It flies to destinations worldwide, and has introduced new aircraft like the B787 and A350. Affordable routes cover various regions, including Asia and Europe. They offer prices that Star Alliance and Oneworld cannot match, making SkyTeam an appealing option for mileage runs.

Saudia

Previously requiring a visa and difficult to visit without business purposes, Saudi Arabia has become more accessible with online visa applications since 2019. Saudia, its flagship carrier, often offers cheap tickets from Athens to Southeast Asian destinations like KL and MNL.

Air France/KLM

Both Air France and KLM have a long history of operating flights to Japan and are well-known worldwide. Depending on the ticketing location, their fares can be quite affordable. Besides their service, they are attractive because Delta Air Lines’ SkyMiles program offers high mileage collection rates. In Europe, Budapest ticketing is cheap, as are tickets from Northern Europe.

For Asian ticketing, Seoul and major cities in China are affordable options. KLM operates fifth freedom routes like Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur and Denpasar to Singapore. They offer one-way business class fares (Jakarta to KL) for as low as 16,000 yen, creating interesting opportunities.