( Now gone) "how do I book a J any seat award at classic award points level" thread.

[markis10]

*****WITH THE CHANGES MADE TO THE BOOKING ENGINE THIS OPTION IS NOW GONE AS SHOWN HERE. YOU NEED TO RING TO GET THE BEST VALUE JASAs.
had the odd request from various members about how to book a ASA and use points + cash to bring it down to classic award levels (not to be confused with the points + pay option through the normal booking process that is poor value IMHO). So here is the process with pictures.

Firstly you need to log into your account:

Then select the award flight options on the bottom right of the home page, note you will need to select award flights then any seat awards before putting in the details:

In this case we are going for the best value JASA in terms of SCs and points earned for a domestic flight as we head up to Ozfest:

Then select your flight and press the review button, note the full cost is displayed at this stage:

Then you get the slider that allows you to pay cash for the points in excess of the classic award level:

The rest of the process is the same as if buying a ticket etc.

Then you can sit back and enjoy the prospect of some good points and SCs at a reasonable cost:

 

[anat0l]

re: ( Now gone) "how do I book a J any seat award at classic award points level" thread.

Good thread, markis10.

Note that this thread can be adapted to book any class of Any Seat Award at Classic points level. There is no trick in the technique per se, just in luck of finding such a fare.

It should be noted that in order to be ready for this kind of thing, one must be able to calculate the Classic points cost of a routing and class before they arrive. The "minimum" as stated on the flight selection page (written in red) is only the minimum points (Classic cost) for the cheapest award (i.e. the most direct option in Red e-Deal Economy).

In order to determine the Classic award cost, one can pretend to book a Classic award, find the same routing / class, select it to get the cost, and then go back and proceed to book the ASA. It should be noted that not all Classic routings shown will appear on in the ASA selection and vv. Don't ask why - I don't know.

As for the cash cost after you reduce an ASA from 100% points to minimum points + cash, that will represent one or two things:

1. The taxes/fees/surcharges levied for the award (i.e. just as if you had booked a Classic award), and
2. (possibly) a "supplement" which is due to the fare bucket of the seat which you are purchasing as an ASA.
   For example, for Red e-Deal, there are fare buckets O, N and Q, and as they are stated that is in increasing order of price. If you get the cheapest Red e-Deal as an ASA, you'll pay the smallest cash contribution possible (which should match that of a Classic Award). If not, you'll pay a bit more if it's a higher fare bucket.
   
   In cases where you have to pay a fare bucket "supplement", you'll need to rationalise and decide whether it's still worth paying it in addition to the regular taxes/fees/surcharges.
   
   Note that for Economy ASAs, you'll need to pick the cheapest fare bucket (e.g. Sale, Red e-Deal, or perhaps different if international market) to have any chance of getting a Classic priced award.
   
   The same can apply for Business, except Business typically has fewer buckets so not as variable. In addition, for Business or First awards, especially international, the fare bucket with reasonable (Classic) prices is usually Business Saver or First Saver (not full Business or full First) - these typically have cancellation policies and they will not necessarily be the lowest bucket in their fare type anyway. However, in most cases they can still be great value!

 

[Princess Fiona]

The "how do I book a J any seat award at classic award points level" thread.

Just booked my first ever JASA, SYD-PER-MEL-SYD thanks to this thread. 72000 points ( Classic Award levels), $218 cash, 200SC, happy days ! Could have taken a more indirect route for same cost but my itinerary in PER is tight for that weekend
Thanks

 

[medhead]

The "how do I book a J any seat award at classic award points level" thread.

(which should match that of a Classic Award). If not, you'll pay a bit more if it's a higher fare bucket.

Admittedly, I've only done half a dozen ASAs. But I always check both classic and ASA and I'm yet to see one where the ASA cash cost is the same as the classic cash cost. With both awards available, at the same fare class and points cost the same. IMO the cash cost of an ASA will always be more than the classic cash cost, at the minimum points level, even if it is only marginally more.

 

[casanovawa]

re: ( Now gone) "how do I book a J any seat award at classic award points level" thread.

Any tips on how to find cheap JASA's? Is that JASA price of 32k points (the same as one of the red edeal options beneath) so cheap just because all the other fare classes are booked out for that flight? Its only a search for a month ahead so is searching further ahead or closer to the date the best way to chance getting a cheap JASA or is it all just luck and sifting through dates?

 

[markis10]

re: ( Now gone) "how do I book a J any seat award at classic award points level" thread.

Admittedly, I've only done half a dozen ASAs. But I always check both classic and ASA and I'm yet to see one where the ASA cash cost is the same as the classic cash cost. With both awards available, at the same fare class and points cost the same. IMO the cash cost of an ASA will always be more than the classic cash cost, at the minimum points level, even if it is only marginally more.

Try my example in post1 using the same flights as classic Y award.

 

[oz_mark]

re: ( Now gone) "how do I book a J any seat award at classic award points level" thread.

Admittedly, I've only done half a dozen ASAs. But I always check both classic and ASA and I'm yet to see one where the ASA cash cost is the same as the classic cash cost. With both awards available, at the same fare class and points cost the same. IMO the cash cost of an ASA will always be more than the classic cash cost, at the minimum points level, even if it is only marginally more.

On a direct point to point flight I would agree with you. However, I have seen some interesting results where there are connections involved.

 

[dfcatch]

The "how do I book a J any seat award at classic award points level" thread.

Markis - great thread from the JASA master.

But you're meant to be on vacation and should take a day off

 

[cove]

re: ( Now gone) "how do I book a J any seat award at classic award points level" thread.

Markis10 you had a dash on each of Pay and Eat so everyone's account is so different!
Those account snapshots are outside my computer skills for posting so let me say they are very helpful.

 

[medhead]

re: ( Now gone) "how do I book a J any seat award at classic award points level" thread.

Try my example in post1 using the same flights as classic Y award.

On a direct point to point flight I would agree with you. However, I have seen some interesting results where there are connections involved.

Yes well, I've only looked at point to point in any detail. Well besides a CNS-ADL, but that is a bit different to post 1. Anyway, my comments are only about point to point.

 

[serfty]

... It should be noted that not all Classic routings shown will appear on in the ASA selection and vv. Don't ask why - I don't know. ...

I have found Classic offerings which are not reflected in ASA availability on some occasions.

On checking fare buckets it appears the Classic availability I see is likely elite based and not available to NB etc.

From this I conject that ASA's only use standard (non elite) availability when determining points costings.

 

[pshepvic]

re: ( Now gone) "how do I book a J any seat award at classic award points level" thread.

Admittedly, I've only done half a dozen ASAs. But I always check both classic and ASA and I'm yet to see one where the ASA cash cost is the same as the classic cash cost. With both awards available, at the same fare class and points cost the same. IMO the cash cost of an ASA will always be more than the classic cash cost, at the minimum points level, even if it is only marginally more.

Same in my experience as well. And it really shouldn't be the same $ amount either - considering you earn points & SCs on the fares. Otherwise if the $ amount was the same, the net cost for an ASA would be less than a classic award.

 

[serfty]

FWIW, the Cash cost of a 144K JASA MEL-NRT went from ~$350 to over $500 in the last seven days.

Fuel fine component increase, I consider.

 

[oz_mark]

re: ( Now gone) "how do I book a J any seat award at classic award points level" thread.

FWIW, the Cash cost of a 144K JASA MEL-NRT went from ~$350 to over $500 in the last seven days.

Fuel fine component increase, I consider.

Maybe, but the latest fuel surcharge increase isn't due to kick in till the 28th.

 

[serfty]

Maybe, but the latest fuel surcharge increase isn't due to kick in till the 28th.

Hmmm ... maybe the $ amount is randomly generated.

Also, the actual increase for SYD/NRT was only $40 each way.

 

[oz_mark]

re: ( Now gone) "how do I book a J any seat award at classic award points level" thread.

Hmmm ... maybe the $ amount is randomly generated.

Also, the actual increase for SYD/NRT was only $40 each way.

$40 sounds right for the fuel surcharge increase!

 

[greenfrog86]

re: ( Now gone) "how do I book a J any seat award at classic award points level" thread.

Please tell me if this is not in the right place... however have a few questions to seek people's thoughts on the value of ASA tickets once you take the points amount down to Classic levels and pay extra...

I'm planning a trip to Europe in October and would like to use points so I don't have to pay too much, so lets use that as an example...

Firstly it seems to be much easier for me to get flights if I split my trip into one booking MEL-HKG and one HKG-LHR

Taking the HKG-LHR leg in Premium using a Classic Award:
Trip Price for - 1 x Adult: 126,000
Charges/taxes: $4570.00 (HKD) = $580 AUD

Same leg as a Premium ASA
Trip Price 126,000 points
Charges $8685 HKD $1044 AUD

Or lets say I use more points and do the below
Points 160,484
Charges $5676 HKD $682 AUD

The reason that I show these examples is that the current price for that ticket paying cash is around $1600AUD I think which makes the first ASA option very poor value...

In summary - what would your advice be based on how you perceive value here?

I'm thinking about something like the last option as the points are not too outrageous when you consider that the ticket earns points & SC...

Thoughts?

 

[pshepvic]

re: ( Now gone) "how do I book a J any seat award at classic award points level" thread.

Please tell me if this is not in the right place... however have a few questions to seek people's thoughts on the value of ASA tickets once you take the points amount down to Classic levels and pay extra...

I'm planning a trip to Europe in October and would like to use points so I don't have to pay too much, so lets use that as an example...

Firstly it seems to be much easier for me to get flights if I split my trip into one booking MEL-HKG and one HKG-LHR

Taking the HKG-LHR leg in Premium using a Classic Award:
Trip Price for - 1 x Adult: 126,000
Charges/taxes: $4570.00 (HKD) = $580 AUD

Same leg as a Premium ASA
Trip Price 126,000 points
Charges $8685 HKD $1044 AUD

Or lets say I use more points and do the below
Points 160,484
Charges $5676 HKD $682 AUD

The reason that I show these examples is that the current price for that ticket paying cash is around $1600AUD I think which makes the first ASA option very poor value...

In summary - what would your advice be based on how you perceive value here?

I'm thinking about something like the last option as the points are not too outrageous when you consider that the ticket earns points & SC...

Thoughts?

Honestly, I'd pay the $1600 and not use my points (or maybe use them to upgrade!) If the taxes are 2/3 the cost of the actual fare and you have to use that many points then it's pretty poor value.

 

[QF WP]

re: ( Now gone) "how do I book a J any seat award at classic award points level" thread.

I was able to use the skills from the master markis10 and snag a JASA on Sunday, BNE/MEL/PER, 140 SC's, co-payment of $150 which reduced points from 74K to 59K.

 

[11sjw]

re: ( Now gone) "how do I book a J any seat award at classic award points level" thread.

Markis10 you had a dash on each of Pay and Eat so everyone's account is so different!
Those account snapshots are outside my computer skills for posting so let me say they are very helpful.

ctrl + PrtScn

Open up MS Paint

"Edit" Menu & Paste

You now have a screen dump to play with!